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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: This is Driving me NUTS!!!
Again, different people have different perceptions about performance...
Some people deem a truck unfit to tow simply because it slows down on the hills. That's their perogative but I personally think people should qualify their opinions so that people like dansdad77 can make educated decisions.
"The truck is down in 2nd gear with the pedal mashed to the floor on hills just to keep up with traffic."
vs.
"The truck is down in 2nd gear with the pedal mashed to the floor on hills doing 35MPH and losing speed fast. The top of the hill can't come soon enough."
Most people just say, "2nd gear, pedal mashed."
I could say the same thing to a degree about my dmax, "redline at 57 or close to it while pulling 25K lbs up a 3-4% grade" reality is, I will usually slow down to something more reasonable rpm wise. Instead of 3500, I would slow to 27-2800 and have some throttle left at 50'ish mph. I did similar things with my older 96 6.5td, if I could not hold a given gear, but I could redline it at the gear below, I would slow to 2600 in that rig, as it would go and go like an energizer bunny! Granted at 25K I was in 3rd of a 5spd manual going about 35mph, but I was still moving! and had 2 more gears before I ran out of gears to work with. Meanwhile some would say BOTH scenerios I have shown, the rigs did not have enough HP, as they were not going 70mph up those grades! meanwhile, I was happy!
SOmething to be said for, "I'm still moving" Having had a few rigs where I literally stalled them out on too steep of hills for the HP/torque and gearing those rigs had.
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/23/09 09:55am |
Towing
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RE: 3.42 Gears????
"IF" it has the 4l60e, the first gear is 3.08-1 or about 5-1 with the TC engaged. Depending upon the tire diam, it may or may not be a big deal with 3.42's. #.73's would be better overall. If you were to look at a 2500 with the 4l80e your first gear is a 2.48, with an effective ratio of 4-1 with the TC engaged So even a 4.10 geared rig is only overall 16-1, where as the 3.42 rig with a 4l60e has a 17.1-1 overall low, and the 3.73 is 18.65-1.
Personally I would not worry too much about the 3.42 setup. A 3.73 'would be better for start ups. On the other hand, the new 6l90e in the 2500's starts with a 4-1, putting you at about 6.5-1 with the TC, and 3.42 gears at 22.2-1 overall effective low!
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/22/09 03:30pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 3.42 Gears????
What tranny does the GM come with? MANY of the newer 6 sp autos have a lower overall ratio with 3.42's than the older ones with 4 sp auto's and 4.10's. So reality is, with 3.42's you would get the best of both worlds. Low initial take gears, and a taller high gear for mpg's while driving empty.
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/22/09 10:18am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: The effects of uncontrolled sway.
I too to a degree do not believe in AS systems. If you can not pull a trailer in a straight line "WITHOUT" using an AS, because the trailer fishtail sways. BUT, you us a Hensley or equal to stop the sway, that person is scarier than the one with a balanced correctly setup rig with out an AS! Because "IF" those bars fall off or break or equal. Now someone is going to say bars do not fall off! yeah right....been there done that! Fortunately, my TT was setup to tow just as well with out, as it was with! So I did not get uncontrolled sway when the bars fell off!
While I will generally speaking recommend an AS system. I personally only want them once I know I do not have a trailer with an inherent risk of fishtail sway. Ie from too little hitch wt, nose up, V'd axels/allignment issues etc. If you have one of these issues. "DO NOT" use a hensley or equal to mask the issue. OR like the OP's friend with his dual cam, he still ended up upside down!
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/21/09 07:50pm |
Towing
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RE: Spied: 2011 Silverado 3500HD
I suppose they continue to put 16" wheels and tires on them to produce more torque.
I do not believe that the 16" wheels are used for torque. A 265-75-16 and a 265-70-17 used in later model Dodges are the same diam, width, revs per mile etc. The 17 and 18 inch rims and tires used by Ford are ALSO the same diam as the when they used 235-85-16 and the 265-75-16 tires. And for that matter, the 225-70-19.5's used on the F450/550 and other class 4-6 trucks are the same diam as the 16, 17 and 18" sizes used. ALL of these tires are about 31.5-31.7" in diam.
But, like all things great and small, from the looks dept, my eye still likes the 88-2000 gm body style "best". Not that the newer ones are not likable. The cateye headlights were ugly to me........
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/21/09 09:56am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: NW Thanksgiving Mini Rally Nov 27-28-29 2009
David,
They will put you close to the wall alright! I also remembered, that $120+ was going to Vashion, where you have to pay the going and coming back all up front. K/E run is probably 60-70 like you paid. It does get fun driving duallies or equal on a ferry. SOme have tried to put my pickup on the upper outside ramps. Great going up, then coming down, the back end goes up, pipe/ladder rack hits the ceiling! as I come to a stop! LOL oh well. a bit less paint on the ferry!
That only happened once coming back from Orcas. ANother time daughter was driving pickup, loader said go up, she stopped, went forward, they got pissed, she said rack will hit going down the ramp, she got put forward below in overheight. I hear about a few minutes later as I loaded with my dumptruck! no they did not put me up the ramp!
I think I had some 500-1000 in ferry bills ea year from 04 to 08 coming and going from jobs on Vashion, bainbridge, and Crane/Orcas island in the san juans. Then throw in 3-5 trips to inlaws out in PA............. I think they know me down in Edmonds, no issues with my dumptruck or dually, but it is tight!
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/19/09 06:51pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: This is Driving me NUTS!!!
You will need to go to a ford site to figure out what that P vs R really means. Depending upon where in the VIN it is, it could be the actual plant manufactured at, engine, transmision among other codes. The RA ratio is NOT part of the vin. It may also be a manufacture code only, ie meaning nothing to the ave person.
As far as teh 3.55 gears go, if a rwd, $500-1000 you have a new gear set put in, double that for a 4wd.
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/19/09 05:40pm |
Towing
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RE: Throttle body spacers...Performance mod or myth?
Like everyone else out there, I'm looking to eek out the most MPG on my TV. I have heard about throttle body spacers and figured I'd go here first to see if anyone has any experience with them?
IF they worked, why wouldn't the automaker put them on the engine?
Nuf said !
application foThe main reason an auto manufacture will not put them on, is the emissions regs among other things. The spacer may allow more emissions than the manufacture wants to have. Along with they have to tune a motor for more than one type of application. The spacer may only work in the 3k-5K rpm range, meanwhile most buyers are running in the 2000-3500 rpm range! This is not a good use of r the general market in that case.
As far as do they work? I've heard of some folks with the TBI GM's from the late 80;s to mid 90's that liked them. I am also recalling that they worked at higher rpms, not the lower range where most of us tow at. I guess the answer, is "yes and no" or "it depends"
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/19/09 04:35pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ford F350 10,000# GVW option?
Ace,
We here in Wa pay for GWR in 2K increments be it commercial or personal. The door tag means nothing but for warranty per the SP and Commercial LEOs. It is what is on your paper registration.
SO the wording is rather gray so far, at least here in Wa st. Probably generally speaking, better to chain at times, than not......altho at 8500 lbs driving me up to snoqualmie to ski etc, in my dually CC, I do not chain up. I did with my TT in tow with my old SW truck when the "chains over 10K sign was up." Even did so a few times coming home on sundays, when it was not required, but I knew better for the down hill run home. Better to be safe than sorry with ones 4 kids on board! I did the same while going to and from T-line in the winter also. Not worth the IIRC $350 or so fine to not have chains on when required. The SP when I stopped and asked in the North Bend office, gave me a pamphlet, and said they went by GVWR not GVW, as you could load up over the 10K if you are registered over 10K at the summit, just beyond.........that was the thinking on there part as I was told!
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/19/09 04:09pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ford F350 10,000# GVW option?
Boy did this thread go off into left field..
You have that ALLLL wrong, it is in RIGHT field! not left, but right field. Got it? good boy!:B:B:B:B:B
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/19/09 02:09pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ford F350 10,000# GVW option?
well brian,
You may be more right than I thought......here is a look at online requirements on I90 as of right now. It does say GVW.....BUT< I am recalling that the GVW-R part is included in the actual rule/law.
Temperature: 32ºF / 0ºC
Elevation: 3022 feet / 921 meters
Restrictions Eastbound:
Traction Tires Required, Chains required on Vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight. Oversize Vehicles Prohibited.
Restrictions Westbound:
Traction Tires Required, Chains required on Vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight. Oversize Vehicles Prohibited.
Conditions & Weather:
Snow, slush, and ice. Milepost 47 Denny Creek to milepost 71 near Easton traction tires required, vehicles over 10,000 GVW chains required, oversize vehicles prohibited // Snowing hard
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/19/09 10:39am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: NW Thanksgiving Mini Rally Nov 27-28-29 2009
$70 for a ferry ride?!?!?!?!!? thats pretty dang cheap! Last time I took a trailer, it was over $120 IIRC. I was 60 something feet long! can we say OUCH!:B:B:B
yeah, the ferry fair vs fuel, vs time to drive ALL the WAY AROUND! well anyway. Heck, my pickup is 20 something vs spouses SUV at $14. Getch for being over 20' now, used to be 22, could squeak under that one!
Anyway. then may have to make a trip to Sky nursery.......will see.
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/18/09 09:55pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Suburban 1500
SOmething a lot of folks do not take into consideration, is frontal area. "MOST" not all, but most manufactures do trailer testing with trailers that have 60-80# of FA. In the meantime, most TT's have 80-90# of FA> that extra 10# of FA is equal at 60 mph to loading up and additional 3000 lbs of pure weight! So your at rest trailer is really 9300 lbs assuming you have a 90# FA trailer vs a std rated 80# trailer.
A rig at 15K lbs and 70# of FA needs 105HP to go 60 mph on a level, change that 70# to 90#, and you need 135HP. Same as a 25K lb rig at 70#! 18K at 70# is 115HP.
With a 5.3, plan on reving a bit when going up hills. that motor likes to be in the upper 3000 to low 4000 rpm range from other posters on here.
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/18/09 06:03pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Buying a new tow vehicle....kinda.
SO the two rating is what know? and this has to do with towing how?......where does the 5w/goose neck hitch fit?
well, i guess at least it is a bowtie...........not sure about the gazoleen part tho:R:R:R:R:R
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/18/09 01:00pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ford F350 10,000# GVW option?
Brian,
Wa ALSO reads "rated". So an 8000 lbs rated/registered pickup, plus a single axle trailer would generally speaking, have to follow chain up laws per talking with the SP a few times. it would be 8000 + typically 3500 for a single axel trailer. or 11500 total. a 6000 registered rig might get away with out chains.......but not sure the SP would go for it or not. As there is usually some fine print "towing trailers" that will get this person in trouble. I'm also using 6k/8k registered wts, being as our truck/van licenses are sold in 2K increments, not per the door sticker. This does not matter if it is commercial or private. I really doubt the SP will worry about the door sticker, for me they would look at my 12K registration and hold me accountable accordingly. When towing my TT, they took the reg truck plus the trailer axel total. I chained up a lot! even with my SW trucks!
Looking at the OR laws, they appear to be written the same as Wa's, and Ca's from a link a few yrs back are real similar too. As far as how the SP decides what is over/under 10K, be it rated, registered etc.....look at your state rules. lets not open up that "can o worms" here.
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/18/09 11:05am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Air Pressure: Door Sticker or Tire Rating, which to use?
If you can not get to a scale, a way to tell visually if you have enough or too much, will not help with too little.........
Get some tire chalk and put 3-5 lines on ea tire goring around it, drive down the road some 100 ft to yds, stop get out, if the chalk is worn off ALL the way across, you have the correct to too little psi. If the chalk is worn off but the out edges, you have too much psi in the tires, let out 5 psi, redo, if still not enough, let out another 5 psi, repeat until the whole tread wears off.
You can also get the same quick visual if you run thru a puddle in a parking lot, stop at a stall a bit later, If the whole tread is dry, then you are ok to a point, use above references with tire chalk. Going from a dusty to non dusty hard surface will do the same thing.
Its possible the fronts will need 50, rears 40-45 depending upon the empty wt of the rig. My diesels typically have 4500 on the FA, and 2200-2400 on the rear when empty, ie SW crewcab styles, my dually has 3000 on the rear, with 4500 on the front. My reg can has 2200 on the rear, and 2600 on the front.
marty
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blt2ski
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11/18/09 10:23am |
Towing
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RE: Suburban 1500
Safely vs performance safely are two different animals. A lower powered motor can pull this trailer "safely" ie with out fishtail sway etc. BUT, it may only pull a 3-5% freeway grade at 40-50 mph. Meanwhile the same chassi'd rig with a bigger/higher HP motor, will be setup wrong, have fishtail sway, yet due to more ponies, pull said 3-5% grade at 60 mph! Which is the better rig? neither, one person knows how to setup what I would call a safe tow, the other needs to find a cell and lock himself up! or learn how to setup up a "safe" rig!
Just because a rig has 4.10's vs 3.73's, does not make it safer to tow an additional 1000 lbs or whatever the rating is. This just means the performance, ie go power to a degree is "better" or going from a 5.3 V8 to a 6.0 V8 in GM gas motor speak in motors availible for the burb, or the 8.1 BB V8 if you go used. But all three in a say 2500 chassis, all will handle a 6500 lbs trailer just fine, but speed wise, it will be the 5.3 at the slow end, 6.0 in the middle, and the 8.1 the fastest up freeway grades. Of course this assumes that you have proper hitch wt %, trailer axels that are not V'd so you have fishtail sway etc. This are what I call "safety" issues, excess power is not a safety issue to me, others on here will say it is. Personal opinion.
marty
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blt2ski
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11/18/09 09:27am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: NW Thanksgiving Mini Rally Nov 27-28-29 2009
David,
If you took the Ed/Kingston ferry, the tree lot would be more or less on the way there or back. For me coming or going from PA would be a slight detour, nothing real major. I doubt he is open thursday.
Will have to figure this out etc.
marty
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blt2ski
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11/18/09 08:24am |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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RE: Ford F350 10,000# GVW option?
Ace,
I would imagine, "ANYONE" driving a dually in states that have chain up laws, be it registered at 10K or less, will be putting chains on when the SP is checking rigs going up pass's locally. Be it here in Wa where I am, or down in Or where you are, or Ca, Id, Montana etc. A single wheel rig, even the newer F350 with a manufactures rating over 10K may get away with out chains if a 4wd and traction tires...... I do not think the OP would get away with out using chains if the "EVERYONE" needs chains sign is up. if the traction device/tires for under 10K, and require for over 10K is up........I've driven up I90 snoqualmie in my rig with out......BUT< I do risk a fine if caught with out chains.
Throw the dice at the craps table!
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/17/09 05:50pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: NW Thanksgiving Mini Rally Nov 27-28-29 2009
Dang it, the wind bag won't be there........grrrrrrrrr:M:M:M:M:M
oh well......probably give the poor man a heart attack! eheheheheheh
we'll have to figure out where the stand is, I can pick them up easy enough in my pickup, bring both back. As I recall you are a bit north of me.... I'm just north of the king/snoho county line on 99. Not sure I would have the time to spend a few days there, as I may be decorating Amoretto for the "Edmonds Holiday on the docks" show at the marina. That will take a day or so hauling my sons up the mast etc.
Marty
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blt2ski
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11/16/09 10:43pm |
Rallies, Shows and Gatherings
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