Your 2017–2024 Ford 6.7L Power Stroke, Ram 6.7L Cummins, or GM 6.6L L5P Duramax already tows a lot from the factory. Its real-world limits are set by the GVWR, GCWR, axle ratings, and hitch rating on the door sticker and in the towing guide, not by how much power the engine makes. So the best towing upgrades are the ones that help you stop, see, monitor, cool, and control the load. This guide covers what actually helps, in a sensible order, and the legal limits no part can change.
Note: No upgrade raises your truck's legal or manufacturer-rated tow capacity. Ratings come from the manufacturer and are printed on the door sticker and in the official towing guide. Upgrades make towing within those ratings safer and easier on the truck.
Step 1: Know your real numbers
Before you buy anything, find these ratings for your exact truck:
- GVWR: the maximum weight of the loaded truck, including passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue or pin weight.
- GCWR: the maximum combined weight of the truck and trailer.
- Front and rear GAWR: the axle limits.
- Hitch rating: the receiver or fifth-wheel/gooseneck rating, along with the ball mount and coupler ratings. The lowest rating in the chain is your limit.
- Tire load ratings: these are printed on the sidewall.
Ford, Ram, and GM each publish towing guides by model year. Use the one for your year and configuration, because cab, bed, axle ratio, and 2WD/4WD all change the numbers.
Step 2: Brakes and the exhaust brake you already have
All three trucks have a factory exhaust brake function that uses the turbocharger to help slow the truck on grades. Learn how your truck's version works. Some modes engage automatically, and some are tied to tow/haul mode. Used properly, it saves a lot of wear on the service brakes when you're towing heavy.
Next, look at the brakes themselves. Pads and rotors wear faster on tow rigs, and towing heavy downhill is when fade happens. Check the pads at every oil change. Ford's maintenance schedule includes a brake inspection at every oil change interval. Shop brakes.
Finally, make sure your trailer brake controller is set up properly and adjusted for each load. Many 2017–2024 trucks have an integrated controller. Use it, and set the gain for the trailer you're pulling.
Step 3: Monitoring, because you can't fix what you can't see
The factory gauges are good, but serious towers often want closer readings of transmission temperature, coolant temperature, exhaust gas temperature, and boost. An emissions-compliant monitor or gauge lets you spot rising temperatures on a long grade before they turn into a problem. When the transmission temperature climbs, slow down, drop a gear, and give it time to cool.
We only recommend monitors and products that keep your truck emissions-legal. Turn4Diesel doesn't sell or support emissions-delete products or tunes.
Step 4: Transmission care
Towing heats up transmission fluid. Every manufacturer has a severe-duty or towing transmission service schedule. Ram, for example, lists a separate transmission fluid and filter interval for "frequent trailer towing" on the 68RFE. (Source: Ram Maintenance Plan — Diesel Engine.)
- Ford: 2017–2019 trucks use the 6R140 six-speed, and 2020+ trucks use the 10R140 ten-speed. We carry heavy-duty 6R140 options such as a towing-built 6R140 transmission and torque converter and a 6R140 transmission pressure controller.
- Ram: the 68RFE or the Aisin AS69RC, depending on the model. For 68RFE owners who want to see what's happening, there's a 68RFE transmission pressure gauge adapter.
- GM: 2017–2019 L5P trucks use the Allison 1000 six-speed, and 2020+ trucks use the GM-Allison 10L1000 ten-speed.
For most trucks that tow, the best "upgrade" is simply using the severe-duty fluid schedule. Browse drivetrain parts.
Step 5: Cooling
Long grades in summer with a heavy trailer push every cooling system hard. Keep the coolant at the right concentration and service it on schedule. Ford's first change is at 6 years/100,000 miles, then every 3 years/50,000 miles. Keep the radiator and intercooler fins clear of bugs and debris. A coolant filter kit helps catch debris in the system. Shop cooling.
Step 6: Air and fuel filtration
A towing truck moves a lot of air and fuel. A clean air filter and fresh fuel filters protect the engine under sustained load, and all three manufacturers shorten intervals for severe use like towing. Ford, for example, drops 6.7L fuel filter service to 15,000 miles for extensive towing. See our filters and the engine-specific bundles in 6.7L Power Stroke, 6.7L Cummins, and 6.6L Duramax.
Step 7: Suspension, ride control, and leveling
A truck that squats in the rear lifts weight off the front axle. That reduces steering and braking grip and points the headlights at the sky. Options include:
- A weight-distributing hitch for heavier bumper-pull trailers, set up to the hitch maker's instructions.
- Load-assist products like airbags or helper springs. These level the truck but don't raise GVWR or payload.
- Quality shocks and steering stabilizers to control sway and body motion.
Shop suspension & steering and towing.
Step 8: Visibility and lighting
Towing mirrors, good reverse lighting, and trailer lights that work every time all make towing safer. They also make backing up at the campground much less stressful. Shop lighting.
A sensible upgrade order
- Confirm your ratings and weigh the rig at a certified scale.
- Brakes, controller setup, and learning your exhaust brake.
- Monitoring (transmission and coolant temperature).
- Severe-duty fluid and filter schedule.
- Hitch setup, leveling, and suspension control.
- Cooling and visibility.
Pre-trip checklist for heavy towing
- Tire pressures on the truck and trailer set to the load (see the door placard and the tire sidewall).
- Lug nuts torqued, especially on trailer wheels after any tire service.
- Hitch pin and clip, coupler latch, safety chains crossed, breakaway cable attached.
- Trailer brake controller gain tested in a parking lot at low speed.
- All trailer lights working: running, brake, and both turn signals.
- Mirrors adjusted to see down both sides of the trailer.
- Fluids checked: engine oil, coolant, and DEF. Ram's schedule has you check the DEF tank at every service.
- Load balanced on the trailer, with tongue weight in the range your hitch maker recommends.
Driving habits that matter as much as parts
The cheapest towing upgrade is technique. Use tow/haul mode so the transmission holds gears and the exhaust brake works as designed. Leave more following distance, because a heavy trailer adds stopping distance. On long climbs, watch your temperatures and let speed drop instead of holding your foot down. On descents, pick a lower gear before the grade and let the exhaust brake carry the load, using the service brakes in firm, short applications instead of riding them. After a hard pull, let the engine idle for a minute before shutting down so the turbo and exhaust components can cool. Many owner's manuals recommend this after heavy-load operation.
When to stop and get it checked
Pull over and investigate if you see transmission temperatures that won't come down, a coolant temperature warning, a brake pedal that suddenly feels soft, sway that won't settle, or any warning light. Diesel trucks are tough, but towing at the limit with a known problem is how small repairs turn into big ones.
FAQ
Will an upgrade increase my towing capacity?
No. Towing capacity is a manufacturer rating. Upgrades help you tow safely within that rating, but they don't change it.
Does my 2017–2024 diesel truck have an exhaust brake?
All three platforms covered here have a factory exhaust brake function. Check your owner's manual to see how it engages on your truck.
What's the most important gauge for towing?
Transmission temperature and coolant temperature are the two to watch on long, hot grades. Slow down or drop a gear if either starts climbing.
Do airbags increase payload?
No. They level the truck and improve ride and headlight aim, but GVWR and axle ratings stay the same.
Should I change my service intervals if I tow?
Yes. Ford, Ram, and GM all have severe-duty schedules that apply to frequent towing. Follow them for oil, fuel filters, and transmission fluid.