Spartan Towing Trip Data (2000 Miles)

[brock187]

OK, so I just hooked to my camper for the first time since I installed my Spartan tuner, Dash-daq, and kit and I can say it is a beast of a tow truck now! I left North Carolina and drove 1036 miles to Illinois through mountains and averaged 10.9 miles to the gallon with the 210 HP Tune. The power and shifts were incredible! I did notice on one of the taller mountains (Going up) that I got dangerously close to overheating my tranny. Now I have heard tons of suggestions, but now I will tow in 150HP when going up those mountains.
On the way back from Illinois (Down hill), I was averaging 11.6MPG. I never saw the tranny get close to hot on the return trip.
Overall, my camper weighs between 14,000 and 14,500lbs when I tow it loaded and I feel the ideal tune for my setup would be the 150 if going mainly up through mountains, but 210 on open road or going downhill through mountains. I think I'm gonna order the 275 tune for the torque converter lockup feature!

[sawtooth]

I'm getting ready to make a similar trip. Did you head up hwy 77 which is what i'm planning to do this weekend? I'm asking cause i will be towing 8000lbs which is a tractor and trailer combined and was considering using the 210 tune. Maybe I should just stick with the 150 tune to be safe.

[smotrs]

Remember, it only takes 15 minutes to switch tunes. If you start to experience high temps, pull over, take a break and load the lesser tune.

[jascott]

what tranny temps were you seeing?

[brock187]

Sawtooth,
Yes, I took 77! I would say you will be fine with the 210 tune at 8,000lbs! I was towing 14,000-14,500lbs. I never had a problem, but I am very meticulous about watching my guages while towing.
jascott,
I don't remember an exact temp, but I had the boys at Spartan make me a setup with all the parameters I need on one cool screen and I noticed I was getting close to the red! I also saw my OEM Tranny Temp guage almost redline, and I have made that trip on that same route with the same load a couple of times without ever seeing the tranny temp needle move!
I was experimenting with the 210 tune and overall it was awesome!
To be on the safe side, I will tow with the 150 tune the next time I take that route through the mountains!

[sawtooth]

brock187,

yep i'm going to go with the 150tune as well then. Going to pick up the load tomorrow and head out. Thanks for the input.