04 silverado/ vortec 4.8/sluggish low end while towing/chip or engine tuner

[400smallblock]

my 04 silverado extendwd cab with 4.8 runs good except when i tow my 24 ft rv camper. it weighs 4000 lbs. at highway speeds while in tow/haul trans mode it pulls good. my problem is dead starts from red lights or stop signs when i need low end torque. it kinda bogs and has no real power untill about 2500/3000rpm. i know one thing aginst me is cubic inches. my little motor wont have tons of low end power/torque. but should have more than what i have. i saw on another site that gm has a system that retards ignition timing at low speeds when gas pedal is mashed. this may be some of my problem? what do you guys think? i also saw guys installing chips or engine tuners. they say they really work well. they reprogram or bypass the ignition retard feature and fuel/air ratio. suggestions please

[usmcchevy]

A custom tune can remove torque management, but TM is programed in for a reason. You risk taking out your trans, especially when towing. Maybe have 4:10 gears installed instead.

[crazy longhorn]

2nd the gear swap I just went 3.73, from 3.42 in my 02 & made a big difference in power. Mine is also a 4.8....crazyL

[biggsteve97]

I have an 02 4x4 long bed with the 4.8L and 3.73 gears it does great even towing and hauling. Some people I know would swear I had the 5.3L if they hadnt seen and worked on the truck themselves. I do know that when GM switched to the drive by wire setup in 03 they seemed to have increased the torque management program. All the 03 and newer 4.8/5.3 vehicles I have driven seem to have way less power below 3000 rpm than they should. Also in 03 GM starting using more 3.23 gears in the trucks in an attempt to meet gas mileage requirements which really sucks for towing/hauling.