Towing question?
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New User
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Towing question?
Hello, I hope that this is the right forum to ask my question due to the application.
OK here is my question; I currently have the Hypertech Stage III program in my 2000 F250 SD 7.3 “it came with the truck when I bought it” and I have tried to do a search on the boards about which setting is best for towing. I have pretty much used it in the stage 3 99.5% of the time, but began to wonder if the stage 3 was the best for towing.
I am soon going to be towing a 28’ fifth wheel camper around 8K lbs. down to Florida for vacation which will probably be a 800 mile trip and was hoping if someone had any advice.
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I understand that the DP tuner is seemingly the best tuner for my application, and as soon as I can afford it I am defiantly planning on giving Jody a call.
<o></o>
Thanks:
John
OK here is my question; I currently have the Hypertech Stage III program in my 2000 F250 SD 7.3 “it came with the truck when I bought it” and I have tried to do a search on the boards about which setting is best for towing. I have pretty much used it in the stage 3 99.5% of the time, but began to wonder if the stage 3 was the best for towing.
I am soon going to be towing a 28’ fifth wheel camper around 8K lbs. down to Florida for vacation which will probably be a 800 mile trip and was hoping if someone had any advice.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>I understand that the DP tuner is seemingly the best tuner for my application, and as soon as I can afford it I am defiantly planning on giving Jody a call.
<o
></o>Thanks:
John
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
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From: 21791
well, if you have no gauges to monitor the temperatures, then i would leave it in stock, or at most, the first (lowest) setting. 8,000 pounds is alot, and with a stock exhaust and intake, things can heat up and melt pretty quick.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
Agreed. So long as you have the ability to monitor the situation you can use any program you choose, but if you don't, you should stay as close to stock as possible.
Bare bones minimum you need a pyrometer to keep an eye on exhaust gas temp when towing with any programmer.
Bare bones minimum you need a pyrometer to keep an eye on exhaust gas temp when towing with any programmer.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: ARIZONA
i agree with strokin, no gauges, no programmer, though if you have gauges, alot of folks say you can tow in any setting just as long as your watching your gauges, but most manufactures state not to tow over 5000lbs with more than a 40 hp. 120 lb. torque program. I currently tow 13000lbs with gauges, no program, 4 in T/B exhaust and tymar intake. W/ZERO PROBLEMS- keep watching this thread, im sure you will be able to make up your mind what to do in a day or so.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,296
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From: freeland, mi
Gauges are a pretty cheap investment, considering the cost of repairs if things go wrong. I would try and get some gauges even if you decide to run in stock mode just for peace of mind. Just my opinion though!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: 21791
Originally Posted by bigtorque
i agree with strokin, no gauges, no programmer, though if you have gauges, alot of folks say you can tow in any setting just as long as your watching your gauges, but most manufactures state not to tow over 5000lbs with more than a 40 hp. 120 lb. torque program. I currently tow 13000lbs with gauges, no program, 4 in T/B exhaust and tymar intake. W/ZERO PROBLEMS- keep watching this thread, im sure you will be able to make up your mind what to do in a day or so.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: ARIZONA
not to be thread robbing,
but do all of you run on the highest setting no matter what your doing, ie/ towing 8000 to 13000 lbs. now understanding gauges are key, can you have too much power on a 7.3 while towing. lets say program running 120 horse, 210 torq. while towing. that would put a modified 7.3 close to 400 horse and 800 torq. any thoughts.
but do all of you run on the highest setting no matter what your doing, ie/ towing 8000 to 13000 lbs. now understanding gauges are key, can you have too much power on a 7.3 while towing. lets say program running 120 horse, 210 torq. while towing. that would put a modified 7.3 close to 400 horse and 800 torq. any thoughts.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I tow my trailer with the Diablo Predator Tow/Haul tune. It's about a 40hp tune and I still manage to get the EGT over 1250 if I push it.
I have the AIS, 5" exhaust and the wastegate is connected. Boost pushes 26-27 psi on a big hill at 2500 rpm.
Without guages you are, for sure, going to go out of the safety zone with that tune.
I have the AIS, 5" exhaust and the wastegate is connected. Boost pushes 26-27 psi on a big hill at 2500 rpm.
Without guages you are, for sure, going to go out of the safety zone with that tune.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: 21791
Originally Posted by bigtorque
not to be thread robbing,
but do all of you run on the highest setting no matter what your doing, ie/ towing 8000 to 13000 lbs. now understanding gauges are key, can you have too much power on a 7.3 while towing. lets say program running 120 horse, 210 torq. while towing. that would put a modified 7.3 close to 400 horse and 800 torq. any thoughts.
but do all of you run on the highest setting no matter what your doing, ie/ towing 8000 to 13000 lbs. now understanding gauges are key, can you have too much power on a 7.3 while towing. lets say program running 120 horse, 210 torq. while towing. that would put a modified 7.3 close to 400 horse and 800 torq. any thoughts.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,476
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From: Monroe Michigan
Originally Posted by sawdaddy5
Hello, I hope that this is the right forum to ask my question due to the application.
OK here is my question; I currently have the Hypertech Stage III program in my 2000 F250 SD 7.3 “it came with the truck when I bought it” and I have tried to do a search on the boards about which setting is best for towing. I have pretty much used it in the stage 3 99.5% of the time, but began to wonder if the stage 3 was the best for towing.
I am soon going to be towing a 28’ fifth wheel camper around 8K lbs. down to Florida for vacation which will probably be a 800 mile trip and was hoping if someone had any advice.
fficeffice" /><O></O>
I understand that the DP tuner is seemingly the best tuner for my application, and as soon as I can afford it I am defiantly planning on giving Jody a call.
<O></O>
Thanks:
John
OK here is my question; I currently have the Hypertech Stage III program in my 2000 F250 SD 7.3 “it came with the truck when I bought it” and I have tried to do a search on the boards about which setting is best for towing. I have pretty much used it in the stage 3 99.5% of the time, but began to wonder if the stage 3 was the best for towing.
I am soon going to be towing a 28’ fifth wheel camper around 8K lbs. down to Florida for vacation which will probably be a 800 mile trip and was hoping if someone had any advice.
ffice
ffice" /><O></O>I understand that the DP tuner is seemingly the best tuner for my application, and as soon as I can afford it I am defiantly planning on giving Jody a call.
<O
></O>Thanks:
John
I'm using the Hypertech programer, in the # 3 setting for everything( because it's a pain in the butt to change, takes about 4 times to take the new program ) When I'm towing my 11k toybox i can keep the EGT under 1,000 degs with no problems by watching my gauges. So like the guys have already said - GET GAUGES. And i will also be using a DP tuner soon and give away the Hypertech.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: ARIZONA
hey strokin, have you been to a dyno to get those numbers,
i do know the stock numbers are ran off the crank shaft, so for sure the RWHP numbers will be lower, but i can only assume if a manufacture is selling a product that adds 100 hp, im assuming its crank shaft hp and will vary for each application.
at least thats my understanding........
i do know the stock numbers are ran off the crank shaft, so for sure the RWHP numbers will be lower, but i can only assume if a manufacture is selling a product that adds 100 hp, im assuming its crank shaft hp and will vary for each application.
at least thats my understanding........
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Thanks for all the reply’s guys, and it looks like I will be investing in some gauges soon. I will be towing the camper to talledega Al<ST1</ST1 in the next couple of weeks but I doubt I will have the funds until then so I will be sure to put it in Stage 1 and be sure not to tax the engine until I have a method for monitoring the temps and boost.<O</O
Also didn’t I read that DP has or will soon be coming out with a system to monitor these pyrometers?
<O></O>
Thanks Again
John
</ST1 in the next couple of weeks but I doubt I will have the funds until then so I will be sure to put it in Stage 1 and be sure not to tax the engine until I have a method for monitoring the temps and boost.<O</OAlso didn’t I read that DP has or will soon be coming out with a system to monitor these pyrometers?
<O
></O>Thanks Again
John
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
Originally Posted by bigtorque
hey strokin, have you been to a dyno to get those numbers,
i do know the stock numbers are ran off the crank shaft, so for sure the RWHP numbers will be lower, but i can only assume if a manufacture is selling a product that adds 100 hp, im assuming its crank shaft hp and will vary for each application.
at least thats my understanding........
i do know the stock numbers are ran off the crank shaft, so for sure the RWHP numbers will be lower, but i can only assume if a manufacture is selling a product that adds 100 hp, im assuming its crank shaft hp and will vary for each application.
at least thats my understanding........
A completely stock 7.3 will dyno somewhere between 185-215 RWHP. A 100HP tune will add approximately 100RWHP to that if you can make use of the available fuel. A big intake, big exhaust and 100 horse chip will add ~100 horsepower, doesn't matter where you measure it.
Adding a 100HP tune with no supporting mods will still get you 60-70% of the advertised power, but it will be accompanied by enormous clouds of black smoke and uncontrollable EGT's.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
I have a Tony Wildman (totaldieselperformance.com) 4 position chip and two of the positions are tow programs. One is @ +40 Hp and I use that in the Black Hills & on trips to the Rockie's. The second is @ a +80 HP tow and I use that on the flats. Just like everyone has said they key to running any program while towing is watching the guages. No matter who's chip you go with I would suggest getting your tow programs shift points for Overdrive changed to 55 mph. It gets to be a pain in the A$$ to have to mash the OD drive button so it doesn't shift to OD at 45. Just a nice feature I'de though you might be interested in.
