Author: techntrek
Subject: Pushing The Limits On Tow Vehicles
Posted: 20 Sep 2016 at 8:57pm
Push it. Higher RPMs won't hurt, and as mentioned it will get you deeper into the power curve.
Subject: Pushing The Limits On Tow Vehicles
Posted: 20 Sep 2016 at 8:57pm
Push it. Higher RPMs won't hurt, and as mentioned it will get you deeper into the power curve.
Something I didn't see mentioned - always use high-octane gas when towing. The computer will adjust timing, valves, ignition (various combinations of that depending on manufacturer) to give you the highest power output possible. Lower octane detonates easier so the computer has to dial things back to prevent that so you don't get as much power output (even though ironically lower octane gas actually has more energy).
6L-80
8L-90
More speeds in the tranny don't provide more power at highway speeds. For instance the GM 4, 6, and 8 speed trannys have almost the same gear ratio in the overdrive (highest) gears, and the middle gears aren't much different. The difference is the 6 and 8 speed versions have much lower gearing in 1st and 2nd for more torque off the line - plus it allows them to put a more-efficient lower gear in the rear. So the overall ratio is more efficient on the highway but provides more torque when the light turns green.
GM 4L-60
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.059 | 1.625 | 1.000 | 0.696 | 2.29 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.027 | 2.364 | 1.532 | 1.152 | 0.852 | 0.667 | 3.064 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.56 | 2.97 | 2.08 | 1.69 | 1.27 | 1.00 | 0.85 | 0.65 | 3.82 |