towing 22k GVW

[v8coupe]

I want to build my truck for towing a 35' 2 car wedge trailer. GVW on the trailer is 15k so that should be around 22k GVW give or take. What areas will I need to address in the engine to deal with this much load? It's currently running an Hx35W 12cm non WG, non intercooled. I have an NV4500 going in to replace the A518. The truck is a regular cab D350 with a load lever and a 3.07 D71 out back for the time being.

[oldestof11]

Get rid of the HX35, especially for not being wastegated. I would recommend an HE351 but I haven't towed with one yet. Get an intercooler or water/meth injection

Main enemy of these trucks for towing is the radiator and cooling system. I have seen a 2nd Gen radiator shoehorned into a 1st Gen. I would do that just to get more capacity.

[cmann250]

x2 on the radiator. Even the later 1st gen cross flow radiator would be an upgrade.

Also 3.07s and a 5 speed will leave some gigantic holes in the ratios.

[ellis93]

14cm wastegated housing,4:10 or 3:73 gears.... Those two might be the most important to the truck while pulling. 1 that housing will let the engine breathe in the higher rpm range 2 those gears will help get the load going,keep it going and keep your engine rpm up at highway speeds.

[CumminsPower59]

How are the brakes? Getting going is the easy part, but getting a safe, hard controlled stop can be sketchy with some of these trucks...

[BILTIT]

All depends how fast you want to tow this setup and what kinda hills you have. I tow 12k with a he351cw, 40psi (intercooled, non-functioning WG), 3.54gears, 33" tires and stock injectors (pump turned up). I have enough fuel to go above 1250EGT with stock injectors at 40psi on occasion (hills). I only have a few hills to climb so its not a big deal but if i had to go through the mountains or anything fairly hilly i would be slowed down considerably (i am heavy on the peddle most of the time). I have also seen my engine temp climbing as its the next weak link.

I also highly recommend an exhaust brake at that weight, i want one for my setup.

I would look at a larger turbo (62fmw, talk to RCCUMMINS) or compounds, thats my next choice also.

I may have a H3TB for sale with fresh rebuild, thinking the 62fmw is best for me at the moment.

[v8coupe]

Been considering going to a 3.73 AAM 11.5 with discs and locker.

Power wise either HX52/35 compounds or HX60W/35 compounds.

Front suspension seems to be a major issue on these.

[dazedandconfused]

Why do you say front suspension is a major issue? With maintained frontend they are perfectly fine.

[oldestof11]

I would do the 35/52. You won't need the air of the 60.

[ellis93]

Why do you say front suspension is a major issue? With maintained frontend they are perfectly fine.

Pretty much,unless he's startin out with a trashed one to begin with.

[Philip]

With those 3:07'sa I would upgrade to a 6 spd. Like stated that 5 spd has some major holes in the gearing. Those 3:07's will not like that with your stated GVCW. I hope your going to be on flat ground a lot.

[v8coupe]

Why do you say front suspension is a major issue? With maintained frontend they are perfectly fine.

I just broke a brand new front control arm with less than 10k on it. I'm contemplated swapping to something else up front, something that doesn't have these stupid screw in ball joints.

Something that also has more brake upgrade options, which I know lack on these trucks.

Like I said considering going to a newer 3.73 with LSD and Discs. I mean if I'm going to be swapping rear ends, might as well get something better.

[dazedandconfused]

How did you break a control arm? I've seen these trucks ran off the road and down ditches at 50+ mph and never break a control arm.

[v8coupe]

How did you break a control arm? I've seen these trucks ran off the road and down ditches at 50+ mph and never break a control arm.

Blew the Ball joint right out of the passenger's side Arm. I have it welded in for now, but Not really feeling like buying another $250 control arm and new Ball Joint.

[dazedandconfused]

You can buy a whole set on EBay for that.