I'm happy with our tow rig

[jeep-N-montero]

Last month we towed the Jeep down for the first time and it was the most comfortable trip we have ever had, not just for my wife and I but also the dogs. Towing down the truck averaged 12 mpg and about 11 mpg coming back with the strong winds. Coming up Price and Spanish Fork canyons it held 4th gear and 50 mph without a hiccup. Before the trip I changed the injectors, glow plugs, and added the Diamond Eye 4 inch exhaust. Stock tuning for the moment. Also upgraded the cooling system to a higher flow pump, stronger fan clutch with lower engagement temp, and Duramax 21 inch plastic fan. A lot of folks think of the 6.5 as a weaker setup, but for its current use it works perfectly. Only future upgrades are a GM 8 turbo and WTA intercooler setup, as well as hooking up the EGT and Boost gauges I have in the garage, next trip I'm hoping for 13mpg and keep it in 5th going up the canyons. See the attached picture of what we towed, about 8500 pounds total between the 2 trailers.

 

[jentzschman]

Got to love diesel! They are amazing tow rigs!

 

[Cody]

I'm glad it was a pleasant experience and that's really all that matters, but I think ignorance is bliss. I promptly sold, and have ever since held a grudge against all vehicles sharing the same engine as, the only rig I've ever owned that couldn't do at least 60 mph over Soldier summit in either direction.

I think the reason people think of them as a weaker setup is because a bone stock mid 90's or newer CTD would pull that same load over the same hill at 70 mph and get 16-20 mph on average while doing it.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm mentally shaking my fist at the thought of being stuck behind your doubles doing 50mph up the canyon.

 

[Tacoma]

I'm mentally shaking my fist at the thought of being stuck behind your doubles doing 50mph up the canyon.

You and me both

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm mentally shaking my fist at the thought of being stuck behind your doubles doing 50mph up the canyon.

You and me both

Well then I guess it's good thing the highway is 2 lanes in each direction over that stretch isn't it....

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm glad it was a pleasant experience and that's really all that matters, but I think ignorance is bliss. I promptly sold, and have ever since held a grudge against all vehicles sharing the same engine as, the only rig I've ever owned that couldn't do at least 60 mph over Soldier summit in either direction.

I think the reason people think of them as a weaker setup is because a bone stock mid 90's or newer CTD would pull that same load over the same hill at 70 mph and get 16-20 mph on average while doing it.

Each to their own, but the CTD doesn't ride nearly as smooth and quiet as my truck, plus my wife thought the Ram and F250/350 of that vintage were hideous. I was looking more toward the Ram a year or so back, but this truck seemed to be a better "fit" for us, plus it only has 140k miles and the nv4500.

 

[lewis]

that's pretty good mileage considering I have close to the same truck in gas and I get that mpg towing nothing

 

[jeep-N-montero]

that's pretty good mileage considering I have close to the same truck in gas and I get that mpg towing nothing

My mpg would be even better if the truck had 3.73 gearing instead of the 4.10's.

 

[Tacoma]

Well then I guess it's good thing the highway is 2 lanes in each direction over that stretch isn't it....

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzing!!! Sure is!

 

[SLC97SR5]

My mpg would be even better if the truck had 3.73 gearing instead of the 4.10's.

DDing perhaps, but loaded that 6.5L is grateful for the 4.10's.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

DDing perhaps, but loaded that 6.5L is grateful for the 4.10's.

Thankfully it's only for towing the Jeep and building materials for home projects. If I were daily driving it I might be lucky to see 10mpg with the turbo being so fun when not towing.