Im coming from the high reving 6.0L which had a high redline. I was pulling some pretty good grades the other week with approx. 6K behind me. The grades were approx 2-3 miles long. About halfway up the grades, the RPM's would go to 3k and stay there. That is the beginning of the red zone on these trucks. Like I said, 3k was still not in the red on a 6.0L and I never gave it much thought at the time.

What kind of rpm's do you guys see going up grades? How long can I keep the rpm's at 3k without worying about EGT's. Is this something I need to be concerned about or is this just normal for the Cummins. It kind of concerned me when it all of a sudden jumped up into the red and didnt want to come back down.

 

3k wont hurt anything other than your egt's. I would recommend getting a pyro. Even on the ford if you are running at those rpm's while pulling a load, the egts will go high.

Kevin

 

What he said.

Mine seems to be close to the red zone on EGTs (1200°) when I run at 3000 rpm. Got slightly bigger tires last week though , we'll see if that changes things.

 

In all honesty with out bashing what pulls the hills better, The Ford 6.0 or the Cummins?

 

governor in the ecm control software will prevent a fueled overspeed of the engine.. you can sit on the governor all day long on a stock engine/stock fueling..

 

bahahahaha

 

I've driven both, and my vote is for the Cummins. Even unloaded, I had to downshift in the Ford. My CTD doesn't slow down unless I want it to

 

To be totally honest, I have not pulled the heavy trailer with the Dodge yet. Im gonna do that at the end of the month, so we will see. As far as the "lighter" loads that I have towed, I must say that the Dodge feels much stronger. Not to mention that I had a huge problem with the CAC tube popping off the turbo under high loads with the Ford.

So running 3k for 4-5 mins at a time is no big deal????Not to hijack my own post, but do we really need a pyro and gauges on these trucks? What about warranty issues? If I did go with an EGT gauge, is it best installed pre or post turbo? TIA

 

These motors do their best pulling near the torque peak of 1600rpm. So, I'd stay near there.

If you search the performance section you'll find all sorts of info on gauges and pyro's and where to mount the pyro.

Also, does the '07 have the exhaust brake from the factory? Check under the brake...there may be a port for the pyro.

HTH

Tony

 

Nobody answered his question, what kind of RPM's will the common rail trucks pull? 3400??

 

I wouldnt let it go over 3000 - 3100, and at that rpm it isnt overly effiecent. I pull a 13k 5er with mine, and I have walked around fords pulling much smaller trailers. And that was before I did alot of the stuff that i have done now

kevin

 

Like I said, Im coming from the 6.0L motor which if I remember correctly, redline started around 4200...and I never got close to that when towing. I now have the Cummins and I guess that I need to relearn my driving habits to fit this motor.

As I was towing up the grade, the truck was pulling fine, then I noticed I was starting to slow slightly. That is when I gave is some more pedal and it raced up to 3k which concerned me cause it was in the red. I then let off alittle and it then went to approx 2800 but wasnt pulling as hard. Is it ok to be in the red(~3k) for any period of time when towing.

Sorry if Im being repetitive, but I have yet to pull heavy(but that time is fast approaching) and Im trying to learn this new truck and I dont want to do any damage.

 

Get guages!!!! If your pulling heavy (15k++) up grades at 3krpms you need them...even stock!! My 04.5 will creap up to 1300 easy if I pull at WOT or close to it for long periods (more than 3-4minutes) of time especially when my rpms get below about 1800rpms or above 2500rpms....EGT and trans temp(for you) are a MUST!!!! IMO....

It also kinda sounds like at 3K your tranny was slipping the TC lockup....maybe some mods there would help things...although when pulling heavy I would just turn off the o/d and keep it under 65 and enjoy the trouble free (and SAFE) ride.

 

Yeah, I was going approx. 75 mph and prob too fast for the grade anyway...but I was in tow/haul mode...

I have been throwing around the idea of getting gauges- at least EGT and trans, but with all the talk about DC voiding warranties, I have yet to make a decision.