First tow, kinda disappointed.

[BigQ]

Well yesterday we picked up our first trailer, a toyhauler 26' and wieghs in at about 6400 lbs empty. I was anxious to see how the truck pulled since it was my first pull with a diesel. Maybe alll the hype got to me, but I am worried it won't make it up a big hill empty, what will happen when it's loaded? I was pulling in tow/haul mode, no way in OD, and 57 MPH at 2400RPM. Maybe I am use to pulling with the gasser, but I almost need to have full throttle up hills to get it to keep pulling.



So my question is how do you guys pull? Do you need to work it full open sometimes? Seems like the truck works harder then a gasser, should it be that way? Keep in mind I have the CA235 motor.

 

[roperteacher]

Biq Q, I am in socal also. I tow a 4500lb horse trailer + 3 horses = about 8,000 lbs. It's a goosenect if that matters. I have 6 speed Manual 4. 5 HO. I can go over the Grapevine around 60-65, sometimes 70 . Barely need to shif into 5th if nobody pulls out in front of me... I usually get about 20 MPG hauling, 25 empty. . hopethat helps. . I do however need to get the rear end replaced on Tues!!!

 

[Bertram65]

I have noticed having to use a lot of pedal also with my CA SO, being in MA it has the same emmisions package. It seems to pull ok just feels like it is working hard.

Roperteacher, 20MPG hauling 25 MPG empty!!! that must be some kind of record.

 

[DPearson]

I've got a '04 Cal SO 4X4, Auto, 4:10, fully stock except for spray in bed liner. Pull about 7,500 lbs travel trailer. Traveled around SoCal this spring. Slowed down on a couple of hills, but was not concerned. Even dropped into 2nd gear once. I used to pull a boat and trailer at about 6,500lbs with my '94 Chev 1500 with a 5. 7 auto, 3:73 rear. Used second gear on it regularly when I hit hills. Gave the Chev to my son with 123,000 miles on it, and so far he's put another 15,000 on it. I figure as long as I can pass the loaded semis I'm not going to worry.

Going get a 70 gal Transfer Flow fuel tank installed in the bed on Friday ( which will proabably add 650 lbs in the bed when full) and then spend the summer with the trailer, running between here (Tracy, CA), Seattle area (looking for a place to retire), Montana (sapphire digging), North Dakota (help on the family farm around Glen Ullin), and Colorado (visiting friends). I bet I'll have to use 2nd gear a few times.

I think what you are getting with your SO is normal, but it sounds like your on the verge of being bitten by the bombing bug. I haven't been bitten yet, but hear it's very contagious and there is no vaccine at this time.

Enjoy your rig.

 

[wsurf]

BigQ, sounds about right. I had a 460 that would pull like a SOB but never passed a gas station. If you are in SoCal pulling a toyhauler, you are probably pulling the steep hills coming out of the desert, those are pretty steep. I have the 235 also and pulled my 5th (6K lbs) across country and it pulled fine compared to the old 460. I also have a gear vendor and that really helps keep the RPM's in the sweet spot. I have also gone over the grapevine with the 5th, can't remember the speed, but it was no problem.

 

[roperteacher]

My mileage is correct and had calculated. I couldn't be happier. My truck is also all stock... . I don't believe in mods and can't afford to be my own warranty station! I would gladly trade a mile or two Per gallon to get this rear end fixed once and for all, but I have a feeling by next week, all will be well!

 

[Jar Head]

I'm in the same boat as you. I tow my boat from Riverside to Lake Mojave monthly through out the summer. Suffice it to say our trucks are lacking in power. I have no plans on modifying my truck either. Only on the hills can the truck be disappointing. Keep the RPM's up on the hills is the secret. Don't be afraid to run your engine up to 2700, it's noisy but you ain't doing the engine any harm and it runs much better. The only other thing I do is to PAY ATTENTION before I start climbing a hill. I ALWAYS ensure I am able to keep the RPM's above 2000 all the way to the top. This usually makes me drive faster than I want to but if I take it out of OD my RPM's go through the roof and I have to slow way down. I found that if my RPM's drop below 2000 I start going real slow and I have to take it out of OD. I don't like or recommend the 4:10's. 3:73's are the way to go. Put a bigger tire on the 3:73's and you might be able to tow out of OD all the time and keep the RPM's at a comfortable level. If you're towing real heavy it's my opinion that it's dumb to go much faster than 55 MPH so the 4:10's wold be OK. I love my truck because it's stone cold reliable and the temp gage never moves even in the 115 heat. I can still out pull any gas truck on the hills but get real embarrassed by my PSD and Duramax buddies.

 

[Pirate4x4]

I just ordered Peirs twin turbos for my CA SO.

 

[JoelCool]

I'm pretty new to the diesel scene as well. My previous TV was a 1500 YukonXL 5. 3L 3. 73 gears. My travel trailer is about 5,000 pounds fully loaded. It would pull the TT fine on the flat stuff, but in the hills and windy conditions it struggled.



I probably read the same things you read, "hardly know anything's back there" and "really have to watch the speed going up those hills" and other coments.



When you double the weight of your truck by sticking a trailer behind it, you WILL know it's there. If you truly can't tell, then you're really not paying attention.



Another thing to keep in mind, these motors take quite a bit of time to get fully broken in. The power will increase as time goes on. I really think the diesel motors and drive train we have are made for this kind of work, and you won't hurt them like you can a gasser.

 

[jimnance]

Well, you've got to consider that most of us on this forum have HO trucks and many are chipped. Putting an Edge EZ on your truck would make a huge difference. More grunt on the bottom end and keeps pulling strong all the way through about 2800 RPM. If you don't want to chip keep the RPM's up. 2600-2700 RPM is a good RPM for pulling the hills. You can run it that way all day long, but fuel mileage will suffer.



With my Edge chip installed I've probably got over 100 HP and 200 FLB Torque advantage. That's big, and accounts for being able to pull my 14,000 lb fiver over most any grade, including the Grapevine comfortably at 65 MPH. Yeah the foot is buried in the throttle, but the performance is oh so satisfying.

 

[BigQ]

I do have 3. 73 and the tallest tire will be the 33", already had a truck in the sky. I think i will be adding for sure after the gauges and exguast and airbox. Should wake it up good, i hope.

 

[doldenburg]

Ahh, here we go again with the-I can tow anything i want to and still get 20-30 mpg BS. the 600 is over rated and gets shi**y mileage.

 

[Rineholio]

Big Q. I felt just like you after my first Tow. I've got a 30 weekend warrior. It's no joke about the break-in miles. I only had about 1500 miles on it at the time. Now I have about 6000 towing miles and the truck runs better than ever. I also added the AFE and a full four inch system. I tow in overdrive often now. The intake and/or exhaust helped also. Felt like my power increased a little, and the powerband broadened-came on a little sooner, pulled stronger a little higher.



I am going to change the straight throuh muffler to a larger, quieter, free-flow muffler some of the guys have been discussing on this forum. I'm looking forward to guages (soon) and a box next season!



Don't sweat it! The power will come with miles of towing, and the sky is the limit once you become your own warranty station.

 

[roperteacher]

I for one am NOT a liar... . Hand calculated I did get 25 Empty and 20 Pulling my 7500 lbs... If any of the disbelievers lived closer I would invite you to travel with me to a rodeo one weekend just to prove it... I love the 600, HATE the AAM axle!

 

[TX Gooseneck]

Originally posted by doldenburg

Ahh, here we go again with the-I can tow anything i want to and still get 20-30 mpg BS. the 600 is over rated and gets shi**y mileage.

I have to agree with Dave here. I constantly tow and I've never seen that mileage with even my older dodge's. My 91 gets the best MPG out of the three - by far. Empty I'll see 20-21, but when you throw 6500lbs behind it, it drops to 13ish. My fill ups average over 32gallons. If your truck is the same, that means you are getting 640 miles per fuel up... ... loaded.....

I don't think this is physically possible.

 

[roperteacher]

I don't drive over 60MPH pulling and set the cruise. I never let my tank go empty either. The lowest I will go is 1/4 tank. I alsways fill up to the same point, then do the math. My moms 96 CTD 2500 Quad cab gets 25-26 empty, 21-22 pulling, so even better than mine!

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I suspect most, if not all, CTDers are inveterate fishermen at heart, if you get my drift. :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

twins

Originally posted by Pirate4x4

I just ordered Peirs twin turbos for my CA SO.

What's the twins setting you back? Which ones did you get?

 

[kbond]

Originally posted by roperteacher

I don't drive over 60MPH pulling and set the cruise. I never let my tank go empty either. The lowest I will go is 1/4 tank. I alsways fill up to the same point, then do the math. My moms 96 CTD 2500 Quad cab gets 25-26 empty, 21-22 pulling, so even better than mine!

That's all your getting? I see 38mpg towing 30k. Running empty, my gauge never budges.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"I suspect most, if not all, CTDers are inveterate fishermen at heart, if you get my drift. "







YUP - I get yer drift...