mdecorso
Alaska
New Member
Joined: 04/25/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have a 29' 7500lb travel trailer. I have been towing it with a 1993 Ford E350 (van) with 7.3l diesel (pre power stroke).
I go slowly over hills. I want to change this. I need to use a van as I have 8 passengers at all times. So I know I want an E350, but what engine will provide the power I'm looking for? I will be regularly towing over mountains, continental divide, etc, several times on a planned 40,000 mile road trip. I just need the right engine to not have to go 15-20mph up 6%+ grades. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
|
ArcticDodge
Sammamish, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2005
View Profile
|
Chavy has a 3500 Diesel with 10K towing (max) rating. The Duramx is a great motor.
2009 Komfort 256TS
2001 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 4x4 Cummins DRW
2005 Dodge Durango Limited AWD HEMI
2001 Sebring Convertible
1995 Miata M-Edition
2005 DRZ400
1 Wife  2 Boys UW & Bellevue College
1 Trixie (Bichon Frise)
Only 23 years to retirement!!!!
|
fla-gypsy
North Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 04/19/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Are we talking new 1 ton van or used? Do you have a brand preference? With that TT is a gas engine an option you would consider?
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
|
skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
Senior Member
Joined: 12/17/2003
View Profile
|
Kind of hard to imagine the 7.3 diesel can't pull a 7,500 lb. trailer up a 6% grade as fast as you want to go. Good friend uses one for towing a 14,000 lb. Hitchhiker (and it IS a little slow with that load) but with about half the weight it should be an easy tow.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
|
mdecorso
Alaska
New Member
Joined: 04/25/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
I am planning on buying a used van to tow the TT. I like Ford because I have one now and know most of the systems. I would consider gas, but am concerned about MPG to some extent. Diesel is cheaper than gas in South America, but I understand it can be of questionable quality. And I am driving about 40,000 miles.
Mainly, I don't want to be a traffic hazard to speedy S.A. drivers heading back and forth across the Andes. I know the roads are bad and I can't travel too fast, but I want to be able to have the option of maintaining traffic speeds when I can.
|
|
|
bartlettj
Forest Grove, OR
Senior Member
Joined: 04/24/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
What about adding some horsepower to the engine you already have?
|
mdecorso
Alaska
New Member
Joined: 04/25/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
We had trouble towing in Black Hills and out of Death Valley to the west, other big, steep hill places. Maybe I'm not getting everything out of my engine, although my mechanic says that's all I should expect of the older engine. How could I add more horsepower?
|
EMD_DRIVER
Gerrardstown, WV
Senior Member
Joined: 07/19/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
The 93 7.3 diesel is an indirectly injected engine and naturally aspirated (No turbo) If you want more power from what you have, a turbo charger would be the best guess. If you are interested in learning more about your engine and the options available to you, try OILBURNERS There are a great bunch of guys over there, that will be more than happy to help you.
I towed our 8,000lb TT with my 93 F250, with the non-turbo 7.3.. It wasn't fast, but it got me there.
If you want a better towing experience and more power for the hills, I would suggest a 1995-1997 E350, with the 7.3 PowerStroke engine...
2003 Sunline F-344SR fifth wheel
1999 Ford F350.. 7.3 Dually
|
jack0351
Santee, CA
Full Member
Joined: 04/13/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Talk to the folks at Banks Power for a good starting point. I know they do pre PS 7.3s. Other than that, more air in (upgraded intake) and more air out (upgraded exhaust) is the default way to more power.
*DISCLAIMER* I can only tell you what I know, or think I know. YMMV.
2013 Ram 3500 CCLB DRW 6.7 w/Aisin
2012 Dutchmen Voltage V3600 Toyhauler
2000 Harley FXST
|
