A little background first: We have a 2002 F350 CC LB 7.3 Dually. We use it to tow a 37 ft 5<SUP>th</SUP> wheel. We run fine under most highway conditions, but do have a tendency to lose speed on very long highway hills. That is what we are trying to improve.

We’ve searched the forums, but most of the posts seem to deal with high performance upgrades, not solid or improved performance upgrades.

So far all we have done is order a set of pillar gauges, pyro, trans, and trans temp. From there it gets confusing.

Many of the posts we have read talk about “super” charging their trucks. How fast can they get to 60 mph. Can they beat a corvette in a quarter mile? We are not looking for that kind of performance. All we want to do is keep up our speed on long hills.

So, what is the correct thing for us to do? Our current plans are to put on a 4” exhaust and see how that works. Next would be a better air intake system, but there are a lot to choose from and most of the advice has come from those who want high performance to turn their trucks into street rods. Again, we just need solid pulling power.

It is very possible that this is all we will have to do, but if not, it is time to talk about a programmer, or chip. We are not diesel mechanics, so we want to keep if fairly simple. Getting under the hood and replacing a chip to take it in for service is not our thing. We want a program for improved pulling power, and, if possible, one for better fuel economy. Both at the same time is of course on the wish list.

So, we are making a post here on the ford-truck forum. Can anyone offer some advice to a weekend RV puller?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Sandy

 

first off welcome to FTE Sandy.

Sounds like your on the right track, you already have a set of gauges. A 4" exhaust and an intake system will deffinately improve your performance.

Sounds like just a tow tune from DP tuner would be best bet. Someone will chime in with more suggestions.

 

I don't tow that big, but do reguarly pull a GN 20' horse trailer, or a GN 25' stock trailer. My upgrades are for better reliability and mileage, with the performance increase as a side benefit.

Starting with guages is best, excellent choice there! Exhaust & intake would be your next best steps. A 4" turbo-back system with a muffler is what I did, and the 6637 air filter as well. Inexpensive, easy, and easy to replace.

Two other things I'd suggest, and if you can do them at the same time, then even better: a valve body for your transmission and a chip/PCM flash from DP Tuner.

The valve body will beef up the weak link in your truck - the tranny.

I'd personally go with the chip so that you can adjust on-the-fly. I don't know where you tow, but let's say you're in Texas or Florida - flat, sea-level...easy. Then you come to my back yard, the Rocky Mountains. 10,000ft and big long hills through the passes. You can get "tow" tunes for different purposes. I've got a 40TOW tune (40hp boost, shift points/fueling for towing) since I'm always at altitude it seems. A PCM flash gives you one tune, no adjustability. Let's say you take the dually out without the 5er - maybe the 80ECONO tune would be a good option for you. Call Jody or Diane at DP Tuner and talk with them, they'll do you right.


Maintenance-wise I'd recommend switching your coolant to Rotella ELC so you don't have to worry about adding SCAs. Also an oil bypass filter and better tranny cooler are almost what I'd call necessary upgrades for what you do.

 

Here's a good source to look through.

Powerstroke Mods and Maintenance

I'm also on the path of "solid" mods as oppossed to "raw pwr" mods. You might consider the following:

Gages-
You're already on the right track

Breath Better-
6637 intake
4 ' Exhaust

Injector Health-
Hutch and Harpoon
HPX
CCK
FPR

Tranny Health-
BTS or JW Vavle Body
Tru-Cool T-Cooler or 6.0 cooler

Programmer-
DpTuner with a Tow programs+

Turbo-
Wicked Wheel

Ok, so these mods might not be the absolute best way to slove any of the particular roblems, however, as a package they won't break the bank (about a $1100) and will do a commendable job. All can be done by a home mechanic with no special tools.

Enjoy

 

You already have a turbo charger. Unless you want to install another turbo or have compound turbos, that is. Can they beat a Vette? Not on your life.

IF you are towing in dusty areas, get the Ford AIS filter kit. A little better performance and good filtration

Talk to Jody or Diane from Dp Tuner and they will fit you right if you tell them what you want.

 

If were it me, and I had the means,
1st gages,
2nd 4" exhaust, or muffler delete,
3rd, 6637 until you decide if you like the extra noise or not, then the AIS intake system. 4th-a Valve body for the trans, with either larger pan, or secondary cooling,
5th-DP tuner
then the add ons, synthetic lube for everything, by pass filters, switch out the coolants. add coolant filter, I say then, because you can do these at the time of your maintenance cycles. You are already needing to do these, but just improve on them as they come due.