Hey guys,

I want to know if there is a rule-of-thumb weight threshold that can be used to determine when it is appropriate to use a tow tune vs. a performance tune.

I'm towing a jetski down to the coast this weekend. The jetski weighs about 800lbs and the trailer weighs ~250lbs (I think, it's aluminum and really light).

As far as I can reason, that seems to be on the border of the performance/tow tune...and I really don't want to reprogram just to tow for 2.5 hours. I just don't like waiting around 30-45 min each time I need to change the tune.

Thanks for the input!

 

Depends on who did the tuning.

Some are more restrictive than others.

To be absolutely safe, use the tow tune (and leave it there). Or - aks the feller who did yer tuning.

MGD

 

That's ^^^ the BEST answer! If you had an Edge product (I know you don't) the tow tune limit is about 2000# (and it takes about 30 sec to load a tune).

- Jack

 

It takes 30-45 minutes to swap your tunes?

I can't see where you mentioned which programmer/tuner you have, so it's hard to say. I will say that Bill at PHP told me unless I'm towing more than 2500# that I'd be fine with the performance tune. However, he may have meant for my specific vehicle with its specific mods.

I agree with MGD. To be safe, ask or just use the tow tune.

 

It's not that quick on the newer trucks.....sure wish it was though....

 

Thanks MGD, yeah I'll probably wind up just re-programming it. 5 Star Tuning did the tune, I'll email Mike and let you all know what he says.


I have and SCT X3 - yeah they take their time when uploading tunes. The stock tune takes like 10 min, custom tunes take WAY longer.


^x2

 

You should be good to go with the performance tune. That is not much weight and the reason for switching has to do with your tranny not your engine. If your worried about it and still dont want to switch just keep the rpms below 3k and make sure your transmission isn't shifting back and forth between gears. With that amount of weight you would be switching alot even if you have 5 people in the truck thats close to that amount of weight. Or if you fill the bed up id hook up the jetski and drive it down with no worries.

 

Mike told me all of his tunes are safe to tow whatever your truck is rated for. He labelled mine perf/tow. I've only towed with the 91 perf/tow and it was fantastic to say the least.

 

not just tranny.... EGT's

 

Huh?

 

^^^ X2 - that's gonna earn ya a 'WTF'?

Towing ratings are different from loads carried ON the vehicle (passengers and all cargo in-cab & bed) in terms of what the tuning can safely manage.

Towing involves the added wind resistance of the trailer which is proportional to the square of the velocity), and the added rolling resistance of the extra chassis, in addition to the simple increases due to tongue weight and towed weight.

Almost any tune will work safely up to the rated load carrying capacity on the vehicle itself. But that's NOT the case where towing is involved.

Tow tunes involve changes to shift points, shift firmness, TC lock behaviour, and A/F's to keep the EGT's in check ( run a little richer ). Among other things.

Personally - I always advocate ( and request) a tow-specific tune rather than a more generic tow/perf tune if one can be specified. May as well get the full benefit a max tow tune can provide. And leave *****-out perf to perf-specific tuning. That's the kind of granularity that good custom tuning can bring to the table, imho ...

 

My point was your still putting load on the engine and tranny. Yea im sure you guys are right when your talking alot of weight but this is barley over 1k. Yea theres wind resistance but its jet ski trailer doubt its noticable. Yea if your towing alot your going to want the tranny to hold gears and the tq converter to act differently, didn't know about the egt's to most tuners adjust this with a tow tune? I highly doubt those adjustments are going to make or break his truck towing a jet ski.

 

Hey.

For the sake of the simple expedient of switching to the Tow tune (that, by the way was Paid for), it's simply a better al-round experience, regasrdless of tow load.

That is for myself - I do NOT have any 'combo' or 'all-purpose' tuning - they are all specific to intended function.

So - I switch as needed. Thing is, my tow-specific tuning is soooo dang good as a DD tune, that's where it stays most of the time. Each reflash comes with all the attendant risks, si I choose to minimize same. Just me, okay?

I do understand where you are coming from, bud - I was being a bit more general, for the sake of a wider audience.

Have a good one, sir!


MGD

 

I tow my 10,000# boat and trailer with a 93 performance tune. I have a few hills involved, but I don't hot-rod it. I take it easy and stay around 55 or 60mph. I haven't had any problems. I have a tune from Justin in a SCT X3. Like the rest, I really don't want to be waiting for a tune to load everytime I tow my boat to the lake. By the way, the round trip is about 40 miles. Hope this helps.

 

Right now I am using 5Startuning's 87 octane perf / tow tune as a DD. Shifts out nice and crisp and holds the needed gear when driving in town. Just upgraded to the 93 perf / tow tune. I am having to wait to get all of the 87 octane gas out of the tank. Pumped a little over 28 gallons last night. My plan is on using it as a DD. I have also tuned Mustangs before. I used a custom 93 octane race tune as a DD and loved every minute of it. While just cruising the interstate I actually increased gas mileage with the tune. When I stood on the skinny pedal that went away quick. From what I have been reading the 93 tune will not gain me a thing around town. Out on the highway is where I should see a significant increase in MPG and HP / Torque. Yesterday I had to drive about 250 miles. Averaged 17.9 - 18.5 with the 87 tune. With mikes tunes when I get on a hill, my truck will down shift straight from 6th to 4th. I am running 3.55's and hope that will pick up a little more on the low end with the 93 tune.