Question about towing numbers
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
Question about towing numbers
This weekend was my first time towing since adding gauges, deleting the egr cooler, rebuilding the oil cooler, and cleaning the turbo. I was towing a 7500 lb travel trailer. The majority of the time I was running 70 mph with about 12 psi boost and 950* EGT. EOT and ECT was about 11* spread while towing. However, a couple times while coming up a small grade, the boost was only running about 6 psi and the truck did not downshift. The EGT's would rise to about 1100* as long as the TC stayed locked up. If I would really lay into the pedal, the truck would down shift and boost pressure would come back up and the EGT would come down. I found this rather odd. I also saw the boost hit 32 psi a few times under heavy acceleration when downshifting. Almost feels like the vanes could be sticking again, especially when just cruising along and the boost would drop around 6 psi. Does any of this sound normal? What is considered too hot for EGT?
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
This weekend was my first time towing since adding gauges, deleting the egr cooler, rebuilding the oil cooler, and cleaning the turbo. I was towing a 7500 lb travel trailer. The majority of the time I was running 70 mph with about 12 psi boost and 950* EGT. EOT and ECT was about 11* spread while towing. However, a couple times while coming up a small grade, the boost was only running about 6 psi and the truck did not downshift. The EGT's would rise to about 1100* as long as the TC stayed locked up. If I would really lay into the pedal, the truck would down shift and boost pressure would come back up and the EGT would come down. I found this rather odd. I also saw the boost hit 32 psi a few times under heavy acceleration when downshifting. Almost feels like the vanes could be sticking again, especially when just cruising along and the boost would drop around 6 psi. Does any of this sound normal? What is considered too hot for EGT?
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
I tow for a living with a 04' 6.0. Just towed a 32' fifth wheel from Elkhart Indiana to Stockton California with few to no issues. Weight was right around 11k. When towing "the grades" you just need to let the rpm's stay at a constant. I ususlly run about 22-2500 when doing the grades. Don't overwork it and try to beat the Dodges up the hill. Tranny and turbo running in conjunction is a sweet thing. Just don't over rev it. Too many gauges makes for a nervous driver imo, don't have any extra myself. If the idiot light isn't on all is good.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
This weekend was my first time towing since adding gauges, deleting the egr cooler, rebuilding the oil cooler, and cleaning the turbo. I was towing a 7500 lb travel trailer. The majority of the time I was running 70 mph with about 12 psi boost and 950* EGT. EOT and ECT was about 11* spread while towing. However, a couple times while coming up a small grade, the boost was only running about 6 psi and the truck did not downshift. The EGT's would rise to about 1100* as long as the TC stayed locked up. If I would really lay into the pedal, the truck would down shift and boost pressure would come back up and the EGT would come down. I found this rather odd. I also saw the boost hit 32 psi a few times under heavy acceleration when downshifting. Almost feels like the vanes could be sticking again, especially when just cruising along and the boost would drop around 6 psi. Does any of this sound normal? What is considered too hot for EGT?
I'm concerned with your boost. The 6 lbs does not sound like enough, just reading between the lines of your description, and a stock truck should not go above about 28 lbs. The gauge might just bounce up to 32 lbs once in a while, but if it runs there that is too high. I think you nailed it with the sticky vanes.
I don't see any issue with not downshifting. Were you running in tow/haul mode?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
The EGT of 1100 sounds fine. I have my first alert set at 1200, and that's just because I like to see it come on once in a while. You can run at 1200 all day long.
I'm concerned with your boost. The 6 lbs does not sound like enough, just reading between the lines of your description, and a stock truck should not go above about 28 lbs. The gauge might just bounce up to 32 lbs once in a while, but if it runs there that is too high. I think you nailed it with the sticky vanes.
I don't see any issue with not downshifting. Were you running in tow/haul mode?
I'm concerned with your boost. The 6 lbs does not sound like enough, just reading between the lines of your description, and a stock truck should not go above about 28 lbs. The gauge might just bounce up to 32 lbs once in a while, but if it runs there that is too high. I think you nailed it with the sticky vanes.
I don't see any issue with not downshifting. Were you running in tow/haul mode?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Oh by the by, I too also haul for a living ~16k worth of horseflesh and other related goods that goes along with that.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I was in tow/haul mode. Doesn't that make the TC stay locked up longer. I agree about the boost dropping to around 6 psi now and then. I did notice that when the boost was low, the EGT's were higher. When the boost was that low, the truck would only accelerate if I really got into it and it downshifted. If the vanes are sticking, I will be a bit pissed as I just cleaned that darn turbo. The turbo was a bit pitted though.
My truck would run more boost than that for sure when towing. I haven't towed yet since I put the gauge in, but I have the dash boost gauge in my '06. I am pretty sure it would be more than 6 lbs even on flat level highway, and my trailer is smaller than yours.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
It seemd to run around 12 psi or so most of the time. Once and a while it would drop to 6psi. I assumed the vanes were open a bit too much. I agree that is way to low as it runs 7 psi unloaded at 70 mph. I might have to keep an eye on it. I would hate to have to replace the turbo!!
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
I would like to ressurect this post because I was going to ask about my boost numbers too. I have only towed with my truck twice(just got it), and this second time was after I had installed 35" tires. Just wanted to find out if my number was okay. I pull about 7500-8000 lbs. While on the flat areas running 65 to 70, by boost would run about 10 psi. If I hit any grades and wanted to maintain speed, it would move up to about 17 to 20psi until over the hill. Ocasionally it would downshift until the road leveled back out. Does this sound about right?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I would like to ressurect this post because I was going to ask about my boost numbers too. I have only towed with my truck twice(just got it), and this second time was after I had installed 35" tires. Just wanted to find out if my number was okay. I pull about 7500-8000 lbs. While on the flat areas running 65 to 70, by boost would run about 10 psi. If I hit any grades and wanted to maintain speed, it would move up to about 17 to 20psi until over the hill. Ocasionally it would downshift until the road leveled back out. Does this sound about right?
As a point of reference, my truck won't boost much over 20psi in overdrive. Apparently it just can't use any more air than that at the lower RPM's. But when it downshifts is when it will jump to 28psi, and that's as high as it goes. Some of them will only do 26psi, no matter what, and that seems to be dependent on the PCM flash. Anything around 25-28 as a maximum is okay. These trucks should not go higher than that, even though the gauges redline at 35psi. (stock tuning only)
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 32
From: AB/BC
I lifted both heads at 35psi (tuned without studs),so take Bills word for the max safe boost.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 32
From: AB/BC
But holy smoke does that much boost get a 4 ton truck hauling azz!!A safe 50 must rock once it spools up.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
You know, I've never had his ultra comp tune. I had his street comp tune and that was a fun ride and it was a pretty good economy tune as well. That one tune did generate some improvements for me. I mainly just use his hybrid race tune and tow tune. I think at one time, I had about 7 different tunes.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ScaldedDog
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
54
May 7, 2012 10:18 PM
