Turbo diesel engine sizing?
I presently own a 4000 pound 18 foot RV and pull it with a gasoline fueled, normally aspirated, truck rated to pull a 6000 pound trailer. However, when towing at 10,000 feet altitude, up a mountain, t...
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The type of fuel being burned has nothing to do with performance at elevation- it's the normal aspiration that causes the loss of performance. A Ford Ecoboost gas V6 will perform great at 10,000 feet while an older normally aspirated diesel will produce lots of black smoke and no power at that elevation.
As to your question, it depends on what you consider good performance. 15,000 pounds up a steep grade at 10,000 feet elevation is not exactly easy criteria. Having said that, any of the new big 3 diesels will do just that with almost shocking performance levels- 19000 pounds in tow up a 7% grade at 60 mph. You also don't mention what year Dodge you plan to get. An old 12-valve at stock performance settings would be miserably slow, (although these are relatively cheap and easy to modify for more power) but a new truck would have all the power you need.
As to your question, it depends on what you consider good performance. 15,000 pounds up a steep grade at 10,000 feet elevation is not exactly easy criteria. Having said that, any of the new big 3 diesels will do just that with almost shocking performance levels- 19000 pounds in tow up a 7% grade at 60 mph. You also don't mention what year Dodge you plan to get. An old 12-valve at stock performance settings would be miserably slow, (although these are relatively cheap and easy to modify for more power) but a new truck would have all the power you need.
