Towing Tuned...

[Country Mav]

Well, I'm talking to Mrs. Vivian about building a serious towing tune and she brought up the point that towing heavy while tuned has been known to blow head gaskets. I didn't realize this, but I wanted to find out more about it. I know that she can build an AWESOME tune and I'm not questioning her word. I'm just trying to find out how often this has happened, under what conditions and if anyone can offer some personal experience. Can y'all help me out?

[stroker007]

i have heard that to, i also heard more people blow the hg towing heavy then running a tuner hard.

[Country Mav]

Are we talking normal cautious driving with a heavy load or trying to set a new speed record while towing? I don't want to be doing gaskets and studs again.

[Evil Eye]

It stresses the internal components, putting more pressure on the EGR cooler and oil cooler, causing them to fail, dumping coolant into the cylinders and causing head gasket failure.

Early failures were attributed to HUGE cylinder pressures, although I think the first scenario is more likely. I think Matt's advice is best. Less than 8k when running his aggressive tow tune on a non-studded truck.

[MWilbur516]

As long as you are careful and keep a cautious eye on your EOT, ECT and EGT's you should be OK. If you're already studded and deleted you're on the right track. Don't be stupid and run a race tune while hooked up to 15k. I wouldn't run more than about 60-80rwhp tow tune while towing more than 8k. Don't try to set any speed records while towing and use common sense.

[Country Mav]

So, since I don't have an EGR and I do have a new oil cooler, ARPs and OEM HG, that should lessen the chances of blowing? I'm only needing a real serious tow tune for a few trips. Going to get hay here soon. 300 miles there with just the trailer and 300 back loaded with 30,000 or so not counting the weight of the truck. I plan on just taking it easy and poking along. Not trying to set new speed records. No real big hills here in La. We're fairly flat... And I monitor my CTS religiously.

[MWilbur516]

DO you have an EGT gauge? If you're towing 30,000lbs, I do it stock. No need to run a tune with 30,000lbs on the trailer. Why risk it with that much weight? Just go back to stock when you load the trailer and don't risk any issues. That's what I'd do with that kinda load, IMHO.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Evil Eye

It stresses the internal components, putting more pressure on the EGR cooler and oil cooler, causing them to fail, dumping coolant into the cylinders and causing head gasket failure.

Early failures were attributed to HUGE cylinder pressures, although I think the first scenario is more likely. I think Matt's advice is best. Less than 8k when running his aggressive tow tune on a non-studded truck.

So I guess 14k in SRL they other day was a bad idea

The bigger problem with people blowing gaskets when towing tuned is using the throttle pedal as an on off switch.

Disclaimer I dont recommend towing in race tunes to anyone. I know and am fully aware of the risks.

[OUMX117]

If you're going to be towing 30k why don't you use a larger truck? 30K is way more than your truck is rated for. Not safe for anyone involved. Plus the fines are going to be hefty if you get caught....

[Country Mav]

Because I'm only going to do this once I hope. I'm out of hay for my cattle and I can't afford to pay 4.00 per loaded mile for an 18wheeler to haul it for me. I have a truck, a trailer and good tires and fuel. All restrictions on hay hauling have been lifted, so fines won't be an issue. I am going to go slow and easy. In my old F-450, some of the loads of hay I moved were in the 60,000 lb range counting the truck and trailer. I know what they're capable of doing.