tow in OD or just D

[MetalSlug]

My buddy truck broke down yesterday. 2010 HD 2500 silverado crew cab, im will help him tow to his friend shop which is 35 mile away, and we do need get on highway. I never tow anything this heavy before, should I just leave it on OD with tow button on ? and what speed limit I can go ?

my truck is 2013 silverado z71 crew cab

 

[jeepman3071]

If you have tow/haul mode I would use that. Its also a good idea to tow with overdrive off.

 

[JHZR2]

Isnt a 2010 truck still under warranty? If so, Id let GM pick it up and pay for repairs.

To me, it is terrain dependent. If you have long, flat expanses, you may be able to get away with some time in OD. IMO it is the constant shifting, and lack of torque that OD causes (which results in the constant shifting) that is the problem, not OD in and of itself.

WHile generally Ive always towed with OD locked out, in some situations where the terrain and powertrain allowed, I took advantage of OD and the lower engine speeds, lower noise, and likely higher fuel economy that it has afforded.

But you also need to be watching VERY closely to ensure youre not constantly locking/unlocking the TC or shifting gears, and anticipate terrain changes and times to get out of OD. For most it is just easier to leave OD off.

 

[demarpaint]

I would lock it out of OD, or as jeepman said use tow/haul mode if you have it.

 

[MetalSlug]

He drove 30 hours round trip, when he get home, coolant was every where, smoke, the truck wont crank, he say nothing happent while he drive, just when he made it home.

so I leave it on D then, is D safe for 60mph drive ? yes I do have tow hall mode

 

[Lillikai]

What about neutral instead of drive? Ive never towed anything before so Im curious to know too.

 

[Fleetmon]

And, you're towing his without the driveshaft I assume?

When I towed our Cherokee from Tx to Pa, most times I had the OD off (Dodge Dakota) except on very flat ground,little traffic and constant speed to avoid the transmission really working.

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: MetalSlug
so I leave it on D then, is D safe for 60mph drive ? yes I do have tow hall mode


Drive whatever speed is safe depending on the terrain, roads, visibility, brakes and etc... 60 mph should be doable in drive with tow/haul mode engaged.

Originally Posted By: Lillikai
What about neutral instead of drive? Ive never towed anything before so Im curious to know too.

You'll have a hard time pulling anything if the tow vehicle is in neutral!

To be serious, the driveshaft of the towed truck should be removed for safety.

 

[Nate1979]

For GM trucks you only need to put in tow/haul mode. No need to worry about D or OD. For heavy loads I like to use M mode and select the gears, especially to down shift before a hill to keep rpms up. But most just leave in D and drive with t/h engaged.

 

[Donald]

I think it depends upon the tow vehicle and weight of the trailer. I cannot imagine I need to worry about much in my Ram pickup.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Depends on the transmission ... if it's a light duty transmission like in a Cherokee or a Ranger (or even a car), you aren't supposed to use OD.

I would think a HD pickup transmission is designed for it ...

 

[JR]

3800 dollars for the trans in the old ford. I will never run overdrive with any load. The pennies saved is not worth repairs.

Ken

 

[97f150]

This thread totally contradicts your signature lol. If in doubt use the tow/haul button and go about your day. I also agree with JHZR, his truck should still be under a power train warranty, let the closest GM dealership deal with picking it up and fixing it.

 

[supton]

Not all transmissions are the same... the 700's are long gone! And even those I think got the OD issue fixed (I hope, it was around long enough).

I'd use the manual shift mode, and bump it down prior to a hill. That way it isn't shifting under power. Will it hurt to shift under power? No, it's designed to shift. But I think you'll be happier if you bump it down prior to a climb. On flat ground your wallet will be needlessly drained by towing in drive, so if it will stay in gear, let it go as high as it wants.

Don't forget, these newer 6 speeds run two overdrives. Actually, the GM 6 speed uses a slight underdrive in 4th. If you aren't going past 60 or so, I would give thought to locking out 6th, but otherwise, run it in tow/haul, and perhaps watch ATF temps in the DIC, assuming you can find an appropriate temp rating (no good to watch unless if you know what temp is too hot).

 

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
For GM trucks you only need to put in tow/haul mode. No need to worry about D or OD. For heavy loads I like to use M mode and select the gears, especially to down shift before a hill to keep rpms up. But most just leave in D and drive with t/h engaged.


THIS! Your truck should have no trouble pulling another truck at all. I would engage t/h mode and put her in drive and pull her home. Please do be sure to remove the driveshafts from the truck you are pulling, or get all four wheels off the ground.

 

[95busa]

Originally Posted By: JR
3800 dollars for the trans in the old ford. I will never run overdrive with any load. The pennies saved is not worth repairs.

Ken

Amen

 

[asand1]

55 may be the legal limit while towing. I got a ticket in California for it.

 

[Nate1979]

For the GM 6 speed transmission, it is meant to be used in D with t/h engaged if towing >75% of your truck's GCWR. In fact, the grade braking feature of the 6-speed only works in D, it doesn't even work when using the manual setting.

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: 97f150
This thread totally contradicts your signature lol. If in doubt use the tow/haul button and go about your day. I also agree with JHZR, his truck should still be under a power train warranty, let the closest GM dealership deal with picking it up and fixing it.


time is moneys you got it, sure gm can fix everything, but time and repair... its not worth it to want to break something, event I know I dont have to pay for it.

back to topic, I put on D and use T/H mode ( my buddy also sugest ), truck tow strong/smooth, I dont really feel anything back there lol. I stay on right lane driving 60mph.

good new, we made it okie, bad new, I quit my job today

 

[Errtt]

I'd call a tow truck and go for getting the cost back as vehicle is under warranty - otherwise just use the T/H feature for a 35 mile run and take it easy - don't haul like you stole it.