New fifth wheel and I'm concerned about the weight

[JLitton]

Hey folks -



Just put a down payment on a new Big Country Bunkhouse fifth wheel. We are moving up from a 31 ft Cougar 5th wheel. My concern is the weight. Our current camper weighs 8K and the new one weighs just under 12K.



My truck as you see in the sig is a 2003 Dually SO with the 47RE. I am currently running the EZ on the highest setting and have never had any problems at all. I also have a Goerend triple disk converter and a built valvebody. I have been wanting to purchase a smarty to replace the EZ but have never ordered it.



I'm looking for some good advice whether I should get the smarty or maybe a smarty jr. What about any other upgrades? I will never drag race or truck pull my truck. I just want good solid power increases to handle the additional weight and drag. I want to do this right. And by the way, the truck only has 45K miles and purchasing a new one will not be an option as the truck has been babied and will be in my garage for years to come.

 

[ewcmr2]

I wouldn't worry about the extra weight until you have towed it with your current setup.

My dads '01 with an Edge EZ tows my trailer (in sig, typically @ 12k) with no problem. With my 12 valve I don't know if I could tell the difference in weigh if my trailer had a couple shifter karts, a Formula Ford, or a 3100lb BWW in the back. Going down the road, wind resistance seems to be the biggest factor.

 

[FFL8N]

You will start having EGT problems by giving it more fuel than you already are with that kind of weight. Try pulling it they way you have it set up. You should be happy!

 

[JLitton]

You will start having EGT problems by giving it more fuel than you already are with that kind of weight.

Not that I want too, but what if I purchased a larger turbo? That would take care of the EGT issues, correct? And I would also install a airdog or fass to keep the fuel pressure reliable.

 

[JJPage]

With the EZ on the highest setting I'm surprised your egt's are not through the roof while towing. I was shocked at how high mine were when I installed my gauges about a year after buying the truck. The dealer had installed the EZ before I ever left the lot.



Currently my EZ is just left on 2, never mess with it. I believe a Smarty JR would really wake your truck up, plus it will keep your egt's in check, and may help mileage. I have not witnessed any mileage increase with any of the boxes or programmers that I have tried.



When I pull my 30ft 5th wheel toybox, it can be anywhere from 10 to 14k in weight, I leave the EZ at 2, I place the Smarty on SW1, timing 3, rp 1, tq 1. Never run out of power, and can relax about egt's. I really towed very little with the stock turbo, so you will just have to make your own adjustments to be comfortable. Congrats on the new trailer, enjoy.

 

[sfritts]

I think you need to take a couple of short trips and check it out. I think that you will be OK on the EGT's. if you do run on the high side you can always back out of it alittle. When I had my fifth wheel the headwinds drove the EGt's up more than mountain pulling because of the constant drag.

 

[JRBurton]

Hook it up and pull it. You should have nothing to worry about. I tow my 36 foot 5th wheel which is around 15k loaded and I have no problems with my 2500.



John

 

[FFL8N]

I melted the number 6 cylinder on my old truck with an Edge Comp set on 2 with a set of 275 RV injectors. It sometimes doesn't take much, especially if you run larger tires.

 

[SSage]

I don't see the point of adding power for towing. You can't use it while pulling. In my experiance, once you go over 8K you start to really feel the load with our engines. I can pull 8K all day fueled heavy but, hook up to 15K and I like near stock power around town.



In my Dad's 2003 with 4. 10's I can pull hills faster on level 2 with the Edge tuner, thats the towing mode. Once I see the EGT hit 1200 sustained I down shift or back off while pulling. Who knows if the EGT reading is dead on??? I rather the engine out last the truck.



Whats your EGT with the 8K pulling a grade at 65 mph? In stock trim the 03 HO 48RE with the 4. 10's pulled hills at 2300 rpm and 1100 degrees and that was a 16K 40' 5th wheel. I have always been impressed with the 305 hp 2003, it pulls hills loaded at 65 mph plus and you can stay in it at level 2 on the Edge. Any higher and 1400 degrees shows up with the stock turbo way too quick.



On my 12 valve I added the bigger turbo and fuel. Its fine for playing but, when towing you really want quick spool up and just enough fuel to pull the load. With my fuel I use RPM in 3rd to get the hills done, I wish I had the 4. 10 rear when towing.



A fellow at work told me he ran his hard and hot with no issues. He lugged his 6 speed all the time around 1500 rpm or less. He did not have guages, his #6 piston failed at 137,000 miles on an on ramp and he drives a gasser Chevy now that he is upside down in. It lasted way longer than I expected! The Cummins is one tough engine.

 

[JLitton]

pulling the old camper, with the EZ set on four, the hottest I got was 1250 and that was just for a second before I backed out. I can keep a head of steam by feathering it and keep it below 1200. I don't know if anyone is familiar, but coming north on I77 out fo NC into VA you have to go up Fancy Gap Mountain. It is probably 4-5 miles of steady climb. I'm not sure what percent grade or exactly how long it is. But, that being said, I was topping it in 3rd gear lockup at 68 MPH and staying under 1200. The truck does really well with the 8k. The more I discuss it with people, the more comfortable I am getting. I just tend to be very anxious when comes to things like this. I did however, buy a smarty jr that should be here on Thursday. I will probably be selling the EZ. Thanks for the responses so far, and would like to keep hearing your experiences.



Thanks,

 

[AH64ID]

I think you'll be surprised how well it will tow it. Wind resistance takes a LOT more power than weight, and since they are both 5ers I bet they tow very similar except on maybe the steepest of grades. It's 50% heavier, but wont take 50% more energy to do the same speeds.



I would put a tq converter and a valve body in the trans first and foremost. Good call on the Smarty Jr. If you don't have one already I would get an adj boost elbow to get the stock boost up to about 30, this will help out as well. If you don't know the Jr will make your truck an HO. So each SW will add 55hp/95ft/lbs and then add the Smarty tuning. SW1 is timing only and the gain isn't a peak gain, but more of a mid range gain. SW2 and SW3 are timing/duration and the hp gains are peak, and the low-mid is very strong.

 

[AClayton]

pulling the old camper, with the EZ set on four, the hottest I got was 1250 and that was just for a second before I backed out. I can keep a head of steam by feathering it and keep it below 1200. I don't know if anyone is familiar, but coming north on I77 out fo NC into VA you have to go up Fancy Gap Mountain. It is probably 4-5 miles of steady climb. I'm not sure what percent grade or exactly how long it is. But, that being said, I was topping it in 3rd gear lockup at 68 MPH and staying under 1200. The truck does really well with the 8k. The more I discuss it with people, the more comfortable I am getting. I just tend to be very anxious when comes to things like this. I did however, buy a smarty jr that should be here on Thursday. I will probably be selling the EZ. Thanks for the responses so far, and would like to keep hearing your experiences.



Thanks,

JLitton,





I am very familiar with that pull! When I return home fom Hickory,NC I cover that stretch of highway. My 40' Toyhauler puts it on the old Cummins but she loves it. I pull it in 3rd locked also and spin up to 65mph. I have twins so I don't worry about egt's any longer but in my case, the water temp is what I get concerned over... sometimes 220 I've been told that is nothing to be concerned over so I just motor along and let err' eat!!!





Alan

 

[JLitton]

AH64ID



THanks for the info on the smarty. I actually already have a triple disk converter and valvebody upgrade. After gauges, I believe the new converter was my next purchase before I added any power. I have been as cautious as I can in upgrading this truck and my wife knows when I'm getting ready to get something new. She knows what the TDR is ...



Alan -



That is long pull coming north huh. That is the measuring stick for all the guys around here if we get a new truck or camper. The hardest trip up I made was with my first camper. A 27 TT with a 99 Silverado Reg Cab Short bed with the itty bitty 4. 8L V8 /5 speed. I was in 3rd gear wide open at 5K RPM and going 52 MPH. I never pulled with that truck again. I then got a 2500 HD with the 8. 1L and allison. Now that, was a beast.

 

[AClayton]

AH64ID



THanks for the info on the smarty. I actually already have a triple disk converter and valvebody upgrade. After gauges, I believe the new converter was my next purchase before I added any power. I have been as cautious as I can in upgrading this truck and my wife knows when I'm getting ready to get something new. She knows what the TDR is ...



Alan -



That is long pull coming north huh. That is the measuring stick for all the guys around here if we get a new truck or camper. The hardest trip up I made was with my first camper. A 27 TT with a 99 Silverado Reg Cab Short bed with the itty bitty 4. 8L V8 /5 speed. I was in 3rd gear wide open at 5K RPM and going 52 MPH. I never pulled with that truck again. I then got a 2500 HD with the 8. 1L and allison. Now that, was a beast.

JLitton,



I also owned a 99' Silverado 4. 8l but mine had the auto... ..... gutless! Spunky when unloaded but if you put any weight or added even a small trailer to the back, the truck instantly became the equivelant of an underpowered Smart Car! This was the reason for purchasing my current truck! Oh and btw, I had a Winnebago Brave with the 8. 1 and Allison and I know for a fact that it was a monster torque machine. I know diesels get better fuel economy but the 8. 1 would easily keep up with all of them going up hills.



Alan

 

[AH64ID]

AH64ID



THanks for the info on the smarty. I actually already have a triple disk converter and valvebody upgrade. After gauges, I believe the new converter was my next purchase before I added any power. I have been as cautious as I can in upgrading this truck and my wife knows when I'm getting ready to get something new. She knows what the TDR is ... .

I guess if I opened my eyes and read your sig I would have known you had done the upgrades!



I think you'll like the Smarty Jr, just be sure to get the adj boost elbow.

 

[Scottyg1]

Hey folks -



Just put a down payment on a new Big Country Bunkhouse fifth wheel. We are moving up from a 31 ft Cougar 5th wheel. My concern is the weight. Our current camper weighs 8K and the new one weighs just under 12K.



My truck as you see in the sig is a 2003 Dually SO with the 47RE. I am currently running the EZ on the highest setting and have never had any problems at all. I also have a Goerend triple disk converter and a built valvebody. I have been wanting to purchase a smarty to replace the EZ but have never ordered it.



I'm looking for some good advice whether I should get the smarty or maybe a smarty jr. What about any other upgrades? I will never drag race or truck pull my truck. I just want good solid power increases to handle the additional weight and drag. I want to do this right. And by the way, the truck only has 45K miles and purchasing a new one will not be an option as the truck has been babied and will be in my garage for years to come.

I regularly tow an 06 Big Horn that's 13,800 loaded the way I travel, with an 07 3500 SRW and it pulls and tows like a dream. No real noticable difference in EGTs or Trans Temp. I ungraded from a 31 ft 10K. I'm bone stock.

 

[JLitton]

scottyg1-



Thank you! this is what I was wanting to hear. With the Smarty Jr added to my SO motor, I should be good to go!

 

[JLitton]

I just pulled my old camper home from storage with the Smarty Jr. Wow, major improvement from the EZ. I left the Smarty on the performance tune and had great power and no issues with heat. Never got over 1100*. Now to go install my Maxbrake... .

 

[JLitton]

We went to go pick up the new fifth wheel last weekend. The truck did wonderful. The upgrades with the smarty jr and the maxbrake was just in time to handle the new trailer. I had zero problems with heat or lack of power. I love this truck more the longer I own it. The max brake is awesome too.