What am I doing

[js2500hd]

Hi everyone my first post. I have a 2002 Chevy 2500HD 3/4 ton 4.10 gears that pulls our 4,000lb (fully loaded) 18' expandable trailer like a dream. On all but the steepest grades I'm able to keep around 65mph without redlining the engine. I can accelerate up to speed on on ramps with ease I really don't feel that trailer back there at all.

We are just about to purchase a 6,500lb(fully loaded)25'toy hauler, how bad is this going to kill my performance. I don't want to be flooring this truck just to get 45mph on a grade that with my other trailer I had no problems. Is the extra 3,000 pounds going to have a huge impact on my 3/4 ton??? The toy hauler at 25' is still claiming to be 1/2 ton towable.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

[Grit_dog]

fireman41 wrote:


Brings a smile to my face when I hear my 6.2 sing.


And with my semi truck there are times when I drop 4gears to top a hill with the my foot to the floor and the engine against the red line.

On my second 6.2 Ford. Good running engines and typical spot on transmission tuning.

[fireman41]

badercubed wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Why are you so worried about the RPM your engine spins?

Likely the same reason so many on here are overly conscientious about weight limits. Some don't like running in the edge of their rated capacities, some don't like wringing out their engine for every last drop of hp.

The sweet spot on my Ford 6.2 is 5500 RPM. Might sound like you are in a stock car, but it accelerates up a grade at highway speeds pretty well.

Brings a smile to my face when I hear my 6.2 sing.


And with my semi truck there are times when I drop 4gears to top a hill with the my foot to the floor and the engine against the red line.

[Grit_dog]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Wringing out a 6.0 at 4 grand. LOL, that's funny. :B And why not wring it out to it's very last HP? He paid for it, why not use it? What's going to happen? Seriously, what's going to happen?

Well don't get yer panties in a wad over this.... And who said 4krpms? Not me.
So like I said, some folks are ok with winding up their engine like a top and some are ok with loading up like its a rented mule.
I also didn't insinuate anything was wrong with it, but just for sake of argument, I prefer enough power to not drop 3 gears going up every hill....
Heck, I beat the tar out of gasser trucks every day, Without issue with them......other than they're gutless with a big trailer and single digit mileage is the norm when going heavy. I also like pulling a pass in OD with the cruise on and 900 ft lbs on tap.

[badercubed]

Grit dog wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Why are you so worried about the RPM your engine spins?

Likely the same reason so many on here are overly conscientious about weight limits. Some don't like running in the edge of their rated capacities, some don't like wringing out their engine for every last drop of hp.

The sweet spot on my Ford 6.2 is 5500 RPM. Might sound like you are in a stock car, but it accelerates up a grade at highway speeds pretty well.

[fireman41]

BenK wrote:
Turtle...so funny and sad isn't it...

The why of idiot lights that now include the Tach with no red line, automatics
with the T/H button and a big etc...

Folks, with all of the 'highly integrated' components/systems of current era vehicles,
the OEMs have listened to you all...no more is there much human control over
these vehicles...it is all done via the computer(s) that are highly integrated
with everything

If you wish to go faster up hill...just stomp on the throttle (which is no longer
connected to the throttle by the way...it is 'wired' to the computer, which
is then connected to the throttle) till you attain the speed you wish to go at.
Why there is no longer a red line...if you wish to go faster,
the computer will manage to the red line it was told to via the software,
which will NOT allow you to over-rev any ICE in stock form

If it won't/can't...either the computer thinks it will harm whatever it is controlling,
or hits one of the safety limits set by the OEM...don't like those safety limits...get
a tuner to remove them for the seat of the butt perceived higher HP...

Amazing too that folks will ask: "when towing...should I turn on the Tow/Haul?"
Pretty soon, they will integrate that decision into the highly integrated computer
system(s)...so that folks won't have to make that decision...

Back to the OP's question...yes, adding approx 50% more weight will add about
50% more weight loading (simple answer) and add that the comments of higher
frontal sail area will also increase the loading on the same TV/Engine

So if going up hill had the throttle floored to attain 45MPH...with the added
50% more weight and possible increased frontal area...yes it will NOT be able
to attain/hold 45MPH on that same hill...with the same ambient conditions

Going bigger trailer and wish for same or more performance, get a bigger TV

Said it often and say it again...inanimate TV has folks not understand this
metric...think if a horse and want to crack the whip to make it go faster and
the blood that would draw from that horse had folks understand...what
us gear-head/boy-racer/wrench kids learned long ago...have both blown
up ICE's and repaired/rebuilt buddies blown ICEs...

There needs to be a like button

[jake2250]

You got enough truck and youll notice the extra weight but that 6.0 will do the job! Don't worry about it just pull it and enjoy!!

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

BenK wrote:
If you wish to go faster up hill...just stomp on the throttle (which is no longer
connected to the throttle by the way...it is 'wired' to the computer, which
is then connected to the throttle) till you attain the speed you wish to go at.
Why there is no longer a red line...if you wish to go faster,
the computer will manage to the red line it was told to via the software,
which will NOT allow you to over-rev any ICE in stock form

This quote should be a sticky in the towing forum. 🙂

[BenK]

Turtle...so funny and sad isn't it...

The why of idiot lights that now include the Tach with no red line, automatics
with the T/H button and a big etc...

Folks, with all of the 'highly integrated' components/systems of current era vehicles,
the OEMs have listened to you all...no more is there much human control over
these vehicles...it is all done via the computer(s) that are highly integrated
with everything

If you wish to go faster up hill...just stomp on the throttle (which is no longer
connected to the throttle by the way...it is 'wired' to the computer, which
is then connected to the throttle) till you attain the speed you wish to go at.
Why there is no longer a red line...if you wish to go faster,
the computer will manage to the red line it was told to via the software,
which will NOT allow you to over-rev any ICE in stock form

If it won't/can't...either the computer thinks it will harm whatever it is controlling,
or hits one of the safety limits set by the OEM...don't like those safety limits...get
a tuner to remove them for the seat of the butt perceived higher HP...

Amazing too that folks will ask: "when towing...should I turn on the Tow/Haul?"
Pretty soon, they will integrate that decision into the highly integrated computer
system(s)...so that folks won't have to make that decision...

Back to the OP's question...yes, adding approx 50% more weight will add about
50% more weight loading (simple answer) and add that the comments of higher
frontal sail area will also increase the loading on the same TV/Engine

So if going up hill had the throttle floored to attain 45MPH...with the added
50% more weight and possible increased frontal area...yes it will NOT be able
to attain/hold 45MPH on that same hill...with the same ambient conditions

Going bigger trailer and wish for same or more performance, get a bigger TV

Said it often and say it again...inanimate TV has folks not understand this
metric...think if a horse and want to crack the whip to make it go faster and
the blood that would draw from that horse had folks understand...what
us gear-head/boy-racer/wrench kids learned long ago...have both blown
up ICE's and repaired/rebuilt buddies blown ICEs...

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Wringing out a 6.0 at 4 grand. LOL, that's funny. :B And why not wring it out to it's very last HP? He paid for it, why not use it? What's going to happen? Seriously, what's going to happen?

[wnjj]

Grit dog wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Why are you so worried about the RPM your engine spins?

Likely the same reason so many on here are overly conscientious about weight limits. Some don't like running in the edge of their rated capacities, some don't like wringing out their engine for every last drop of hp.

4000 rpm is hardly wringing out a 6L. It's just getting to make its power. 5600 is wringing it out.

[Grit_dog]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Why are you so worried about the RPM your engine spins?

Likely the same reason so many on here are overly conscientious about weight limits. Some don't like running in the edge of their rated capacities, some don't like wringing out their engine for every last drop of hp.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Why are you so worried about the RPM your engine spins?

[SouthpawHD]

High RPMs is where gassers run to make power. If the sound bothers you, turn up the radio 😉

[js2500hd]

Ok I got the trailer and the trailer with our side by side in it was more than I'm comfortable with the 6.0L It really labored and had to spin up to 4000+ to barely keep 55 where my Travel Star would just be off over drive at 65. I'm looking for a diesel now. I think someone is fibbing about the trailer weight.

[SouthpawHD]

Lynnmor wrote:
There are many thousands of folks pulling trailers that are that heavy, or heavier, with the same truck.

Count me as one of them. Pulling around 8,000 pounds and motor works just fine and it's comfortable pulling it.

OP, these trucks and these motors were made to tow. Enjoy it.