Truck working hard while towing
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
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Truck working hard while towing
I took the camper trailer out this weekend and my 04' PS seemed to be working REALLY hard. I'm a diesel newby so bear with me. I read on the forum all the time about people going up hill, passing people because of all the towing power these trucks have. It seemed to me that I was really "chugging". My trailer loaded is about 4500 lbs. I am using a Bullydog Power Pup set at about 30% power increase. I have a Prodigy brake controller which is set to "boost 1". We went about 120 miles round trip with 6% uphill grades about 1/2 of that distance. Seemed to take a long time between when I pushed on the gas and when the "power" kicked in. I also noticed a sustained high pitch whine at times. I'm not sure, but I thought mabye it was the turbo spooling up. On this 120 mile trip I used about 1/2 tank of gas. Maybe I am being paranoid as I haven't towed a lot of heavy items anyways. Any thoughts anyone has? Do I have a problem, or is what I am describing "normal" sounding? Thanks!
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Las Vegas
That does'nt make since, I have an 03'ccPSD FX4 6.0 all stock and pulling my 33' toy hualer with 4 quads that weighs in at 14000 plus lbs and I still get 13mpg, and will pull 65mph up Baker grade going to the duemont dunes in Cal. Have you changed your fuel filters? At one time I had a lack of power and I found that the bottom filter " inner rail " had never been changed when I thought it had. Just a thought.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Joisey
Did you just purchase the truck? If it acted the way you say, I definitely think you've got a problem. Was it smokin' going up those grades? When was the last time fuel and air filters were changed? Start there.
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Freshman User
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I bought the truck last July. I haven't changed any filters (fuel or air) so I will check those. The air filter "guage" shows still good, but maybe not. No, not smoking going up the hills, just seemed to be going really slow. cthehentz- what you describe is what I would expect. When you hit the gas does it get up and go quickly?
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Las Vegas
There is a 1-2-3 second delay from the turbo but then it's hold on and she goes. Changing the fuel filters is the first step and that's both, one on top of the motor and one on the inner frame rail below the drivers seat, I would also pull the air filter and look at it to see if it looks dirty or just replace it for peace of mind.
Junior User
Joined: May 2001
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The whine may be your fan kicking in. Mine starts to whine at 220 degrees andf on hills. Its a variable whine. Hard to get used to cause my stock 01" 7.3 didn't do that.
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04, 2wd, CC, Lariat,6.0L, 6 sp. This is what I've noticed since the last flash. (Nov 05), more turbo whine. The truck seems to lack power untill its pulled about 15 miles. There only seems to be about 1-2 mpg difference between towing my 5th wheel,18,000 lbs and my race trailer 13,400. The truck will get 20- 22 mpg empty, with the 5th 10.5 mpg and with the race trailer 11.5 to 12.5.
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Freshman User
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Thanks. I will check with the dealer on the reflash. I hate seeing those posts where guys are getting 20-22 mpg :-). I average about 14 around town. Dealer told me the leveleling kit and tires will kill mpg...
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Las Vegas
You know I took mine in for a recall/reflash and they changed the egr and vgt? They did a full checkup on the truck and replaced these parts and some others all under warranty. I did notice a small lack of power but it could be me. The best mpg I can get is 18 and that's NO Hot DOGGIN, I'm 36 and I have to drive like I'm 76. The only people I know of getting 22mpg have a chip and pakage of goodies added. My truck is bone stock and that's the best mpg I can get, 13 towing and 18 staying off the gas.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
Did I see you have large tires on the truck?? If so this will hurt MPG. My 04 on 6% grades pulls 10 K without coming off overdrive. I have squalked the tries with the trailer on. I just tell my wife to hold on while we merge on the freeway. Everything on my truck is stock. I get 20MPG on freeway and 12-14 towing thru mountains
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Originally Posted by bigredtruckmi
Did I see you have large tires on the truck?? If so this will hurt MPG. My 04 on 6% grades pulls 10 K without coming off overdrive. I have squalked the tries with the trailer on. I just tell my wife to hold on while we merge on the freeway. Everything on my truck is stock. I get 20MPG on freeway and 12-14 towing thru mountains
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
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From: Huntington Indiana
Not sure on how they compare but mine from the factory on our 04 is B F Goodrich Lt 265/75R16 Rugged Trail /TA load range "E" Look at my signature to see what I have for equip on our 04.
Check your door sticker to see what was on originally.
Maybe someone who knows tires will be able to help....
Check your door sticker to see what was on originally.
Maybe someone who knows tires will be able to help....
Last edited by bigredtruckmi; May 24, 2006 at 07:12 PM.