Help! Trailer too big?
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New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Winston-Salem, NC
Help! Trailer too big?
I just pulled my 32' 7,500lb tt into the Carolina mtns(Boone). My early 99 topped the mtn at 35 mph!? I have 3.73, 4wd 6spd, stock. This was my first pull with this truck, am I expecting too much? Is there something wrong with my truck? Oh, I forgot to mention, I had a little wood in the bed.
Mike
Mike
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,764
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From: CentralEastern Utah
What kind of grade were you pulling? With that big of a trailer any head wind would cause alot of drag. There are alot of factors to look at but if your only pulling 7500lbs that sounds a little weak.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 315
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From: West Texas
I was looking at your profile to see if mods done to the PSD. Saw you had 285's as the major mods. You really need to help the PSD to pull much with her. I would surely look at exhaust system with leaving the muffler and cat off the system all together. Then a better air intake system as well would be an area to help things as well. In stock form these don't help you any, actually costs you HP for using them. Motor can't get the air in and filtered well nor can it get the air out with the cat and too small of exhaust pipe with very poor quality bends that restrict flow even more.
You would see a good 20-25 HP from these alone. Then if you really wanted to wake the PSD up, I would install a good set of guages needed to watch things, then get you a chip or tuner and up the performance tunning of the PSD. Then your 285's and the 3.73's will be more than enough to tow the trailer.
You would see a good 20-25 HP from these alone. Then if you really wanted to wake the PSD up, I would install a good set of guages needed to watch things, then get you a chip or tuner and up the performance tunning of the PSD. Then your 285's and the 3.73's will be more than enough to tow the trailer.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Winston-Salem, NC
Thanks to all for replying! The mountain in question is 6 or 7%. We pulled it in third gear. I'm dissapointed to say the least.
I forgot to mention, I put on a Kwik air filter before our trip.
Mike
I forgot to mention, I put on a Kwik air filter before our trip.
Mike
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Joined: Apr 2004
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I live in Monroe and have a 99 1/2 F350,7.3 and I have a tt that weighs in at about 7500 lbs. I assume that you may be going up 321 into Boone. I have made this trip several time and can walk up the mountain at any speed that I care to drive. The first time I went up when I came to the passing lanes I pulled to the right with 3 cars behind me and none even tried to pass. My truck is stock, auto. Don't have a clue as to what your problem might be but is not the same experince that I have had.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Winston-Salem, NC
Hey 99350,
Actually we go up 421, right there as we crested at the Parkway is where we were going 35 mph.
I'm going to change my fuel filter today.
Thanks,
Mike
Actually we go up 421, right there as we crested at the Parkway is where we were going 35 mph.
I'm going to change my fuel filter today.
Thanks,
Mike
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 76
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From: VENTURA, CA
I pull a 5 fith wheel dry weight 12,100 with my 01, up 6 and 7% and 30 to 35 mph. 6spd with 315's and stock gears.
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