Suggestions for motor oil for towing this summer

Pennzoil motor oil
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Snagglefoot

Snagglefoot

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SE British Columbia, Canada
Today is the first day of spring.
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Starting to think of this summer's RV towing season. I usually use 5w30 in my 2008 Chev 3/4 ton with 150,000 mile's but I'd be interested in hearing any of the opinions of the guys who like the higher viscosity. I tow a 6300 lb traveler with a total weight of about 7,000 lbs. Lots of 7 and 8 degree grades. The trucks is set up for towing fairly well with a 6.0 gas engine (wish it was a diesel), 3.73 rear gear, 6 sp transmission with tow setting and manual control. The top two gears are overdrive gears. I find things go best when I tow in 4th gear, and the transmission is not hunting. At about 60 mph I am at 3500 rpm. I have a factory transmission cooler and factory oil cooler. The temp gage never varies from 210 F. The transmission temp is not overly high unless I am moving it around at low speeds on hot days. I found that after a summer of about 5 trips of 120 miles, the oil is pretty dark. Although the truck doesn't burn oil it was certainly near black a lot quicker. The ambient temp is often into the 90's. What oil do you like to use when towing?
 
Although the sump temperature may not be that high he temperature of the oil as it lubricates the bearings and the pistons gets much higher under heavy load.
I would choose an oil that meets Acea a3 specifications. Meaning it has HTHS viscosity of 3.5or greater.
There are many HDMOs that are sm to sn rated as well that would provide good service such as chevrons Delo line.
Then the euro oils such as Mobil 1 0w40, Castrol 0w40 and 0w30(euro)
Don’t forger about Mobil 1 high mileage 10w30 it is a3.
 
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Nothing scientific , but I would change the oil / filter at 3000 miles .

Honestly , I would give the transmission a drain , filter replacement and fill after every towing season .
 
Towing is like racing. Should probably go up a bit in viscosity from the normal spec.

For you, with 150k (and why isn't a Canadian using km's?) miles, I like the Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30 Full Synthetic already suggested by Bryanccfshr above. Its HTHS=3.5 is enough extra margin for operating at high power levels up 8% grades (wow, good thing you have 353 hp at 5400 rpm to use!). It has extra seal conditioners to keep them flexible as it ages.

Fram Ultra oil filter for sure, or I'm starting to like the Fram Racing Oil Filters a lot too. For the 6.0L V8, assuming you've got that one, its the XG10575 (oversize; longer) or the HP19 (longer too).
 
Yea, if your towing a lot and its warm, I would use a 10w30 and perhaps the HM type. I would do 3-5K OCI's to be safe. I also like run a deep trans pan that has the cooling fins also. Every little bit helps.
 
You're in Alberta so stick with the 5w30 it's a good year round oil for you. What you could do is use an HM version to get that HTHS up a point or two. The thicker oils might raise oil temps so I would stay with a 30 weight. As far as the filter, Fram TG has same efficiency as Ultra and same ADBV. You'll be dumping the oil way before you would see the full benefit of the higher priced filter and I wouldn't bother to use it for two OCI's.And yes,that transmission maintenance is so important! Enjoy.
 
AutoZone has good Mobil 1 special for 29.99 for the oil and mobil 1 filter on now if you have autozone. And Mobil 1 has spring rebates going on $17 back on oil and filter. Makes the oil and filter choice easy
 
Great ideas above, agree with going thicker, towing in summer heat especially up big grades at high rpm. You'll want an oil that won't shear down, and 10w30 may be a bit more shear resistant for you.

For my next comment, it might matter what your oil philosophy is - with CA's usual oil prices, if you can't catch a sale you could also consider Amsoil 0w40....3.76 HTHS.
 
I
Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
Today is the first day of spring.
banana2.gif
Starting to think of this summer's RV towing season. I usually use 5w30 in my 2008 Chev 3/4 ton with 150,000 mile's but I'd be interested in hearing any of the opinions of the guys who like the higher viscosity. I tow a 6300 lb traveler with a total weight of about 7,000 lbs. Lots of 7 and 8 degree grades. The trucks is set up for towing fairly well with a 6.0 gas engine (wish it was a diesel), 3.73 rear gear, 6 sp transmission with tow setting and manual control. The top two gears are overdrive gears. I find things go best when I tow in 4th gear, and the transmission is not hunting. At about 60 mph I am at 3500 rpm. I have a factory transmission cooler and factory oil cooler. The temp gage never varies from 210 F. The transmission temp is not overly high unless I am moving it around at low speeds on hot days. I found that after a summer of about 5 trips of 120 miles, the oil is pretty dark. Although the truck doesn't burn oil it was certainly near black a lot quicker. The ambient temp is often into the 90's. What oil do you like to use when towing?


I used my chevy 1500 with a 5.3 to tow around a 16ft enclosed trailer doing deliveries. I would average 500kms a day. I found Amsoil 5w30 HDD was fantastic! I would run it 10-12,000kms and not loose any! Once that job was over i have now switched to Mobil 1 0w40 which is on roll back at walmart right now. Its the perfect oil imo for these LS engines! Zero noise at start up even at -35! Ive found that these engines do excellent with thicker 30 and thinner 40 grade oils. As for my transmission i put in Amsoil torque drive fluid. It really firmed up my shifts. I also bypassed the engine radiator and installed a bigger trans cooler with a fan. Keeps everything nice and cold.
 
conventional 5w30 oil. The Vortec is a good engine and not really prone to lube issues. I doubt that rig has AFM or such, so there's nothing to worry about there. OCI every 5k miles and worry about other stuff. Don't overthink it.

Do some used oil analysis; I think you'll find it's not as big a deal as you believe. Grade/base rarely affect the wear rates much in just about any application; they are what they are.
 
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Originally Posted By: oil_film_movies
Towing is like racing. Should probably go up a bit in viscosity from the normal spec.

For you, with 150k (and why isn't a Canadian using km's?) miles, I like the Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30 Full Synthetic already suggested by Bryanccfshr above. Its HTHS=3.5 is enough extra margin for operating at high power levels up 8% grades (wow, good thing you have 353 hp at 5400 rpm to use!). It has extra seal conditioners to keep them flexible as it ages.

Fram Ultra oil filter for sure, or I'm starting to like the Fram Racing Oil Filters a lot too. For the 6.0L V8, assuming you've got that one, its the XG10575 (oversize; longer) or the HP19 (longer too).



Yep, I usually have an Ultra and here is the size comparison in for the others to see. I believe this is what you are suggesting. Thanks. PS: I always convert units out of consideration for my American friends.
smile.gif


 
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I am also pontificating between TG and Ultra.

Edit: Since I am using Full Synthetic and lighteight 0w-20 at that, I need the synthetic media of Ultra.
 
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