This seems like I am opening an old subject, but I am wishing for a little extra power when towing only. I have certain parameters i would like to meet to do this.
First it needs to be easily and safely removed, reprogrammed, or turned off with no changes to stock tune, and I would do this each time I am not towing. This could be as much as 20 times a year. So, the reliability of this change must be absolute. The reasons for this are: The truck has plenty of power running empty or with just a bed load. This is my wifes daily driver vehicle. She has a little bit of a heavy foot now, but doesn't know it. so, I don't want any extra HP or torque causing wheel spin or smoke.
Second, it needs to be an easy install and removal, with no wires inside the cab, and no evidence of having it on. Out of sight, out of mind and all that!
Third, i am not looking for a lot of power, just a little extra to help hold 5th gear on small inclines and for it to easily stay in 4th on the bigger mountains and maintain speed. I have absolutely no interest in the larger gains of HP and torque, and don't want the temptation. I usually tow 60 to 70 mph and so i want the gains to be in the 1800 to 2500 rpm range. We pull a 5th wheel, about 8500 to 9000 lbs. fully loaded.
Fourth, I don't want to worry about damaging the engine or drivetrain. You can imagine what would happen if my wife thought I did something "bad" to her truck!
I have been reading on the forums of course and know about most of the systems, be they reprogrammers or plug ins. I am thinking maybe the Van Aaken tow tune sounds ok. I wonder if it has a switch to turn completely off, could if it could be under hood? Hasn't JK been working on this tune?
Also, the Predator seems to well liked. I like the idea of being able to check codes, injector balance, etc. I do like gadgets! Does it work as well as others for towing? Would I have to worry about tuning and retuning the factory computer so many times? How long does it take to retune each time?
I have gauges and have had for a couple of years. So, I could moniter the EGTs just in case.
Simplicity, reliability, and safety. Too much to ask?

You could run the Edge without the attitude or the VA Smartbox to fill your LB7 requirements. They take 5 minutes for initial install, and can be removed just as quickly. The Edge can be adjust through the accelerator pedal? I believe, and the VA has a toggle switch that you can just leave in the engine compartment. It took me 2 minutes to install the VA the first time. Edge for me took longer, because I did the Attitude/Pyrometer thang.

Changing tunes on the Predator is a PITA. It takes less time to install an Edge, drive around the block twice, and remove it, than what it takes to tune your truck with a ECM uploader (none are fast).

My belief is that if you get a good tow tune, you will leave it in all the time. I know my wife likes driving my truck more with the TTS tow tune in it than with the stock tune. It's easier to drive.

Now what would I do if I were you, with your requirements, and someone who "likes gadgets"? Edge with Attitude. Best set of features, easy to change power level, built in engine and trans protection, and looks cool as hell when mounted nicely. But you will need the Attitude fob in the cab, and needs to have a pyrometer probe mounted. Bite the bullet, and do it right. You will know your EGT's, trans slip, boost, etc, etc, with just a glance, and more power is just one button away.

I agree juice with attitude. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/rockon.gif I have had mine for 9 months and I still love it I tow all the time and I know that even on level 1 I can feel the difference never mind the fact that you have 4 more levels. Oh yeah, you will love the gadgets. Everybody wonders what this or that button does.

Juice and Attitude 100%!

Set the EGT Backdown to 1200 power level 1 responsiveness 1 and call it a day.
Free Gauges! Peace of mind, Trans protection, Will not 'lock up' your truck like a tuner would if it hiccups.
Totally removable in 5 minutes, Easy to install. Good support.... I could go on and on.

To meet your requirements as close as possible, install the Juice alone (without attitude). Best unit for LB7. Installs in a couple of minutes and you can change power levels in less than a minute (just not on the fly). But.... if you like gadgets, go for the Attitude! You won't be sorry.

if you already have gauges set up like you mentioned then get the TTS Tow Tune - it is by far the best out there that will meet and exceed your requirements and then some. Get it and be done - no problems, drives just like stock but more HP and torque, you dont need to worry about the tranny, and YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT !!

It sounds like everyone really likes their Juice.
the instructions show drill a 1/8" NPT hole for the thermocouple. I have already a 1/4" NPT threaded hole for the guages I have. If i got the Attitude I think I would like to remove the guages I have and just use it. Do you guys think there is any way to use the fitting I have screwed into the manifold or is there an adapter to fit from the 1/4" to the 1/8"? I don' think the A pillar mount will work for this family. Where else have you guys put it other than the overhead console?
thanks

If you already have gauges why don't you look into a VA box. It is switchable on the fly without all of the messing around the Juice requires without the attitude. If you're just using it for a little extra jam then you likely don't need to mess around with all the other features like low boost fueling and shift defueling that comes with the attitude. JMHO.

You should think about investing in the edge juice. Very, very easy install, especially if you don't get the attitude. If you already have the guages, then just the juice would do you very well. The added features of the attitude are very nice, but not necessary... I like the fact that you can monitor so many different things, other than EGT's.
There were a couple threads awhile back showing the different HP/TQ curves of all the boxes and programmers... mostly to show which one would be the best towing tuner. I believe the edge juice had the best curve to maximize towing capabilities. I have the juice/attitude and it tows very, very well. I usually tow on level 1 or 2 and it never fails to get the job done. Great customer service also!

Dan

I forgot to mention that there are several different ways to mount the attitude. As of now, I mount mine by routing the attitude cable up through the dash and pinch the cable between the dash and the dash take-off bezel. It makes it easy to remove when getting service done at the dealership. To avoid chafing or cutting the cable, I wrapped electrical tape around the cable before pinching it inbetween the dash and bezel.

Dan

anyone have a link to the threads showing the HP/TQ curves?
I do think to keep it simple, the Juice or the VA box would be great. My wife would not get a bit of use out of the other stuff, she just drives the truck. As much fun as i would have with the Attitude, it may get "in the way".
Like i said before, i definitely want to easily take the tune out when not towing, especially when I am not driving the truck. Our son who is just learning to drive also sometimes gets behind the wheel.
It appears both are easy to turn off. One with a switch and the other by setting tow different tunes for "normal" and "tow haul" or just turning off any increase by resetting the Juice. And either one could be uplugged and dissappear.
next step is to talk to the "owner" of the truck! ;) as long as she doesn't say :badidea:

Here's a link with some curves in it and some more opinions.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13321

I have an old tech juice 4.61. For normal (no towing) driving I set it for a low tune (now in the winter its a 0) and level 4 tow-haul. Easy to punch the T-H switch when you need a little help mergin into traffic, or in my case, a bit of stress relief.......