So, I kinda hijacked the other thread, and figured I would start my own.

I have a small, roughly 4000 pound travel trailer, and it tows OK until I go up a hill and the tranny overheats 20 miles out of town going into the Sierra's.
Already got a 180 degree thermostat and some fresh antifreeze that I plan on doing tonight, but I really feel like I am missing alot of performance with my truck.
Going up the grade (not even thereally steep ones)I am running 3500+ RPM's at times to barely stay at 55mph.
I have towed the same trailer in an 03 Tahoe with a 350, you barely notice its there except on the steepest grades, and it will still pull it up the hill @ 65mph.
I have also towed it with a 2000 Chevy 1500 5.3, it was definitely a workout, but could still maintain 55mph up 95% of the grades.

Recently replaced a plugged catalytic converter, installed a magnaflow, full tune up (cap, rotor, spark plugs, wires), and cleaned the IAC solenoid.I also had to replace the check valve that goes to the AC controls. The transmission has about 20000 miles on it since a new one was put in.
It now sounds great, and the IAC cleaning really smoothed out the rough idle, but feel like I should be pulling this little trailer without even breaking a sweat, and its not.

So, are there any more easy fixes that I am missing, or is this engine just this tired after 140,000 miles.

Thanks in advance to everyone for all the great tips I have gotten from this site, IAC and plugged cat were both diagnosed and fixed by reading the DIY stuff.

Suggestions or ideas are obviously appreciated.

 

you should be able to pull that 4000 lbs trailer no problem, try digging into your pocket and putting some performance upgrades, good luck, if you need suggestions... well they are just about on every page

 

I could do that, but I really feel like there is a problem and performance upgrades would just mask the real issue.

 

Do you turn the overdrive off ? Most vehicles require that the overdrive be off to tow properly so the transmission doesn't jerk in and out.

 

Yes, OD was off.

 

Out of curiosity, while going up the grade were you in 2nd or 3rd gear?

 

Well since you highjack the other thread, you'll notice that I tow a 5000lb. 5th wheel trailer. When on the scales, I'm a little over 10,000 lbs. That would be truck- trailer- bikes- pot&pans........etc., which leaves me about 2000lb. leeway. I wouldn't tow anymore than this.

I tow in O.D. off and I only have a 3:55 axle and I don't have any problems goin' up hills. Very seldom go over 3000 rpm and run 55-65 mph
The only performance options I have and they are really nothing are a maremount converter - magnaflow muffler-champion truck spark plugs-kn air filter-and a heavy duty cap and rotor. The truck has 189,000+kilometers (118,000 miles)

So why can't you tow your trailer......I really don't know???
KayakMan

 

At the point that the tranny signaled it was overheated, I was probably in 2nd.

Exactly, I should be towing this trailer like its nothing, however, there is obviously something wrong.

Just not obvious to me is what.

 

try a few basic things..
1. replace your TPS and do the tps voltage mod. tps can have a lot of influence on throttle response and how it acts on hills.
2. do you have any engine pinging going on ? check for leaking plenum. it really really really zaps the power out of the engine by creating a too lean mix.
3. put on smaller tires (yes smaller). its like a gear change. if you can afford the $$$, regear to 4.10 or 4.56 to get the most torque out of the motor.
4. add the biggest transmission cooler you can find. nothing wimpyl here. size matters. service trans with new fluid/filter. consider adding a drain plug.
5. how many miles on engine ? replace timing chain. i think a lot of slack affects timing significantly.

 

Stupid question....Does it have enough fluid in it? and next stupid question.. Do you have an aux cooler mounted on it for the trans??? if your low on fluid and pulling hills your fl;uid will run towards the back of the pan and you'll starve your front bands for fluid. One thing I did to one of my trucks was changed to a deep pan so I could add more fluid and also added a aux cooler in front of the radiator which helped. Hope you figure it out since trans are not cheap. Good luck