I'm planning to take the Raven on the road this year, but the longest distance I've hauled so far is about 50 miles (about an hour or so). I have a couple of questions regarding longer hauls (three hours minimum). My tow vehicle is a 2-dr 4WD Chevy Tahoe, 5.7 liter V8, automatic transmission with overdrive. Here goes: 1) Everybody says not to tow with the transmission in "drive" because of the possibility of damage to the lock-up torque converter. However, in the next gear down ("3") my top speed at a reasonable RPM is 60 mph. Meanwhile, guys hauling dual-axle race car trailers with similar trucks are blowing right by me. What's the deal? 2) Is it OK to tow in "Drive" on the level and downshift manually for the hills? 3) how essential is a transmission cooler? I have a hard time believing that the transmission on this Chevy has to be handled with kid gloves when other people are towing similar-sized boats with minivans and small SUVs. Help! Peter H23 "Raven"
Trailering habits
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Rick Webb
I Asked That Very Question to a Guy at AAMCO
What he told me was if it is not hunting back and forth out of overdrive then it is fine. Might want to check your owners manual. Downshifting on hills should be fine that is what it is there for. You may be able to get by without a cooler on the transmission, but a cooler is only about $50. How much is a tranmission and where is it going to give out?
What he told me was if it is not hunting back and forth out of overdrive then it is fine. Might want to check your owners manual. Downshifting on hills should be fine that is what it is there for. You may be able to get by without a cooler on the transmission, but a cooler is only about $50. How much is a tranmission and where is it going to give out?
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Bob Noble
I've got about the same vehicle
On my 1996 Chevy 4WD pickup I’ve towed my 3500 pound camper all over without a lick of trouble. It came with the towing package (tranny cooler). My owner’s manual says that I can tow like 7800 pounds. I leave it in overdrive UNLESS it starts hunting (down shifting/upshifting) then I drop it down into drive. Happy trailer sailing
On my 1996 Chevy 4WD pickup I’ve towed my 3500 pound camper all over without a lick of trouble. It came with the towing package (tranny cooler). My owner’s manual says that I can tow like 7800 pounds. I leave it in overdrive UNLESS it starts hunting (down shifting/upshifting) then I drop it down into drive. Happy trailer sailing
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John
Tow in drive
My advice is to tow in drive. I towed my h23 from Norfolk, Va to San Diego using a Ford Expedition in DRIVE. I have had no problems with the Ford. I was able to keep up with traffic and maintain posted speed limit. Please consult your owner's manual for your tow vehicle. However, I don't think you should have to shift from DRIVE. I didn't down shift while climbing hills. Of course, I was a little conservative on the hills and constantly monitored my temp gage! Good Luck!
My advice is to tow in drive. I towed my h23 from Norfolk, Va to San Diego using a Ford Expedition in DRIVE. I have had no problems with the Ford. I was able to keep up with traffic and maintain posted speed limit. Please consult your owner's manual for your tow vehicle. However, I don't think you should have to shift from DRIVE. I didn't down shift while climbing hills. Of course, I was a little conservative on the hills and constantly monitored my temp gage! Good Luck!
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Mike
I don't use overdrive
My Ford Excursion manual suggests turning off the overdrive when towing. There is a button on the end of the gear selection shaft to turn off the overdrive. However, the transmission is still in "Drive". It just won't shift into overdrive. This does increase the revs and results in lower gas milage.
My Ford Excursion manual suggests turning off the overdrive when towing. There is a button on the end of the gear selection shaft to turn off the overdrive. However, the transmission is still in "Drive". It just won't shift into overdrive. This does increase the revs and results in lower gas milage.
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Reinhold Fussle
confession time
last summer we were heading out from Warsaw IN to SAndusky OH in our old F150 towing our H260. Well, about 20 miles down the road we blew the radiatior! Not wanting to cancel our planned one week cruise on Lake Erie we went and got the '95 Dodge Caravan, hitched before the trailer and of we went! It looked rather ridicules but it worked great! Kept it in D the whole way (no mountains) and kept right up with the traffic. Well no problems on the road or on the ramp. In fact everything went so well that we did it again a month later, this time to Grand Haven! Had a great time. Had the transmission fluid changed later on and it did show signs of overheating. (Wonder why)By the way, the surge brakes worked just fine even in one max effort stop. Yes the Van is still running fine. Maybe we will just have to shoot it some day so we can buy a new one!
last summer we were heading out from Warsaw IN to SAndusky OH in our old F150 towing our H260. Well, about 20 miles down the road we blew the radiatior! Not wanting to cancel our planned one week cruise on Lake Erie we went and got the '95 Dodge Caravan, hitched before the trailer and of we went! It looked rather ridicules but it worked great! Kept it in D the whole way (no mountains) and kept right up with the traffic. Well no problems on the road or on the ramp. In fact everything went so well that we did it again a month later, this time to Grand Haven! Had a great time. Had the transmission fluid changed later on and it did show signs of overheating. (Wonder why)By the way, the surge brakes worked just fine even in one max effort stop. Yes the Van is still running fine. Maybe we will just have to shoot it some day so we can buy a new one!
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Michael Bell
How heavy?
I doubt that you would have more than 4000 pounds back there for a H23, and shouldn’t be a problem. While hauling my H26 one Summer, I hit the scales and the boat and trailer weighed in at 6995 pounds – that’s not including the tongue weight. (gear and food for 4 people for a month, most all in the boat. And yes, I remembered to empty the water ballast you guys). If it were me, I would still have the transmission cooler installed. Not that much cost and you may get the urge to blow by some of those race car trailers.
I doubt that you would have more than 4000 pounds back there for a H23, and shouldn’t be a problem. While hauling my H26 one Summer, I hit the scales and the boat and trailer weighed in at 6995 pounds – that’s not including the tongue weight. (gear and food for 4 people for a month, most all in the boat. And yes, I remembered to empty the water ballast you guys). If it were me, I would still have the transmission cooler installed. Not that much cost and you may get the urge to blow by some of those race car trailers.
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Marcel
Trans oil cooler
I have had numerous tow vehicles and every one of them had a transmission oil cooler included in the tow package. That tells me that the manufacturers felt it was necessary to at least get thru the warranty period. As for towing in OD, the vehicle will tell you when you can do it. If you find that the trans shifting up and down is driving you nuts, it is time to downshift.
I have had numerous tow vehicles and every one of them had a transmission oil cooler included in the tow package. That tells me that the manufacturers felt it was necessary to at least get thru the warranty period. As for towing in OD, the vehicle will tell you when you can do it. If you find that the trans shifting up and down is driving you nuts, it is time to downshift.
Road trip!
Thanks for all the input...transmission cooler it is. I replaced the transmission last year after 105,000 miles and I'm not in any hurry to do it again. What sparked the question was a statement by the mechanic (and two Tahoe-owning friends who also replaced their transmissions) that 90,000 miles was about all you can expect from a Chevy truck transmission. BTW, for those who asked, boat and trailer tip the scales at 3,200 lb. The trailer has no brakes, so I try to keep as much weight as possible in the tow vehicle. See you on the road. Peter H23 "Raven"
Thanks for all the input...transmission cooler it is. I replaced the transmission last year after 105,000 miles and I'm not in any hurry to do it again. What sparked the question was a statement by the mechanic (and two Tahoe-owning friends who also replaced their transmissions) that 90,000 miles was about all you can expect from a Chevy truck transmission. BTW, for those who asked, boat and trailer tip the scales at 3,200 lb. The trailer has no brakes, so I try to keep as much weight as possible in the tow vehicle. See you on the road. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Rick Webb
For What it is Worth
Many if not most states require brakes on a trailer of that weight. If you are going to be using it much or very far it would probably be a good idea.
Many if not most states require brakes on a trailer of that weight. If you are going to be using it much or very far it would probably be a good idea.
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Brian
Towing
I towed my H26 from Pensacola Fl to Michigan (1,200) miles with a Jeep Liberty. It has a V-6 and the tow package. I never had any problems with temp/trans/etc. I did not shut off the overdrive. Even in the mountains I did not have a problem. We averaged about 65.
I towed my H26 from Pensacola Fl to Michigan (1,200) miles with a Jeep Liberty. It has a V-6 and the tow package. I never had any problems with temp/trans/etc. I did not shut off the overdrive. Even in the mountains I did not have a problem. We averaged about 65.
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Crazy Dave Condon
Not enough info
Generally a vehicle with a tow package from the manufacturer with an automatic transmission will have the larger radioator and the extra transmission cooler along with the heavy duty shocks. IF you do not have it and will be towing alot, suggest that you get the above as your vehicle will last alot longer. Alot depends on how much usage. That is the real question only you can answer. In the beginning, I suggest traveling slower and when you get comfortable, then increase your speed. I would stop after the first 20 miles to check tie downs and the winch on trailer. Make sure lug nuts are tight and carry at all times a small grease gun. YOu may want a spare. As a dealer, I tow about 100,000 miles per year various boats and what I have said is based on experience. Crazy Dave Condon
Generally a vehicle with a tow package from the manufacturer with an automatic transmission will have the larger radioator and the extra transmission cooler along with the heavy duty shocks. IF you do not have it and will be towing alot, suggest that you get the above as your vehicle will last alot longer. Alot depends on how much usage. That is the real question only you can answer. In the beginning, I suggest traveling slower and when you get comfortable, then increase your speed. I would stop after the first 20 miles to check tie downs and the winch on trailer. Make sure lug nuts are tight and carry at all times a small grease gun. YOu may want a spare. As a dealer, I tow about 100,000 miles per year various boats and what I have said is based on experience. Crazy Dave Condon
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Neil Austin
Towing
I towed my 240 from Portland to Preston,Idaho with a 1996 chevy blazer V6 when I purchased it about a year ago. I have since moved to Dallas Texas and towed it here. I use drive because the manual says to. I usually try not to go over 65. Going through the mountains is no problem if you slow down and take it easy on the hills. It's somtimes necessary to manually downshift to keep the transmission from hunting when going up hills. I somtimes manually downshift going downhills to avoid wearing out the brakes. I don't see why a larger chevy would have any trouble at all. My only problem is I have more miles on the road than on the water.
I towed my 240 from Portland to Preston,Idaho with a 1996 chevy blazer V6 when I purchased it about a year ago. I have since moved to Dallas Texas and towed it here. I use drive because the manual says to. I usually try not to go over 65. Going through the mountains is no problem if you slow down and take it easy on the hills. It's somtimes necessary to manually downshift to keep the transmission from hunting when going up hills. I somtimes manually downshift going downhills to avoid wearing out the brakes. I don't see why a larger chevy would have any trouble at all. My only problem is I have more miles on the road than on the water.
Response to Crazy Dave
I've been hauling small boat trailers for years and all the stuff you suggested are S.O.P. (I also carry a complete hub assembly and extra bulbs). The problem is this...I typically trailer only three or four times a year, usually less than 50 miles. My Tahoe is fine for that. I just want go farther (about the same number of times a year) without killing the truck before its time. Peter H23 "Road Raven"
I've been hauling small boat trailers for years and all the stuff you suggested are S.O.P. (I also carry a complete hub assembly and extra bulbs). The problem is this...I typically trailer only three or four times a year, usually less than 50 miles. My Tahoe is fine for that. I just want go farther (about the same number of times a year) without killing the truck before its time. Peter H23 "Road Raven"
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Crazy Dave Condon
you are ok
YOu have a v-8. You are fine and you know more that alot of folks. YOu can tow anything and with the additional equipment which I mentioned earlier, you will be fine. I believe you have a 23 wing keel. One word of caution on this boat, do not go fast as the trailer can sway on you. If you do not have brakes and it starts to sway, then accelerate to pull the swaying out and then brake. Remember the center of gravity has risen with any wing keel sitting on the boat and go slower around curves. I use to have an Impala with a V-8 and pulled many large boats to include a Hunter 27 and 28. If you tow alot, make dure to change the oil and accelerate slowly and brake slowly too. Crazy Dave Condon
YOu have a v-8. You are fine and you know more that alot of folks. YOu can tow anything and with the additional equipment which I mentioned earlier, you will be fine. I believe you have a 23 wing keel. One word of caution on this boat, do not go fast as the trailer can sway on you. If you do not have brakes and it starts to sway, then accelerate to pull the swaying out and then brake. Remember the center of gravity has risen with any wing keel sitting on the boat and go slower around curves. I use to have an Impala with a V-8 and pulled many large boats to include a Hunter 27 and 28. If you tow alot, make dure to change the oil and accelerate slowly and brake slowly too. Crazy Dave Condon
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