Best Tow Tune???

[Truckmaniac]

I've been using the Spartan 250 to tow my small 5th wheel (24 ft. - 7,000 pounds) without any issues (No excessively high EGTs). The Spartan 210 "tow tune" doesn't perform as well, with more down-shifting, an insignificant decrease in EGTs and less MPGs.

I sent an inquiry to KEM as to what they recommended as their highest "safe" tow tune and they recommended not going over the 210.


Should I be using the 210 "tow tune" or is using the 250 "safe"?

How "high" can I go and not damage my truck: 275, 300, 310, etc.?

[Redram99]

I'd like to know what the 250 is hard on compared to the 210 as well.

I find my truck tows great with the 250. My total cargo weight only comes in at about 10,000lbs.

[dieselkane]

I run the standard Spartan "210" tune, and haven't had any issues. I've also towed HEAVY with that tune, far too heavy!

[tbsimmons]

I think it is going to depend on a lot of things.
I dont think power is all of it, tranny is though.
I know people rave about the 210 tow power tune, which it might be good.
But like you just said, 7000# and the truck is down shifting.
My truck downshifts once with 18000# tall fiver, to hold the speed limit, 55 over 7% grades. Some of the grades the truck doesnt down shift, it just never gets into OD. Other grades the truck will just grunt over that it used to downshift stock.
With my car on a trailer, 7000# range, I dont ever remember the truck down shifting when going over the grades.
I am sure having a 450 changes things a little. My RPM at 55 in OD is just over 2000 to give you a comparison.

[drservo]

Originally Posted by Truckmaniac

I've been using the Spartan 250 to tow my small 5th wheel (24 ft. - 7,000 pounds) without any issues (No excessively high EGTs). The Spartan 210 "tow tune" doesn't perform as well, with more down-shifting, an insignificant decrease in EGTs and less MPGs.

I sent an inquiry to KEM as to what they recommended as their highest "safe" tow tune and they recommended not going over the 210.


Should I be using the 210 "tow tune" or is using the 250 "safe"?

How "high" can I go and not damage my truck: 275, 300, 310, etc.?

My favorite is KEMs 345 tune to pull with, before I had it I towed with Spartans 275 (10k 5th wkeel) Stock tranny, no problems. You have to pull smart and watch your gauges as there are no safties in the race tunes.

[tbsimmons]

I just dont see how you guys tow with tunes that high.
I can get to 1250 EGT, 230 Oil Temp, 220 Coolant up the grades with the tow tune I am running if I start pushing the truck a little. Takes some long grades to do it though.
That tells me that I am about maxing the truck out now with the weight I am pulling.
Either you guys that do, dont go over any grades more than a mole hill, are not pulling the weight you think you are, going really slow or just dont care and getting the truck hot.

[08stroker250]

Originally Posted by tbsimmons

I just dont see how you guys tow with tunes that high.
I can get to 1250 EGT, 230 Oil Temp, 220 Coolant up the grades with the tow tune I am running if I start pushing the truck a little. Takes some long grades to do it though.
That tells me that I am about maxing the truck out now with the weight I am pulling.
Either you guys that do, dont go over any grades more than a mole hill, are not pulling the weight you think you are, going really slow or just dont care and getting the truck hot.

What tow tune are you running?

[drservo]

Originally Posted by tbsimmons

I just dont see how you guys tow with tunes that high.
I can get to 1250 EGT, 230 Oil Temp, 220 Coolant up the grades with the tow tune I am running if I start pushing the truck a little. Takes some long grades to do it though.
That tells me that I am about maxing the truck out now with the weight I am pulling.
Either you guys that do, dont go over any grades more than a mole hill, are not pulling the weight you think you are, going really slow or just dont care and getting the truck hot.

I pull 8% gades with 10k 5th wheel camper (yes I know it weighs 10K) You have to make sure you are running fast enough to keep the TC locked or everything will heat up quick. I could make my EGT climb high if I push the pedal but the highest I see is 1150-1250 on the 8% grades running 55-60 MPH at 1/4 throttle.

[tbsimmons]

18000# Fiver that is really tall, so I am sure wind has a lot to do with it also. Most of the front cap is above the cab. I would say only a foot of it is below the cab.
Innovative Tow Tune.
The TC stays locked 90% of the time. The 10% it is not locked, is coming to and leaving a stop. I am not exaggerating either. It locks pretty quick. But the truck also goes through gears pretty quick with 4.88's.
I just dont think I could move up to a higher tune and tow these hills.
I am in the throttle a little more than a 1/4, but not to the floor. Dont need to to hold 55-60.

[Squirly]

I pull right @ 18000 lbs whether its my GN with 3 jeeps on it or my weekend warrior with 1 jeep in it and I love my spartan 210TP tune!