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6.5 TD for towing?

mikey_d05

mikey_d05

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Buddy of mine is looking at a '95 2500 with a 6.5TD in it. ~150,000 miles.

Just wondering if there are any known durability issues with these motors and whether or not one could handle towing 14,000 lbs. or so for long distances at freeway speeds.

Post up experiences, good or bad, regarding your 6.5TD, power, durability, etc.
 
The 6.5's aren't bad motors, especially the earlier ones. That being said, expecting one to tow 14K is borderline rediculous, IMO. That kind of weight should be reserved for Cummins, D-max, or PS rigs.

You might run into problems with the electronic injection pump, the t-stats and cooling issues, and, in later years, block and lifter issues. There are aftermarket fixes and upgrades available, but they usually aren't cheap.

I towed regularly using a 99 6.5/ 4L80/ 4.10's in a CC Dually (not mine-my employers), and it felt okay unloaded but didn't like towing more than 6-8K.

For light duty work, and MPG, the 6.5 is a good choice. If you were wanting to tow <10K occasionally I'd say go for it. For regular towing and heavy hauling I think you're going to want more power. I'd question the durability of the 4L80e under high load conditions, too.

Frankly, it seems like some of the 6.5's last forever, and some go BOOM relatively early.

If you're buying the truck for the purpose of heavy towing I'd look elsewhere.
 
That sounds like you're asking too much...I towed 10,000 lbs. with my C2500 and it has a BB454 & a 14ff out back with 4.10's and I wouldn't want to go much more...

The BB in my rig is 290hp and 410ft/lbs where as the L56 6.5's make 190/380 and the L65 6.5's (no EGR and no Cat) put out 215/440...

So the lighter duty 6.5's are going to be a dog and probably wouldn't even be able to safely haul a 14,000 lbs load often if at all...the L65 6.5 would definately stand a chance torque wise (its makes its peak 440 ft./lbs at only 1800 rpm) but its going to be lacking in the hp department...

I guess what I'm trying to say is although I don't have any first hand 6.5 diesel experience, on paper its probably not going to work out to well for ya' just by comparing specs to my tow rig and factoring in my first hand experience with hauling a 10,000 lbs load...

Ok that was probably more rambling than you wanted but hopefully some of that will help...
 
towing 14,000 I would say go cummins but there trannys suck. I had a 6.5 TD in a 97 CC dually and I would say that about 8,000 is tops for good highway speed nothing more. I now have a 86 CC dually with a 454 which does alot better but guzzles gas
 
If you guys want to start a Cummins/Duramax/PSD donation fund, go right ahead...it's an L65 motor.

It'll be his DD, and be used occasionally to haul our rigs. 30' gooseneck + 2 Toyotas.
 
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mikey_d05 said:
If you guys want to start a Cummins/Duramax/PSD donation fund, go right ahead...it's an L65 motor.

It'll be his DD, and be used occasionally to haul our rigs. 30' gooseneck + 2 Toyotas.
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We are just tryin to help you out because you are going to kill the truck with a load like that unless you plan on doing 45 mph on the shoulder... You would be better off with a 7.4l in the same truck if you funds don't allow. or as I am doing and putting a older 12v cummins in my dually you can buy a whole running 12v dodge for around 1500 and just yank the motor tranny and send the rest where it belongs in the junk yard.
 
I don't quite agree that the truck wouldn't be "safe" to pull that type of weight simply because of the motor, I always considered the handling, braking, steering much more important than the power.

In any case my cousin had a 6.5TD truck he used to pull his tandem dual trailer with a 210 John Deere backhoe with a full cab...not sure the total weight but the backhoe was at least 12k-13k, so way over 14k when you add in the trailer. It was relatively flat country, but he could easily run the speed limit on the freeway.
 
i use one for towing

MVC_031S.jpg
 
how bout a bb ferd...they dont get good gas mileage but i think is one the best pulling motors there is..i had one and i just sold it...you can pick a mid 80s early 90s for freaking cheap..especially 2wd...my buddy bought a 4dr 2wd dually with a f/i 460 in it for 1500 and all it needed was a winshield...if he got something like that then he would be using till later on down the line he could afford a nice cummins or something like that...not that the 6.5 isnt bad i just have a buddy who used to pull a 24 foot race trailer and was not inpressed with it..they actually sold it preety fast and bought a cummins...

contact formud...he is using a 96 or so 3500 dually 6.5 and pulling right around 10k total..he can give you his opinion for it...
 
Yes towing one truck on a trailer is soemthing but 14k is alot more you are towing like 4500 maybe less. All I know is that my truck 6.5TD with about 10k on it doing 70mph I was 3/4 throttle maybe 7/8 just chugging black smoke just to keep up speed. and it took awhile to get up to speed. my 454 is much better now
 
k5onswampers said:
We are just tryin to help you out because you are going to kill the truck with a load like that unless you plan on doing 45 mph on the shoulder... You would be better off with a 7.4l in the same truck if you funds don't allow. or as I am doing and putting a older 12v cummins in my dually you can buy a whole running 12v dodge for around 1500 and just yank the motor tranny and send the rest where it belongs in the junk yard.
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Not raggin' on anyone for helping. Just saying that I ask who tows what with a 6.5TD and everyone jumps out and says it'd be unsafe...without considering steering, brakes, and suspension...come on.

A dog, maybe, but "unsafe". :rolleyes:

Look at the numbers for a '95 454 and a '95 6.5TD L65. Then figure in the mileage. Tell me he'd be better off with a big block. We don't have a shop to put a Cummins into this truck and even if we did, find me one for $1500.

Blowing smoke constantly at 70 with 10k behind you? You were either towing a billboard or something was wrong.
 
actually the pic was just for reference. i really have no idea on the weight i tow. the toy i picked up and traded off. i have used it to tow a blazer on one tons, 42's, doubler, cage ect and also to tow one of my cherokees depending on what i am taking wheeling. not to mention various other rigs and cars or even moving. i would rather have had a cummins at the time, but picked this up for 1/3 of the price. it is a 95.

once some bills are paid off, i will be buying a cummins.
 
k5onswampers said:
Yes towing one truck on a trailer is soemthing but 14k is alot more you are towing like 4500 maybe less.
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Sooo...my 18' equipment trailer weighs 2,000 pounds. The combo of my blazer and the trailer weighed between 7,000 and 8,000...please explain how a single truck on a decent trailer weighs only 4500...
 
I was quoting the picture it is a regular cab short bet toyota dosent weigh much at all and last time I checked a toyota with a 4 cyl didn't weigh 6k. and a 6.5 TD is fine for towing one truck but it is a different story towing 2 it is alot more weight plus the size of the trailer that you need to tow 2 trucks. My trailer is 18ft and weighs 2300lbs it is a heavy equipment trailer. I also have a car hauler like the one pictured and it weighs 1550lbs

and I payed 1200 for my 454 powered dually and nothing was wrong with it even has ice cold air.

I also have a friend with a 97 ford f250 2wd with a power stroke turbo diesel he hauls 2 trucks on a goose neck both 79 ford bronco's and it does good way better then a 6.5TD would ever do even with upgrades they just don't have the same power a the newer motors or older 12v's
 
mikey_d05 said:
Not raggin' on anyone for helping. Just saying that I ask who tows what with a 6.5TD and everyone jumps out and says it'd be unsafe...without considering steering, brakes, and suspension...come on.

A dog, maybe, but "unsafe". :rolleyes:

Look at the numbers for a '95 454 and a '95 6.5TD L65. Then figure in the mileage. Tell me he'd be better off with a big block. We don't have a shop to put a Cummins into this truck and even if we did, find me one for $1500.

Blowing smoke constantly at 70 with 10k behind you? You were either towing a billboard or something was wrong.
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I was pulling a truck on 38's so couldn't be to much of a billboard those motors are dogs and everyone knows it there is nothing to hide they have 195hp how fast can it be? and doing 80 you are at redline on the motor, you have to do 60 or 65 to get any milage.

When did I say "unsafe" you must be seeing something I simply put there are better options and you can look at numbers all you want on paper but pull with a 6.5 and then a 454 and you will be supprised just like with the new duramax 6.6 and then get in a 8.1L truck you will be supprised at how well the 8.1L will do against a stock 6.6 but with a chip and exhaust the diesel will shine.

and I will even help you out http://chuckstrucks.iforumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=11160&mforum=chuckstrucks
and there were just 2 on ebay that didn't sell for 1600 bucks so do some research before you say you can't find them because they are out all over the place
 
Ok, so something newer, fancier, and way more expensive will outpull a 6.5...REALLY!?!??! :confused:

I'll stick to diesel forums from now on.
 
i wouldn't think that i would wana tow that much weight with a 2500 but to each his own. I would say that it would be a dog getting it moving, but im sure once it made it to highway speeds it would cruise fine. Not sure it would stop so well. Might melt ur rotors. or warp them. 14000 is def. overloading the truck. the cops in my area would burn you in a heart beat. I think the motor would be fine though. its the tranny i would be concerned about.
 
mikey_d05 said:
Buddy of mine is looking at a '95 2500 with a 6.5TD in it. ~150,000 miles.

Just wondering if there are any known durability issues with these motors and whether or not one could handle towing 14,000 lbs. or so for long distances at freeway speeds.

Post up experiences, good or bad, regarding your 6.5TD, power, durability, etc.
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that sounds a lot like mine. same year, motor and miles. mine is the C2500HD, which is pretty close to a 3500.

i have used mine to tow a blazer from illinois back to texas, to missouri, to arizona and all over texas.

i had to put a PMD cooler on it.
 
mikey_d05 said:
Ok, so something newer, fancier, and way more expensive will outpull a 6.5...REALLY!?!??! :confused:

I'll stick to diesel forums from now on.
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You my friend are a complete IDIOT it is like talking to a 3 year old child.

you asked for personal experience and then argue it I am not the only person saying it isn't going to be fun and yea newer fancier trucks are better. I didn't say that I am explaining gas BBC vers 6.5TD which you already have worked out on paper I forgot that that gives you real world experience when you look at hp numbers what about rpm range? I was just proveing that BB 's tow better then a stock 6.5 and newer BB's tow better then the same year stock diesel

and your buddy could pick up a older f250 power stroke for cheap less then $5500 do you need me to look some up for you too? and it would pull the load you are refering too alot better. Just tryin to help you out but you are argueing?? that doesn't make sense but maybe you should work it out on paper and let me know the results?
 
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