Which Truck would you tow with ?

[arkansasrunner]

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

[Area13]

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.

[Hannibal]

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.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

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.

[arkansasrunner]

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.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

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.

[arkansasrunner]

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.

[Second_Chance]

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.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

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

Where are you towing? Flatlands? Mountains? Small hills?

Have you ever towed in the mountains with your non-turbo IDI?

I have towed a 7K TT 10 of thousands of miles with a 200 HP turbo diesel. On the flats; beautiful. In small hills, fine. In the mountains it gets ugly with only 200 HP. I'm down to less than 30MPH on long steep mountains. And this is with a turbo engine with very little loss for elevation.

You have 15 less HP and no turbo. This gives you an idea where you are going to be at.

If you're going to tow in the mountains do yourself a favor and take the Chevy. If you're towing in the flatlands you can take the Ford and get a lot better fuel mileage.

[kw_00]

There was 2 versions of the 7.3 produced that same time. My parents had an 94 with the 7.3 but with the indirect injection and it was turbo. Ford took a regular 7.3 and slapped a turbo on it (rare)but they are out there, I think only produced for 1 year. The second version was called the power stroke 7.3 which shared no common parts along with the previous 7.3 or 6.9 versions. That could explain the difference that you see on the TQ or HP ratings.

[kmbelt]

i just did some research and see where in 1994 the ratings are 210hp and 425lbft.

[KD4UPL]

I'd take the Chevy. Longer wheel base with the crew cab, heavier rating likely given it's a 3500 vs. the 250, and it makes more HP. Yes, it's 8 lower on torque but I doubt you'll notice.
A diesel will, of course, make it's power in an RPM range better suited for towing but given the choices I think I'd take the Chevy. My experience with GM trucks has been excellent. My experience with Fords has been terrible.

[mustangglp]

naturist wrote:
Wow, I didn't know that the '94 7.3 L F250 diesel was rated 180 HP/338 ft-lbs torque. Makes me feel good about my little 2.8 L Jeep (w/ aftermarket tune) rated 188 HP/335 ft-lbs. Thanks for that, and best of luck making the right choice, whichever that proves to be.

They have been known to make deferent sized horses.

[powderman426]

I would tow with the one that has the Cummin's engine in it.:B

[boogie_4wheel]

I would sell the gasser and use that money to turbo the Ford. With numbers that low on the 7.3 it must be NA.

[naturist]

Wow, I didn't know that the '94 7.3 L F250 diesel was rated 180 HP/338 ft-lbs torque. Makes me feel good about my little 2.8 L Jeep (w/ aftermarket tune) rated 188 HP/335 ft-lbs. Thanks for that, and best of luck making the right choice, whichever that proves to be.