Tow settings

nelstone74 · #1 Thu, February 5th, 2009, 12:12 PM

I was wondering what the recommended uses are for the various tow settings or how others are using them.

Ive seen other vendors list the different tow settings for different GCVW and yours are listed as HP gains

***cleatus12r*** · #2 Fri, February 6th, 2009, 04:17 PM

As far as tow settings and how they're listed or named, regardless of who made the tune, it all boils down to how hard you want to push your truck and how high the EGTs are.

Typically, the tow settings boil down to transmission adjustments and other precautionary changes that help reduce EGT.

It's not really typical to find high-HP tow settings only because EGTs cause a big issue when making a lot of power. Besides, subjecting your drivetrain to 350 HP of continuous duty isn't the best for parts designed for 215.

The BEST tow tune is already installed on YOU....your right foot. Make the transmission shift better and watch the exhaust gas temperature.

nelstone74 · #3 Fri, February 6th, 2009, 05:08 PM

Cody-- Thanks for the input.

I guess now I am trying to figure out if I would need all three tow tunes or just two. I am still a trying to figure out how they are best used

***cleatus12r*** · #4 Fri, February 6th, 2009, 05:33 PM

I ran DP-Tuner's 20HP Tow and 60HP Tow programs for a few years.

Pulling the horse trailer (6 horse steel) with 3 horses and grossing just over 20K lbs., the 60HP tune was almost too much when fighting a headwind before putting on a TN turbocharger. After that, I could stay on it for miles before I had to worry about EGT. Conversely, the 20HP tune fueled just about right...I could stay below 1200 deg. all day long. However, I would lose considerable speed when pulling a grade. No matter to me since I downshift to 3rd at 65 MPH anyway. Would 40HP be better? Who knows?

It depends a lot on the truck, too. An OBS like yours without an intercooler won't be able to take as much fuel without high EGT. On the other hand, your RPMs will be higher at any given road speed due to the 4.10 gears.

Rule of thumb is that the higher the RPM, the lower the EGT. Lugging will ALWAYS cause a high EGT problem. 65 MPH seems to be the magic number for my 3.73-geared SD for 4th gear. Any slower and it's going to get hot before it speeds up.....any higher and it's smooth sailing.

huffer7.3 · #5 Fri, February 6th, 2009, 06:20 PM

I run 13k-15k daily in my fifth wheel. With a 40 tow tune from Bill, i have problem with enough power and my EGT's stay well below 1000. The only time I have to watch it is heavy loaded climbing on a hot summer day, 1200 sneeks up quick.

soutthpaw · #6 Sat, March 21st, 2009, 01:02 AM

I have a follow up question for ya Bill
I wanted to get some more clarification on which Standard tunes are setup for towing and are the shift points and other transmission setting already set for towing or do we need to tweak them with Minotaur? any recommended weight limits for each one of the following? Not sure if the 80hp is a tow tune or not
25hp,
40hp,
65hp,
80hp,
100hp, 120hp, & 140hp ( not for towing?)

:thanks:
DJ

***Power Hungry*** · #7 Sat, March 21st, 2009, 01:20 AM

DJ,

It breaks down like this:

25hp - Over 20,000 GCWR (all terrain)
40hp - 16,000 to 20,000 GCWR (all terrain)
65hp - 12,000 to 16,000 GCWR (all terrain), 16,000 to 20,000 GCWR (flat terrain)
80hp - 8,000 to 12,000 GCWR (all terrain), 12,000 to 16,000 GCWR (flat terrain)
100hp - 8,000 to 12,000 GCWR (flat terrain)
120hp - Not Recommended
140hp - Not Recommended

Keep in mind that files designated as "Tow" are designed specifically for the needs of towing (shift strategies, pressures, lockup, fuel curves, injection timing) while "Performance" programs are handled quite a bit differently.

Hope that helps.

soutthpaw · #8 Sat, March 21st, 2009, 01:54 AM

So are the files I am getting with the 7.3 Minotaur package TOW or Performance or do you include both.
Oh we better mention that GVWR it the weight of the Tow vehicle anod trailer combined so not to confuse folks who read this later. on average a CC Diesel Ford is about 7500lbs by itself.