So I have the Edge Evolution CTS and purchased it for my 2004 5.4l for towing a travel trailer. I called Edge after reading somewhere that I should NOT tow over 3000 pounds in the tow setting. The tech I talked to told me that when towing over 3000 pounds I should ONLY use setting 1 (transmission only).

I got it for the tow setting and all the gauges so I can watch all the temps. Does anyone on here use the tow setting to pull 6500 pounds? If so any issues?

 

That doesn't make any sense to me. I've got a CTS, but it was custom tuned by PHP (before they stopped offering custom tuning on CS/CTS devices), and I've never heard the advice you got. I DO know you should not tow on the Level 3 performance tune though.

As far as I know, you should be able to use the Level 2 tune for towing. The fueling is modified in this tune to help keep things cooler, when operating in "open loop" (such as when you're accelerating from a standing stop).

You could try calling Bill Cohron at PHP and asking him about this. They might answer via this webpage: http://store.gopowerhungry.com/contact-us, and if not, their number is at the bottom.

- Jack

 

Thanks Jack. I sent a message and I'll post any reply I get. Not expecting much since I did not purchase from them. Just really wanted the gauges for monitoring the temps of everything and also the tunes for every day driving as well as towing. My trailer is 6500 pounds and well within the limits of the truck. Had everything weighed and it was 13,200 and truck with trailer can be 15,000.

 

The one thing that's not mentioned much in towing weight limits is the axle loading on your tow vehicle. You can find this on your door sticker - look for the "Front GAWR", "Rear GAWR" and "GVWR". These are the front and rear axle and total weight limits that your truck is rated for. The tongue of your trailer is what applies the load and, since it should be between 10%-15% of the trailer weight to control sway, it can add between 650-975# to the total load on the axles. You've got a 1/2 ton pickup - rated to carry 1000# (supposedly). That weight is the total of driver, passengers, cargo, and, the weight of the trailer tongue. If you have not weighed the load on each axle when you're set up for a trip, it's worth a visit to a CAT scale to do so.

I tow a 3500# trailer, that applies about 450-480# of tongue load on the ball. With my bed cap (about 250#), the weight distributing hitch (maybe 80#), cargo and people on board the truck, I am just barely under the weight limits of the axles. Ideally, you would like to keep the axle loads to no more than 80% of the gross limits for any kind of prolonged drive. I can't do anything about the axles themselves, but I replaced the OEM tires on my truck with Load Range E LT tires. They have an inflation limit of 80 psi and a load limit of 3415# at that pressure, but for "ordinary driving" the recommended pressure is 40 psi. When towing, I inflate them to 55 psi to compensate for the increased load.

Give it some serious thought. I can't imagine the potential for damage and injury when towing - you need to give yourself every advantage you can.

Oh, and Bill may well reply to you. He's been very good about supporting anyone who buys any Edge product, regardless of where they bought it.

- Jack

 

Hey Jack I did get 5 weights when I went to the scales. Truck just front axle, total truck (subtract front to get rear), front with trailer, total truck with trailer not on scale (again get rear by subtracting front, and then everything.

Total on each axle is below rating with the WD hitch. Tongue weight is at 740 pushing truck to the 7200 range and all weights were taken the way we travel. I do agree that many don't always consider axle weights but it was recommended to me from a different message board for RV'ing that I do it that way.

That will be great if Bill does respond. He sure does not have to since I didn't purchase from him.

Thanks.

 

Just heard back from someone at GoPowerHungry.com. Here is what they said:

"No sir, any time you are towing something heavier than 3K you should be in the tow settings."

I'm going to go with that since I don't think the "tech" at Edge when I called knew what he was saying.

I big thank you to them at GoPowerHungry for taking the time to answer. Also to you Jack for your help.

 

Cool! PHP is a good outfit and I wish Edge had been more flexible regarding custom programming on the CS/CTS platforms. I thought you'd get a response from them regarding the tow setting. And, I wonder sometimes about the information that Edge Tech Support puts out. I doubt they train those folks very well.

You may well notice a mpg increase using the Level 2 setting, both while towing and even if you use it for ordinary driving. I know I did, before getting custom tunes. And, the drivability was MUCH better! (Faster shifting, more passing power, etc.) I think the Level 2 tow tune is a very good "all-around" daily driving tune.

Glad you've given the axle loading on your truck proper consideration. Sounds like you're in good shape. Happy travels!

- Jack

 

on the same topic as towing... I live in Colorado at 6000+ feet. the tune for towing says 91+ octane. most of the country that is mid grade. in Colorado mid grade is 87. is it ok to us 87 with the tow tune?

 

91+ at low altitudes is full premium. You should use at least 89 at high altitudes.