Back from cross country trip... long

[rob10858]

A few things that we noticed from our first x country trip hauling, commercially with our ford 550 and our 2002 ctd 3500. my 3500 6 speed got double, and i repeat double the fuel mileage of our auto 550. i expected about 20 to 30 % better, but not twice the fuel economy. for anyone wanting to purchase a higher rated truck for heavier loads, the gearing can sometimes work against you. my ctd has a 410 vs the ford's five something rear end ratio. as a result, when i was cruising at 75mph at 2400 rpm's , the bosses truck was screaming along at 3100 rpms, and still falling behind on every slope and hill. all of that"pulling power" is wasted when the lower gears are'nt needed. be prepared to pay new mexico a $8. 50 "permit fee" and arizona a $79 fee. it was worth it to drive on very well maintained roads. the states of texas, arkansas, and california, should pay you to try to drive on these sorry excuses for highway travel. the people we met out west were without a doubt, the friendliest folks i,ve encountered over the last 20 years of traveling. the scenery was amazing and the experience was one that everyone should do just once, on the road, not in the air. special thanks to the ford dealer in huntington beach ca, for a fast replacement of a bad fuel pump on our 550.

 

[MMeier]

packman, what was it you guy's were hauling commercially, if you don't mind me asking? Thank's

 

[rob10858]

We were delivering turf equipment to L. A. from Virginia. The signs at the New Mexico and Arizona weigh stations stated, "All commercial vehicles, trucks, dealer tags, and towbars, must stop" If you are driving a one ton, across state lines, for commerce, you are commercial in their eyes. This not only applies to vehicles towing, but empty as well. That's right, even empty, although common sense dictates that they really don't push this, it's the law. To further confuse things, the scales in California state "No Pickups" go figure.....