Towing/tranny ?

zebiraross

Nypex
Oct 15, 2011
63
0
0
Utah
Hi everyone, I recently got my first diesel (01 lb7). I'm way excited as I've been towing my enclosed snowmobile trailer for the last 2 years with a tundra which needles to say was lacking to say the least. after doing a lot of reading I see our trannys are a little weak when it comes to a certain power level. I was just wondering how to take care of the transmission. My buddies like to race a little when pulling so am I safe running like stage 4 or 5 on my edge j/a when I'm going freeway speed and get on it a little? In other words, it more susceptible to damage when rallying through the gears, or is it still not a good idea to rally it when I've already shifted through the gears and am in 5th? I assume when pulling I want to be in tow mode correct? Thanks for the help.
 
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Texas Chevy

Active member
Feb 14, 2011
1,103
0
36
Vista, Ca
If I recall when I had the edge it said not to use the other power levels over a certain speed plus switching tunes on the edge like that I have heard is a bad idea towing or not. Plus your egts will go crazy.
 

BlkMax

Member
Sep 1, 2008
743
4
18
Wasilla, AK
Just about any of the performance plug in boxes can smoke a tranny if you thrash the truck at the higher HP levels. Especially if you are towing.

What you are talking about doing, rolling down the road and then mashing the throttle at highway speeds is about the worst thing you can do (especially with the trailer). That is a great way to slip 5th gear.

After the first time you limp the tranny, you are just on borrowed time until you have to do the rebuild. It will limp easier and easier.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,661
5,808
113
Phoenix Az
towing + racing + edge chip on 4 = smoked tranny very fast

any towing and racing together is not gunna help your trans with any kind of chip setting.

Run the edge on lvl 2 for towing and understand you run the possiblilty of limping the trans when in 5th gear. I towed on that tune for a long long time and never had a limp but thats not to say yours wont. If your scared of limping the trans and want it to last as long as possible for towing, leave the chip off it. otherwise, set it in the back of your mind you may have to rebuild the trans sooner than later
 

DieselDummy

Dirt Dummy
Oct 13, 2011
238
0
16
NY
Best quote i have preached in the past " if you can afford the chip, you can afford the trans, if you cant afford the trans then you don't need the chip" :thumb:
 

Jscherbs

PIN IT TO WIN IT!!!
Oct 27, 2009
753
0
0
Canton, MI
I wore out my trans doing the sane thing! Racing my buddies while towing trailers on the way up north... Just build the trans, load a max effort tune in it and watch your egt's. I use a four place included steel trailer loaded down and smoke all my buddies bad that r towing with the two place aluminum trailers. Good luck
 

zebiraross

Nypex
Oct 15, 2011
63
0
0
Utah
Thanks for all the info guys! I don't know why I said lbz I meant lb7 lol. guess I better save up for a tranny build and take it easy.
 

WanaDmaxsub

Junior Member W/gray hair
Feb 17, 2007
644
1
18
Question...How much does a $400 chip cost??? Answer...A $4k tranny!

The 5-4 kick down "Passing gear" is most likley when you will limp it.
 

zebiraross

Nypex
Oct 15, 2011
63
0
0
Utah
Got it. I didn't realize that 5th gear kick down was a big weak point. Just when I thought I had the truck ive wanted loaded mostly with how I wanted it (intake, exhaust, chip, ect..) Now I have to save up another 4g to drive it like I want to. Ha, price of having fun I guess.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,661
5,808
113
Phoenix Az
Question...How much does a $400 chip cost??? Answer...A $4k tranny!

The 5-4 kick down "Passing gear" is most likley when you will limp it.

No, upshifting into 5th gear under wot or not letting the trans downshift into 4th as you roll into it are the most likely situation to limp the trans
 

Jscherbs

PIN IT TO WIN IT!!!
Oct 27, 2009
753
0
0
Canton, MI
No, upshifting into 5th gear under wot or not letting the trans downshift into 4th as you roll into it are the most likely situation to limp the trans

x2 i beat on my truck with a 475hp tune 1-4th gears for about a year n a half but the 1st time i let it go into 5th or loaded it in 5th, BOOM, limp.
 

WanaDmaxsub

Junior Member W/gray hair
Feb 17, 2007
644
1
18
At the time I was running a 120 predator tune. For me, the only time it would limp, was when I was getting ready to pass someone and I put my foot down causing the truck to down shift...BOOM! :mad: I completed the pass...just to pull over and cycle the key while they passed me back...:eek:

Regardless of when our tranny's limp...I'll bet they all look the same...and needed the same parts replaced/upgraded...:hug: