Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I could hardly believe it - but there it was!
For all those long years, with my powerful Diesel,
I had absolutely RULED this 5 mile stretch of 7% Sierra
grade while towing my 8,000 lb. 5th wheel. Fords didn't
have a chance - and the "regulars" of the GM camp I often
encountered on this grade usually just pulled off to the
shoulder when they saw me rapidly approaching in their
rearview mirrors.
But now, today, as I serenely began my way up that old
familiar grade, I was rudely awakened by the loud roar
and clatter of another vehicle behind me. It was absolutely
UNTHINKABLE - but I turned and saw a new '04 Ford Super
Duty F-450 Power Stroke slowly overtaking me.
First, his bumper was beside me - then the front tire. Next,
thru the passenger's window, I saw the driver with beads of sweat on his forehead as he gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles. He would momentarily stare at me, then quickly
shift his anxious gaze to the road ahead, as he clearly worried
whether he could get past before we reached the hills
crest a scant 5 miles ahead.
But surely, certainly, he overtook me inches at a time
until finally, just before the hills crest, he was able to
pull back into the lane ahead of me. I sat amazed and
saddened as the driver and the little pop-up tent trailer
he was pulling, swept off the freeway, and into the rest
stop at the top of the hill.
The driver quickly jumped from his F-450 dually, and trotted
to the nearby bathroom - he was consumed with mixed
emotions as he happily realized that he had finally found
a diesel he could actually PASS with his Ford, and at
the same time was disgusted at the mess in his shorts
the closeness of the victory had created.
For my part, I was forced to realize and accept that
my long reign as "king of the hill" was over, and
that though my tow vehicle had served me long and
well, it was now old and tired. If I was to again
enjoy the ability to out-pull the new, fearsome Ford
Super Duties, I would have to trade in my tractor,
and get one of the new 20 horsepower Kabota diesels.
My little B-7100 Kubota 16 HP job had met it's match!
For all those long years, with my powerful Diesel,
I had absolutely RULED this 5 mile stretch of 7% Sierra
grade while towing my 8,000 lb. 5th wheel. Fords didn't
have a chance - and the "regulars" of the GM camp I often
encountered on this grade usually just pulled off to the
shoulder when they saw me rapidly approaching in their
rearview mirrors.
But now, today, as I serenely began my way up that old
familiar grade, I was rudely awakened by the loud roar
and clatter of another vehicle behind me. It was absolutely
UNTHINKABLE - but I turned and saw a new '04 Ford Super
Duty F-450 Power Stroke slowly overtaking me.
First, his bumper was beside me - then the front tire. Next,
thru the passenger's window, I saw the driver with beads of sweat on his forehead as he gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles. He would momentarily stare at me, then quickly
shift his anxious gaze to the road ahead, as he clearly worried
whether he could get past before we reached the hills
crest a scant 5 miles ahead.
But surely, certainly, he overtook me inches at a time
until finally, just before the hills crest, he was able to
pull back into the lane ahead of me. I sat amazed and
saddened as the driver and the little pop-up tent trailer
he was pulling, swept off the freeway, and into the rest
stop at the top of the hill.
The driver quickly jumped from his F-450 dually, and trotted
to the nearby bathroom - he was consumed with mixed
emotions as he happily realized that he had finally found
a diesel he could actually PASS with his Ford, and at
the same time was disgusted at the mess in his shorts
the closeness of the victory had created.
For my part, I was forced to realize and accept that
my long reign as "king of the hill" was over, and
that though my tow vehicle had served me long and
well, it was now old and tired. If I was to again
enjoy the ability to out-pull the new, fearsome Ford
Super Duties, I would have to trade in my tractor,
and get one of the new 20 horsepower Kabota diesels.
My little B-7100 Kubota 16 HP job had met it's match!
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