I've read quite a few threads about programmers(Edge, Perdator, TTS Tow etc.), but I have a specific question for those who tow in two lane steep mountain roads. I live in Fresno CA. I tow a Jayco 281RLS Eagle fifth wheel which weighs 9,000 lbs. loaded up. I often go up the 5 to 7% grades at 30 to 50 mph depnding on curves and traffic. Sometimes (Ha!) an older class Aor C gasser will struggle in front of me at 25MPH. When an opportunity to pass happens, and I'm using one of the 40HP/100TQ chips, and I floor it to get around these gents, Will my EGT's climb too high? I want to purchase one of these units but am a little reluctant as I don't want to drill a hole to mount a Pyrometer. I'm not a speed demon I just would like a little more power as those curvey roads come up so darn quickly while passing slower vehicle. Oh yeah, the elevations are 300' to 7,000 ' at the Big Meadow Road campground. Sorry for such a long question, but I haven't read abouta scenario like this before. Any recommendations on tuner/programmer would be great too.

This isn't quite a direct comparison, but I'll try. Last summer I towed my 7000lb camper through NM, AZ and CO. I ran 65 on 2-lanes and 70 on expressways. Never slowed down on any 6% grade and never noticed the 6gun reducing my power due to high egt's (I have the SL with temp probe). I have a modded airbox and replacement muffler, but no gauges. Only thing I noticed was my oil pressure would drop when the engine was starting to work hard, but that was it.

If you're only running a 40HP chip I don't think you'll have any problems. If you're pushing 60+ without intake/exhaust then you might need to be concerned. Most chips have a "tow safe" setting in the 40-50HP range, OK even at max loads with stock exhaust.

I have seen well over 1400 degrees towing our 10k 5er on a 7-8% grade (Wolf Creek Pass) with the juice in level 1 (40hp) with stock exhaust here in Colorado. I had to back off and slow down due to EGTs. Monarch pass, 5-6% would get me to 1350-1400 degrees with the stock exhaust, juice on 1. Some rolling hills on the highway would get me to 1350 in a hurry as well. I have yet to climb Eisenhower pass with the 5er so cannot comment on that. With a 4" exhaust my EGTs have dropped, I still have the stock air filter system however. It is all in what you feel comfortable with, but I wouldn't tow in the mountains without an EGT gauge. JMHO.
Bob

If you lock out the OD and climb the hill, your RPM's will be higher and will be forcing more air though the engine decreasing your EGT's.

This isn't quite a direct comparison, but I'll try. Last summer I towed my 7000lb camper through NM, AZ and CO. I ran 65 on 2-lanes and 70 on expressways. Never slowed down on any 6% grade and never noticed the 6gun reducing my power due to high egt's (I have the SL with temp probe). I have a modded airbox and replacement muffler, but no gauges. Only thing I noticed was my oil pressure would drop when the engine was starting to work hard, but that was it.

If you're only running a 40HP chip I don't think you'll have any problems. If you're pushing 60+ without intake/exhaust then you might need to be concerned. Most chips have a "tow safe" setting in the 40-50HP range, OK even at max loads with stock exhaust.the egt back down for the speedloader is 1500*F which is way higher than you would want while towing. buy a real gauge. the speedloader option is only for short use. i wouldnt tow with it.

I went to Kentucky and back towing about 10k. Cruise control on 75 up through the mountains, stayed in 5th gear, no problems. I had stock exhaust, intake, and TTS Tow. Ran sweet.

You do get lower oil pressure going up mountains though.

You do get lower oil pressure going up mountains though.

I noticed this also (when I was using Chevron Delo 400). I switched to Mobil Delvac 1 (at 12k miles) and the oil pressure holds steady at 70psi (any temp/tow condition).

I think the EGT backdown on the Speed Loader is at 1350, not 1500. I had a long conversation with Banks about my "towing habits" and they felt I could even run in Level 6 towing up to 6000-7000lbs! I used level 3 or 4 and had plenty of power.

That being said, I do plan to add gauges, but am comfortable towing my relatively light travel trailer in 3 or 4. I would not recomend doing this with the stock airbox and exhaust though.

Dang am i Jealous of you CAMike!

Is the El Cid Mexican Restaurant still operating?
Some of the best Mex I have ever had in my life!

Got Juice- El Cid in Oakhurst is still there. Great food huh? From the posts above I think I better bite the bullit and put in the Pryometer. I was really hoping to not drill holes/and possibly alert the local Chevy dealer that I was running extra HP. Mybe someonw with a TTS Tow Tune could share their experiences with EGT's when running hard and up at altitude?

Got Juice- El Cid in Oakhurst is still there. Great food huh? From the posts above I think I better bite the bullit and put in the Pryometer. I was really hoping to not drill holes/and possibly alert the local Chevy dealer that I was running extra HP. Mybe someonw with a TTS Tow Tune could share their experiences with EGT's when running hard and up at altitude?

I didn't have gauges, sorry. Next time I will. Hopefully someone with gauges will chime in. I know Steve Cole had extensively tested the TTS prior to release, and it is intended for stock trucks that are towing.

The only data I have is Unladen with the Edge on 3 stacked on the TTS Tow, I hit ~1375 going up a steep grade (hwy 241) at 100mph. I couldn't stack the Edge and the TTS for the trip due to turbo bark. I'll live with it for a few hundred miles, but not a few thousand.

i am running hypertech . i live in mountains so always going up hill home. shoocked me when i finaly put in gauges. temps can reach 1400 easy. now with gauges, i know when i need to back off. the truck dosent care about 1400lb or 1400 deg. so be carefull

Who makes a good set of guages that "look stock" ? I have the tan interior with that little bose tweeter up there in the a-pillar. I just want a pyro and boost guage and nothing else. I was running Edge and had too many problems with it so now running a Hypertech and 'am totally content. But I still have the sensor plugged into the manifold and would like to use it. Anyone have any ideas without spending a fortune?