I recently scored a rust free 97 f250 HD Supercab 4x4 with 52k. I purchased this truck to tow my vintage 31 ft Airstream weighing 6k. It was stock with 3.55 axles and 265 75 16 tires. I knew I would not be satisfied with the stock setup so I made several modifications to increase towing power. I use a long gradual grade to test modigications. First I did 6 liter tune. I set the cruse control at 60mph and take a run at the hill. At first run the truck made it about a quarter way up the slope and downshifted to 3rd to crest the peak. I next swapped to 4.10s. The truck then downshifted about halfway up the hill. Then I swapped short tube headers with otherwise stock exhaust and the truck pulled the entire hill in OD without downshiftjing. Highway mph before any changes at 65mph was 17. Going to 4.10s cost 2mpg but changing to short tube headers gained 1 back. I just drove from u.p. Michigan to Tennessee to pickup my RV. I got 16 going down and 12.5 towing back. I was please with towing on the flats but the Tennessee hills were a bit of a struggle. I try to tow at 60-65 which is about 1900-2000 rpm in OD. My question is what can I do now to improve power in the 1000 to 3000rpm range. Please dont advise modifications for higher rpm ranges as this truck wont see anything above 3000rpm. I want to keep stock displacement for now. Would a cam change (RV type) make a significant difference? I still have stock exhaust from the header back. Thanks for any advise

 

You didn't say what motor it has.

Longtube headers.

 

At that point all I would do is monitor the transmission temp. Install a gauge in the test port, then install a larger cooler.

 

No engine info lol.Though reading through,surely only a 460 out of the gas options (since six liter tune up was mentioned) would be capable of towing 6k up a grade in OD.I'm surprised one wouldn't be satisfied right here.This is impressive................Unless said "grade" was down in Florida.
Nope.Second thought,I guess it's got to be the 351.A 460 can't yield 16mpg solo and in most cases,not your your towing MPG solo.In this case,most impressive.Run 'er!

 

That's costing you right there.

 

16mpg? in what a ranger?
and 12.5? Hell I didn't think a 351 truck would do that coasting downhill.

I think you should stop where you are at and get in the guinis book of world records

 

I question how long a transmission will last towing 6K plus in OD. A GOOD (big) trans cooler would be a must have addition.

Two years ago I put 4,000 lbs. of wood pellets in the box of my F350 and had another 2,000 lbs in my 10' utility trailer hooked to the bumper hitch. I only hauled that load 25 miles on 90% flat terrain and I couldn't imagine using OD even if I had it (C6).

But she rode like a Cadillac.....

 

That's no problem.It can safely tow over twice this in OD.The E4OD pumps out massive amounts of fluid when the converter locks (around 35mph and up). Making these trans run so much cooler than the old C6 did.

 

From his other thread.

 

A "Six Litre Tune up" originates from user "Six Litre" over on FSB.com and applied to primarily 5.0s. Many tried this on 5.8s with mixed results. I think it was based on gapping the plugs way beyond factory specs and advancing the ignition to just shy pre-ignition range. Supposedly a better burn......

 

Sorry failded to mention it is a 5.8. And to Desiel Brad, I don't know what your talking about as far as mileage goes. This is my 7th 5.8 over many years and they all got 16-17 hyway (f250s) and the f150s sometimes 18-19. This is at 65 which is what I drive on long trips. This F250 has tow pkg and big tranny cooler but I will install a tranny temp gauge and that is good insurance. BY the way I know how to check gas mileage and and not overstating this figure. Still would like input on how the right cam might improve towability or is my stock cam the best choice. Thanks

 

Yeah but it was easy to rule out the 302 being able to tow in the manner he described (being the little 302's are best for car engines,with their power up too high for towing trucks) leaving the only logical explanation the 351W (once I went back and re-read impossible 460 fuel economy numbers.)

Gcs,I'm interested in the answer to your question as well.Even though I'm impressed with the results with just the couple changes already.

 

There is so much hocus pocus involved in camshaft selection I always let an expert tell me what I need. I usually rely on Mike Jones (Jones Cams) for my race stuff but outfits like Bullet Cams and even Howards and Lunati can help you out.

I stay far away from the big cam outfits since the 18 year old guy at the cam help desk is usually clueless about non Chevy parts.

Years ago I was towing my race car with a late 70's C3500 with a 454 and TH400. My buddy owned the truck and thought he could improve the overall fuel economy by buying a complete Edelbrock package that was said to boost towing mileage 20%.... cam, lifters, intake, carb, headers, dizzy. I think we lost 40% after we installed all the parts and tuned it to Edelbrock's specs.

I think the best gas set-up I've seen for towing were the old Banks turbo deals...

 

I think you just described 99% of all counter jockies.