Your best TV Maintenance Tips &/or Upgrades

ALANSD · 12-30-2006, 04:15 PM

How about posting your best tow vehicle maintenance or upgrade ideas here.....

for example -- add an inline transmission cooler in addition to the factory cooler, and a gauge to monitor transmisison temperatures.

--Use a 'water wetter', or coolant additive to keep radiator temps lower when towing. I like CRC ( sold at NAPA)

clancy_boy · 12-30-2006, 04:28 PM

Change the oil. Goes without saying. I try to follow the company maintenance schedule as close as possible. They built it, they should know.

scf31 · 12-30-2006, 04:40 PM

Tire Air Pressure,,,, up high on my list ,

**overlander63** · 12-30-2006, 05:00 PM

Synthetic gear lube in the rear end, if your tow vehicle does not already have it. Reduces wear, and helps fuel mileage.

codybear · 12-30-2006, 05:07 PM

Check the brakes!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 12-30-2006, 07:20 PM

Hi, Wash it. Clean vehicles always run better, because you feel better driveing a clean vehicle.

Bob

davidz71 · 12-30-2006, 07:43 PM

Add a MagHytec rear end dif cover on your first rear end lube change. From then on you do not have to fool with removing the pan, replacing gaskets, RTV or other sealers. All you do is unscrew the bottom magnetic plug, let her drain, wipe the plug off, unscrew the top magnetic dipstick tube, wipe it off and fill with the appropriate synthetic gear oil. There is one other hole in the cover which usually is set to let the lube weep out the hole when the dif is properly filled. This replacement aluminum cover uses a large O ring and I haven't had a single leak in over 56,000 miles. It is a breeze and just makes you want to change gear oil more often.

Add to this a dual bypass oil filtration system with larger filters. This increases the oil capacity and better filters are available. It also takes care of some of those crazy places manufactures put filters which drip oil all over skidplate pans, driveshafts, etc.

SafeHarbor · 12-30-2006, 07:49 PM

Get a diesel.

Lamar

Silvertwinkie · 12-30-2006, 09:56 PM

Oil changes and lube regularly at proper intervals

Moved to synthetic where possible

Air filter replacement at intervals or when needed

Tire pressures

Wash and a wax

I used water wetter too and found no change in temps before or after.

Cooling has rarely been an issue. I added a 160 stat to the sedan (came with a 180 degree stat) when I towed with it and it remained no higher than 190, even when towing when it was hot out.

The suburban sits at 210 and doesn't move past it no matter what....so far.

The trans cooler in the sub seem ok. Never saw temps hit 200 degrees yet, even when towing at grade....came close, maybe 190, but not 200. I was thinking of adding a fan to the factory trans cooler. I like the trans to stay at about 155-175, which is where it sits mostly...until I tow at grade or when I tow and it's REAL hot out.

CA Streamer · 12-30-2006, 10:49 PM

I added a camper shell to my pickup TV. Great upgrade. My 2 labs love to swim and can create a big mess in the AS when wet or when raining. Now I can just put them in the back of the truck...keeps me happy

Of course, they get to stay in the AS when dry.

Also, I can put stuff in the truck bed and not worry about it being stolen, the the shell locks. It also provides shade for the dogs when traveling.

Smuzz · 12-30-2006, 11:13 PM

If you have a Diesel you should have a EGT exhaust gas temp mounted pre turbo. This is especially important if you have any kind of chip or upgrades. I also agree with a real tranny temp gauge if you have automatic. You can find out alot about this stuff on some of the diesel truck forums. You really need to let diesels cool to 300 egt or below before shutting it down this may take ten minutes if you just pull off the interstate from towing hard. Most newer vehicle gauges are just idiot lights they have two or three settings in them and most likely won't warn you if you are right on the edge of overheating something. You would be amazed at how much thing change as you drive that the factory gauges don't reflect.