Diesel Insights: Recreational Towing

[@michaelbean4626]

Best info on the web concerning the Chevrolet Duramax platforms. Appreciate your efforts to deliver usable educational information to the everyday Duramax owners. Just wish your shop was closer to where I live. Thanks again

[@Duramaxtuner]

Thank you! If you're ever out this way, make a stop.

[@ondago2]

I know this is old 4 years old now but I watch this video probably 2 years ago maybe a year and a half ago had never had a diesel truck was towing with a Tahoe about 6,500 lb and it was maxed out it did it it managed it but anyway ended up getting an LMM which obviously is at this point a fairly old truck but oil field truck that just ran back and forth it looks like on the freeway for ran up lots of miles but is in stock shape so when I first watch the video I wasn't even super hip except LBZ and maybe a later one for the RPO codes of GM Duramax engines but now I own LMM's my first diesel ever and this video has a whole different meaning to me because now I've experienced not towing nearly as much weight but still doing a lot of grades and I told probably 30,000 miles a year so I do just the Appalachian mountains but I still had passes that can become a problem so anyway just wanted to say I've now gotten a renewed interest in Duramax tuner and and Banks you're two companies are the only ones sober and knowledgeable in working with data enough for me to trust modifying anything especially a software without blowing up the truck lots of people can make power but they blow up in 3 months and that's just useless to me I need this to work with my family and I travel in the middle of the night and stuff so anyway just wanted to tell you I'm going to go look through what it got what it is that you guys are doing next to her offer I definitely watch and listen to Nick's insights all the time but the actual looking for more power holding a higher gear stuff is speaking to me now and I may be moving in a bigger trailer and I'm hauling bigger stuff so I'm just want to let you know video works and it got me into getting a diesel truck but then now after I listen to it having owned and told for my first few months of summer with an LMM then I've got the inside of understanding where I might want some changes or a little greater power and definitely won't reliability and want it to watch EGTs I don't want to be sitting there nursing this stuff.

[@Duramaxtuner]

IF you need anything, give us a call 815-568-7920!

[@tonyronquillo2246]

Very useful information. I'm a recreational puller that puts 7,000+ miles on my truck and toyhauler every year. Live in the midwest, lots of steep long grades. I'll be purchasing your tunes this year. This video sealed the deal for me.

[@Duramaxtuner]

Thanks Tony! Let us know if we can help. duramaxtuner.com/tuning.html

[@Icutmetal]

Great video! It’s nice to hear solid feedback from real world users too.

[@gbhrps]

As with all of your videos, you present just the plain everyday truth without the BS that is so prevalent today. You never promise the moon, and you give the actual reality of playing in this hauling game. And it is soooo nice to listen to to you and your staff present your topics without having to hear "ummmm" or "ahhh" at every 2nd word. And not a foul word anywhere!!!! Keep up the good work!

[@rollandbrower7827]

Excellent and useful video for those of us in the RV pulling arena. Hope to see more of these!

[@heberclementiii6788]

Great information Nick. I look so forward to these videos you do . Always great real life information and data. Keep it up ... I pull 8k trailer bumper tow and am still in the 12 mpg range with your tunes . I will have more real life info this summer so we will see ....2011 LML !!

[@Upsidedownfoodpyramid]

Did you have any other mods like turbo or cold air intake? If not, why?

[@mikz86ta1]

Great topic. We have a 43ft triple-ax Toyhauler that's around 19.5k loaded up. Tow it a few times a year. DD the truck though. Truck is a 3500HD DRW 4wd 2011 LML. Pretty much stock with AFE drop in filter and PCV bypass. Need a Lift Pump and like to do a tune for DD and Tow.

[@Duramaxtuner]

duramaxtuner.com/tuning.html

[@joshdixon8624]

Should’ve bought a Cummins

[@Duramaxtuner]

Don't tell him that😂

[@marshie1337]

Nick is a good presenter, comes off as a super knowledgeable non douche bag 🙌👌🙌👌🙌keep it up nick🤝🤝🇺🇸🇺🇸🤝🇺🇸🇺🇸🤝🇺🇸America needs you👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿

[@Kaktus965]

Yea Nick is badass

[@Midlifeglamping]

Ironic that you uploaded this video, I literally just ordered my stage I stealth bundle yesterday for my 2016 Denali and I have a 43’ toy hauler that weighs in at 16k (19k fully loaded). Can’t wait to see the difference after it’s installed!

[@mikz86ta1]

What u got? We have a 43ft Fuzion TH that weighs about the same.

[@Midlifeglamping]

Michel Foshee, same! 2017 Fuzion 417 X edition.

[@Midlifeglamping]

Clark McGregor, that’s another thing on the list.

[@2015_Rubicnn]

Too much trailer...

[@keithqueen352]

Heard lots of LML guys running stock head bolts @650 hp with no issues at all.

[@DURTYMAXLML]

Fantastic information!

[@sav300]

Wow, what wheels on that suburban in the back??? Looks amazing!!

[@stephensoemann3576]

Thomas - sav300 they’re called hostile sprockets

[@sav300]

NorthEast Diesel thank you!

[@MO_Lip_Ripper]

The really scary part is some jackass sold this man a 41' camper knowing that he only had a single wheel truck.

[@BlueMonkee3]

The Tahoe looks nice !

[@1HeavyHitr]

Get this guy a bigger rig.

[@paulkalb6990]

Great video, I currently have a 2016 GMC 2500 Denali completely stock tunning. One issue that I have with this truck towing descending grades, I pick comfortable speed for the grade and if the grade is over 5% the exhaust brake tends to override my trained style of pulling down a grade. What I mean by this that the exhaust brake causes the engine to jump up in Rpm's quickly and downshift when I do not believe there is a reason to do so. While I do shut it off, I prefer to ride a grade down in a preselected gear and stay there, the computer overrides me every time. Last summer I pulled a 7500 lbs boat cross country from Idaho to North Carolina and it towed nicely, however, the truck wanted to downshift at the wrong times, making the Rpm's jump. Having had a CDL for 25 years and pulled over many a mountain pass with diesel rigs, this is annoying. It seems to be computer related, pulling this same set-up down a 16% grade in 4 low in the backcountry of Idaho there is not a problem. Would tuning fix this issue?

[@Duramaxtuner]

ECM and TCM tuning would certainly help! duramaxtuner.com/tuning/ez-lynk-autoagenttm-2-0-w-2011-2016-lml-duramax-support-pack.html

[@devoncoolman88]

Great video guys.

[@trukintimmerduramax946]

LMM here i hear ya on the 4/5 gear thing. i got a TCM tune from you and it still would bounce back and forth on seemingly small grades towing. I added a Tran go jr. and she holds 5th gear MUCH better now. Just curious what would you consider a "safe" sustainable EGT number climbing? 1200 was the number we watched back when i started trucking back in the early 80's

[@Duramaxtuner]

1350 is a max (abort level max) for sustained EGT's.

[@shawnmcintier6110]

How about compounds on 07 dodge 6.7?

[@MrHellested]

You guys are talking about a duramax needing more power, meanwhile I’m towing my 10k pound travel trailer with my 1998 k3500 crew cab with a vortec 454 big block. I get 11mpg I would be just happy upgrading to a stock lbz hahaha. And I live in Nevada with has the most mountain ranges in the U.S. I’m tired of going 50 mph up a hill in 2nd gear at 4K rpm.

[@antoniopineda6018]

what caused to having water only cap oil in lb7

[@jairoradilla1512]

Dang y’all are making want to get rid of my lmm. How come you guys don’t have a lot videos of lmm’s I’d like to know how to make them reliable

[@Duramaxtuner]

The first year of DPFs are on the LMM and they don't tend to hold up very well.

[@jairoradilla1512]

Duramaxtuner so what’s the best way to make my truck reliable

[@wayawolf1967]

I have an 08 LMM fully deleted , tuned, 4 inch exhaust , cold air intake , leveled , slightly bigger turbo with larger down pipe and I tow 11,000 lbs. at 12 foot tall and 29 feet long. Does great. I get 9 MPG loaded and 20 empty. I have a lead foot so it could probably do better if I tried. The Titan 52 gallon tank was a game changer so I rarely ever fuel up in big cities.

[@robertrogina5433]

Great video. I have a LBZ that has the edge and lots of mods. It overheats on long grades. Any suggestions.....

[@2015_Rubicnn]

Yeah, ditch the Edge, get EFI Live. Not sure if you have an EGT probe, but definitely get that of you don't. Don't tow heavy on high HP tunes.

[@robertrogina5433]

@@2015_Rubicnn I will look into getting probe and efi live. I use edge towing tune when pulling grades. Fan comes on at 236 degrees.

[@Duramaxtuner]

duramaxtuner.com/tuning/dsp5-tuning-spade-jack-2001-2010.html

[@MatsBaribeau]

I had edge programmer on my Cummins and egts were always through the roof. Never again will I touch an edge tuner. In November I purchased MM3 tuning from CPS and my 2015 ram drw 6spd is so much more enjoyable to drive and tow with! I used to have to downshift to 5th on steep grades. Now with MM3 tuning, truck can sustain same mph going up the same grades while on cruise and seems effortless. Highly recommend CPS.

[@ckpoynor]

I got a question, what would be a safe sustained EGT for a 05 LLY? I had seen you anwser another person's comment that there is not a safe EGT set up for the older model motors. I do have an Edge programmer that I use to monitor truck temperatures, but would like to know what a LLY could run as sustained exhaust temperature when pulling a steep grade around 5 or 6% grade.

[@2015_Rubicnn]

I have read that the Duramax isn't rated for much over 1300 degrees sustained EGTs. You really can't tow super heavy with a large tune because the EGTs will be too high. If I were you, I'd invest in a EFI Live tune setup with DSP 5 switch or utilize the Edge display to switch between tunes. I also have an LLY with EFI Live tuning. The heavy tow tunes have the smaller HP gaines for safe towing, plus you get turbine braking on tow mode.

[@Duramaxtuner]

@@2015_Rubicnn Well said. Yes, 1350 is a max (abort level max) for sustained EGT's.

[@ckpoynor]

@@2015_Rubicnn @2015_ Rubicnn Thanks for the info, and I have a co-worker that has the EFI Live also and swears by it. So I agree and that is the way I am looking to go. Just to put it out there when I am towing I do not use the Edge other then monitoring temps just in case. Thanks again.

[@2015_Rubicnn]

@@Duramaxtuner I have viewed my LLY towing with different tuners as far as EGTs go...the more fuel the more power, but not enough air to make up the difference. I love having a probe to see this. EFI Live in my Opinion is the only way to go for the Dmax.

[@2015_Rubicnn]

@@ckpoynor No problem....I'm no expert, but my experience says get EFI Live tuning, and you'll be very happy.

[@corydevries3494]

New to the2019 l5p do they seem to be pretty bulletproof if left stock towing a camper at 14 k?

[@Duramaxtuner]

While there have been some mixed reviews, so far we have been impressed with the platform.

[@corydevries3494]

How do ya feel torwards the 2017 6.7 powerstroke? I have one wanted to upgrade to the leather interior and there is great deals on the gmc rite know?

[@JeepCherokeeful]

So all semi’s are underpowered?

[@staticstang]

2 Questions...Do you offer smart egt on older gen dmax engines (lb7), What about towing in a higher HP tune...is it safe as long as egt’s are under 1200*? I’ve got a 2002 LB7 and tow a 32’ 5th wheel (10k loaded) and tow with your jack tunes on the heavy tow 30hp setting and would like some more power on longer hills to keep truck from downshifting.

[@Duramaxtuner]

Unfortunately, the older generation Duramax's don't have any factory EGT probes. This means we can't incorporate the SMART EGT control with those. Jamie has admitted to only using the Race tune for 5 years now so we while we do NOT suggest towing in higher HP tunes there are those that do it.

[@ericbuchta9765]

Any way you could let me know what tuner to buy on your web site for my L5P 2019? I’m new to diesel world and there is a lot to know

[@TKSavz]

They now have tuning for l5p

[@ericbuchta9765]

I have the 2021 LP5

[@Icutmetal]

Sure there’s a way; call the phone number listed on their website, and someone will help you thru it.

[@michaelalexander8568]

If your going to lift your truck should you wait to tune it or does it not matter?

[@KaWaSaKiRaCeR272]

Whatever works best for you because you can change your tire size with the tuner. The truck is going to perform either way but not as good (a bit slower not much) just because of lift components, height, and bigger wheels and tires

[@cavy16262]

I'm seeing 3 axles on the trailer and only SRW on the truck. My sales person said they would not sell a 3 axle fifth wheel to a SRW pickup, regardless of engine. With toy hauler, isn't that pretty heavy for the rear end of the LML? I had an 06 LBZ and towed around 10,000 lb. fifth wheel...Tuned and deleted and ran great. Just upgraded to a 2015 LML Denali DRW to move to a 16,000 lb. GVW 5th wheel. Want to add tunes but afraid of voiding extended warranty. Want for towing more efficiently, not for racing.

[@joegelencser2571]

That mileages terrible semi trucks are getting that kind of mileage

[@Icutmetal]

Ok

[@jeramyharo5161]

Is bully dog the best tuner out there? Need to get one for my 2016 Chevy diesel? Any help would be appreciated

[@Duramaxtuner]

What?!?!?!?!?! duramaxtuner.com/lml/tuning/ez-lynk-autoagenttm-2-0-w-2011-2016-lml-duramax-support-pack.html

[@sav300]

Jeramy Haro EFI Live!! The little more you pay is definitely worth it!

[@Icutmetal]

Nice troll...🙄

[@agger838]

So youre saying with LMLs...and smart egt control in your tunes you are able to safely haul a loaded up gooseneck trailer and keep the tune on a higher HP tune like the sport/eco tune?

[@Duramaxtuner]

Jamie has admitted to only using the Race tune for 5 years now. While we do NOT suggest towing in higher HP tunes, there are those that do it.

[@Icutmetal]

I’ve always wondered that as well; if the tuning has those “safety” features built into it, why couldn’t you tow on hotter tunes?

[@Broadpaw_Fox]

As a professional trucker, I've always wondered why these smaller trucks (when compared to a class 8 tractor) get such crap mileage comparatively. If I'm only moving around 35k lbs total I can break 10 mpg - why do these smaller vehicles with engines less than half the displacement get the same or worse economy? That really seems backwards to me. Just thinking out loud here. Bobtailing around in a 22k lbs tractor you can get in the teens mpgs... why can't a 1 ton truck with a flatbed at the same combo weight do the same? Get what I'm saying? It just seems that something is off somewhere...

[@Duramaxtuner]

10 is pretty low. What kind of pickup do you have?

[@Broadpaw_Fox]

@@Duramaxtuner - that 10 mpg isn't a pickup, it's my full size tractor. I'm a truck driver, and I'm comparing apples to oranges here. But my points are still valid. And to answer your question specifically- a 2015 International ProStar with a Cummins ISX 15. **edit** Also for clarity, I've done some hotshot work in 1 ton trucks, and I'm going off that experience as well. None of the pickups I drove (all 3 makes) could do any better than a full size tractor under decent loads, and some were downright tragic. I once got 4.5 mpg in a powerstroke Ford hauling only 10k lbs... that was silly. Partially due to aerodynamics (had a 6ft box at the back of the trailer), but 4.5 was just silly - you can get in a 379 Peterbilt and haul 80k gross and do better. That just seemed way out of bounds to me. Was a 2008 Ford, in case you're curious.

[@Duramaxtuner]

@@Broadpaw_Fox You're right: Apples to Oranges. We probably can tune that ISX for you though. If you pick-up even 1/2 a mile per gallon I would imagine that would be a win for you.

[@matsherwood6277]

Perhaps it has something to do with way different gearing and probably the same or more horsepower in the pickups but half the torque of a semi tractor.

[@sslandservices7860]

Very helpful video! Question. I have a 13 LML. Our camper weighs around 15k. If I'm pulling around 70 mph is it ok to let the truck hit 6th gear or is it better on driveline to keep it locked in 5th? Completely stock truck.

[@Duramaxtuner]

It depends on what terrain you are in, but yes some people will allow 6th gear while towing.

[@sslandservices7860]

@@Duramaxtuner yes that's what I'm wondering. Cruising on flat ground at 70 does it hurt the engine or transmission to be pulling that much weight and running and only 1600 rpm?

[@flight748]

If you're holding at about 1600 @ 70mph, you're doing better than me. I mostly run about 65 but my loaded 5th is more around 18,000 or so. My rpm runs around 1700 and I'm in 6th with no towhaul and flat roads with small rolling hills. Cuts gas mileage in half and have plenty room to go 70+ but hold back for fuel mileage.

[@darrinjackola6676]

Were you able to keep coolant in the Duramax? If you did you are lucky. Also your catalytic converter will fail. Would not have another GM diesel ever They should spend some money on their worthless engineering department.

[@nickschmit1903]

Nick, what sort of post-secondary education do you have? Tech school?

[@PatrickBaptist]

Underpowered Dmax struggles with 20k total while my T444E 7.3 has no problems dragging 40k around rated at just 215hp LOL IH 4700 platform bus 40' pulling a 18' trailer with a E350 on it..... Love that Allison MD3060 with retarder, awesome setup. No tunez.

[@avenged06x]

LMM 🤮

[@MGMCLL]

🤣

[@avenged06x]

@@MGMCLL I'm a dick lol