I pull a 4000 lb. boat without much difficulty. We are going to upgrade to a 6000+ lb. I'm thinking that my poor 2000 5.4 4x4 will start to feel that added weight, especially up the hill to Lake Tahoe. WHat is the best performance bang for the buck. Will the programmable chip setups really give me any better towing performance, or are they a waste of money?

 

Id like to know also.

 

I assume since you are posting here, you are towing with an Expy. I have a 99 Expy w/5.4 and tow a 26ft travel trailer at about 6K pounds to the Smokey Mtns each year. I have experienced no problems with it. Mine is not a 4x4 and is rated at 8500 lbs towing. One thing I did use that seemed to help is using STP fuel injector cleaner at each oil change.

 

I have the Troyer computer upgrades on my 05 Expy and it does make a BIG difference. Not only with all around daya to day driving but when towing as well. I would do it again...no question.

FYI: Never towed more than 6000lbs. with this truck.

 

I towed my 7500# boat with my 2000 5.4 Expy and it did fine. I have Gibsom exhaust, Airaid intake, the old Superchips module, shift kit and some suspension goodies.

It did fine and even got 11-13 MPG rather than 9-10 that friends got towing a lighter boat.

However, 6000 # is probably about as heavy as I'd want to tow with it. It's just a wieght thing. Mine weighed 3000# less than the boat. Now towing with the Excurison outweighing the boat, it's sooooo much nicer to tow. Not to mention that weight is nothing for the diesel!

I'd say try it first. It'll stuggle, but what you do depends on how much you'll be towing.

 

Gears are the best bang for the buck to boost performance in towing or a super charger.

 

You truck is rated for 7,500# towing capacity. So your 6,000# boat should not be an issue. The biggest concern is to watch your total gros vehicle weight. The boat might not be an issue but if you 6 people plus gear and fuel that might get close.

I would add an air intake and if you are really serious maybe change the gears. But, I think you shoudl be fine.

 

If you don't already have a tranny cooler I would recommend putting one on. I have a Banks Trans-Command love it. I have a 97 Expy, 5.4 which has less horsepower than yours. I tow a 5,600 lb trailer and carry about 400-500 lbs in the back of the truck. It pulls very well. I have a Troyer Superchips, 5 position chip. It tows best in the stock setting. It actually feels faster to me in the stock setting than in any of the custom settings.