Trailer towing q's

[Greenie]

I've been out west (Yellowstone, Utah, Arizona) 3 times and way into Mexico 6 times - crossing the Sierra Madre west of Durango towing a 7,000 lb travel trailer. Steep hills slowed it down but those grades also slowed OTR trucks down too. I would try to keep the speed up 75-80mph most of the time - the faster entry speed helped get up steep grades a little better. MPG was never better than 11 or 12. I bought this truck new in 1993 and still have it 277K miles later. No turbo, 4.11 axle, E4OD transmission (rebuilt at 220K miles)

 

[u2slow]

Well We are not in a position to upgrade the truck right now. It will have to do for now.

I'm unclear if you mean you can't upgrade the truck or replace the truck.

I think a set of 4.10 gears (used diffs) are your most affordable improvement.

 

[chris142]

I'm unclear if you mean you can't upgrade the truck or replace the truck.

.

Both! I was reciently informed that I will be jobless by November. I am not spending money on anything I do not have to have. I was informed of my future the morning after we bought the trailer. We are super busy,making great income so I had no idea this was coming.

 

[u2slow]

Both! I was reciently informed that I will be jobless by November.

Ouch! Sorry to hear.

 

[G. Mann]

Question:
What is your rear end gear ratio?
It may be to tall to tow a heavy rig... That would make take off a real struggle... like you describe having to use low range to launch....

 

[chris142]

Question:
What is your rear end gear ratio?
It may be to tall to tow a heavy rig... That would make take off a real struggle... like you describe having to use low range to launch....

3.55. But we have some very steep hills here I had to stop on. Same hills that require granny low in a semi. I know 4.10 would pull better but would also limit my hwy speed tremendesly.

I have an appt for Tuesday to get my trailer wiring figured out so that I will have brakes. Then I can go across town(30 stop lights!) And get the thing weighed at the truckstop.

 

[chris142]

It will take off from a light on flat ground in 2wd. Just takes a super long time to get up to speed.

 

[Greenie]

One of the biggest favors a person can do with an automatic transmission is to put the transfer case in 4 Low (hubs unlocked) when backing into a campsite. Reverse seems to be geared higher than drive starting from a stop - plus there's no air passing through the coolers to cool the ATF.

 

[lsaami]

NAs mostly only good for flat road towing unless you're towing something small/light. You'll want either an 093 turbo (or PSD or gasser). Maybe an 085 or 088 would work but 093 is the best one, if you're gonna be buying a kit to install. Well, there's Banks also. But I think 093 is the most common?

My high mileage (newer IP, I think) 87 F250 NA with a 3.55 rear end was pretty slow on hills too when pulling a 27ft travel trailer. I could usually stay at 45'ish give or take since it would kick down to second gear. In SW SD on a flat highway with high cross/head winds, I had the pedal to the floor doing 50-55mph. It was shorter than many newer trailers though, so that's probably why it wasn't as bad. I hated towing a big trailer and hated it being separate from the cab, and it was too slow for cross country use, so I got rid of the trailer.

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The F250 is a snail in the mountains without towing. I never towed that trailer them, thank goodness.

So then I got my ATS 085 turbo motorhome (4.10 rear). It was similar in heavy head winds on a somewhat flat highway in KS last year. Pedal to the floor, doing about 50-55. Not much can be done about that though. It does seem better on hills. but I have to watch EGTs very closely. I can't stay at 65-70 on big hills without making EGTs awful high. It's impossible to have proper cold air intake due to van engine bay size restrictions and the ATS 095 turbo design, so that doesn't help any. I have thought about trying a metal semi rigid clothes dryer air duct to give it some cold air. It might help the fuel economy and power of the motor, as well as make it run a bit cooler on hills.

I haven't had the motorhome in mountains yet.

Look into the hyper max cowl intake kit I have that on my 7.3 motorhome and it seems to do the job nicely.

https://www.gohypermax.com/ProductDisplay.aspx?ID=af8d1cca-4409-4340-ae41-09ffbab329ac

it’s interesting that you guys are having problems with power. My motorhome with a stock 7.3 with a first gen banks and an air intake will pull itself and a 4,000lb trailer full of four wheelers up hills without downshifting out of overdrive. Now that’s in MN, so it’s certainly not the Rockies, but it would do it just fine.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

One of the biggest favors a person can do with an automatic transmission is to put the transfer case in 4 Low (hubs unlocked) when backing into a campsite. Reverse seems to be geared higher than drive starting from a stop - plus there's no air passing through the coolers to cool the ATF.

It's also easier on the clutch in a manual if you do this. IIRC, my truck with a ZF5 and 3.55 gears will go 7 MPH in reverse at an idle. I'm NOT going to try to back up a trailer at that speed.

 

[chris142]

Ya I always back my little trailer in 2lo. Truck is a stickshift T-19

 

[Clb]

I doubt 4:10's are a limitation on towing\top end...
I've towed 6-7k to Alaska and hit 80+ in yokon\b.c. Easy.
Never had an idi with 3.55:1

 

[Clb]

Now put a pin in life, figure out the future.
Deal with the job first.

 

[Grange Bond]

I've been out west (Yellowstone, Utah, Arizona) 3 times and way into Mexico 6 times - crossing the Sierra Madre west of Durango towing a 7,000 lb travel trailer. Steep hills slowed it down but those grades also slowed OTR trucks down too. I would try to keep the speed up 75-80mph most of the time - the faster entry speed helped get up steep grades a little better. MPG was never better than 11 or 12. I bought this truck new in 1993 and still have it 277K miles later. No turbo, 4.11 axle, E4OD transmission (rebuilt at 220K miles)

 

[Grange Bond]

I've been out west (Yellowstone, Utah, Arizona) 3 times and way into Mexico 6 times - crossing the Sierra Madre west of Durango towing a 7,000 lb travel trailer. Steep hills slowed it down but those grades also slowed OTR trucks down too. I would try to keep the speed up 75-80mph most of the time - the faster entry speed helped get up steep grades a little better. MPG was never better than 11 or 12. I bought this truck new in 1993 and still have it 277K miles later. No turbo, 4.11 axle, E4OD transmission (rebuilt at 220K miles)