hello, new to this forum and duramax. I have a 04.5 lly ally with upgraded intake and exhaust only. I use it as my passenger car most of the time, but I intend to pull a designer series 38 foot 5th wheel. \i live in the wilds of British Columbia Canada (kootenay country)and have many large hills(mountains) to traverse. the trailer weighs 11,500 dry. any suggestions as to improvements for heat, fuel economy and or power. I don,t want to make a hotrod out of it Thanx in advance Doug

Towing that much weight-- you have to be very careful with a tune-- not only for the EGT, but also the trans temperature and the possibility of limping the trans.

You might consider a PPE Standard on "1" and EGT and boost gages.

For the Trans I would put a TransGo Jr kit (from a 6 speed) an Allison deep pan and a larger cooler from MikeL

Some increase the engine cooling with a secondary radiator (V2)

Be aware of the engine temperatures all the time. :rolleyes:

thanks for the come back. I do have pyro and boost guages, the trans has a transgo shift kit and an allison billet tourque converter, along with 4" exhaust and cold air intake. \i have read a bit about the mouthpiece mod. will this help Thanks again Doug

While race tuning tends to take the spotlight, you'll find that towing/economy tuning is actually my bread and butter tuning. For the LLY I do a simple switchable 50/80HP tune. While the numbers are low, you'll find that most higher rated tunes are far over rated. As mentioned above, temps are always a concern.

thankx for the combacks. much appreciated. ir anyone else has any info i would like to hear it thank you Doug

I use a bully dog rapid power unit, its designed for towing as its priority, these trucks are strong, you only need 40 or 50 hp to enhance your truck, any more will just kill big ticket items sooner.

thanx JD Hauler. all info and thoughts are appreciated Doug

i've had no problems yet... trailer loaded prob. weights 12,000lbs.... Mike

I have the Kennedy 50/80 tune and love it. I keep it on the 80 tune and just pulled my 7x16 cargo trailer with two quads and heat was no problem. I know it not a 5th wheel but it has the extended height and is like towing a brick. With the tune I never knew it was there, where as with the stock tune I could really feel it back there.

watch those gauges I'm using the banks ottomind 6 with the pda I like the safty and the audibal alarm settings in the pda
You could look at the mouthpiece mod do a search on it(you will be blind when your done reading them) it looks like the benifit to that is lower egt,if your exhaust still has the cat get rid of it and you will see lower egt

thanks forthe comeback JTW. I have a 4'' catback,and I will do the m/p mod. I think(?) the blocker and the pcv reroute look like they will help me also. at the moment I am not real comfortable with a tuner ???
I also have the after market intake with the stock filter. I thought the mod to the air box would also help me. what are thoughts on a air intake below the bumper? again thanks everyone that has replied Doug

oh yeah, forgot to mention the rapid power module has a completely stock setting if you dont want to be on a tune for some reason.

My truck came with a Banks Ram Air, Banks Ottomind 6 w/ PDA, and a Banks exhaust, and I could not be happier. I have not towed with it yet (bought it at Christmas), but I just ordered the SuperScoop (below the bumper intake) and am going to be towing my 30 ft trailer with it this summer in Michigan.

I would like to do the MP mod but am not sure which route I will go (LBZ, KillerBee's kit, etc)...........my truck has a plow frame on it, so a V2 cooler is a messy (and expensive) installation that I am *hoping* I don't need.

The Banks stuff is expensive, but tends to be on the conservative side of things.........check it out, you will never drive a stock truck again after you'd driven it with a Programmer on it;))

Ben

You didn't mention if you have a 2500HD or 3500HD.
A Designer 38 ft. has a gross weight of about 16000. We'll likely be loaded right up if you do any more than week-end stuff. Easy to add 3-4 thousand pounds of "stuff". Water, propane, clothes, food, tools, and etc. Often the trailer sticker weights DID NOT include any options that are factory or dealer added. Run the trailer across a scale to check.
A 3500HD should be rated to tow that.
My 2500HD is stickered for 9200 on the truck, combination of truck and trailer of 22,000 lbs (trailer of 12,800). That Designer will over load the truck with it's pin weight.
Watch those BC Truck Scales. They love to catch that size of trailer on a 2500HD.

As mentioned in other posts, there are ways to tow that. The 2500HD has the power if treated right.

thanks for the comeback Turnpike, always looking for info. my truck is indeed a 2500hd. I have air bags, 4" exhaust,aftermaket air intake and reworked air boxwith stock filter ,blocked egr, rerouted pvc,and pyro/boost guages. I don't push it , my top speed is 95 kmh. but, as yu know ,lots of mountians in B.C. I don't want to put a chip in it, am happy with the power now and am looking for longevity. again, thanks Doug