I should clarify that I knew it was there, but it wasn't noticeable.
I'm pretty sure it'd show on a quarter mile slip, but I was able to keep up with regular traffic.

My old tow rig was a 1989 Mazda B2600i 4x4 Extended cab... It's an older Mazda pickup, a little bigger than the current Ford Rangers they sell now; 2.6L 4 cyl, 5 speed, 6 lug axles...

Truck itself weighed 3000 lbs and I'd occasionally tow 4000-5000 lbs with it, no trailer brakes.

I DEFINITELY knew something was back there...
Starting out it was a dog, especially up hills. Temp gauge would show it too.
Turning, I would feel it drag behind me...
Stopping, it would come and try and visit me up front! Definitely a case of the tail wagging the dog.

Hence why I got the Ram.

 

Well I'm new to this whole diesel and towing thing, but bought a 99 stick which only had a superchips and BHAF at the time. Drove it a while and found a used car trailer to haul my Jeep. I must say I was somewhat shocked when I went to pick up the car trailer, and how much of a difference the 2K empty trailer made, but the more I thought about it, it made sense............It was afterall 2K extra lbs to get moving. I think the main reason I was shock, was because my expectation was scewed. Most people I talk to and posts you read had statements like "I didn't even know it was there". SO, guess what when I could tell it was there.......kinda disappointed.

After driving it home and hauling the Jeep a few times, I can say it tows really well and has great power, but I'd never give anyone the false impression that I didn't realize it was there. My truck is so much quickter without the 7Klbs behind it, but with it, it does great. The one thing I did note was the difference between the empty trailer and trailer with Jeep, a 4K+ difference. This is not linear, meaning it's much harder to tell you just added 4K to a 2K trailer, so maybe this is the point people try to make. In other words towing 2K trailer vs towing 6+K trailer and vehicle doesn't feel much different at all.

Once moving, it has gread pickup and throttle response........feels like a beast with only the superchips on level 2. I'm very happy, and am sure the 5spd make a difference.

 

This is why I will never have an automatic behind a cummins.

 

I was looking for a 5 or 6 Speed and got lucky and found a nice rig with a NV4500. If you don't know the Trailer is there when starting out best check your mirrors as it most likely isn't
I pull about an 8,000# 5th wheel that is about 11' to 12 tall, on the road flat or rolling hills I need to set the cruse as I will find myself going 70+. I can maintain between 55 and 60 on most hills in 4th, this is stock. Beach trip a couple weeks back I did notice the effects of winter fuel lost about 5 MPH over some of the hills.
arty018:

 

I have a 2001 Auto that's 100% stock. I bought it in New Jersey and drove it back to Virginia, where I live.

I drove my Wife's Nissan Altima up to New Jersey to get the truck and decided to rent a U-Haul to tow the car back home. I brought two friends and my wife along for the ride.

In getting the truck home, it towed just fine... The Nissan's Curb weight is 2900 lbs, plus whatever crap is in the trunk... Round it up to an even 3000. Add 500 lbs in the steel Tow Dolly from U-Haul, and another 600-700 in passengers. I'd say it was an equivalent load. Didn't even know the 3500 lbs was back there.

Shortly after getting it home, the VP44 died. The cause was a dead lift pump... So it towed with ZERO fuel pressure.



I think your problem may be related to the cold weather. I've noticed poorer acceleration in part due to the winter blended fuel and the transmission feels sloppier in the cold until it warms up.



Try a few things...
Maybe see what different programs from the smarty will do.
Do you have gauges? What do your EGTs and Fuel Pressure look like under acceleration? (I don't know what they should be, maybe someone else can chime in to tell you what appropriate numbers are.)
Who rebuilt the transmission? Maybe they did it wrong and it's slipping.

 

I'm not running gauges yet. I'm still deciding if I want mechanical gauges or the digital quad scout gauge. I don't think fuel pressure will be an issue since it's got the FASS95 with the bigger lines, not sure if they are 1/2" or 3/8" but its got the filter and water separator. I don't floor board it or try and haul azz normally I just cruise with it. I've got plans on building the tranny and 150's with my HE351 but I'll have gauges before that. I can tell you when I have my CR loaded down I can't hardly feel much of anything behind me but this VP44 truck needs some serious help hahaha

 

im glad im not the only guy saying the stock auto is a dissapointment!!! i know a tranny will wake it up, especially with chip stick and air but yeah, the stock auto is a SLUGGGG