So I've known for a long time that I'm riding heavy. I'm now in a better position to try and correct this. I currently have an 08 tundra 5.7 pullin a Dutchman rubicon 1905TH. (19' box, 25' tounge to bumper) Factory weight just around 5800 lbs so some where around 7-8k lbs. (Our toys are 2 bikes or 2 kayaks, no atvs). Factory tounge weight of 810lbs? So realistically actual tounge weight of 1k. We live in denver and our trips consist of just on the other side of the Eisenhower with a few 3-4 hr extended weekend trips into the mountains. I'm considering an early 2000s v10 or 7.3 for their durability and longevity. But after looking in to the the power on the v10 and 7.3, they are not that much better and I would be dropping from a 6speed to a 4. My tundra pulls the trailer ok up the the "Ike challenge course". Most of it I put it into 2nd gear, hold 4-4.2k rpm which yields 45mph. How would the v10 or 7.3 compare in performance. Keep in mind, I know the truck handling and suspension will be better in a 250/350 I'm more concerned with pulling.

Even with the older generation 7.3 diesel and Triton 6.8 V10, I believe that as long as the engines and transfer are in good condition, the torque values alone should exceed the 5.7 for Hill climbing. (esp the 7.3). HP is only part of the picture.

At altitude, the diesel should be much better even though the rated HP isn't much better on paper. Isn't the top of that pass around 11,000ft. With a naturally aspirated engine you lose something like 3-4% per 1000ft above sea level, so your current truck is probably putting out the power of a smart car near the top.The turbo on the diesel will result in negligible loss of power at altitude. Of course there is no free ride, it's more expensive up front and if you do 70mph up that hill, it will be burning fuel fast.Of course, you have to decide what is acceptable. It's been a couple years but 45mph is probably faster than the semi's so you aren't creating a backup unless you move over into the fast lane.

Out of the three I think your best bet is the 7.3L. And I'm not saying that just because I'm driving one. A few bucks for a tuner and you will be making good power. Naturally aspirated engines have to work alot harder in the mountains because they are starved for air.. Also if you get the 7.3L or V10 you jump to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck...

woody0331 wrote:So I've known for a long time that I'm riding heavy. I'm now in a better position to try and correct this. I currently have an 08 tundra 5.7 pullin a Dutchman rubicon 1905TH. (19' box, 25' tounge to bumper) Factory weight just around 5800 lbs so some where around 7-8k lbs. (Our toys are 2 bikes or 2 kayaks, no atvs). Factory tounge weight of 810lbs? So realistically actual tounge weight of 1k. We live in denver and our trips consist of just on the other side of the Eisenhower with a few 3-4 hr extended weekend trips into the mountains. I'm considering an early 2000s v10 or 7.3 for their durability and longevity. But after looking in to the the power on the v10 and 7.3, they are not that much better and I would be dropping from a 6speed to a 4. My tundra pulls the trailer ok up the the "Ike challenge course". Most of it I put it into 2nd gear, hold 4-4.2k rpm which yields 45mph. How would the v10 or 7.3 compare in performance. Keep in mind, I know the truck handling and suspension will be better in a 250/350 I'm more concerned with pulling.Here is how the math works out for you:You're going to be right at 300HP with your Tundra at 7 to 8K foot mark. Depending on what year of V10 you get you're going to be down to about 225HP so you're going to be down about 75 HP from the Tundra you have now. THAT IS A BUNCH!A turbo diesel does not drop hardly any HP at altitude so we can just talk about what is from the factory. 210 to 275 HP. As you can see the Tundra still puts out more HP then any engine you are considering from the factory. One thing that is good about turbo diesels is you can turn them up with a tuner. The 7.3 is a great engine to tune because from the factory they are tuned very conservatively. With a 50 to 75 HP tune the 7.3 will pull up Ike faster than your Tundra. :)

valhalla360 wrote:Isn't the top of that pass around 11,000ft. With a naturally aspirated engine you lose something like 3-4% per 1000ft above sea level, so your current truck is probably putting out the power of a smart car near the top..Now that's some funny stuff. :BSmartCar 2014 is 70 hp.

V10 or 7.3 power vs tundra 5.7 | Good Sam Community

spadoctor
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
In 2000 the HP and torque of the V10 were higher then the 7.3....but you need to let it rev.
12thgenusa
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
woody0331 wrote:
My tundra pulls the trailer ok up the the "Ike challenge course". Most of it I put it into 2nd gear, hold 4-4.2k rpm which yields 45mph.

You need to let it go to third gear. I've pulled my 5er (8400 GVW) many times over that stretch of road at 60 mph, 3800 rpm. Coming up from the east side is a little slower since the road is a little more twisty on that side.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
A 2005 or later Ford F-250 6.8L V-10 (5sp) would make a nice improvement over your 2008 5.7L.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
Don't look at to early of a 7.3L, back in the early 90's they where not turbocharged.

I would pick the V10 if you are just using it to pull the trailer, and not putting more than 5,000 miles a year on the truck.

The oil changes are much more reasonable, and the truck overall is much lighter. Unless you are planning on finding a dually. The crewcab F-250 4X4 only had a 865 pound weight rating with the 7.3L engine in it! GVWR was only 8,800 pounds while the curb weight is nearly 8,000 pounds! The F-350 has only marginally more capacity, at 9,900 GVWR until MY 2004. In 2005, the GVWR of a SRW F-350 went up to 11,000 pounds for the gas engine and 11,500 pounds for the un-desirable 6L diesel engines.

So if you are looking for the V10, check out MY 2001 and later, with 2005 being the 'heavy duty' version with a LOT higher cargo rating. The F-250 in 2005 and later has a 10,000 GVWR, while 2004 and earlier is only 8,800 pounds. Gas engine is about 700 pounds less than the diesel.

GOod luck!

Fred.
Kevin_O_
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
spadoctor wrote:
In 2000 the HP and torque of the V10 were higher then the 7.3....but you need to let it rev.
It made more Hp not torque. From 2000-2004 the V10 made 310hp/ 425tq. The 7.3L made 235hp/500tq. The key factor is the turbo diesel really wouldn't be affected with the high elevation like the naturally aspirated V10 would...
Kevin_O_
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
If you want the V10 look at a 2005 and newer. They made 362hp/457tq
N-Trouble
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
Save up a few more pennies and pick up an early 200x Duramax or 5.9 Cummins. I don't think you would be to happy with either of your two current choices.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Apr 06, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
Save up a few more pennies and pick up an early 200x Duramax or 5.9 Cummins. I don't think you would be to happy with either of your two current choices.

X2!!!!

If you are considering diesel look at all three, you can find a Dmax or Cummins in newer years that will knock your socks off.

why people think Ford is the only way to go is crazy.
Loyal Ford owner for 43 years, I chose to go with the Ram/Cummins for a Diesel. Never looked back.
Yes my Cummins has 280,000+ miles and is still towing strong, that is the beauty of a diesel.
John___Angela
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
Powerdude wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:

Isn't the top of that pass around 11,000ft. With a naturally aspirated engine you lose something like 3-4% per 1000ft above sea level, so your current truck is probably putting out the power of a smart car near the top..

Now that's some funny stuff. :B

SmartCar 2014 is 70 hp.

The gassers are 70 HP. My diesel smart car is 44 HP. More torque though. :)
FishOnOne
Nomad
Apr 06, 2015
rhagfo wrote:
N-Trouble wrote:
Save up a few more pennies and pick up an early 200x Duramax or 5.9 Cummins. I don't think you would be to happy with either of your two current choices.

X2!!!!

If you are considering diesel look at all three, you can find a Dmax or Cummins in newer years that will knock your socks off.

why people think Ford is the only way to go is crazy.
Loyal Ford owner for 43 years, I chose to go with the Ram/Cummins for a Diesel. Never looked back.
Yes my Cummins has 280,000+ miles and is still towing strong, that is the beauty of a diesel.

I thought the same so we gave a 5.9 cummins RAM a try for our farm/ranch use. After constant phone calls of needing to foot the bill for a repair I finally decided to cut my losses and purchase another 7.3 PSD Super Duty. And this is from a long time GM owner.

BTW... My wallet is a witness to the above. :M

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V10 or 7.3 power vs tundra 5.7

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