Recomended torque/horsepower mods

Will be towing a 7,500 lb. fifth wheel cross country. Seems I will be on the high end of towing capacity after loading all my belongings to live full time in it. Thinking about changing the gear ratio to improve torque. Is this realistic?

 

I'm not recommending an F250... But have you considered an F250? The Tundra can do it, but less comfortably than a 3/4 ton diesel.

 

I tow over 9K daily. And it can very much do it. If I had the funds I'd regear to 5.29s(in April), add a SC and tune, upgrade the exhaust and intake and go with a big brake kit. Doesn't mean you can the tow 13K, you can just tow 10K more comfortable and safely.

Also sumosprings.

 

I have considered a 250. My lease will be up in a couple of months and I'm trying to convince my wife we need a 250 diesel to pull the rig long term. Currently I pull a 6,500 lb. travel trailer and the motor is working pretty hard on the hills. Yes, I know that is normal but I am concerned about the longevity of the truck overall.

 

RV dealer suggested looking into a Banks Conversion. Sounds similar to your suggestion. We really like the truck and want to buy it when the lease is up. I live at the Grand Canyon and we have some pretty serious grades to navigate. Since I will be towing the rig 25 per-cent of the total use time I would feel more comfortable with increased torque and horsepower. As usual it's all about the cost.

 

Consider the upfront cost of adding the towing bits to your current truck vs the cost increase into a new 250. That my help.

 

Thanks, I'm leaning towards the mods for what I have. Price Point is the ultimate consideration.

 

So the new trailer is 7,500 lbs. plus two people and the crap we need for long term traveling. bringing the total to around 8,500 lbs. I,m realy thinking this is to much weight . Help with comments please.

 

Headers and 12" Bamuffler from @dirtydeeds, I say 12" because you tow alot and don't want too loud.
New fuel injectors for more fuel and better air fuel curve
Maybe a new intake but jury is out on that
DAP tune or maybe bully dog tuner
Re-gear is a great option to "add power" without actually straining the engine.
Supercharger would get you over 500hp/500trq but not cheap.
Really you need to talk to Keith @dirtydeeds he is the HP guru around here.

 

I think I need more torque vs. horsepower. Any idea how much hp/torque increase with a set of headers andupgraded exhaust?

 

I believe you can get around 50hp and 50trq with headers and a single exhaust. But Keith would be the man to ask. Hopefully he will chime in soon here.

 

thanks, that might be enough. I'll have to consider.

 

You can get a 250 XLT 4WD diesel for low 50s. If your lease is ending I assume you'll have an all new purchase to deal with. I'd guess a Tundra SR5 4WD is around 40, and having to regear plus what's essentially an FBO set of mods will get you very close to that, with nothing remotely close to 935 ft/lbs.

 

I feel like all the heavy towing threads always end on a 3/4 ton truck. My tundra with a blower gears bags tows fine...but it doesn't tow as nice as my 3/4 ton v10 excursion. I've never towed with a diesel but a heavier rig will haul better imo..the question is how often do you tow and if you need the 3/4?

Just looked at this again. Full time tow I'd be in a heavy truck as suggested above..

 

Also if you do not like a 3/4 Diesel they have Gas options. I have a buddy that has a 6.4L Hemi that tows a similar RV as you do not Full time but every summer when he is off work. I would probably still recommend a diesel though over Gas. I think the 5th wheel RV set up might be too much for any Half Ton including the Tundra. @ColoradoTJ made some excellent points on Flatbed Trailers VS RV Trailers as well that I have experienced and agree with. When I tow my Jeep on the Flatbed it feels awesome like my Tundra can tow it up any grade without issue however, when I pulled my friend's enclosed trailer (no V nose) it was lighter by about 500-1000 pounds total weight compared to my jeep on the flatbed but it felt 3000 pounds heavier due to the wind drag and my truck worked more.

 

Towing 25% as a "full timer".

My opinion, go to a 3/4 ton diesel and be done with it. Sure you can make the Tundra work out, but there is nothing better than the low RPM torque of a diesel pulling a grade or engine braking with 4 tons of house pushing you from behind.

Bolt on engine mods to the tundra and you'll eventually need to beef everything up all the way down the line to the brakes for long term reliability. Etc etc.

Its really about the right tool for the job.

 

Take the pin weight of the 5th wheel trailer. Add the weight of the 5th wheel hitch. Based on your 1,000 lbs of stuff and assuming it’s all in the trailer, add another 250lbs. Add your weight, your wife’s weight (Don’t write this number down, and don’t calculate this in front if her ) and the weight of anything else you plan to put in the cab or bed of the truck.

Compare this number to your max payload rating on the door jamb sticker.

I think this will help in your decision making process.