I'm in the middle of a trip from Washington State to California. I'm pulling an EMPTY 3 horse slant load trailer. Coming up through the Siskiyou mountains I had to struggle to stay in 5th gear with my 6 speed. The truck made lots of smoke if I went to WOT. I couldn't hear the turbo singing its usual song, instead there was this sort of soft whoosh like I had boost going somewhere it shouldn't have been going. The truck seemed very underpowered. My mileage went down from 18 or 19 with the trailer to like 12.7. I've been searching through turbo threads and think I might need an actuator. What do you guys think? Incidentally the truck is stock and doesn't have guages(or boost apparently). I'm just a poor rodeo announcer and don't get to town much..............Help!!!

 

Most likely you have a blown or loose boot. Starting at the turbo, check all of them. I expect you will find a hole rubbed through one. Down near the bottom of the intercooler, there is not much room. Bet that is your problem.

Ed