Towing Limits of 7.3 Powerstroke
As my wife and I look at making the transition from a Truck Camper to a 5th wheel, the question about the suitability of our truck for the job comes into question. Someday a new truck with all the bel...
Forum Discussion
4x4ord wrote:cummins2014 wrote:4x4ord wrote:
Your upgrades .... exhaust brake, turbo, additional power and transmission, plus the fact that you've got a dually should allow you to very easily handle a 13k 5ver. I would consider a 13k 5ver a light trailer. If you have a gear that will put your engine at an rpm where it makes 400 HP @ 55 mph you will be able to maintain that 55 mph up a 7% grade towing 13k lbs.
I agree ,but if you have dealt much towing fairly heavy with a 7.3 the ETG's are the limiting factor. I dealt with it nearly the whole time I owned that truck ,nearly 16 years . A stock 7.3 just doesn't have it for a heavier fifth wheel , unless you do some mods. I did a few ,and it did help, but the ETG's were the limiting factor, as said it had it there ,but the ETG's would climb up over 1200 degrees ,and I had to get out of the throttle.
Back when the 7.3 was very popular ,and new, ETG's were always a subject on the forums . Water injection, bigger intercoolers etc to deal with it.
I know very little about the 7.3 diesel and you're absolutely right that EGTs are often the limiting factor pulling grades. Even though the OP has upgraded his turbo, he may or may not be gaining a whole lot as far a EGTs are concerned, because he is also adding fuel .... he's going to need to be watching his pyrometer. I would think 1200* is a very safe level to run the EGT to, so ong as it is being measured pre turbo. I ran my Duramax to 1400 at times and as far as I know it never hurt anything.
I would let it run up over 1200, If I remember 1280 was the magic number. No idea what the EGT's will run with the OP's 7.3 , but suspect before he reaches that threshold he can run a bit harder then I was able to. As said the throttle was there ,but the temperatures wouldn't let me .
Those days are over, I don't miss that part . Now its just let the truck pull the grade with a bit more ease. IMO a much more enjoyable drive, then having to watch gauges on transmission , ETG's etc. Pushing a truck that didn't really have it in it .
