6.0L performance when towing

[Shaners]

I just got back from a long weekend with the family and it was the first time I towed with the HD 6.0L.  I was towing my 32' Jayco that weighs close to 8000 lbs.  My first opinion was that it does everything I want!!!  I never dropped below 58MPH and never really horsed it too hard.

Here are some specifics:

Air temp (outside) = 85*

temp gauge = 205*

Tranny gauge = 195*

Oil pressure = 60+ psi

speed = 65-75 mph

MPG's = 8.45

Over all I'm happy with the performance of this truck.  I used OD and the tow/haul mode.  On the flat the truck could easily pull @ 70mph with the tranny in OD and tach reading 2400 rpm.  On the hills it would shift into third and the tach would generally read between 2800 and 3200 RPM (55-65 mph with torque converter locked).

I think I could've easily picked up 1/2 mpg if I slowed down a little (I saw 75 mph more than once on the flat), or if I used the A/C less.  But I'm very happy with those numbers because I'm still getting the same milage as my F250 triton 5.4L and I'm able to run 10 to 15 mph faster!!!

[kc2aku]

that's about the expirence I've had with my 6.0. At work we have a 16' cargo trailer that ways in around 5k loaded.  we use a 91 gmc 1 ton chassis cab with a lineman's box and 350, 4.10 rear axle.  There have been times when we have to leave the interstate because we are goin slow.  Also we get about 5 mpg 6 if were living right.  What a hog.  I've towed a friends trailer with about the same load and the 6.0 doesn't even blink.

[Jpshostr]

I would have hoped the 6.0L would have gotten better mileage than that.  On the trip to the state fair pulling our gooseneck trailer that I guess at 7K I averaged 10mpg with the 350 in our truck, running 65mph in third with cruise on.  Plenty of power, but I'm sure I wouldn't have minded the extra 45 horses the 6.0L would give me.

kc2aku, that truck must be sick or something.  Even though it is a pre-Vortec motor it shouldn't have any trouble at all with only 5K, and that mileage is pathetic.  Sounds like its overdue for a tuneup.

[kc2aku]

it's a state owned vehicle so no one really cares.  We're all hoping is explodes one day, so we can get a new one.

[Shaners]

Jp,

Since my trailer has a slide-out it is TALL!!!  I think it is around 12' high (maybe a little higher).  I was also fighting a strong headwind on the way home.  I refer to my trailer as a 32' 4-ton parachute...  LOL!!!

I still only have about 1200 miles on the truck and milage may improve a slight bit...  I'm sure if I was heading across some flat lands I could run 70 plus and get good mpg's.  Western PA is full of long sloping hills, so it's hard to ask for much better.  An 8.1L would probably given slightly less milage, but would have pulled the same hills at 65 mph.

I wish I had a bigger fuel tank though, because at this rate I'll be looking for gas every 200-225 miles.

[Jpshostr]

Thats right, you were in PA.  Those hills make a difference compared to the hills we have here.  And a camper sure is different than a flatbed or stock trailer.  I guess you did alright then.

[Stepside Z]

Shanners,

Sounds like the truck performed really well. I am glad you are happy with it.

[BIG BLUE]

Shaners,

Glad you had a safe trip.  Was curious about the air psi that you were debating on running.  What pressure did you finally settle on and how was the ride with the trailer?  Just curious if you aired them up to max or what range "felt" the best?  Glad to hear the 6.0L was up to the job!

BIG BLUE

[Shaners]

Quote: from BIG BLUE on 6:40 pm on Aug. 27, 2001

Shaners,

Glad you had a safe trip.  Was curious about the air psi that you were debating on running.  What pressure did you finally settle on and how was the ride with the trailer?  Just curious if you aired them up to max or what range "felt" the best?  Glad to hear the 6.0L was up to the job!

BIG BLUE

This is a little embarressing and I kinda hoped no-one would bring it up...

I was running sooo late I left with 55 psi in the truck and 45 psi in the trailer.  I know I told everyone I'd air the rears up to 65 psi, but time was not on my side...

It actually felt fine at 55 psi, but if I was passed by a semi truck I could feel a small push at the rear of the truck.  I think 65 psi would have been pretty close to perfect.  Afterall I'm figuring on 1500-1600 lbs on the rear of the truck (1/2 of it's capacity).  That's 900 lbs tounge wt., leer cap (200 lbs), 200 lbs of firewood, and then misc like bikes beer etc...

Yes, 55 psi was not quite enough but 80 would have been too much...

[2k1 2500hd]

I will be leaving Sep 7 for a 2-week stay in the Grand Tetons in Wy. I tow a 7800lb 26-foot travel trailer with a slide out. I will be starting at 26ft above sea level (San Jose, Ca.) and will be climbing to over 9000 feet on the way. I will be tracking mileage and post after my return.

One comment, for the most part I see that most of the people on this and various other web sites brag they pull their trailers at 70 to 75mph. I know one thing; I hope I'm never around when you're doing it. These trucks are not designed and the drivers for the most part are not skilled enough to handle a load at that speed. It's your family and others that you are putting at risk. The fastest I will tow is 65mph. Even with a HD and 4 wheel disk brakes and good brakes on the trailer the stopping distance is between 2 and 2.5 times longer with a trailer. Plus if you ever notice you may pass all sorts of cars at that speed but when you get to that rest stop, do you notice everybody you passed is at that same rest stop within the first 5 minutes after you get there. I'll get off my Soapbox now. I hope everybody has a safe remainder of the summer.

PS Yes I'm an old FART, I'll be 50 in Oct.

 

(Edited by 2k1 2500hd at 11:35 pm on Aug. 27, 2001)

[Shaners]

Bruce, your truck will tow your trailer well.  I'm surprised at how heavy it is!!!  Mine is 32' with a 14' slide and the factory build sheet says it crossed the scales at 7470 lbs.  The sticker on the side of my trailer says it's GVW is in the high 8000 + lbs.

I figure with clothes and food and dishes etc (empty holding tanks) I'm just shy of 8000 lbs.

I try to run the speed limit plus 3mph.  I do this because everyone else runs the speed limit plus 10 mph.  I passed 5 vehicles in 75 miles running this speed.

Don't run any faster than you are comfortable with...  I am comfortable at these speeds and the truck handled it great!!!  I like these speeds because you get passed less and you don't have people barreling down on you at break-neck speeds.  I've had tracter trailers get pinched off in the right hand lane behind me and they will run within 5 feet of the rear bumper until they can get around.  (that makes me nervous).

Drive safe and be careful and enjoy your trip!!!

I'm curious to see how the 6.0L tows up to 9000 feet!!!

[2k1 2500hd]

Shaners, I know the truck will handle the weight fine, I've already towed over 2,000 miles with this truck and trailer combo. In California the drivers are completely crazy, so on 2 different occasions I have had to make emergency maneuvers while towing. Nothing will scare you more then a 26-foot long tail wagging a dog. The trailer almost jackknifed. The second insident was a woman who pulled out in front of me doing 10mph and I was doing 50 mph. I didn't think the truck and trailer was ever going to stop. The wheels on the trailer were locked up and the ABS was screaming like ####. I always keep the brakes on the trailer set just on the verge of lockup and the brakes get adjusted once a year as well as the bearings packed.

The 7800lb I quote is when it's fully loaded for a long 2-week trip. That is the GVWR of the trailer. The only way you really know the weight of a trailer is to weigh them. The factory stickers are almost always wrong. There have been many law suites over the past couple of years because RV's weigh more the then stated capacity on the labels, and this is before you put in your belongings.

You can go to http://photos.yahoo.com/hbmarcott if you want to see the the trailer truck combo.

[Shaners]

Bruce, that is a good looking combo you have.  And as far as the California traffic you can keep it on the west coast!!!  I'd have no desire to tow with traffic like there is in california.

That Hen$ley Arrow Hitch you have i$ a $weet $et-up!!!  LOL

[2k1 2500hd]

Thanks Shaners for the comments on the combo. As far as the traffic is concerned, I have 3 more years in my master plan, and then I'm getting out of California. I want to move to either Montana or Wyoming. My wife isn't to happy about that, I told her fine you can stay in California and live with the crazies I'm leaving. I have fought this trafic for the last 15 years, The real pits is setting in bumper to bumber traffic on a "SATURDAY" to get to the Hardware store.

Bruce

PS the Hensley cost a "LOT" of money, but worth every penny. I have had it on 2 trucks and it's awesome.

[RIPMF]

Just my two cent's i never run my trailer brakes to the point that there goin to lock up iv you slide you gain speed. just comin from someone with a cdl!

On the other hand  I weighed my truck its a 2500 HD 4x4 ex cab 6 ft   8.1 with allison  #6500 on the  dot  the two trailers i tow are 1 a 28 ' land scaper  with a case loader on it trailer and loader weigh in at 10,500, is a 44 ft tag along halmart enclosed race car trailer  thats  #9,000 empty add #3660 of race car and  about another  #3,000 in tools and race fuel and the big dog under the hood tows just great.