Programmer + Towing = Yay?

Yahooligan · 10-01-2009, 08:28 PM

So, after looking, thinking, debating, sleeping, etc on whether we want a TT or MH I think, for the price, a nice used TT makes the most sense.

So, with my birthday coming up I think I'm going to ask for a programmer.

Without starting a holy war, I've been thinking about the BD GT or the Cortex.

BullyDog GT because of the display and being able to monitor and switch tunes on the fly.

Cortex since it's been around a little longer and seems to have fewer issues.

Which programmer aside, those of you that have towed stock and with a programmer what are your opinions? Does having a programmer make a noticeable difference when towing?

I've towed a TT with my stock Titan and had no real complaints, but it would be nice to have a little more oomph in the hills/mountains and I do like the option/ability of the GT display to monitor various sensors.

I posted in another thread what I plan on doing to prep for towing based on need/want order and wouldn't consider a programmer to be a "need" as much as some Firestones, Prodigy, Equal-i-zer, and possibly a Hellwig rear anti-sway. CAI and programmer are closer to the bottom of that list.

Anyway, this thread is about programmers! Good addition for towing or just "eh"?

LoveHammer · 10-01-2009, 09:35 PM

I towed a heavy, older, all steel, crap encrusted, tandem axle, covered livestock trailer loaded with 15 250+ pound hogs earlier this year. It weighed roughly 6200lbs. One the way to the show I didn't have the Superchips Flashpaq, and the Titan towed fine. One the way back, I did have the tuner with the tow tune installed and it towed fine too, but I got .9 mpg better mileage. I towed similar loads several times with the tuner and it does seem to get slightly better mileage. When tuned the truck does seem to have a bit more grunt going up grades too, but not a phenomenal difference. I think Superchips doesn't recommend "heavy" towing with the tow tune. I don't know if it's just a CYA thing on their end or if there are actual issues towing while tuned. I would guess they are worried about possible pinging under loaded accels. I didn't have any issues.

Also, FWIW, I have had very good luck with the Prodigy brake controller. I also have the Roadmaster active suspension spring things and they seem to help with squat and sway. If I hadn't gotten them for $40, I would have probably bought air bags.

Pops · 10-01-2009, 09:53 PM

I've pulled my TT with the Stock tune, Mileage XS (gas saver) tune, and the Light Tow tune. The Light Tow tune does make a noticeable difference and gets the best MPG out of the 3 while towing, it helps especially when going up hill or when you want to accelerate quickly. I asked Scott about the weight limit and he said the Light Tow tune is designed for the vehicle's documented towing capacity.

I read over the BD Triple Dog GT really quick today and I didn't see anything about a Light Tow tune. I'd make sure they have one before considering it.

Also you'll want to have a CAI or the Airbox Mod if you don't already. That resonator tube suffocates the engine's intake when really stepping on the gas with a TT.

FTMS · 10-02-2009, 05:04 AM

Pops-

I have the Cortex and have been towing with the basic tune, 87 octane I believe and I am getting 10.7mpg when running on level ground and about 9.3mpg in hilly terrian. Is it worth putting 89 octane and useing the light tow program? I am hauling about 6,000lbs.

dudley titan · 10-02-2009, 06:00 AM

I'de recommend the GT from Bullydog only because that's what I have and plus you can monitor just about everything on the truck. That's helpful if your towing. I bought mine from an ebay store for 369.99 shipped.

**loufish** · 10-02-2009, 06:46 AM

I run the 91 oct Tow Tune from my Cortext all the time, very happy with the performance. I've only had one tow since the tune upload and was pleased with the power and throttle response.

Pops · 10-02-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTMS

Pops-

I have the Cortex and have been towing with the basic tune, 87 octane I believe and I am getting 10.7mpg when running on level ground and about 9.3mpg in hilly terrian. Is it worth putting 89 octane and useing the light tow program? I am hauling about 6,000lbs.

Yes, for any significant distance there's a difference. I've been running 87oct with my Light Tow tune. I know it says 89 or whatever but I didn't notice a difference so I stuck with the cheap grade. You might try it and see what you think.

O-FiveCC · 10-02-2009, 12:35 PM

Uprev Osiris is only $500 right now brand new

Yahooligan · 10-02-2009, 01:11 PM

I have heard a ton of good things about UpRev, but without headers, x-pipe, CAI, etc I wouldn't expect to get any better gains than a programmer could give me. Add to that my laptop is a Mac and then it becomes a bit of a pain to change tunes. $500 isn't a bad price at all, but I don't know that I'd get any additional benefits over the Cortex or GT, other than being able to get custom tunes whenever I make a change to my mods (I'm not big into that anyway and don't need to get as much power as I can out of my truck, I just want to improve the overall towing experience).

O-FiveCC · 10-02-2009, 01:27 PM

I was just letting you know just in case. I have nothing against the Handhelds personnaly because they do the job they were intended to do well.

Nissanloyalist · 10-02-2009, 06:44 PM

I was very pleased with my 91 octane tune and towing the 8k 5er. I too always just ran that tune as I liked the way the truck responded. I had the cortex with a scangauge to monitor stuff.

DLMAXX · 10-02-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTMS

Pops-

I have the Cortex and have been towing with the basic tune, 87 octane I believe and I am getting 10.7mpg when running on level ground and about 9.3mpg in hilly terrian. Is it worth putting 89 octane and useing the light tow program? I am hauling about 6,000lbs.

I am getting (6.9-8 mpg) when towing my 27' trailer with car in it (5500lbs). FTMS at what speeds are you getting 10.7 mpg. "It's stock".
What upgrades do you have and settings?

FTMS · 10-03-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLMAXX

I am getting (6.9-8 mpg) when towing my 27' trailer with car in it (5500lbs). FTMS at what speeds are you getting 10.7 mpg. "It's stock".
What upgrades do you have and settings?

I have a Volant CAI and a Cortex that I have been running the 87 octane program. I have been running at 65mph. I tried higher at 70mph but it would shift down two gears on the hills.

I am hauling a 8.5' X 16' enclosed trailer loaded with motorcycles and gear. Probally around 6,000lbs combine wieght.

I am headed out with it again this weekend and I am going to try the "tow tune" this time to see what I get compared to last time I made this trip. I let you know the difference when I get back sometime Wed.

Yahooligan · 10-05-2009, 01:36 PM

Here's something I found rather interesting, hidden within an application chart.

The BD GT shows gains of up to +23hp/30 lbs.-ft., right?

The Cortex chart shows the following:

'04-'09 Armada/QX56: +15.72 HP +20.31 ft/lb
'04-'09 Titan: +35.69 HP +46.19 ft/lb

If true, that's 12.7HP and 16 ft/lb MORE for the Cortex. Even stranger are the lower numbers for the Armada/QX56. Can anyone shed some light on this?

O-FiveCC · 10-05-2009, 01:40 PM

Thats wierd considering their the same motor