I am in Medicine Hat and test drove a 96 F250, 460, 5spd, 3.55 rear. I was planning to use it for a tow vehicle for my travel trailer. The trailer is 5000lbs dry, I estimate 55 to 5800 loaded. Question #1: I pulled the trailer on the test drive but the engine temp never even got to halfway, it stayed close to the "N" of normal on the gauge. Seemed to be running quite cool. Even pulled up a few coulee hills, then it would warm up a bit. Would the thermostat be stuck open? Or do these motors always run cool? Do they like to run cool? Out side temp was about 14 C. Question #2. Driving east the truck would do 100kph in 5th gear (OD) at 1700 rpm about no problem. drive west, now with 40 kph head wind and it had a hard time pulling in 4th gear 2400rpm. It would even feel like it was bogging down. I realise it is not a diesel, but i thought it would have a little more jam. I have used a 360 Dodge Durango to pull the trailer and it would do almost as well. Am i expecting too much from this motor and rear end? Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

How far East of the Hat were you when to turned back West.

There is a slight grade increase coming west right from the Sask. border.

If the engine runs cool but still in normal....that's great

 

I only took the unit to the Hwy#41 South (Elkwater turn off) pulled that hill, went down about 6 miles, and returned to the Hat. So only 25 km east of Medicine Hat.

 

Well, It's hard to say now.
There is the wind factor & hill factor.

You may have a valid concern,but I wonder if the computer calculations for the altitude,dryness of air,quality of fuel,weight,gearing are all getting set within their parameters?

If this was a pre-owned truck,I'm thinking that it may still be memorized for the previous owners driving style.
Has the computer memory been cleared since you got it ?

 

I didn't know that the computer would adjust to driving style. I don't believe that it has been erased. Just to clarify; would that be as easy as disconnecting the battery? Also I understand a free flow exhaust / intake would improve performance. I only test drove the truck, not purchased yet. The Dodge I used to tow runs an Auto trans (easier to get lots of RPM). The F250 is standard and I did not run it much over 3000 rpm. The engine compartment is very clean and looks like it has had an easy life so far (no heat damage). I am looking at this truck to drive 3000-7000 km per year with the TT and family. Available power and fuel cost says buy a diesel BUT purchase cost and miantainance says buy gas. Thanks for any input.

 

I should say that I realize this thread my be better in the Tow section but I wanted some opinion of "locals". People that know the area and conditions.

 

I rented a VW in Ontario years ago.

After 1 day I had to return to the dealership/rental place for them to reset the computer so the car would adapt to the differnt driving style.
I am very easy on vehicle's.

After they did that I drove for another day.
The differences were overwhelming.
I am sure the same thing is done to Domestic's.

I will find out from my Buddy Ray (FTE's "Old Thumper") and see what he says as he has his own automotive repair shop & lives in Red Deer.

 

ok here's what I have to base this from, it's not the same as yours but simmiler.

78 F250 4x4 C6 203. the motor is a 71 lincon 460 .030 over with 75 heads and intake. Gears are 3.50 ish (not actualy sure a 9" is 3.50 but I don't know what a D60 would be. the front D44 is 3.54) The load I'm basing this on is my camper and utility trailer + atc. Combined weight was just under 6 tons (11,780lbs) The route traveled was the hope princton.

Temp 170 on the flats up to 200 on the hills with my foot stuffed into the floor.

2400 is a little low for 4th with a load and hill. It should pull up from there tho. If I jump on mine under 2550 2600 it bogges for a bit untill it gets up over 2700 and then runs hard up into the 3500 4k range. Drop into seond and it will pull it legs out all the way down to 1600. If you like everything else about this truck dump 4:10's into the pumkins and be happy.

My 80 351/np435/208 and 4:10's ran circles around this auto fed 3.5 geard poo machine. AS soon as I get my Bronco out of the shop the 78 is getting the 4spd/205 combo and 4:10 gears.