I'm about to buy a Predator & will be towing 16' enclosed trailer alot. will see some mountain travel but not daily.

Just really wanting some feedback of how everyone likes/dislikes the Predator for towing performance & MPG gains.

Thanks & Merry Christmas

 

These trucks have more than enough power. You don't need more power in them. I have a 27' RV and a 25' flatbed I pull all over and I've always pulled them going OVER the speed limit. Even on steep grades. As far as I'm concerned, if you need more power than these things have stock, then you need a Semi.
That's just my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree.
I hope y'all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

Absolutely love my 04 6.0l diesel, upgrades so far is predator programmer,mbrp exhaust, k & n filter, and am running Banks propane kit, (only have kit on lowest setting for mileage) I have no problem at all pulling my 30' fifth wheel trailer with boat attached to it. Usually getting around 22 mpg if I stay around 70-73, but my problem is I usually run around 80.(not when pulling both trailer and boat). There is a guy at work here that has an 03 6.0l w/predator, exhaust, and intake, and he claims to get around 27 mpg, I believe some of it because I know he doesn't get the tack above 2,000 rpm, so the turbo is never spooling up for long. If you are just getting it for towing then its a waste of money, you have to put on an exhaust and intake to really get the money out of the programmer.

 

Pulling a 3 horse gooseneck with 12' living qrt. weighing around 10,000 empty.Magnaflow exhaust,AFE intake,6 speed,and guages. Getting around 11 mpg.Also have a 98 gallon fuel tank in the bed. At least I can drive from Ohio to Texas without filling up. I get around 20 mpg with just the truck. I love the Predator.

 

I only had my predator on the lowest setting, which did make a lot of difference in power, but last summer when pulling my 33' 5th wheel that weighs around 11k it started to get hot when I was pulling a long hill.. I do not have aftermarket exhaust.. which I am sure would make a difference.. I am scared to change anything else that can not be changed back to stock for warranty issues.. I re-programmed back to stock and sold the Predator..

 

I'm kinda in the same boat. I didn't notice overheating issues until after I installed the predator, BUT
a. I only pulled my 30' toyhauler (7000+lbs) ONCE w/o the predator and that was in February from Ga to Tx which is mostly flat and it was never above 50 degrees
b. The overheating started after I accidentally bumped it into 4wdH after filling up and didn't notice until I was going 70!!!!

That said here's my experience, all while pulling toyhauler:

Trip to Tx-7-9 mpg @75-80mph, enough power, very capable

Trip to Fl 2 weeks later w/predator and 80 degree temps, same speed-11-13 mpg, better power because of shifting patterns, much more fun to drive

Trip to VA-9-11 mpg(many more mtns plus 100 miles of a 4 lane state route

Trip to Ky(this is the 4wd screwup) still 11-12 mpg, all interstate, but would overheat constantly, filled it up 5 times over 550 miles

Trip to Tn over Monteagle(very steep 3.5 mile climb) had to pull over halfway up bc of overheating and that's w/ the heat on full blast on Aug 15!!

Since then I put the stock program back in, the dealer replaced the stupid cap and I haven't reprogrammed, and I won't until I do another long pull w/o it to see if overheating continues.

It's much more fun to drive w/ it programmed, and the mpgs go up about 1-3, but I'm worried about my warranty too.
Sorry so long, just trying to be fair and give all necessary info.