High Altitude HP Help?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
High Altitude HP Help?
Hi All,
Is anyone aware of any mods that can be made to squeek a bit more power out at high elevations?
I tow a 5000 lb trailer with my 5.4L/3.73 '03 Expy and it does a great job. The only place that I need help is when I have to tow over the mountain peaks out here in the Rockies. In most cases I am forced to drop to first gear for the last miles of the climb and limit my speed to 20 mph or so. If I just had a bit more engine I could maintain second gear and keep my speed in the 30-40 mph range it would be a much better situation with the traffic and all.
Obviously I am suffering severe drop off in power due to the thin air and I was wondering if there are any mods (short of a super-charger) that might help?
Thanks,
Gary
Is anyone aware of any mods that can be made to squeek a bit more power out at high elevations?
I tow a 5000 lb trailer with my 5.4L/3.73 '03 Expy and it does a great job. The only place that I need help is when I have to tow over the mountain peaks out here in the Rockies. In most cases I am forced to drop to first gear for the last miles of the climb and limit my speed to 20 mph or so. If I just had a bit more engine I could maintain second gear and keep my speed in the 30-40 mph range it would be a much better situation with the traffic and all.
Obviously I am suffering severe drop off in power due to the thin air and I was wondering if there are any mods (short of a super-charger) that might help?
Thanks,
Gary
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Texas, USA
I do the same thing frequently with my 5200 lb. trailer. High passes like Wolf Creek, Pagosa, Cottonwood, etc. are all high passes that will make you do only 25 or 30 mph in first gear and second is not an option. However, the posted speed limit on those passes is 25 mph. It's low for safety reasons, winter and summer because so many motorhomes and Chevy's or Rams are parked on the side of the road steaming while we slip on by. Supercharging is the only reliable option since nitrous is good for only a very lijmited time, and it can take 30 to 45 minutes to crawl over some of those passes with slower traffic in front of you.
Some things I do are: keep waste and water tanks low or empty when going over high passes. Be sure engine air filter is clean, a/c is turned off, all windows closed and tires have higher pressure in tow and trailer.
Happy trails..
Some things I do are: keep waste and water tanks low or empty when going over high passes. Be sure engine air filter is clean, a/c is turned off, all windows closed and tires have higher pressure in tow and trailer.
Happy trails..
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I have had my truck feel really gutless when towing my 3500 pound pop up throught the mountains. I did notice that if you give the truck a while, the computer will adapt for the thinner air. You could disconnect your battery to clear the computer when you get in the higher altitudes, but then you would need to take more time to let it re-learn everything. Making the truck breathe better will help with your lack of power. Also, a better exhaust will help.
