Welcome to the first installment of our three part series titled: "How to Make Money With Your Diesel." We often extol the virtues of diesel power and reliability, as the same vehicle that can tow a trailer might also be able to run down the dragstrip or get good fuel economy. This got us thinking, why not write a series about people who are using those advantages to actually make money?

Since you read Diesel Power, you are already on the right path to becoming a trailer-towing master. You know that an oil-burner is the best type of engine for towing and that it has tremendous potential for upgrades. Now, let's look at ways to maximize the trailer-towing capacity of your truck through performance increases, safety improvements, and truck-buying tips.

This month we were on a mission to find out which Chevy mill makes for a better performing and towing vehicle, the Vortec 7400 big-block or the 6.5L turbodiesel. We figured we'd get the naked truth by comparing two Suburbans with those two engines. Unfortunately, Chevrolet could only supply a diesel with 3.73 gears and a big-block with 4.10 gears; not an equal test. However, even though this is not a true head-to-head comparo, we were able to confirm some beliefs and form some opinions on which engine is better for your needs.

Since you read Diesel Power, you are already on the right path to becoming a trailer-towing master. You know that an oil-burner is the best type of engine for towing and that it has tremendous potential for upgrades. Now, let's look at ways to maximize the trailer-towing capacity of your truck through performance increases, safety improvements, and truck-buying tips.

Spooling Up While Keeping Cummins EGT DownDiesel enthusiasts know that aftermarket tuners and electronic modules deliver more fuel to the engine in order to increase performance-up to a point. Dodge Cummins owners, in particular, find their stock Holset turbo is quickly overtaxed when fuel is added. Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) can climb rapidly and almost uncontrollably on modified Cummins trucks. The factory recommends keeping the EGT (measured by a probe installed into the exhaust manifold) in the 1,300-1,450 Fahrenheit range, even in extreme conditions. These limits are easily exceeded by the stock turbo system, especially when towing heavy trailers or adding a lot of fueling for more power.

We see it daily while driving the highways -- vehicles of speed strapped down to a trailer in tow behind a mighty heavy hauler. Many of us transform into true weekend warriors escaping the stress and responsibilities of work en route to our personal place of paradise, whether it's wet or dry. Just as important as the vehicle of recreation or competition is the means of transporting it. Towing is an activity that takes two vehicles to complete the standard tow vehicle and trailer. A trailer is a true necessity when it comes to getting your means of speed out of your garage or shop to your destination of adrenaline and excitement.