Poor Towing With 2003 I6 Trail Blazer

I tow a boat total weight approx. 2000lbs +/-. I could not believe how bad this TB towed. Constant shifting and it feels like a miss at highway speeds. I am conviced that something is not right, however if you dont have an engine check light or a computer code the dealer is not helpfull.

My friend towed my rig to the same destination with a 220HP nissan frontier and it is amazing! You actually dont know you are towing.

The specs on these Trail Blazers are great. My setup is rated at 5200lbs with the 3.42 rear end. Can't imagine doubling the weight.

Anybody have any ideas or experience with a similar problem?

I have a friend how has a 2003 TB with the 4.2 I6 and pulls his 3000 lb Ski Nautique to the lake every afternoon. I asked him about the towing and he said it pulls fine and he has no complaints about it. I own a 2003 TB Ext with the 5.3 and I think it is the way to go, but I realize not everyone wants the longer TB. Just thought you would be interested in knowing that my friend's TB tows well, so maybe something isn't working properly on yours.

He told me it was the 3.42 - same as yours.

mine is a 2002 with 3.73 and it tows my 3400 pound car on a VERY heavy steel trailer without problems. I even towed it through the NC hills with no probs.

you may want to have it checked out...

My TB has a 3.23 econo rear-end and I have pulled 3000 lbs. with absolutely no problem. I could leave it in OD without any funny extra shifting. Get it checked.

I have a 2002 TB with the 3.73 rear. I tow a 3800lb boat, a 5800lb travel trailer, and a utility trailer--that I normally over load with 3000lbs of mulch (total 4000+)--and have never had a problem. Admittedly I have put a K&N filter and opened up the exhaust from the first muffler back (lots of restriction over the axle--and check for an exhaust leak).

I tow up and down mountains with no problems. If it downshifts, it holds the gear til the top of the mountain--keeping the speed limit (65+) 95% of the time without struggling. In fact, my stepfather just bought an Envoy (same drivetrain, no mods) and said it tows his boat better than his '98 Chevy 1500 with the 5.7L did.

I'd definitly have yours checked.

:2cents:

The reason for my poor towing on my 2003 LT I6 TB was a popular third party air filter. My dealer requested that I remove it. It made a huge difference. BEWARE these expensive filters do not (in my case) live up to the HYPE! Overall performance and mileage did improve when I returned to the OEM filter. I sent X&X filters a notice of my findings using thier product and asked them to respond. It has been 8 days. I can only asume they do not have a defense.

The reason for my poor towing on my 2003 LT I6 TB was a popular third party air filter. My dealer requested that I remove it. It made a huge difference. BEWARE these expensive filters do not (in my case) live up to the HYPE! Overall performance and mileage did improve when I returned to the OEM filter. I sent X&X filters a notice of my findings using thier product and asked them to respond. It has been 8 days. I can only asume they do not have a defense.


Now you understand why modifing your vehicle could have an adverse effect on its intended performance.
In your first post you blamed the vehicle and that the dealer wouldn't be helpful...not all problems are the dealers fault.
Thank you for posting what fixed your problem

I had a similar problem when I installed an aftermarket cool air intake. I was going crazy when I went to a mechanic finally. The problem as explained to me is the mass air flow sensor gets overwhelmed with more air than it was programmed for and it kills the HP and torque. I was blaming it on the Flowmaster muffler not providing appropriate backpressure and a mechanic corrected me. I now have a Flowmaster 40 series with a flowmaster resonator all under the vehicle, not sticking out next to the spare tire. I returned the stock air assembly and my truck is sweet. With the 3.73 and locking rear differential, it moves pretty well. :screwy:

[QUOTE=pissotds]I tow a boat total weight approx. 2000lbs +/-. I could not believe how bad this TB towed. Constant shifting and it feels like a miss at highway speeds. I am conviced that something is not right, however if you dont have an engine check light or a computer code the dealer is not helpfull.

Have you been sent a recent recall on the PCM (Power Control Module)? GM issued a recall the past month to have the PCM reprogramed. One of the updates is in the shift points on the 4 speed auto trans. I tow a 15' Palomino Folding Wall camper rated at 3000lbs. I had a similar problem with the constant downshifting until I took it in for the recall. It is much better on the downshifting and my gas mileage improved some. Something to keep in mind though...when I towed the camper from Utah to Colorado Springs I was in fairly level driving (I-80) and I could tow in overdrive w/18mpg @ 75mph. As soon as I hit the bottom end of the rockies I had to drop back to 70 and run the hills in 3rd, otherwise the transmission is going to constantly be trying to get into high gear while climbing. BTW on the way back to Utah I ran up against a 20mph head wind. I drove back in 3rd gear at 70mph behind an 18 wheeler. I still averaged around 13mpg but any faster and the mileage drops like a rock and your pushing the engine RPMs around the 3500 mark when you want to keep it down around 3000.

Update! K&N filters finally contacted me. They were very co-operative and dealt with me in a fair and equitable way. I am satisfied and will put this puppy to bed. Thanks to all for the input.

pissotds

I am curious... All said and done, did you re-install the K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit (FIPK) on your TB? With the Electronic Control Module updates (referred to above in this string) completed (if your TB had this recall, mine did) I was wondering how the K&N setup finally worked out. You said that they took care of you. I am looking at this kit for my 2002 TB LTZ 4x4

K&N #57-3036 - Fuel Injection Performance Kit Gen2

http://www.knfilterchargers.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=57-3036 (http://)

Is the K&N setup worth the coin? :2cents:

I am curious... All said and done, did you re-install the K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit (FIPK) on your TB? With the Electronic Control Module updates (referred to above in this string) completed (if your TB had this recall, mine did) I was wondering how the K&N setup finally worked out. You said that they took care of you. I am looking at this kit for my 2002 TB LTZ 4x4

K&N #57-3036 - Fuel Injection Performance Kit Gen2

http://www.knfilterchargers.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=57-3036 (http://)

Is the K&N setup worth the coin? :2cents:

I did not try the K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit. I had the trouble with the K&N AIR FILTER. I did not reinstall. The OEM filter was installed which eliminated the problem. I did say they took care of me however; they were supposed to refund the cost of the filter with shipping. The check is in the mail if you know what I mean. I have already returned the filter on 9-22-04. Mail must be slow from the west coast. From my experience I would not recommend the K&N filter or the service.

pissotds (steve in pa)

i had bad take off car had a recall after dealer did recall it was like a new eng and tran fell more powerful check into it 2002