First tow with VA 3.1

[DaveHess]

I thought I'd let you all know about my first tow since installing the VA 3. 1. In the past, if I was not towing at 70 MPH, the truck would drop out of O/D while towing my 9000 lb Jayco Eagle. No big deal only I thought it shouldn't be. The times that bothered me were on long grades that weren't terribly steep and my speed was at 65. My hope when I installed the Van Aacken 3. 1 was to change that so the truck could handle these grades at 65 in O/D. This is North Dakota and we don't have a lot of steep grades but we do have some long grades that are enough to knock 5 to 10 MPH off. Pulled this weekend for the first time with the VA 3. 1 and on one of the long grades between Minot and Bismarck that even at 70 would once in a while knock her out of O/D, at 65 MPH, she dropped 1 MPH and pulled the grade in O/D. transmission temp peaked at 180. It was a beautiful thing. Exactly what I was hoping for. Preliminary math for MPG netted me 1. 7 more during the tow this year over last year. I want to do this over a several tanks of towing before I formally declare a fuel mileage benefit towing. I have not seen a significant difference in MPG empty so I'm not sure of this difference towing. Which is fine as long as it doesn't worsen. I know this is a "personal triumph" and not really worthy of a TDR thread, but I was very excited to "get it right" the first time. BTW, the EGT's hung around 850 to 900. Boost bounced around as usual with a high of 20 during the tow. EGT then was 1000 but it didn't stay there nor did the boost. Just throwing it out there for you guys looking for a tow box. I like this one. Thanks for listening!

 

[Buffalo]

Hi Dave,



Is the VA 3. 1 box a pressure box?



I have the VA-C-3. 2 (duration-only) box on my '03 & like its extra power. Makes towing in the mountains of AZ much nicer. The EGT's, so far, haven't gotten too out of hand. I had expected them to be hotter, judging from what others have said.



Glad you like the new box.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[DaveHess]

Hey Joe! The VA 3. 1 is a pressure box. I have a hard time using the search function on this website (because I'm an idiot-not the sites fault) but somewhere I found a write-up comparing boxes and stacking what boxes with different boxes. The author described the 3. 1 as a "moderate" pressure box and all the literature I could find on the 3. 1 pointed to it staying within the Bosch limits. I realize that probably is the company line but I took it for what it was worth. Which for me is quite a leap as I am king chicken when it comes to messing around with my truck!!!

 

[100 Proof]

The VA C3. 1 is perhaps the mildest of the pressure boxes. It limits pressure to a point well below the relief valve on the common rail even on it's highest setting. The box also exhibits excellent drivability characteristics with out the notchiness found in some higher performance boxes. If you are only going to tow and just looking for a "little more", the C3. 1 is an excellent choice. As usual, you should still install gauges and pay attention to EGTs and trans temps.



I know I sound like a VA rep, but I have no interest in the company or any company selling VA products. I have demoed many boxes and downloaders and found the VA C3. 1 to be a great solution as a towing box.



Hope this helps,

100 Proof

 

[amsoilman]

I thought I'd let you all know about my first tow since installing the VA 3. 1. In the past, if I was not towing at 70 MPH, the truck would drop out of O/D while towing my 9000 lb Jayco Eagle. No big deal only I thought it shouldn't be. The times that bothered me were on long grades that weren't terribly steep and my speed was at 65. My hope when I installed the Van Aacken 3. 1 was to change that so the truck could handle these grades at 65 in O/D. This is North Dakota and we don't have a lot of steep grades but we do have some long grades that are enough to knock 5 to 10 MPH off. Pulled this weekend for the first time with the VA 3. 1 and on one of the long grades between Minot and Bismarck that even at 70 would once in a while knock her out of O/D, at 65 MPH, she dropped 1 MPH and pulled the grade in O/D. transmission temp peaked at 180. It was a beautiful thing. Exactly what I was hoping for. Preliminary math for MPG netted me 1. 7 more during the tow this year over last year. I want to do this over a several tanks of towing before I formally declare a fuel mileage benefit towing. I have not seen a significant difference in MPG empty so I'm not sure of this difference towing. Which is fine as long as it doesn't worsen. I know this is a "personal triumph" and not really worthy of a TDR thread, but I was very excited to "get it right" the first time. BTW, the EGT's hung around 850 to 900. Boost bounced around as usual with a high of 20 during the tow. EGT then was 1000 but it didn't stay there nor did the boost. Just throwing it out there for you guys looking for a tow box. I like this one. Thanks for listening!

I'm surprised at the temps you are running. Mine stock runs hotter than that. On a 6% grade I can hit 1200 easy!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[DaveHess]

She'll hit 1200+ if I am running her hard on a grade. The highest boost I've seen is 27 and the 1200 was there with it. But normally runs somewhere between 750 to 950 with the trailer in tow on the flats and 1000 to 1200 on grades.