2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission stock towing power question

[pfreer]

I just have a question, to see if theres something wrong with my truck.

97 CTD bone stock. I'm towing about 6500lbs, tandem axle trailer. I can only get up to about 70~75mph MAX on flat highway, hills eats it up & I have to downshift @ 65mph. Does this sound correct? I've never towed with anyone elses rig, but my impression is that it should tow much more????



Thanks for any help

 

[Sageair]

Hello pfreer. That doesn't sound right at all. I towed with my sons box stock 97 and with a load heavier than you describe I could easily hit 90 when passing and can't ever remember dropping below 65 on the steepest hills. Do you have gauges? If so what does your boost look like. It sounds to me like either your turbo is not producing much boost or you have one or more leaks between the turbo and intercooler or between the intercooler and engine. Good luck, Steve.

 

[pfreer]

Thanks, that was my general impression as well. It gets great fuel milage this way, but makes highway driving extra tricky.

 

[RDelissen]

what gears do you have and what size tires?

On mine (auto instead of your manual) with 4. 10's and 265's it would be a b!tch to get up to 75-80 mph before the tune up I had just done to it.

Now with the tune up and the 3 KGSK it can easily do 75-80 (still with 4. 10's and 265's) and it still has room for passing power

On mine though a couple of things were off: boost leak, valves needed adjustment, timing was retarded (waaaayyyyy) ... ... ...

 

[TRCM]

Sounds like mine. I never tried to go abovbe 65 tho... . to risky with that kind of weight.



It would drop aboput 2 mph for hills (if you want to call them that in VA).



I have a 5 spd & 4. 10's, so my top speed is limited anyway.

 

[GAmes]

When mine was stock it was a gutless wonder while pulling a 10k RV. After adding the #11 plate it was great. Then I slid it fwd and advanced my timing to 15. 7 BTDC. In the current vernacular... ... ... awesome. Now I'm looking for a good excuse to upgrade the clutch and add 370s. Get some gauges and bomb that thing.