Which Truck would you tow with ?

Hannibal wrote:

Second Chance wrote:

Hannibal wrote:
Around the southeast and Arkansas, I would use the Chevy. They'll both be a test of patience. Higher HP through gear reduction equates to more torque to the rear wheels.

Horse power cannot be increased through gear ratios. The technical definition of HP is a function of torque AND time. By gearing down the output of an engine, you can increase the torque, but it increases the time required to do the work. HP can only be increased at the power source.

I think you misread my post but just the same, if you have a flat torque curve from 1600rpm to 2900rpm for example, through gear reduction, you will increase engine rpm going from O/D to direct at equal road speed and increase HP with higher rpm and torque with gear reduction. My 345hp/365ftlbs Hemi made more torque through gear reduction to the rear wheels than my '03 250hp/460ftlbs SO Cummins. The engine with more hp can put more torque to the rear wheels through gear reduction.

One more time. You don't make more HP through gears. Only torque; and torque is not power unless a time formula is in there somewhere.

You can chassis dyno a car in any gear you want and it will show the same HP in any gear within a few HP. (Dyno operators like to use 1 to 1 because it's straight through and they get the most power out of a straight through gear with no reduction.)

In fact, a loss of about 15 HP will be shown if going from a high 2's gear to a low 4's rear gear. Yes, that's right, you will lose HP if you go to a lower rear end gear, not gain.

I think it was multipoint fuel injection and roller cam. Have you even seen an old 7.3 tow something up a hill? Nobody will be able to identify you by the black cloud if you use the chevy. Craig

OK, I know GM did some upgrades in '96 and added the 5 speed, but we had a '95 with the 5.7L with 4 speed and 3:73 gears pulling a small 24' TT approx 4500 Lbs. It pulled it, but you knew it was back there and we didn't win any uphill speed contests. So I question how much the improvements were in '96 to make for a comfortable tow of say 10K.

arkansasrunner wrote:
I'm having a problem deciding which truck to use tolling my 5th wheel. I have a '94 Ford F250 4 x 4 7.3 Diesel 5 speed. (180 hp, Torque 338 ) I also have a '96 Chevy Crew Cab 3500 4 x 4 5.7 gas engine 5 speed. ( 255 hp torque 330 ) I know that I may be over weight on the ford a little bit. ( I think ) Our 5th is rated at 11,000 GVWR. Just want to use the saftest truck possible. Any response will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

It's pretty crazy in 1994 you could have bought an IDI 7.3 non turbo with 185HP 338TQ or a 94 1/2 Powerstroke with 210HP 425TQ throw a good tow tuner on it and get close to 300HP and 500TQ on the Powerstroke, Big difference. I'm not too sure about the pre-Powerstroke trucks and being tuned, but Despite what others guys say about these "oil burners" 7.3 is a proven powerplant that will go 500,000 with no problems maintained properly. Your non-turbo IDI will be a little slow in the hills, but a reliable beast, IMO.

FireGuard wrote:
Does your 7.3 have a turbo. If so, no question go with the Ford.
Even non-turbo it is a stronger engine and will be under less strain, you just won't go real fast.

Agreed. The low end power will pull like a freight train then level out quickly.

Second Chance wrote:

Hannibal wrote:
Around the southeast and Arkansas, I would use the Chevy. They'll both be a test of patience. Higher HP through gear reduction equates to more torque to the rear wheels.

Horse power cannot be increased through gear ratios. The technical definition of HP is a function of torque AND time. By gearing down the output of an engine, you can increase the torque, but it increases the time required to do the work. HP can only be increased at the power source.

I think you misread my post but just the same, if you have a flat torque curve from 1600rpm to 2900rpm for example, through gear reduction, you will increase engine rpm going from O/D to direct at equal road speed and increase HP with higher rpm and torque with gear reduction. My 345hp/365ftlbs Hemi made more torque through gear reduction to the rear wheels than my '03 250hp/460ftlbs SO Cummins. The engine with more hp can put more torque to the rear wheels through gear reduction.

arkansasrunner wrote:
What I am really concerned about is if the 5.7 Gas will have enought power to do the job & handle the weight. The Chevy is a whole lot more comfortable on a trip. I don't see many 350's on here towing a 5th wheel.

You lost me? :h Your Chevy has 75 more HP and you're concerned it will have enough power? The Ford should really concern you then!

The Chevy is a 3500 and your concerned about it handling the weight? What about the F250? The gas 3500 should have a way higher payload than a F250 diesel.

The reason you don't see too many 350's is because modern powerhouse diesels have taken over the market. Long gone are the 150 to 225 HP diesels. Modern diesels have 2x's+ the HP of your old IDI non turbo diesel.

What I am really concerned about is if the 5.7 Gas will have enought power to do the job & handle the weight. The Chevy is a whole lot more comfortable on a trip. I don't see many 350's on here towing a 5th wheel.

arkansasrunner wrote:
We travel mostly in Arkansas, Missouri & Kentucky.Some of the hills are steep & with the diesel , sometimes 15 mph by the time we get to the top. Was just thinking the chevy would handle the weight better. Chevy may only be going 15 mph at the top also, but, I am still thinking about the weigh of towing.

A 3500 vs a F250. 185 vs 255 HP.

75 more HP is a bunch!

Unless the Chevy has some screwy gearing the Chevy will be a waaaay better towing experience for what you describe than the oil burner Ford.

If you had a 275 HP 2003 PowerStroke the advice would flop.

We travel mostly in Arkansas, Missouri & Kentucky.Some of the hills are steep & with the diesel , sometimes 15 mph by the time we get to the top. Was just thinking the chevy would handle the weight better. Chevy may only be going 15 mph at the top also, but, I am still thinking about the weigh of towing.