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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What they said about turbo vs non-turbo engines. Non turbo, regardless of gas or diesel, lose power at altitude.
at 10,000 feet, non turbo engines will be down 20% or more in power, and that 20% comes off the top. That is, it takes the same toll on your power to run the alternator, pump the water, overcome engine friction; the power loss comes entirely off the part that moves you up the road, so is a great deal more noticeable than a MERE 20% might otherwise be.
So if you spend a lot of time in the 6,000 to 10,000 foot elevation, a turbocharger will be your best friend.
at 10,000 feet, non turbo engines will be down 20% or more in power, and that 20% comes off the top. That is, it takes the same toll on your power to run the alternator, pump the water, overcome engine friction; the power loss comes entirely off the part that moves you up the road, so is a great deal more noticeable than a MERE 20% might otherwise be.
So if you spend a lot of time in the 6,000 to 10,000 foot elevation, a turbocharger will be your best friend.
