Wife and I just bought a 2012 28LK Work and Play toyhauler for out ATVs. Brought it home to MD from Coloma, MI two weeks ago. Towing at 70-72MPH put me around 1900-2000RPMs and the truck would go up just about anything, the closer I got to 75MPH, the better it would do (more like 2100RPM).

I dont want to have to come out of overdrive for driving through the mountains that I do with this thing, gross with all gear and quads is going to be around 18,500lbs, thats with 4 people in the truck, it weighed in at 17,003 with 2 people and without the quads this past weekend. I hate doing the speed limit, 65 drives me insane, 70 felt perfect with this trailer with the sway/load leveling setup. got between 10.6-11.5 towing like that and Im OK with it.

Mods to the truck are basic:
-AFE intake
-CFM elbow
-MBRP exhaust (would love to get some sort of resonator, the drone/noise was great 7 years ago, now at 35 and a 16mo old, its not so cool, any suggestions???)
-Mag hytech rear cover
-Gauges
-Smarty, S06, on switch 3, stock pressure, one step higher on timing
-Auto trans, 3.73 gears, 32.8" Duragrappler tires

EVERYTHING else is stock. Towing the trailer back empty from MI I was hard pressed to get over 20# of boost at anything below 2000RPM at any pedal position, and I dont think I ever saw over 25# at 65MPH in 3rd gear at 2500RPM.

I want more power from 1500-2000RPMs, HOW DO I GET IT? $$$ for a Goerend or other trans has been set aside, I know I will need it when the additional power is applied. Will EFI live do it on the stock turbo, I've made a few calls, and everyone seems to suggest that it will do what I want. This is NOT a hot rod truck, I need it to be a crazy tow vehicle (I have a 550HP turbocharged Dodge Dakota for hot rodding). What do you all sugget and have experience with, I love this truck, its been very reliable and with that, never really learned about it like my Dakota (built/tuned myself).

 

Maybe a cam, set of twins, definitely a built tranny. Your pushing your limits running a tuner with that kind of weight at those speeds. That is a lot of wind resistance. Tell us what kind of truck it is (year, model, etc.), In reality man, figuring out how to tow faster with that much trailer really is setting yourself up for failure. I would look to be able to build something that can pull any terrain at 60-65mph, not 70-75. My truck pulls better at 70+ as well due to bigger tires, but no way am I gonna be crazy enough to tow a 40' 5th wheel at those speeds. Something happens and I'm done. I figuring out how to keep towing solid at 60-65mph and so far it seems like stock size tires are gonna be my ticket.

 

65 would be fine really, but it would not do it, almost like I was power limited and the curve for the RPMs didnt really start to come up until 70MPH at 1900-2000 RPMs. When I was doing 70 btw, this was on completely flat land, on 3 lane (each direction) highway where the limit was 70MPH and we were the only ones on the road. Im not trying to do this in rush hour traffic, Im not a moron. If I let my speed down to 65, on mild hills, I was close to the floor to maintain, although EGTs still never cracked 1150.

This is on a 2006.

 

A 4:10 gear set would put you at 2100 at 70mph. 1900 is 70 with 3:73's.

More power with the 4:10, better machanical advantage, less load on tranny and engine.

Keep in mind, the tires you have on your trailer are most likely rated for 65mph if they are ST Type.

Dave

 

Right now your tires are holding you back the most. I have the same size and 65mph puts me at 1700, just at the beginning of the power curve, but not enough to pull any terrain. It happens to me with an 11,000lb trailer, never mind one that will weigh over 14,000lbs. I lost about 250rpm going to that bigger tire from stock, and that would've kept me just under 2000rpm which is where you want to be. Best thing is either go back to stock size (which I think is where I am going) or re-gear. Otherwise, no matter how much power, your still running at the start of that power band. Also remember, your towing a HUGE trailer! It sounds like it is a triple axle, 42' toy hauler that is already beyond the rated tow capacity for an '06, even a dually (at least loaded). It'll pull it fine, just don't expect miracles with something that big.

 

Its 32' overall, 7850lbs empty, tandem axle pull behind. I have every intention of replacing the goodyear ST tires with LT as soon as possible. Heard good things about the Michelin RIB tires.

 

Lol, my apologies, I thought your trailer was grossing 18,000lbs. If that is the case you really should have no issues pulling that trailer. If your tranny is stock, a built tranny will help, especially if your running a smarty tune. A turbo will help a lot as well. I am still running a stock turbo and definately doesn't push enough air when I am pulling a decent grade. You still have a lot of wind resistance with that trailer and if your pulling a hill at 1700 you're lugging it. Change tires or gears to change RPM. All your gonna due with more power is lug the motor with more power. You already have a ton of power with your Smarty as it is. Turbo, tranny and lift pump will let you use it all.

 

Just noticed you were from Maryland, whereabouts are you located? I'm living on the eastern shore.

 

Harford County, planning on a trip to Chincoteague in August and will be taknig the camper down. Probably be down again for Fall Cruising.

 

I agree with 89, get a turbo, a set of 50hp nozzles, and a FASS to supply it all and you should see what you're looking for. With my setup (granted I have a six speed manual) and 3.73's I can pull a 15k trailer up a freeway mtn pass at 70 no problem. Your not going to see more boost without injectors and a pump, and your not going to want to push much more out of the stock turbo. Good luck!