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2008 K2500 reversing uphill towing

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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 7:34 AM
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Default 2008 K2500 reversing uphill towing

I was towing my 2012 31SB with my 2008 Chev K2500 suburban, 6.0, 3:73 rear, in reverse up my driveway, about 12% grade in normal reverse, and the truck stopped about half way. The engine kept running, but would not move in reverse in anyway. I drifted back down the driveway, shifted into 4L, and had no problems with the extra torque.

My question is, does anyone know if GM built an actuator into the transfer case, controller or transmission that disengages torque if pressure/temp gets to high.

I had 236 on the transmission for about 30 seconds. One other question, this truck came with the towing package, including the external trans cooler and engine cooler, but I'm still running hot, 205 on trans, 245 on engine when towing flat. I'm really dissapointed in the power from this truck to begin with, and any idea's to cool it down, increase HP would be greatly appreciated.

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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 1:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff Folk
I was towing my 2012 31SB with my 2008 Chev K2500 suburban, 6.0, 3:73 rear, in reverse up my driveway, about 12% grade in normal reverse, and the truck stopped about half way. The engine kept running, but would not move in reverse in anyway. I drifted back down the driveway, shifted into 4L, and had no problems with the extra torque.

My question is, does anyone know if GM built an actuator into the transfer case, controller or transmission that disengages torque if pressure/temp gets to high.

I had 236 on the transmission for about 30 seconds. One other question, this truck came with the towing package, including the external trans cooler and engine cooler, but I'm still running hot, 205 on trans, 245 on engine when towing flat. I'm really dissapointed in the power from this truck to begin with, and any idea's to cool it down, increase HP would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
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Louis
GM Customer Service
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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 2:20 PM
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the 4.10 rear end option has loads of torque. I have an 06 2500 6.0L, 4l80E and the pulling power with that rear end; comes close to the first gen duramax for pulling power. The 3.73's i've driven can't match it. The hottest my trans cooler ever gets is 70 degrees celcius.

Last edited by tech2; Jul 2, 2012 at 2:22 PM.
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Old Jul 2, 2012 | 5:51 PM
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I have been towing my 1972 ford Bronco on some of the hottest days this year, my Engine stays at 195-210 deg. and the tranny stays at 200. i have the same drivetrain as you. i have the Edge CS programmer/ monitor set on the Tow Program. it must be doing the job.
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 11:02 AM
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I'm not able to directly answer the Q but I can say that I just get back from towing 800+ miles in near 100 degree weather. The TV is a '06 Suburban 1500 6.0 3.73 gears and I was towing a 21ft Springdale camper, about 4500lbs dry, plus water and the other camping gear. My trans temp was usually just over 200F, maybe 210F or so. It may have peaked around 225F but it never stayed that high for any length of time. I don't have an electronic monitor, I just upgraded my IPC to one with a trans temp gauge and that was my first trip towing with it so I was watching it.
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 3:11 PM
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My full vin is 3GNGK26K68G309354. I've towed my trailer, weight is 9854 lbs, and had no problems so far. I am towing using M5 on the trans. I put it in 4 for city. All my backing up my driveway will be done in 4L from now on. I still can't get a straight answer out of chevy regarding their torque management.
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 6:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff Folk
My full vin is 3GNGK26K68G309354. I've towed my trailer, weight is 9854 lbs, and had no problems so far. I am towing using M5 on the trans. I put it in 4 for city. All my backing up my driveway will be done in 4L from now on. I still can't get a straight answer out of chevy regarding their torque management.
it has torque management but only in the auto 4wd mode. The module that controls its uses wheel slip information from the wheel speed sensors. No external temp/pressure sensors are built into the tcase.

Last edited by tech2; Jul 4, 2012 at 7:04 PM.
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Old Jul 4, 2012 | 9:32 PM
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What is it called when you floor the pedal and the computer slowly opens the throttle? I thought that was part of torque mgmt to protect the drivetrain.
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Old Jul 5, 2012 | 8:00 AM
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My travel trailer is a 2012 Cross Roads weighing 9485lbs. It's 34 feet. I've found towing in M5 on the transmission seem's to keep my temps in check, but the truck is still gutless. If I go to a performance tuner, or change the chip, I void the one year I have left on the power train warranty. I am switching from a Dodge 2500 cummins to this suburban, I am no Dodge fan, but I sure do miss my cummins engine. This 6.0 tow's like my old 350, it gets me their, but at it's own pace.
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Old Jul 5, 2012 | 8:13 AM
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When you compare the torque figures between the Cummins and the Chevy, you'll see why.
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