Ricebug wrote:
The issue with loss of power in a gasser I think was something that happened when gas engines had carburetors. Now, they're all fuel-injection, IRRC. So, the mountains should be no problem as far as oxygen starvation. I'm not a mechanic, so I could be wrong.
The difference is all about the turbo.
Our previous truck was a non-turbo diesel. Crossing the 11,000ft pass just west of denver WITHOUT the trailer and no cargo in the bed, it was all it could do to maintain 45mph. It simply couldn't get enough air.
Converserly, if you have the new Ford Eco-boost (a turbocharged gasoline engine), it won't have an issue towing at altitude for the same reason the newer diesels don't have an issue...they have turbos raming air into the engine to compensate for the thin air.
A turbocharged carburated engine would also be quite happy at altitude but it's been something like 30-40yrs since the manufacturers all switched to fuel injection.
