Got a towing question
 

Alright I don't really know where to post this. But Iv got a 97 with the 460 it's totally stock. I pull a 6000 pound bumper pull trailer. It feels like I am running it to the max even on totally flat roads I can't use fifth gear Iv got to run in 4th floored everywhere. I was just wondering if that is normal or if there is something wrong with my truck it seems underpowered. I'm wanting to get a heavier fifth wheel but not if I can hardly pull my camper as it is. Any input would be help full thanks

What gearing do you have?

Have you checked for any stored engine codes?

Do you still have the stock exhaust? Have you checked for a plugged catalytic converter?

When was the last tuneup? Have you ever cleaned/rebuilt/replaced the fuel injectors? Are you using the correct copper spark plugs with a quality rotor, cap, and wires?

What are you getting for unloaded fuel mileage? Really low fuel economy might point to fuel injector problems, vacuum leaks, or other issues.

3.73 gears

Last tuneup was 5000 miles ago I didn't do a new fuel filter or spark plug wires I got a code when I first started towing and that was cause of an o2 sensor that I replaced

Still has stock exhaust unfortunately

I drove from Washington state to Houston TX and got around 12 unloaded I brought the camper back and got everywhere from 4.5 to 8

Oh also I did that 6.0 liter tune but I never upgraded the plug wires I know I need to but I noticed it ran better and had more power also have a synthetic air filter and I run all synthetic fluids

When I replaced the plugs I got platinum I wanted copper but the guy at napa said he didn't carry any copper plugs for my truck

Have you checked the timing?

Yeah timing I think is at 11.5 or 12 I changed that not long ago when I did the 6.0 tune

I wanna get a new trailer it's a fifth wheel and it weighs 10,000 pound but I'm scared my truck won't pull it does anyone else have a setup like this and it works good?

Well nothing sounds extremely out of the wack. I towed an 8000# 5th wheel, I had to be in 3rd (1:1 so the same as 4th on your ZF), and had to hold better than 3/4 throttle the whole time. If you're used to a newer truck (especially a diesel) the 460 may feel a bit anemic by comparison, but it still gets the job done. I think you had to be running just as well as me 'cause I never got over 5mpg pulling that camper.

Are you pulling through any large hills or against strong headwinds? How tall is your camper? I can pull 15,000#+ NH3 tanks at the farm easier than I could tow that camper just because of the large air resistance.

Edit: this was pre-Vortech.

My bumper pull trailer loaded up probably weighs 7000 pounds and my extended cab truck with a 12 ft boat and motor, two adults and two dogs and other gear in the back must weigh about 7000 lbs also.

I wouldn't want to pull any more as I have 3.55 gears and auto 460. Haven't weighed it but think I must be close to 14000 lbs combined weight.

Hmm I guess I had higher hopes for my pickup I guess I'll have to get a Dmax Iv never towed with anything else but bigger trucks with a CDL I know a few people with diesels Iv wanted to tow my camper with there trucks but haven't
Iv thought about doing headers and all that till I can afford a new truck but idk how much that would help and if it would be worth it since I'm planning on getting a new truck in about a year anyways

My truck is a '96 F250 4x4 7.5L, C6 trans with 4.10 gears all stock except for the straight pipe from the cat back. I have only owned it for about a year now but it has always been a strong runner. I pull an 18' bumper hitch flat bed that depending what I'm hauling is between 4000lb and 7000lb. Recently hauled a '95 F150 4x4 so I had about 7000lb or alittle more total. I was could not believe how much power the 7.5 had on tap. I no trouble with hills or highway. But I only get between 4.8 and 8.1 mpg, but I still LOVE it.

Todd

Yes I think the gearing has a lot to do with that but you suffer on mileage not that I get much better I feel like if you buy a 460 you can't complain about having to buy gas or you should have got a diesel in the first place

I'm debating on banks headers and full exhaust for the next year but I really don't wanna spend the money unless it's really gonna make a big difference and plus I'm probably gonna sell it in about a year

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...a0fc1ac299.jpg
460, C6, 3:55 gears. 17140# total. Pulls it like it isn't even there.

An opened up exhaust will make a new truck out of it. And make sure you cut those air horns out of the intake tubes!

Hmm I got a quote of around 400$ to do full exhaust so might be doing that I want headers but they are 1000$ for banks
And air horns are gone did that right away also I have a drop in synthetic air filter I guess that helps I didn't notice much

I agree. I knew the mpg was going to be REALLY BAD but truck only had 59k miles, had a 7 1/2' Western plow and I picked it up for $2000.

I have thought about the Banks headers for mine down the road. They are very spendy but I understand that they make quite a difference.

Todd

Yeah the fist year I had my truck I only put on about 1000 miles the first year but this summer it's been my dd just about all the time and Iv drove across the country and back with it