First Towing Run of 05

[psdendurance]

Posted when I first got this truck. Lots of input and very good advice from the list. I read all I can find before I ask a ??.
Had 400 miles before my trip. Went to the Coop to weigh the truck fueled and ready to go, 8500pnds.
Hooked up the 24ft GN horse trailer, loaded with 100 gal of water and saddles hay etc for a weekend, but no horse. Going to get one was the plan.
Trip from Knoxville Tn to Ft Campbell TN/Ky- running I40. I kept the shift points under 3K but did want to lug it. Kept working RPM from 1800 to 2100. I varied the speed and RPM all the way out. On the pulls I let the boost get over 20psi a few times, but mostly kept the boost under 20. I dont have the turbo temp gage yet. So since boost equals power equals heat, I did not push it hard.
Stopped for fuel and weighed it.
GCVW 18002 GVW 11150 Not bad. It pulled and STOPPED this load great. Way better then the 2000 7.3 auto.
I did not take mpg, why bother on the first tank (40 gal)
On return trip I let the speed go higher like 75 a few times and ran the cruise control at 70. I let the boost run higher and longer to try to heat it up some. The water temp never really increased much and the fan never came on. I did not get the horse, so weight was the same.
The trip was 510 miles. Now with about 950, I think I will change the oil.
No problems no issues ran great- was all over the engine and under the engine ..no leaks.. NTF Great!
I did take some coolant out of the overflow tank.. down to the FULL Line. It was over filled- concerned with the coolant puke thing.
Used no oil. Did not get MPG est about 14.
Brake controller was great. Took a few test stops to get it right for the load. Ran it on 8.0. Engine braking with the stick was great.
Ordered the first mod [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] POST turbo temp gage, the Fomoto oil valve and window ventshades.
I think I will get the bypass water filter next month.
Will not change the intake or chip it. I MIGHT do a 4 in cat back but cant see why. Will wait to see the turbo temps when loaded with 2 riders and horses, I expect to be around 21000 GCW.

Great truck handled way better then the 2000 very pleased I traded.

[tucmoto33]

Cool, the manual tranny allows you to keep rpms where you want them. My TS just keeps rpm's pegged on mine with a heavy load, and boost pretty much max. FWIW, I pulled 14.5K for 300 miles, with everything screaming wide open, in hot weather and had no problems with coolant, but temps did get to 231 degrees. I keep my coolant level at min.
From what I have heard from others, that's the way these like to be run, hard. Mine is bone stock, and I have no idea what EGT's were, but they had to be high, but the turbo didn't look for an escape route so I guess it was Ok. I wouldn't think being stock, EGT's would get over the limit anyway. Mileage sucked at 7.2. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[hottip]

Hi, Traded in my 2000 in November. I put 1000 miles on it then took off from Washington State to Arkansas then down to New Orleans. Took the southern route back thru South Texas and home. Over 9000 miles on the trip towing my 12k 5th wheel. Mileage was best at 11 mpg, worst 7 mpg. I was amazed at the power in the truck and no more white nuckle hill decents. I did the Banks Stinger Plus on my 2000 7.3 but the 6.0 is a monster compared to the old truck. I never had a problem with the old truck and now have 15000 miles on my 05 and it gets serviced regularly and washed frequently. Great truck.