Which Heavy Duty Truck?

[BAMAboy18]

hahahah which one?the 7.3 ,6.0,6.4, or 6.7 they keep changing because they are terrible hahah

Hard to beat the 7.3. Best friend has an '01 F250 (full Banks/Super chip tuner) that's had the suspension/steering completely rebuilt & new paint job. Last year a new glow-plug solinoid caught fire and burned the wiring under the hood. He shopped for a new truck; $85K+, so took the $8k insurance added $5k and had engine and trans rebuilt, the mechanic upgraded the tuner to something last lists the performance setting as "ludicrous"
No one with a "new" truck can touch him. I think I read somewhere that Ford was offering the 7.3 in New trucks now.
With the superchip in economy mode he'd get 35mpg doing 80-90 on the interstate. With air bags you can't tell your pulling a 25k# camper.

 

[Geno C.]

Hard to beat the 7.3. Best friend has an '01 F250 (full Banks/Super chip tuner) that's had the suspension/steering completely rebuilt & new paint job. Last year a new glow-plug solinoid caught fire and burned the wiring under the hood. He shopped for a new truck; $85K+, so took the $8k insurance added $5k and had engine and trans rebuilt, the mechanic upgraded the tuner to something last lists the performance setting as "ludicrous"
No one with a "new" truck can touch him. I think I read somewhere that Ford was offering the 7.3 in New trucks now.
With the superchip in economy mode he'd get 35mpg doing 80-90 on the interstate. With air bags you can't tell your pulling a 25k# camper.

The new 7.3 is a gas motor

 

[300zx_tt]

Always amazed at the MPGs others seem to be able to get in their trucks! My recent crew cab duallies w/ minimal towing and actual MPG - not computer:

- 2019 F350 - 8k mi = 13.5 mpg
- 2015 RAM - 12k mi = 15.5 mpg
- 2011 F350 - 48k mi - 13.5 mpg

I have a 2014 service body f350 dually that weighs roughly 11k as I drive it and I get 11.9mpg on the dash mpg meter and about 9.5mpg hand calculated. I want to tune and delete it, exclusively for the mpg gain, but it has a brand new long block in it so I dont want to void the warranty.

 

[TxWelder35]

Hard to beat the 7.3. Best friend has an '01 F250 (full Banks/Super chip tuner) that's had the suspension/steering completely rebuilt & new paint job. Last year a new glow-plug solinoid caught fire and burned the wiring under the hood. He shopped for a new truck; $85K+, so took the $8k insurance added $5k and had engine and trans rebuilt, the mechanic upgraded the tuner to something last lists the performance setting as "ludicrous"
No one with a "new" truck can touch him. I think I read somewhere that Ford was offering the 7.3 in New trucks now.
With the superchip in economy mode he'd get 35mpg doing 80-90 on the interstate. With air bags you can't tell your pulling a 25k# camper.

7.3 in the new trucks is a gas engine

 

[Stevo86]

Hard to beat the 7.3. Best friend has an '01 F250 (full Banks/Super chip tuner) that's had the suspension/steering completely rebuilt & new paint job. Last year a new glow-plug solinoid caught fire and burned the wiring under the hood. He shopped for a new truck; $85K+, so took the $8k insurance added $5k and had engine and trans rebuilt, the mechanic upgraded the tuner to something last lists the performance setting as "ludicrous"
No one with a "new" truck can touch him. I think I read somewhere that Ford was offering the 7.3 in New trucks now.
With the superchip in economy mode he'd get 35mpg doing 80-90 on the interstate. With air bags you can't tell your pulling a 25k# camper.

I’ll take a 6.7 power stroke over a turd 7.3 all day long…. They were reliable but gutless compared to modern day diesels.

 

[TxWelder35]

I’ll take a 6.7 power stroke over a turd 7.3 all day long…. They were reliable but gutless compared to modern day diesels.

3.6 ecoboost has almost the same amount of torque as that old relic in a half ton. I agree all day.

it’s never been easier to hook up to 30k and go pull it up and down a mountain pass. There isn’t a damn thing those old trucks can do to even hold a candle to these new trucks.

I can drive my gooseneck trailer all around town in my 2016 ram 3500 and just about forget it’s back there.

 

[Stevo86]

3.6 ecoboost has almost the same amount of torque as that old relic in a half ton. I agree all day.

it’s never been easier to hook up to 30k and go pull it up and down a mountain pass. There isn’t a damn thing those old trucks can do to even hold a candle to these new trucks.

I can drive my gooseneck trailer all around town in my 2016 ram 3500 and just about forget it’s back there.

Amen….the new Ford’s have the 10 speed automatics… damn they r nice…I still own 4 dodge diesels but haven’t drove one in years. I have 2 of the 7.3 gas engines trucks on order. I’ll let you know how they go.

 

[TxWelder35]

Amen….the new Ford’s have the 10 speed automatics… damn they r nice…I still own 4 dodge diesels but haven’t drove one in years. I have 2 of the 7.3 gas engines trucks on order. I’ll let you know how they go.

I will say, if I had one complaint about my truck, I have the Aisin in it, good strong trans, but damn the thing is sluggish. Rams really need a nice updated 8 or 10 speed in em.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

Don’t own a diesel, but Brenda’s Sister’s family farm several thousand acres of corn, beans and run some cattle on the side, What I have learned from them and their experience with diesel pickups; if it does not have a turbo, when you get to the mountains, its quicker to get out and walk. Almost literally.

 

[Hairball]

Had a 2002 with a 7.3 for 20 years and a 2019 with a 6.7 engine for almost two years. I recently sold the 2002 and the 2019 is literally twice the truck (HP/Torque) than the 02 with the 7.3, not to mention all the upgrades in features. Yes, new trucks can be a PITA to work on but they are much better overall.

 

[79steeler]

I have a 2015 Ram 3500 with Aisin transmission right now and its a great truck. Having said that my buddy just got a a 2020 or 2021 Ford F250 Lairat with the 10 speed tranny and there is no comparison. I know his truck is six years newer and maybe the new Rams are on par today I just havent been in one.

The newer Ford Truck my buddy owns is nothing short of amazing. Amazing power and with the 10 speed tranny you cant even feel it shifting. This truck can pull whatever you need and still feels like a damn sports car with no load on it. It can cruise at 80 smooth as can be and feels super stable going around mountain corners at that speed. Incredible technology in the cab and super quiet inside compared to my Dodge, way smoother ride. All kinds of 4x4 modes to creep down steep grades in the dirt, snow, sand, whatever. I have 3 buddys that own these newer Fords and no one is taking these trucks to the shop except for an oil change. I'm sold. I will drive a new Ram before I make a final decision. I'm in no hurry as my 2015 only has 75k on it. I know I can get top dollar for it right now though.

 

[kwityurbeachn]

Anybody telling you they get anywhere near 20mpg with a diesel truck is full of shit. With the DEF fluid trucks you might hit 16mpg average. With the older particulate filter trucks maybe 15mpg. I have had diesel trucks for many years. The avg mpg will be somewhere near 15mpg. My 2003 ram 14mpg. Chevrolet 2010 13.5mpg. The fords around that time are just as bad Tow something heavy and you are looking at about 6mpg.

fuel economy or power. Pick one.

2015 2500 duramax here and got 21 mpg at times from Crossville tn to bullhead city az. Just got in town yesterday averaged about 18.7 mpg without the 5th wheel which was dropped in Texarkana. With 5th wheel(40 footer a little over 13k lbs) I got 13.5. Now if I drove 65 would get 21mpg or better in the flatter parts of country. Mpg is affected more so by drag in my truck than anything else. I have a 6x12 enclosed trailer that is empty I get 14mpg vs the 12.5 to 13.5mpg for a 13k lb trailer. Weird shit eh. i Have a fleet of fords, F550, a f350, 2 f350 vans 2 f150 trucks and 1 ranger. Tranny problems with 2010 ranger 2x. 18 f150 valve issues, and that 10 speed shifts constantly. F350 truck have been decent but replaced motor at 150k. The f350 boom truck frame cracked so it’s garbage. The 06 f550 6.0 diesel has been dogshit. Bulletproofed motor and still has issues. Best 2 trucks 04 Chevy with 330k miles on original motor/tranny and my 2500 duramax. My experience with these vehicles still being used to this day.

rock crawlers love the Ford Dana rear ends for a reason, Cummings is the best diesel motor just attached to a piece of shit truck. And Chevy has a quality motor and the best tranny in the hd game at this point. Supposedly the new ford engines are figured out but people have went broke to help Ford with their r&d.

 

[steve123]

I need some advice guys!

I bought my truck new and I've had a good experience with my 2016 Dodge Ram 4x4 2500 with 6.4 gas engine and 6 speed automatic. No problems and it pulled my 23ft travel trailer fine. Only has 32,000 miles though.

Now the dilemma. I bought a 30ft Cougar half ton 5th wheel earlier this year. Seemed on paper it'd pull it fine. Well it does until I hit a steep hill. The darn trans then goes from 2500 RPM all the way 4500 shifting what seems like 3 gears lower, grrr. If it went one or two gears lower I think I could live with it, and I sense that the truck would still pull one or two gears down much of the time on a hill, but its stupid how the trans suffers an "either" "or" on those hills?!

So I'm thinking I better upgrade with something about the same mileage but a little newer and pulls better.

Anyway, I imagine a bunch of you guys either own, or have friends and relatives, that have knowledge of which 2018-2022/2500 4x4 people have had the best luck with. This time I think I should probably get a diesel.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Landon4]

If you want diesel I’d go Cummins or powerstroke, I have an 11 powerstroke just rolled 648,000 today on my drive home from midland, also have an 11 Cummins with 350,000. Majority of guys I work with run powerstroke many of them are at or over 300k with minimal issues.

 

[HogsLife]

F250 Superduty here. Tows my 34' camper with ease.

Same. 2016 F250 6.7 Powerstroke. Runs lkke a champ. Zero issues.

OP, If you go dodge just make sure to get that #Cuminguys sticker for your back window.

 

[Landon4]

Same. 2016 F250 6.7 Powerstroke. Runs lkke a champ. Zero issues.

OP, If you go dodge just make sure to get that #Cuminguys sticker for your back window.

Lol I can’t stand those dodge guys with all the bullshit stickers.

 

[steve123]

If you want diesel I’d go Cummins or powerstroke, I have an 11 powerstroke just rolled 648,000 today on my drive home from midland, also have an 11 Cummins with 350,000. Majority of guys I work with run powerstroke many of them are at or over 300k with minimal issues.

Wow you put on those miles!!!

Any trans problems?

 

[steve123]

Same. 2016 F250 6.7 Powerstroke. Runs lkke a champ. Zero issues.

OP, If you go dodge just make sure to get that #Cuminguys sticker for your back window.

Nice report, thanks.

How many miles do you have on it?

 

[Landon4]

I need some advice guys!

I bought my truck new and I've had a good experience with my 2016 Dodge Ram 4x4 2500 with 6.4 gas engine and 6 speed automatic. No problems and it pulled my 23ft travel trailer fine. Only has 32,000 miles though.

Now the dilemma. I bought a 30ft Cougar half ton 5th wheel earlier this year. Seemed on paper it'd pull it fine. Well it does until I hit a steep hill. The darn trans then goes from 2500 RPM all the way 4500 shifting what seems like 3 gears lower, grrr. If it went one or to gears lower I think I could live with it, and I sense that the truck would still pull one or two gears down much of the time on a hill, but its stupid how the trans suffers an "either" "or" on those hills?!

So I'm thinking I better upgrade with something about the same mileage but a little newer and pulls better.

Anyway, I imagine a bunch of you guys either own, or have friends and relatives, that have knowledge of which 2018-2022/2500 4x4 people have had the best luck with. This time I think I should probably get a diesel.

Thanks for any help!

one other thing if you go Cummins get a new one or a 2018 before they went to the cp4 which I believe was 19 then went back to the cp3 in 21 or 22, just so you don’t have to worry about cp4 failure, and if you go ford throw a cp4 disaster prevention kit on it.

 

[steve123]

Now all we need is those Chevy guys. Ah yes - the ole big 3 debate.

 

[Landon4]

Wow you put on those miles!!!

Any trans problems?

Nothing has been done to the trans or reared besides fluid changes and a rear pinion seal, I had to replace a front axle which was my fault I slid off a muddy road in Pennsylvania and beat the shit out of it to get unstuck and it was cheaper to put a used axle under it than parts and labor.

 

[steve123]

one other thing if you go Cummins get a new one or a 2018 before they went to the cp4 which I believe was 19 then went back to the cp3 in 21 or 22, just so you don’t have to worry about cp4 failure, and if you go ford throw a cp4 disaster prevention kit on it.

Thanks again, perfect, those are the kind of details I need to know about.

 

[HogsLife]

S

one other thing if you go Cummins get a new one or a 2018 before they went to the cp4 which I believe was 19 then went back to the cp3 in 21 or 22, just so you don’t have to worry about cp4 failure, and if you go ford throw a cp4 disaster prevention kit on it.

Same with the Ford. Cant remember the exact year they changed. I put a “Disaster Relief” kit on mine to prevent the whole fuel system from getting taken out if the CP4 goes.

 

[Landon4]

Thanks again, perfect, that's kind of details I need to know about.

No worries, my dodge has had a trans rebuilt at around 330k but is now having a head gasket issue lol.

 

[Landon4]

S

Same with the Ford. Cant remember the exact year they changed. I put a “Disaster Relief” kit on mine to prevent the whole fuel system from getting taken out if the CP4 goes.

Ford was 11 I believe which I lost my cp4 at about 420k cost around $8000 to replace everything, put a fass pump on and the disaster kit at that time.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Lol I can’t stand those dodge guys with all the bullshit stickers.

Don't forget to flip out the tow mirrors, that way they know you already have a boyfriend and you are not currently looking for one.

 

[HogsLife]

What is a CP4 Pump and Why Does it Fail? - XDP Blog

The Bosch CP4 pump is a high-pressure fuel pump, or injection pump, that debuted in 2011 in the Ford Powerstroke and GM Duramax engines.

www.xtremediesel.com

 

[Landon4]

Don't forget to flip out the tow mirrors, that way they know you already have a boyfriend and you are not currently looking for one.

Ghost trailers

 

[Redmanss]

I need some advice guys!

I bought my truck new and I've had a good experience with my 2016 Dodge Ram 4x4 2500 with 6.4 gas engine and 6 speed automatic. No problems and it pulled my 23ft travel trailer fine. Only has 32,000 miles though.

Now the dilemma. I bought a 30ft Cougar half ton 5th wheel earlier this year. Seemed on paper it'd pull it fine. Well it does until I hit a steep hill. The darn trans then goes from 2500 RPM all the way 4500 shifting what seems like 3 gears lower, grrr. If it went one or two gears lower I think I could live with it, and I sense that the truck would still pull one or two gears down much of the time on a hill, but its stupid how the trans suffers an "either" "or" on those hills?!

So I'm thinking I better upgrade with something about the same mileage but a little newer and pulls better.

Anyway, I imagine a bunch of you guys either own, or have friends and relatives, that have knowledge of which 2018-2022/2500 4x4 people have had the best luck with. This time I think I should probably get a diesel.

Thanks for any help!

What wet weight are you at on the 30 footer?

What's your final gear ratio, and is this in tow/haul mode? If your ratio isn't the 4.10, that's might be a starting point and unless you're really wanting to get a new truck, you would probably be able to get it done a lot cheaper with a 4.56 or lower ratio, (numerically higher) conversion. There's the even cheaper computer tuning option, changing up shift points and adjusting throttle inputs, that can make a big difference while pulling if tow/haul isn't getting it done.

Keep in mind too, gas engines do higher RPMs a lot better than diesels. That engine makes peak HP at 5600 RPM and torque at 4000 RPM so while it may seem like it's screaming at you, it can do it. If that same grade is also significantly slowing you down while screaming at you, then you might have more trailer than your truck can handle and it's time to go shopping.

 

[HogsLife]

What wet weight are you at on the 30 footer?

What's your final gear ratio, and is this in tow/haul mode? If your ratio isn't the 4.10, that's might be a starting point and unless you're really wanting to get a new truck, you would probably be able to get it done a lot cheaper with a 4.56 or lower ratio, (numerically higher) conversion. There's the even cheaper computer tuning option, changing up shift points and adjusting throttle inputs, that can make a big difference while pulling if tow/haul isn't getting it done.

Keep in mind too, gas engines do higher RPMs a lot better than diesels. That engine makes peak HP at 5600 RPM and torque at 4000 RPM so while it may seem like it's screaming at you, it can do it. If that same grade is also significantly slowing you down while screaming at you, then you might have more trailer than your truck can handle and it's time to go shopping.

I dropped the gears in my last F250 Gasser from 3:73’s to 4:40’s iirc to haul my 33’ TT. definitely hauled it a lot better but didn’t do too much for the gas mileage. That dropped through the floor. Didn’t help that I was running 37 x 14.50 Toyo’s on it but the gears plus the hauling didn’t do it any favors. I was in the single digit mileage hauling freeway speeds.

 

[wade2big]

I dropped the gears in my last F250 Gasser from 3:73’s to 4:40’s iirc to haul my 33’ TT. definitely hauled it a lot better but didn’t do too much for the gas mileage. That dropped through the floor. Didn’t help that I was running 37 x 14.50 Toyo’s on it but the gears plus the hauling didn’t do it any favors. I was in the single digit mileage hauling freeway speeds.

4:40 rear end with 37” tires is still geared higher than the factory gears and stock tires. You would probably need 5:13 or something like that to be at or near stock gearing.

Heavy towing does mean single digit MPGs. Physics and shit.

 

[HogsLife]

4:40 rear end with 37” tires is still geared higher than the factory gears and stock tires. You would probably need 5:13 or something like that to be at or near stock gearing.

Heavy towing does mean single digit MPGs. Physics and shit.

I understand that. Based on how that truck drove, 5:13’s I think wouldn’t been to low. 4:53’s would’ve been a good compromise. Wasn’t unhappy with how it ran with the 4:40’s. RPMs were about where I wanted them for daily driving on the freeway and it was alot snappier off the start than with the 3:73’s

By all means. If you can make what you have work, then that’s the way to do it, but, a diesel will haul it easier and with better mileage in my experience.

 

[BAMAboy18]

I need some advice guys!

I bought my truck new and I've had a good experience with my 2016 Dodge Ram 4x4 2500 with 6.4 gas engine and 6 speed automatic. No problems and it pulled my 23ft travel trailer fine. Only has 32,000 miles though.

Now the dilemma. I bought a 30ft Cougar half ton 5th wheel earlier this year. Seemed on paper it'd pull it fine. Well it does until I hit a steep hill. The darn trans then goes from 2500 RPM all the way 4500 shifting what seems like 3 gears lower, grrr. If it went one or two gears lower I think I could live with it, and I sense that the truck would still pull one or two gears down much of the time on a hill, but its stupid how the trans suffers an "either" "or" on those hills?!

So I'm thinking I better upgrade with something about the same mileage but a little newer and pulls better.

Anyway, I imagine a bunch of you guys either own, or have friends and relatives, that have knowledge of which 2018-2022/2500 4x4 people have had the best luck with. This time I think I should probably get a diesel.

Thanks for any help!

Don't know why anyone would ever hitch up a big trailer/camper without first installing a programmer/tuner?

 

[jmp1]

Have used and abused every brand of diesel pickup from 93 to 21. They all have give and take. My 16 350 is by far the best one I've had.

 

[TexPatriot]

Ford has the best diesel motor, hands down! If you want a fast truck get a ram, a grandma grocery getter buy a GM product.

That ain't no shit. My 7.3 F-350 was in the body shop after hitting a deer and I was given a Ram with 5.7 Hemi and damn! I didn't want to turn it back in. 0 to 70 in 4 seconds. The response and acceleration were incredible.

My 2001 7.3 Ford PST diesel has over 490K on it so it gets my vote as the best engine ever.

 

[HogsLife]

That ain't no shit. My 7.3 F-350 was in the body shop after hitting a deer and I was given a Ram with 5.7 Hemi and damn! I didn't want to turn it back in. 0 to 70 in 4 seconds. The response and acceleration were incredible.

My 2001 7.3 Ford PST diesel has over 490K on it so it gets my vote as the best engine ever.

Compared to a 7.3 it is. lol. I loved my 2001 7.3. Great motor, but that thing was a dog. Motor would run forever, just no where fast. My dad was able to get 550+ out of his but with a lot of work. Now my 2016 6.7 PS is a beast, and it only got better once all the useless crap went away.

That being said, 6.0’s and 6.4’s were trash. They got it right with the 7.3 and 6.7, but as much as I loved the 7.3, it doesn’t hold a candle to the 6.7’s. PITA to work on but runs like a raped ape.

 

[TexPatriot]

Compared to a 7.3 it is. lol. I loved my 2001 7.3. Great motor, but that thing was a dog. Motor would run forever, just no where fast. My dad was able to get 550+ out of his but with a lot of work. Now my 2016 6.7 PS is a beast, and it only got better once all the useless crap went away.

That being said, 6.0’s and 6.4’s were trash. They got it right with the 7.3 and 6.7, but as much as I loved the 7.3, it doesn’t hold a candle to the 6.7’s. PITA to work on but runs like a raped ape.

I never put a programmer or tunes in my 7.3 as it got me down the road plenty fast w/out getting a ticket in it's 23 yrs. I had the 5.7 Hemi for less than a month but knew every day I drove it I was dodging a ticket.

I did do a muffler delete and run straight 4" pipes plus swapped the stock little air filter and it's box for a big NAPA canister type filter. It breathes much easier, I can now hear the turbo spool up, gained power and top end speed.

A 7.3 with muffler delete and 4" pipes sound beautiful compared to a Cummins which sounds obnoxious.

 

[HogsLife]

I never put a programmer or tunes in my 7.3 as it got me down the road plenty fast w/out getting a ticket in it's 23 yrs. I had the 5.7 Hemi for less than a month but knew every day I drove it I was dodging a ticket.

I did do a muffler delete and run straight 4" pipes plus swapped the stock little air filter and it's box and put a big NAPA canister type filter on. It breathes much easier, gained power and top end speed plus sounds great.

A 7.3 with muffler delete and 4" pipes sound beautiful compared to a Cummins which sound obnoxious.

Yup. 7.3’s sound like real diesels. Got that diesel knock sounds like your standing next to a D9 dozer.. lol I’d love to have a mid 90’s square body 7.3. Great motors.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

Damn, y’all’s diesels make my itty-bitty 3/4 ton with only a gas 360 pulling 3.73 sound like a toy (which the to the first purchaser it actually was). It’s one tough old truck, pulls like a champ and handles anything I’ve put behind it. Not hauling bull dozers though. Its only got 280K on it. Interior’s shot, body’s good. According to dealers, if I wanted to get rid of it, I’d have to pay them to take it off my hands.

Funny thing, had a fellow tell me that if I put 130 pounds on the roof rack, and drove it on a crowned road, it was in danger of turning over. When I hit the running boards with my 195 pounds to get in, I can’t even get the springs to depress. (At my age, I love running boards). It was apparent that fellow never hauled hay when he was a kid.

 

[goinghunting]

Have used and abused every brand of diesel pickup from 93 to 21. They all have give and take. My 16 350 is by far the best one I've had.View attachment 8302872

Got enough pin weight on that trailer? Lol!

 

[TexPatriot]

Have used and abused every brand of diesel pickup from 93 to 21. They all have give and take. My 16 350 is by far the best one I've had.View attachment 8302872

Ford PSD is the cartel's favorite too. If you live anywhere in Texas, you better keep a close eye on it.

Someone tried to steal mine the first month I had mine. They can haul a lot of weight, specifilly illegals and drugs, and not show it.

Now that illegals can just walk across the border and get a free ride on the Abbott Bus-line to NY or any blue state, the need for a smuggling vehicle may have dropped off.

 

[Hobo Hilton]

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Truck engine maker Cummins Inc (CMI.N) has agreed in principle to pay a $1.675 billion penalty for installing emissions defeat devices on hundreds of thousands of engines, the largest-ever penalty for a Clean Air Act violation, the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday.

The Department said Cummins allegedly installed defeat devices on 630,000 2013-2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines and undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices on 330,000 2019-2023 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/cummins-take-about-204-bln-charge-fourth-quarter-2023-12-22/

 

[steve123]

No worries, my dodge has had a trans rebuilt at around 330k but is now having a head gasket issue lol.

Darn, wouldn't you know it?? Probably should have knocked on wood before you posted, LOL.

 

[Geno C.]

2012 or newer Ford would be my vote. The increased power in 15 again in 17 and 20 and 22. They increased cab size in 17. My 13 pulls so nice, my 16yo can pull out trailer

 

[fdkay]

 

[steve123]

What wet weight are you at on the 30 footer?

What's your final gear ratio, and is this in tow/haul mode? If your ratio isn't the 4.10, that's might be a starting point and unless you're really wanting to get a new truck, you would probably be able to get it done a lot cheaper with a 4.56 or lower ratio, (numerically higher) conversion. There's the even cheaper computer tuning option, changing up shift points and adjusting throttle inputs, that can make a big difference while pulling if tow/haul isn't getting it done.

Keep in mind too, gas engines do higher RPMs a lot better than diesels. That engine makes peak HP at 5600 RPM and torque at 4000 RPM so while it may seem like it's screaming at you, it can do it. If that same grade is also significantly slowing you down while screaming at you, then you might have more trailer than your truck can handle and it's time to go shopping.

Just a guess but around 10,000-10,500 pounds. We carry lots of food, etc, because our vacations are 10 days or so. It's mostly dry camping in remote-ish places so we need water and I carry another 30 gallons in the back of my truck in addition to the water tank being full. Also the gas tank in the truck being full and a 5 gallon fuel container.

I'm not sure on the rear end gear ratio either but the rpm's aren't very high at highway speeds so it must not be the one I really need for hauling.

As far as the shifting problem when I hit a steeper hill...
I tried the tow mode which doesn't help. Well maybe a bit once I start to hit the grade but not otherwise when it gets steeper, then trans shifts to 4500+ anyway.
I tried the manual shift but the truck ignores the gear I selected which seems optimal and shifts to 4500 rpm+ anyway.

Man I'm surprised this 6.4 engine makes those numbers that high in the rev range. I feel like Scotty is sayin "she's gonna blow any minute captain"! Ha, I'm probably getting 3 mpg about then!

I suppose I should start researching a computer programming option.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[steve123]

Don't know why anyone would ever hitch up a big trailer/camper without first installing a programmer/tuner?

Truthfully I don't know anything about those. What brand should I look into?? Heck if you can find the link for my truck let me know please.

 

[HogsLife]

Truthfully I don't know anything about those. What brand should I look into?? Heck if you can find the link for my truck let me know please.

Mini Maxx Tuner By H&S | DPF Delete | Diesel Discounter

Improve horsepower, torque & fuel economy of your Cummins, Powerstroke & Duramax with the H&S Mini Maxx DPF Delete Tuner. The boost your diesel truck needs!

www.dieseldiscounter.com

With the older fords (7.3’s) Jody Tipton @ DP Tuner was the way.

 

[steve123]

Ha, what if I kept my truck, bought a programmer, and a turbo kit, bet that would help

 

[Landon4]

Do you have an EGT gauge on it? IMO that’s the first thing that should go on the truck if you decide to haul with it. It’s the EGT Temps on these trucks that dictate how hard you can pull. They’ll Pull and pull and pull, but without that gauge, your don’t know if your temps are through the roof or not. Being able to mitigate the exhaust temps allows you to use the additional power

I haven’t seen many people with an egt sensor on a gas truck, this guy is running a ram 2500 with the 6.4 gas motor