Mountain towing with/without ovtune?

I recently bought a travel trailer and was curious if anyone has towed a trailer before getting a tune and after. And how much of a difference did it make pulling a travel trailer.

 

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Oooohhh. Good question. Sub'd.

 

Have the Tune (1.04 87) pre tune ran S mode with Shift Sense. Since flashing the Tune I have made one camping trip pulling 1700 lb popup camper using S mode with shift sense deactivated. Pulled fine. Mileage was not as good as non-tune with Shift Sense, but shifted smoother and had more power. Also ran S mode with Tune and Shift Sense engaged - seemed like the combination of the Tune and Shift Sense activated resulted in harsher shifting and higher RPM than necessary. Have many more camping trips to go and will evaluate further with each. Considering selling the Shift Sense as the Tune truly makes the truck drive like you would expect. Will also reflash to 1.05 when Mat releases it. Also - I have re-geared to 4.88's. Totally happy with the way the truck performs towing and as daily driver.

 

I have a 22” travel trailer that is 5000lbs when loaded and I will say my taco pulls it a ton better after having the ovtune. You would not regret getting it. I showed of mention I am also running 255/85/16’s for tires, a hidden winch up front, and sliders. A re-gear will be in my future also....

 

Without - does fine towing 4500 lbs for me. Bought a bunch of fun add-ons instead with the money saved.

 

Got pics of truck hooked up to trailer?

 

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Here you go. I will try to get a better side shot in a few days when I hook back up to it to come home from camping. The picture without the softopper is last year before sliders, winch, and 33” tires. Both pictures however are with the Firestone airbags installed. I also installed a Hensley hitch on the camper this year which has made high wind and highway cruising much more comfortable. Next will be 4.88’s from ECGs.

 

Looks good!

 

That's a lot of trailer. I am pretty keen on getting some air bags. I am towing a 2,500lb tent trailer without weight distribution or any suspension help. I am taking it for more then a 5 min drive for the first time this weekend. On the last drive to the garage, it felt like it was porpoising a bit. Nothing really butt clenching, but noticeable. I like the versatility of the air bags.

This is the first I have heard of a Hensley Hitch. That looks really cool!

 

Made a big difference for me. I only tow around ~2500. Race bike, gear, equipment, spare parts, etc.

I cant comment on gas mileage before or after but currently I get around 18-19mpg towing in the NE which is not flat at all. At 65mph I never need to leave 6th gear other then very steep grades, I can even pass without grabbing another gear in most cases. Before the tune this wasn't possible I was grabbing 5th much more often.

The tune still acts a little strange from a dead stop for me, the newest files are much better but if you need to come to a complete stop on a fairly steep hill its sometimes difficult to get the truck going again(almost like a bunch of power just disappears). This doesnt always happen but its something to mention. Its still far superior to the stock tune.

EDIT: I have a MT

 

Here is a picture from this morning after getting back from Watkins Glen.

 

Anybody tuned towing with a manual? Just towed my Jayco X19H 800 miles and the truck wasn’t very happy in the hills. About 4500lbs total.

 

I have. 5000+ miles

The tune makes a significant difference towing. Pulled up through the mountains no problems.

 

Great, thanks. I plan on keeping this truck awhile, love the camper so far too. My first trip with it

 

I also saw about 2 more mpg with the tune while towing

 

What are you towing? I was getting 10.5 on 93 octane

 

I’m usually 12-14 mpg. Had a 3500 lb ish camper and I’ve got a 7x14 cargo trailer

 

The trailer is 3600 dry, so yeah, with 30 gals water and gear its 4500. But I didnt count what is in the truck, which I should.