What do you guys consider enough weight to switch to a tow tune? I currently run a 87 custom perf., but am about to tow a utility trailer with about 400-500 lbs in it 500 miles. Should I go ahead and switch to the tow tune, or will I be fine with the 87 perf?
Also, do I still take the truck out of overdrive if I'm running a tune?

Running a Gryphon with custom 87 perf, and custom 87 tow.

 

it's not just the weight of towing, it's also the fact you are dragging this behind your truck, is it enclosed or open?, personally,if im towing anything, i load my tow tune...

 

It's an open 5x7 utility trailer. It's pretty heavy duty for a utility trailer though. Its not one of those metal mesh ones from Lowes with 12" wheels. It's steel plate bottom and sides with diamond plate gate.

 

No you'll be fine unless the trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs alone. I'd recommend switching to the towing tune for anything more than 2,500 lbs.

A lot of tuners recommend switching to the towing tune for 3,000 or 4,000 lbs so you'll be good.

 

Should I turn overdrive off with the tune running? Or leave it be?

 

i don't know how bill sets up his tow tunes- i tow ~5,500 every weekend from april to november-with the shift characteristics on my 93 octane tow tune, it does not hunt between d and od-i guess it's based on load vs throttle input-it will either hold in od or stay in d- with the stock tune, now that's another story.

 

PHP's recomendation is not to exceed tow weight of 2500 lbs on their performance tunes.
You will have to listen to the truck when you are towing and watch the gryphon pids to know weather or not to leave the OD on.
If in hilly areas and/or head winds and the tranny is constantly shifting and tranny temps are elevated then turn the OD off.
But if in relatively flat areas I leave mine on with the custom tow tune.

 

400-500 lbs is nothing.

No different than letting a couple of buddies set in the back seat.

You don't switch to a tow tune for that do ya?

If you have a back seat I can't really tell from your sig.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll start out in 87 perf with OD on, and see how it handles. Towing ground is mostly flat. If truck starts acting funny, I'll switch it over. I towed just the trailer the other day, and the truck felt fine. It actually felt like it was shifting better with the trailer. 1st gear seems to shift kinda late and hard on 87 perf, but feels perfect with the trailer behind it.
What are gryphon PIDS?

 

No back seat here.
It's not the weight being added to the trailer I'm worried about, its the trailer + load that I'm was worried about.

 

if u have the tow tune, why not use it???????????????????????????????????????

 

Went about 1/3 of the way on 87 perf, then was stopped at a wreck for about 20 min, and switched to 97 tow while waiting. Truck seemed to have better acceleration, and almost seemed to run at a lower rpm on the tow tune. Was annoying though b/c I couldn't leave it in cruise control b/c it was a hilly road, and just about any incline would cause it to down shift at 65-70 mph.
Truck ran great though.