4.88 gears and 6 speed auto...questionSince

[C. Harlan]

Cool chart Klenger! That thing gets addicting, entering in all the combos...



-Chris-

 

[sag2]

It appears the 4500-5500 are governed to 75 mph because of tire loading limitations. There is a vague mention of it in the owners manual.

 

[bmoeller]

I am looking into doing a tow and haul truck (one camper on the bed and the other in tow), so running empty I need to be able to run a decent speed and maintain some fuel economy.

Keep in mind, that the flatbed will lower your mileage. Lost 2mpg with the bed that is on my truck. Now, if the bed you get has skirts on the sides, and a tapered front edge, you might do better.

I wish it was that easy for the cdl in IL. I have to go take and pass the written first, then make an appointment (2 month wait) to take the road test. A CDL A driver has to bring the truck and trailer there and wait with me to take the road test (they want to verify I did not tow it illegally). The other problem is I don't know anyone that has a trailer and I tried a couple places local to where I will take the test and no rentals.

Have you talked to the DMV in Silvis, IL about an appointment? Someone who used to work for us got in pretty quick.

What size of trailer do they want you to use for the driving test? Might be able to help out there. My boss' dad and brother both have 24 or 26' g/n stock trailers.

 

[KBalzuweit]

Well I decided to say the heck with it. I have been at home injured since Oct 13 and it looks like I will not be able to go back until late Jan or early Feb. So my budget is shot plus it really looks like the rv industry is headed into the crapper.

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... ... ..... plus it really looks like the rv industry is headed into the crapper.

Karl,



Yeah, that's the way it looked to me. I was tired anyway and the price of fuel was reducing my net income so I told them I was going home. I didn't quit. Kept my magnetic signs, transporter plate, and documentation so I can help them if a driver breaks down and so I can return if and when I want to but it doesn't look good for the near future. It was fun while it lasted and the two years and nine months on the road provided financial security I didn't have before. I'll probably select my own destinations now and take a few slower trips with my own trailer.



I hope the RV industry survives and prospers. Maybe the retiring baby boomers will continue buying regardless of fuel prices. Many of them have saved and invested all their lives so they can retire and travel.



Harvey

 

[JeffHarrington]

Well I just took a inferno red 4500 with 4wd Aisin automatic and 4. 44's for a test drive at my local dealer Parkway Chrysler in Benton,KY. They got it in this morning and it didn't even have all the fuses and stuff in it so odometer and most power stuff didn't work which is no biggie Because I just wanted to know what the RPM's turned at different speeds.



At 60 it turned about 1775 and at 70 it turned about 1975 which is a good bit under what I thought it would be. I will be honest I didn't like the ride at all though. It felt like I was on ice or on flat tires the whole time and it was trying to get away from me.



As far as what was said about the RV industry being in the crapper I hung it up in the last week also after 3. 5 years doing it. There is just too much waiting on a trailer to pull and stuff and with fuel going up like crazy I think it is just going to get worse. I am going back to being a company driver at a trucking company. Let them worry about the expenses and pay most of my health insurance for awhile.

 

[bmoeller]

I will be honest I didn't like the ride at all though. It felt like I was on ice or on flat tires the whole time and

How hard were the tires? Makes a HUGE difference. If I keep 60 up front, and 40 or 45 in the rear, my Ram rides better than my F250 ever did with the same PSI in the tires. Right now I have 80 all around, and it rides like crap when empty.

Karl, sorry to hear about the ATV crash. My boss' son went through a nasty dirt bike crash a few years back. Throttle stuck wide open on a jump and he bailed. Got pins in one of his knees and a broken arm.

 

[Wiredawg]

I'm not sure how 19. 5s react to various inflation pressures... don't they have rigid sidewalls and you pretty much have to run 'em in a smaller range on the upper end?

 

[CUMMINZ]

I heard what really makes a difference on the tire pressure on 19. 5s is the type bead they have.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Test drove a 5500 today with 4. 88s.



2300rpm @ 70mph.



CUMMINZ

 

[KBalzuweit]

Test drove a 5500 today with 4. 88s.



2300rpm @ 70mph.



CUMMINZ

That had to be with Aisin auto right?

 

[CUMMINZ]

Aisin transmission

 

[Tspanos]

Test drove a 5500 today with 4. 88s.



2300rpm @ 70mph.



CUMMINZ

I observed the exact same figures. Loved the Aisen!

 

[CUMMINZ]

The only thing I don't like about the transmission is it has NO pushbutton shift controls like my 68rfe.

 

[HBarlow]

The only thing I don't like about the transmission is it has NO pushbutton shift controls like my 68rfe.

Yeah, me too. I was disappointed when I realized (during a test drive) it has the same goofy shift mechanism as my current '06. I can live with that inconvenience for the other benefits of the cab and chassis and Aisin. I will be annoyed if Dodge fixes that with the paddle shifter on the 2009 models though.



I studied the gear charts of the 3500/Aisin/4. 10 on Ken Lenger's tables and the gearing seems nearly perfect for my wants and needs. A low start up gear for heavy loads uphill, low reverse gear for backing a heavy trailer uphill, great overdrive unloaded, and fifth OD will be perfect when loaded.



Harvey