2005 6.0 1 ton uphill towing power

[anaconda33]

I two a small 21' camper that dry weights less than 5,000lbs. I haven't been impressed with the towing capabilities of my truck. It drives awesome with no trailer attached, but once hooked up I have to push it even on the flats. I've had it at the dealer a few times and they say nothing is wrong. I'm experiencing this with either the stock tune or ID's Heavy Tow tune (Heavy tow tune is slightly better than stock for me). I really wish I lived somewhere there was a good diesel mechanic to look over my truck.

[F350 STROKER]

idk the 7.3 dosent have these problems its just a tow beast the 6.s do have these problems thats why they stopped it

[troid123]

Originally Posted by LDahlberg

Newbie here, after reading couple of posts thought I might get some insight to my truck prob. I have a 04 4X4, 6.0. with 65000 miles on her. The guy who owned it before me had some kind of chip in it and blew out the top end. The local dealer fixed the motor, and took chip out.

I bought it and recently tried to tow a 7000 lb camper. It has same symptoms as others have posted....no power going up any kind of hill, won't go over 65 mph, and MPG has dropped from 16 highway to 7.9. Bad thing is I dont have any gauges on it, so cant tell what engine is doing.

Where do I beging troubleshooting this? Is the 6.0 just underpowered for that much weight? It is supposed to be able to pull 12,500. What would be a good chip to put in it? And lastly, do you need an intake, exhaust at same time you add a chip?

Thank you in advance for any help and opinions......

There are no "chips" for the 6.0. It would of had to of been programmed.

[mikeproc]

I must say between my 7.3 and my 6.0 that replaced it I much rather pull with my 6.0.

[1tonpower]

i love my 6.4...you should start with a good air filter set up and a turbo back system..i had a super chips cortex turner on the 6.0 i had..i thought it was purity good and it has safeties built in as well as a life display. engine, trany temps, exe..., but i cant compare it to anything

[FionaThe02PSD]

It's stock and won't tow 8K up a 4 mile long 6% grade at more than 50 MPH? Stock tuning is degined to keep the engine alive, not to give maximum performance.

Here's what you need to do. Rent or borrow a gasser and try the same thing. You will love your diesel.

We some times lose sight of reality when we drive what we do.

By adding the SCT and exhaust you will see a huge improvement but understand that even 8K on that road gets heavy. I tow a 35' Weekend Warrior up that hill (Coming back from Payson right?) at a weight of 13-14K and at a speed of 55 or so. I have a SCT with Eric's tow tune. My 4.30:1 gears help and hurt on that hill, what gears do you have?

P.S. The 6.0 was not discontinued because of a lack of pulling power. It was replaced with the 6.4 due to upcoming tighter emissions standards.

[diesel pusher]

I have a '04 F-350 6.0. Recently towed our 38' 14,000lb 5th wheel on vacation ran into the same problem. I lost power and overheated. Ford dealer said I blew head gaskets and wanted 5k to fix. Drove truck home and the gaskets were fine. The variable vein turbo gets stuck due to stupid design because of emissions and only builds intake pressure but cannot relieve pressure. Hence overheating,losing power, and losing water if your lucky or blowing the head gaskets. Ford put out a TSB thats about 15 pages long on this problem (when your towing heavy loads especially upgrades). Ive been told the fix is to dump the turbo but the only option is 3k +. Otherwise get the guages and watch. If it starts to get hot back off or pull over. Otherwise my father-inlaw has an '01 F-250 7.3 and has none of these problems. As for towing...he pulls a 6,000lb airstream and I pull 14,000lb 5th wheel and I just walk away from him like hes setting there. The 7.3 is truly a proven workhorse with minimal problems but the problematic 6.0 came stock with over 100 more hp and likewise on tq. The 6.0 will pull better and I have definetley proven that......BUT watch out for ALL of the issues and problems with the 6.0

[elm302]

i pull my 31 foot travel trailer all over the country it weighs 11000 pounds and i pulled with stock for a little and noticed my 7.3 pulled better but it was also a dually 4:10 gears six speed but then i got my sct and got cales 70 horse tune with the exaust brake and dang does she pull good know and i can cruise 75 mph and hardley ever see egts over 1150 and then the tranny kicks out of over drive and they immediatly go down to around 850 -900 made a world of diffrence to me