I have a 2003 Express Van, 5.3 L, all wheel drive, 1500 series, axle ratio is 3.73. My issue is pulling my 4,000 lb. travel trailer up hills. The transmission has D, 3, 2, and 1. I use 3 for all towing. I can only go about 45 mph in 3 when towing on a mountain pass and the van is lugging. If I shift down to 2, I can go 50 mph at 3500 rpm. My van does not have a tach so I use a blue tooth obd II and my smart phone to get the rpm's. My van is rated at 285 hp at 5200 rpm. I am unsure of how to get to 5200 rpm when towing up hill. Basically I am scared to push on the gas while driving in 2 to get to 5200 rpm. At 3500 rpm the engine sounds pretty loud. Is it recommended to go to 5200 rpm? Does anyone do this on a regular basis? Why did Chevy not put a tach in my van, this seems so crucial?

 

If you have a DIC, the tach should be in there. But maybe 03's didn't have a DIC. All vans I've seen since around 2000 have a tow/haul mode switch to improve shifting, but maybe that was optional.

The horsepower numbers are just marketing ****. You don't want to be driving @ 5200 rpm.

You didn't mention the grade of the hill, but 45mph doesn't sound that bad. Make sure the engine and tranny are in good working order and just have patience when towing I think. But I don't do much towing, so wait and see what others say.

 

Thank you for responding. I am hoping for a technical response. Why would Chevy advertise 285 horsepower, if the user would never raise the rpm's high enough to use it? Maybe other Chevy owners routinely get to 5000 rpm? If so do they do this with the transmission in 2? If I did drive at 5000 rpm for those 5 mile long mountain passes what would happen? Would the engine overheat? Does prolonged high revs result in a failed engine (piston, rod, crank failure?)?

 

Like I said... marketing. The bigger the number, the better it sounds.
Everyone who is selling something will always give PEAK numbers, whether it's power tools or leaf blowers or computer components.

5000 RPM far from the optimal power band of your engine. Not only will it wear everything out, but you will have horrendous fuel consumption. You said yourself that even 3500 sounds loud.

'D' gear is fine, or '3' if it's hunting too much.