Gas or Diesel??

[The Luke]

So not dropping gears is a metric of being a good tow rig ?
If yes, we're ****ed.

Towing up a grade with a load and not losing speed or temperatures climbing is. My Chevy was horrible at both of those things. I know yours is a 3/4, so I'm sure it's fine.

 

[Jduck]

Towing up a grade with a load and not losing speed or temperatures climbing is. My Chevy was horrible at both of those things. I know yours is a 3/4, so I'm sure it's fine.

His is more likely to over heat the brakes because he has to slow down for everyone else in the way on those up hill climbs.

 

[ridered3]

Everyone needs two waffle makers…

Hey now it's @Mattman347 fault we have one in the first place, but man was that some good breakfast on Sunday morning.

 

[Bateman]

Hmm I kinda want to hit the lockup switch with a trailer up Mont Eagle now haha.

gotta be in OD or is 1:1 acceptable? I have no problem putting a post it note over my EGT gauge.

 

[TBItoy]

I'm sure it just scoots right up Mont Eagle without ever dropping a gear.

I mean, it's only got 1/2 the gears of an F150.... and over twice the motor, and infinitely less turbos.

It's an unsolvable equation.

 

[AWende]

I got a 8.1 and while it's definitely the best gasser I've ever used, it is nowhere close to a 7.3 powerstroke.

I'd like to try the 7.3 gasser but no way I can afford such a rig.

My setup a couple of weekends ago:

View attachment 149184

Tows at 75-80 on the flat. 50-60 in the hills of KY. 6 to 8 MPG depending on variables.

How much does all that weigh? I have an 01 8.1 myself, and sometimes my bumper pull 18' enclosed seems too much for it. (Probably around 8k with the buggy in the trailer) I've wondered if a gooseneck enclosed pulls better in regards to aerodynamics…

edit: I saw it later in the thread. (12k)

 

[AWende]

So for those with the 8.1s, how long do you leave it at 4k rpms to pull hills? I'll do it for a few minutes at a time, but it it makes me feel a little guilty.

 

[TBItoy]

So for those with the 8.1s, how long do you leave it at 4k rpms to pull hills? I'll do it for a few minutes at a time, but it it makes me feel a little guilty.

8.1 will run for years at 4K. 3K-4K is the powerband.

They use them running huge pumps at full load for days at a time, or cruising in big boats for hours at a time at full load.

But you're only getting about 2 mpg at full tilt!

 

[AWende]

8.1 will run for years at 4K. 3K-4K is the powerband.

They use them running huge pumps at full load for days at a time, or cruising in big boats for hours at a time at full load.

But you're only getting about 2 mpg at full tilt!

Mine only has like 115k on the odometer, so I'm hoping to get quite a few years outta this truck. I just can't justify spending the money on a diesel. Especially with today's prices.

 

[Bebop]

So for those with the 8.1s, how long do you leave it at 4k rpms to pull hills? I'll do it for a few minutes at a time, but it it makes me feel a little guilty.

Put that thing in 3rd and bury the gas pedal to the floor until you're at the top of the hill.
Edit : I religiously check my oil level at every gas stop.

 

[AWende]

Put that thing in 3rd and bury the gas pedal to the floor until you're at the top of the hill.
Edit : I religiously check my oil level at every gas stop.

Im always on top of the oil level as well. Running mobile1 in it. It's main function is towing. Are you a "run 91 or higher octane" believer?

 

[Bebop]

Im always on top of the oil level as well. Running mobile1 in it. It's main function is towing. Are you a "run 91 or higher octane" believer?

87 all the way.

This engine has a 9:1 compression ratio when it was new 20 years ago. You don't need 91 or above.

 

[alrider]

87 all the way.

This engine has a 9:1 compression ratio when it was new 20 years ago. You don't need 91 or above.

My 8.1 used 2 quarts between every 3k mile oil change from the time it hit 60k miles until I got rid of it with 120k on it,never leaked a drop or puffed any out but you could count on it using oil

 

[money_pit_yj]

I just wanna know if money_pit_yj has made a decision yet after all the fine advice he has been given so far?

Nope. Plans changed already. Probably not buying a truck. If I were, I would run a gas burner. The diesel market in my are is ignorant. The biggest kick in the nuts is that most guys in this area driving a diesel don't pull loads big enough or often enough to justify it. I wouldn't either so I would just settle with the gas.

 

[ridered3]

Nope. Plans changed already. Probably not buying a truck. If I were, I would run a gas burner. The diesel market in my are is ignorant. The biggest kick in the nuts is that most guys in this area driving a diesel don't pull loads big enough or often enough to justify it. I wouldn't either so I would just settle with the gas.

Feel like that's the case for the majority of any "modified" 3/4-1ton trucks in any area, not just yours.

 

[TBItoy]

I'll vouch that it is worse in west TN. Everyone is a "farmer" and every farmer needs a lifted 3/4t CCSB diesel.
I mean, that's where Rough Country "We get you lifted for Less" is based...

 

[ridered3]

I'll vouch that it is worse in west TN. Everyone is a "farmer" and every farmer needs a lifted 3/4t CCSB diesel.
I mean, that's where Rough Country "We get you lifted for Less" is based...

Had forgotten about all the west TN "farmers" as opposed to the big wheel/tiny tire 3/4t CCSB diesels around my parts of middle TN.

 

[Zjman]

Hey poor farmers gotta spend that free government money or they lose It

 

[dwa2469]

Mine only has like 115k on the odometer, so I'm hoping to get quite a few years outta this truck. I just can't justify spending the money on a diesel. Especially with today's prices. View attachment 155039

My Boss has an 02 model with 8.1, that has 380,000 on it and he tows a a 30' horse trailer regularly with it! He bought it new!

 

[jwilson645]

You guys with the 6.0LS, have you made any mods to the engine or trans for towing? I pull a 37' travel trailer with my 2008 2500HD and so far I've only upgraded my trans cooler but been thinking about changing out the cam. The fact that it doesn't really "go" until it hits 3k rpm due to the VVT has always bothered me whether loaded or empty. When I mash it, I want it do something.