Towing, Cruise Control and 5000 RPMs

[materski]

Avalance 2003 1500 w/3.73
Towing 24 foot 4600 lb trailer

When I hit a hill and have cruise on,
this puppy will race to 5,000 rpms
and I quickly shut off cruise.

My last vehicle was a 2000 GMC Yukon
with 5.7 liter and 3.73. The engine
never raced like the Avalance.

Is there a problem, or is this the nature of
the beast. I have been towing for 10 years
and this seems to be a bit strange.

Otherwise it tows fine. 10-11 mpg.

Doesn't matter if I am in Tow Haul mode or not,
the engine will quickly race up to 5 or 6,000 rpm
when it hits an incline.
Looking for your experiences with this truck. Thanks.

 

[ygmn]

there is a thread about the cruise control...well not a thread but inside anothewr thread in performance about cruise control being sensitive by member TXAVY...take a look as some give reasons.....

HTH

 

[ardens]

The same thing happens to me. The cruise control appears to have a short time constant - it reacts very quickly to vehicle speed changes.

When towing, you can slow quickly on a hill. The cruise will apply more throttle. Since you are at 10,000+ lbs., the vehicle does not accelerate quickly. The cruise programming then applies more throttle until you drop one gear and hit 5000 rpm. I hate it when it does that. Tow/Haul mode may make it more sensitive.

So, I use cruise only part-time to give my right foot a break.

 

[monumentman]

same problem here I had a 99 4x4 suburban never had any problems towing same boat with that vehicle will any simple fix for the problem

 

[watsonbird123]

Sometimes you just have to ask the people who designed the truck.

Chevrolet Motor Divison
Customer Assistance Center
Detroit, MI

1-800-222-1020

myself, I never have and never will tow anything with cruse control on but that is my own opinion. Good luck hope these people can help.

WB123
my

 

[wrchism]

You're dropping into 2nd gear - 2nd gear at 60 MPH with a 3.73 rear end = 4000 RPM, so if your cruise is set at 80 . . . well, she'll really rev! My pop-up camper is not very heavy, but on 6% grades in the Colorado Rockies, it will drop into 2nd. What I try to avoid is situations where it will drop a gear and then within seconds shift back up due to terrain changes. I don't use cruise very often towing - maybe across Kansas, but never in hilly country. For a brief steep spot, I'll simply let the speed drop so it won't downshift. For a prolonged steep pull, I'll put the shifter in 2nd (or 3rd) to prevent upshifting until I reach the top . . . can you tell that I'd really rather have a manual tranny in my Av . . . Your Av is performing as designed - but you can change your driving practices to make it less annoying and easier on the truck.

Happy towing!

 

[disneydaddy]

I have noticed that towing with the tow/haul switch activated makes a little difference in mileage and gear changing. I agree that i would like the cruise to be a little more tolerant of the drop in speed when pulling a hill. That having been said I tow a 6000 travel trailer in 3rd gear only (never OD) and only use the cruise in areas when the road is very flat. If you read most instructions reagrding trailer towing they all suggest you not use cruise.
A nice 6 speed manual would be my preference but the vette doesnt have much of a towing capacity. LOL