RV Towing and Smarty Jr.

[ronman]

Well, I'm going back to stock too. I went back to 40HP setting for a 500 mile tow last weekend because 70HP was smoking big all the time when towing. 40HP was better, but, by the time I got home, the rear bumper, tailgate and front and side of my white trailer were black with soot. My truck is white too and I washed it tonight. Couldn't believe how much soot was on it! I know, it's a diesel, and diesels smoke, but with stock setting, I never had any soot on the truck or trailer. Sure I love the power, but, I hate the soot!!! Hopefully Marco will figure it out soon with the summer towing season upon us!!!

 

[MrFixit]

Today I installed an AFE drop in pro guard 7 and a Cool tube between the airbox and Turbo. I did not think there would be a smoke difference and a quick run to play softball and back had about the same smoke as I expected. Tomorrow I go to pick up my 5er. I will set on Tow mode and see what happens. I have not tried this yet. I expect smoke like people say. I am still on the orig. software from Decemebr. I do not want to try the beta until I try the original.



One thing I notice is that I can pull the filter minder almost down to 1/2 on the 40 hp mode w/ afe and stock box. This surprised me I guess.

 

[DZLROKET]

Today I installed an AFE drop in pro guard 7 and a Cool tube between the airbox and Turbo. I did not think there would be a smoke difference and a quick run to play softball and back had about the same smoke as I expected. Tomorrow I go to pick up my 5er. I will set on Tow mode and see what happens. I have not tried this yet. I expect smoke like people say. I am still on the orig. software from Decemebr. I do not want to try the beta until I try the original.



One thing I notice is that I can pull the filter minder almost down to 1/2 on the 40 hp mode w/ afe and stock box. This surprised me I guess.

Interesting because I was pulling the filter guard down with the Amsoil filter but when I switched to the AFE I have had NO movement in two months, And plenty of hard accel. on tow setting????

 

[MA2LA]

you realy need to vent the stock air box, a simple 4in duct from the bottom or heck just a hole with a screen over it will stop you from pulling it down.

 

[MrFixit]

It's in the works... . I bought a used air box so I don't ruin my original. Need to get the plumbing now. However. ,... the stock hole in the 06 is pretty large. I am going to do this but I feel the Pro 7 (Flat one) is the restriction. I switched to 70hp setting today and it moves about and 1/8" or so on this setting.

 

[MrFixit]

Ok. . picked up the 5er after work yesterday and set the Jr w/ original software to Tow mode level2. I will say that I was surprised that there was less smoke on this setting than on level 1. I guess I was expecting a haze while cruising in 4th like on level 1 but it did not so this. I also took it around the block at night and did not see much or no haze at all in 4th. Others had reported worse smoke on level2. I did change to a drop in AFE and cool intake hose so I am not quite where I was when I tested level 1 a few months back. I do drive with a light foot and can really smoke it good towing if I mash it at the wrong time. This goes back to changing driving habits to eliminate smoke. So... level 2 stays for our weekend camping trip unless it smokes real bad when all loaded up. I have yet to try the latest beta version. . I would like to get a copy of my original 1st... 5. 03c , D2. 10 B. I emailed Bob a while back for it but he only sent me the Beta version. I need to ask again.

Fixit

 

[DZLROKET]

It's in the works... . I bought a used air box so I don't ruin my original. Need to get the plumbing now. However. ,... the stock hole in the 06 is pretty large. I am going to do this but I feel the Pro 7 (Flat one) is the restriction. I switched to 70hp setting today and it moves about and 1/8" or so on this setting.

FYI, I did the cold air mod AFTER I was pulling the filter minder down with the amsoil filter. it made no difference. it was changing to the AFE filter that stopped the filter minder pulling down

 

[AH64ID]

FYI, I did the cold air mod AFTER I was pulling the filter minder down with the amsoil filter. it made no difference. it was changing to the AFE filter that stopped the filter minder pulling down

I am not surprised, the amsoil is not sold as a performance filter, but a high quality OEM replacement. It is a great filter for OEM power levels... I have not seen the filter minder move on SW#1, but it does move on SW#3 (tried for 20 miles one day). . haven't tried SW #2 yet... . It is an excellent filter, but not designed to flow more than stock, so if you need that look elsewhere.

 

[JackN]

Bone stock my '05 smokes hard and leaves soot on my fender. Usually under moderate to heavy acceleration, or load. No smarty yet. I am kind of waiting to see what happens w/ the smoke issue.



Does the original Smarty smoke like the Jr?

 

[MrFixit]

Ok. . here is my impressions on the orig version software for the Jr.

I was set to tow mode and did a quick trip over the weekend towing 11k pounds. Level 2 did not smoke real bad but did smoke if I pushed it. Overall I am impressed w/ the pickup this setting has towing this load. If I keep it at about 2k rpm and let the transmission run through the gears the smoke is not bad but this is not much acceleration. If I step on it to make a lane change, it leaves a good cloud. Next I am going to try the current update. Will be doing a 2000+ trip (all freeway) end of the month not towing so I will get to check out the smoke on the next version 2. 14B (level 1) and the MPG. I did not see much if any mpg improvement level 1w/ 2. 10B version for my type of driving. . combined city/freeway.

 

[EArp]

I've never run a programmer on my truck before, so please excuse if i pose an ignorant question. I've been thinking very hard about spending the $$$ to get the jr. I'm seeking increased mileage and some extra power but only when I need it. Smoke does not concern me. My question is, i'm wondering if any of you guys have noticed a decrease in power since bob and marco have been working on new tunes to eliminate the smoke. To put it frankly, i'm just wondering if the horsepower gains are still as claimed (40/70/100) after all the adjustments to eliminate the smoke. Since I don't worry myself over the smoke, I just want to be sure i'm getting the power i'm paying for. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[AH64ID]

The smoke issue is in the lower rpm bands, the max gain in hp is in the upper rpm bands... With similar towing I haven't noticed a difference.

 

[thashane]

In order to eliminate the smoke issue, wont the truck have to be leaned out, like stock? therefore increasing egt's, which is one of the major points of the smarty jr?
Just curious, it was my theory that the extra fuel is what waas reducing the egts.

 

[DGamelin]

I just ordred a sjr yesterday now I am a bit concerned after reading all this. Will a it come with the new updates in it? I bought this for the mpg. I run down to TX 1200 miles one way no trailer and pick up a load of trailers or what ever. At lest 15k or better + truck. I had planed on leaving it on #1. But it sounds like the mpg is better on #2. Will the clutch take running hard on #2 with a big load? In the ozarks mountains on long hills I hould 5th at about 2600 rpms and let it scream to the top. My truck is white not looking forward to cleaning soot off it. And you guys know what it is like on a long hall, you get to rocking on rolling, I would hate to run over someone with a trailer when passing because I didnt see them through the smoke on the right:-laf.



04. 5 3500 cc 4x4 dully 373 6speed 50k

93 2500 xc 2wd 354 auto 250k

 

[pwr2tow]

The Jr will not come with the new updates as they have not been released yet, still in the beta testing stage. Not only that but they have not figured out a good program to release yet, at least not to my knowledge.

Towed my trailer this past weekend. Used Jr. on level 2 (towing) and XZT module stack program. Absolutely no smoke at all. The only problem is too much power for the transmission with this setup. Slipped the TC on a small hill, was watching and caught it right away and backed out of throttle. Hopefully no damage.

 

[DGamelin]

I wounder if it smokes more will the soot collect on the valve seat, turbo and cat? I could see it building up in the cat. I remember when crushed walnut shells were blown into the cly to clean carbon out. I dont know if they still do that any more.

 

[Bob Wagner]

I should have a new beta software tomorrow to send out.



Marco 2006 does not smoke at all over in Italy, we are wondering how our fuel comes into play vs the good stuff oversea's



We will get this figured out.



Thank you

 

[Regcabguy]

Good stuff Maynard!

I should have a new beta software tomorrow to send out.



Marco 2006 does not smoke at all over in Italy, we are wondering how our fuel comes into play vs the good stuff oversea's



We will get this figured out.



Thank you

Bob,now that we're paying close to the "Euro good stuff" price maybe the quality will improve! I kinda doubt it!:-laf

 

[DZLROKET]

All RIGHT BOB! looking forward to Marco's third try!

 

[MrFixit]

Thanks for the update Bob, look forward to trying it out.



Ramon