Pulling Steep Grades

[stlhdfishr]

I hooked up the boat today so I could just tow something.

Boat and trailer are probably pushing 6,000 lbs. I live on a hill with a pretty steep grade and to be honest, I just wasn't impressed. With all the talk about towing power, I just figured I would walk right up that hill and keep accelerating. No such luck. It actually started slowing down on the steepes part and I thought I was going to stall.

It is an auto and I had it in 2nd gear on the way up because it kept wanting to go to a higher gear and wouldn't keep speed. I am running bigger tires than stock.. I think they are 315/75 R16's and I am pretty sure the gears are stock.

I will admit this is my first experience in a diesel so I don't have anything to compare it to but I get about the same out of my 2007 Tahoe on the same road.

Maybe I bought a lemon, maybe I expected too much? I just don't know. I am worried my 152,000 mile ride is already worn out and I pissed away a bunch of cash.

I am pretty bummed right now. Any thoughts?

[Dietoremain]

these trucks arent exactly quick stock but theres a few things to take to mind. check your IC boots and make sure theres no leaks and check your up pipes and the firewall for soot(leaks) you could be losing boost.

[JEL]

How is the fuel filter looking?

[samiam]

below @ 35 mph the torque converter isn't locked up, so the tranny slips. when i'm towing right or hauling my truck camper around 35 mph i press the button turning of overdrive in order to keep the TC locked down to around 30mph. that keeps all the power flowing to the wheels. my two cents.

[NoRalPh]

You gotta have something wrong,,,,

I pull a 6K trailer, up long steep grades, stock truck, and accelerate UP any one of them.

'02 F350

[4x4ord]

I am not sure what you are expecting out of your diesel but horsepower is horsepower regardless of the fuel being burned to generate it. A turbo diesel can generate its horsepower at a lower rpm so you don't rev it like a gas engine when pulling. What is the Hp rating of your truck vs Tahoe?

[stlhdfishr]

I looked for leaks when I bought it a few weeks ago and didn't see any, I will look a little harder though.

I know the hill I am climbing is pretty steep and is much more than I would see while climbing what would be a typically steep highway grade.

I did the oil filler cap blowby test and it seems to be fine. Maybe there is something else.

As far as HP, the Tahoe has more HP than the F350 at the motor but I didn't think you could really compare the two though.

I would hate to be climbing a hill and get outpulled by a Tahoe though. that just doesn't sound right to me. LOL

[stlhdfishr]

Regarding the fuel filter...Guy I bought it from said it was recently changed so I haven't looked at it.

Dumb question...if it runs fine without the load, why would the filter make more of an issue when adding a load?

[Zaairman]

Don't trust the old owner. Change your oil and filters. Also, put your foot in it and let it rip. We have a biiiiig hill at the lake with a similar sized boat (around 6K). Gotta put your foot in it and let the turbo sing.

[Dietoremain]

btw i have no prob pullin that weight at 50+ up those grades..