I pull a 34' Avion Westport (Approx. 12K#) with my 2001 Dodge 3500 4X4, Quad cab, 5 spd, DRW and lose alot of power on long or steep climbs. I wonder what th best overall combination of performance parts will provide me with the best power, fuel economy (I currently average 10-11 mpg towing and 19mpg unloaded) for the most reasonable price. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

I run a Blue Chip timing box and DDII injectors with a KSB1B turbo. It takes a long steep hill to pull it down at all from 75 mph. Mileage is about the same as you loaded running 75mph and 23 empty. I get about 2mpg better with stock injectors while loaded and still 23 empty.

 

The Edge EZ works really well for towing with just stock injectors. Very few hills I can't maintain 70 mph on. (18,700 GCWR)
Very easy to install, uninstall.

FIRST off, you should get a set of gauges for towing to monitor your engine performance.

Exhaust pyrometer--to monitor Exhaust Gas Temps- NEVER exceed 1250* for any length of time

Boost Gauge-- to monitor engine boost pressure-higher boost indicates engine working harder and burning more fuel

Fuel Pressure gauge-- to indicate when the infamous lift pump has failed or is failing- when this lift pump dies, it usually kills the VP-44 injection pump- $$$$

 

One can only assume that what you ment was you lose too much speed on long and high percent grades. The Edge EZ and RV275 injectors is reliable and effecient upgrade for towing more efficiently without terminating your pocket book. An exhaust brake will also help compensate for the other side of the grade pulled as you need to have increased braking. Guages and some education as to what they mean will allow you to use this new power wisely as the increased speed and power can have detrimental effects on other driveline components. PK

 

I totally agree with PK. EZ, RV275's and Scotty II on mine with a straight pipe made a huge difference. EGT's stay in control, never to rise too high and the pulling power is great. I think the Scotty II and straight pipe really make the combo work to keep the EGT's down.

 

I too have the EZ and pulling power is great. Sometimes I would like to have a little more on upper RPM power while towing but thats it. I have been told the only way to achieve this is to get bigger injectors but if I'm going to spend the money and time on changing them out I think I might like to get something like DD2's. Then the only reason I havent done it yet is because I have also been told that the stock clutch wont handle that much power and torque. But no matter what you do, get gauges!

 

We tow a 13,500 lb 5th wheel with the mods shown in my signature. We started with the EZ, BHAF and 4" exhaust - that dropped EGT's from 1300 degF stock to 1100 degF using the EZ's boost elbow and really fattened up the bottom end and midrange, but power fell off fast at 2700 RPM and above. With the DD2's, low end and midrange power were improved, but the greatest improvement was in the top end where the engine pulls strong all the way to 3200 RPM (not that I use the upper RPM band that much when towing). EGT's have climbed back to 1225 degF with the DD2's - still 75 degF lower than the stock HO.

Although I had to make a clutch upgrade when the DD2's went in, I feel my truck as currently configured is a nice towing package.

Rusty

 

I have the same only with Rips 4" exhaust and the AFE Mega Cannon with the ProGuard 7. EGT's are no problem at all!

 

What ever you do get the gauges.

As Roadranger said
"Exhaust pyrometer--to monitor Exhaust Gas Temps- NEVER exceed 1250* for any length of time" with the probe pre turbo!

There are a lot of different combinations you can go with and have a lot of fun doing it.

Good luck,


George

 

Check for a boost leak. Sounds like you have a boost leak, Failing Lift pump, or a Dirty IAT sensor.

You are looking for mid $300's for a complete gauge setup, and mid/high $400's for an Edge EZ. I would say that's a reasonable price, but your towing MPG is still low.

I would like to know what MPH you tow at? If you are running empty at 75MPH, and towing at same said speed, then that's about right, but if you are towing at 65MPH, then it's low, and you probably have a boost leak,, MAYBE even a cracked manifold.

Makes sure all your intercooler clamps are tight,, give 'em a couple turns for good measure, and make sure the intercooler boot on teh passenger side is not rubbing the A/C line.

Stand in front of the truck with the hood open, and look down by the A/C compressor, and look and feel that rubber boot closest to the intercooler, amke sure that Sensor on the A/C line has not rubbed a hole in, or is rubbing the boot.

For checking the IAT sensor,, you'll have to do a search for that one, or somebody will help you here. I've never had that problem. (IAT stands for Intake Air Temperature, and is associated with throttle response, and MPG)

Hope this helps,
Merrick

 

Merrick,

Towing our 13,500 lb 36' 5ver at 70 MPH in the Texas Hill Country (Houston to Fredricksburg), I got 10 to 10.5 MPG before installing the DD2's. Now I get 9.5 to 10.0 MPG at the same speed with the DD2's.

From what I see on iRV2.com and other forums, my mileage isn't unusual, especially with 4.10's. These big 5vers push a LOT of air, especially with a 2nd A/C sticking up in the front like ours has.

For comparison, our 1996 3500 V-10/47RE/3.54 pulling the same 5th wheel over the same route got 6.5 MPG.

Rusty