I recently traded in my 01 psd with 7.3 for the truck in my sig. I never pulled anything heavy with my powerstroke and havent pulled anything with the dmax yet. I was talking to a guy at work and he seems to think that his stock 03 7.3 out pulled a stock 01-02 dmax up a decent hill with the same size trailers. This conversation got started because I was telling him how much I love the dmax and the power is great. He says an unloaded dmax will smoke his 7.3 but wont pull as well. In my opinion power is power, doesnt matter if you are racing unloaded or towing. If EGTs are kept under control the truck with more power should tow better right?? I have heard the same thing from the cummins boys that the dmax hauls ass unloaded but loaded doesnt compare. Seems hard to believe. Is there any truth to this or are these guys making things up to make their trucks look better. I had no problems at all with my 7.3 so I can make an unbiased opinion with out being a ford hater. This dmax seems to be as powerfull stock as my 7.3 with edge evolution on 100hp. What do you guys think??

Dave

These sound like the same guys who get 35 mpg. My dad ordered his 01 dmax and has pulled his 5th wheel over 20K miles. We both live in Utah, where long 6% grades are common. He has yet to be passed by a stock Dodge or Ford pulling a comprable trailer.

Oh brother!

Let me give you this analogy. Under loads, these diesel trucks work like draught horses pulling a wagon. There is very good reason for not entering heavy horses in the KY Derby. The question is not how fast it gets around the track, the question is will it get around the track with the rest of the pack riding in the wagon!

I've never bothered with people that do not pay for my fuel and maintenace passing by on long grades. Unless they call for assistance from the side of the road. In those cases, there is no need to rub salt in the wound, so I resist the urge to remind them that the RF has flawlessly towed 8-22K lbs loads for over 130K miles without a bit of trouble, I just render any assistance I can, because .... they already know they've been "owned".

RF

towing with the truck in my sig a 40' boat weighing in around 12500 with trailer going to TX for a poker run started out with a ford dually and a 3/4 ton dodge in sight hit some hills and pulled away from them running 1100 to 1200 egts and pulling the hills at 75 and able to climb in speed and maintain it where they realy couldnt keep up towing a lesser load, ford with a 35 fountain, dodge with a 32 Tempest.

I believe that the '03 7.3s were rated the same as the '00 7.3s like my dad owns. Both are at 235 flywheel horsepower.

In my experience, a stock LB7 Dmax will absolutely roast the 7.3 pulling the same exact trailer. It's true that the Dmax I'm referring to is slightly lighter because it's an extended cab versus our true 4 door Stroker, but that's clearly not the issue to me.

Stock for stock, I think the Dmax's will pull with anything on the road. I will say that the Cummins especially does well pulling because they make great torque way down low like a "traditional" diesel. But, the Dmax is no slouch either.

In my experience, the 7.3s are great engines with long life, but in stock form they just flat lack in power. I put a small Superchips tune in my dad's Stroker for father's day, and we're both impressed at how much it has helped towing performance. It now feels much more similar to a stock Dmax.