Buying 4500 and have questions

[Wiredawg]

More info on the Gearing

Just sat down and thought I'd share some more info. The 4. 44s put the engine at 2000 rmp at 70 mph on 6th gear. This seems to be a pretty sweet spot. I didn't play with it any, like seeing where the rpms are in tow/haul and OD off. I'll try to play this week and share that info. I'm real backed up on projects, so not sure when I'll install the gauges, aux fuel tank/toolbox combo. Next weekend, gotta go to Rock Port for shrimp festival.



The Companion sits about an inch lower than the 5th wheel in my 3500, but I but my guess is it doesn't squat as much. My 5er leveled out my 3500.



Another interesting tidbit... info letter came w/ Companion saying not to use an extender that locks in the fifth wheel's jaws and turn about 20 inches back. They warn about the stresses this places on the 5er pinbox and the tow vehicle. Just thought I would share this.



More to come as I think of it.



Wiredawg

 

[WMonroe]

Sounds like a nice truck that is well set up, can't wait to see the pictures.

Will

 

[RVTRKN]

Another interesting tidbit... info letter came w/ Companion saying not to use an extender that locks in the fifth wheel's jaws and turn about 20 inches back. They warn about the stresses this places on the 5er pinbox and the tow vehicle. Just thought I would share this.



More to come as I think of it.



Wiredawg

Are you talking about extending/exdender for a short bed application? I have the Companion for my 3500 C&C, and I don't remember that.

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks for the compliments. My wife has to charge the batteries for the camera so we can take pics.



Yes, the extenders, but the one(s) that insert a wedge behind the Companion jaws that prevents the kingpin turning inside Companion... the turning point is about 20 inches back from the Companion. From the description, I can magine it could place more strain.



Thanks, Wiredawg

 

[Wiredawg]

too much governement service affects the brain

One more thing on the likes list:



This truck has remarkable turning radius too. Wow.



I'll add more as my mind allows.



Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Pictures

Here's my attempt to post pics:

 

[Wiredawg]

Pics

Another oneView attachment 72851



View attachment 72852

 

[LBARTLETT]

very nice truck

 

[HBarlow]

Looks good.

I don't know why but the 4500s I test drove squirmed on their tires also. Rowdy and I each test drove one at a dealer up in OK in late '07 when the first 4500/5500 showed up. We both observed it. I don't think it is limited to the traction treads your truck is equipped with. It may only be a problem when the truck is running unloaded and will settle down when you hang the weight of your fiver on the hitch.

 

[Bhale]

My 4500 with the all traction tires wanders also when it's empty. Dropping the pressure to 65 psi helped some but putting a 4000lb camper in the bed did the most good.



Speaking of tires, mine are showing signs of wear on the front. You know, the scalloping on the outer tread blocks. Only 4700 miles on them and i was hoping for better but i guess i'll rotate them soon. What doesn't make sense is the manual says not to rotate front to rear, only side to side and with the wear i'm seeing the fronts will be gone long before the rears. Any reason why it syas this?



Brian

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks for the compliments.



Harvey,



Are the 3500 C&Cs governed at 76 MPH. I looked up the speed rating of the 19. 5s ans it is 75 MPH. You think tires is the reason the 4500/5500 are speed governed?



Wiredawg

 

[RVTRKN]

My 3500 C&C will go faster than 75 MPH, and it is not governed as far as I can tell.

 

[HBarlow]

Wiredawg,

3500 C&Cs are speed governed but not @ 76mph. The 3500 C&Cs are set @ 105mph. Not as fast as my old '01 but adequate. My old '01 HO/6 spd would run 112 mph and get there pretty quickly.

You are correct. The 4500/5500s are road speed governed due to the 19. 5" tires.

My guess is if anyone ever made a black box for the C&C engines, which is very unlikely, the road speed governor software could easily be reprogrammed.

Have you done a test hookup yet with your TS fiver?

I took a quick trip from the Lubbock area to Chanute, KS this week with my C&C and HH fiver. My wife and I are planning a two week vacation trip (for her) in early July and I hadn't had the trailer out of the barn since last September when I bought a farmhouse in Crosby County. There were a couple of things I wanted to have done on the trailer so I hooked up Sunday and left after lunch. I just got home a little after lunch time yesterday.

I always take my HH back to the factory service center at NuWa in Chanute, KS. Their service department is the best in the nation. Nobody else knows the product as well as they do or provides such truly outstanding service.

My little 3500 C&C did a great job. I had forgotten how nice it pulls my 14,000# fifth wheel.

Now I'm excited about the trip in July.

Keep us posted on your new tow rig.

 

[Wiredawg]

Harvey,



Vivian and I are figuring out a 4th of Jul trip. Problably just somthing in a 200to 300 mile radius. I'm chomping at the bit to check it out.



Tomorrw afternoon, were are going to Browns Welding to get running boards installed. Hope they can figure out brush/grill guard for this truck. they said they have not done one yet. This will be the 6th truck to be accesserized by them, so I hope that spurs on a little innovation at reasonable price.



It's so darned hot, I may wait until our shop is built to install gauges, move aux fuel tank over from 3500. .



We'' let you know how it tows when we get her out. I was impressed when I kicked it in the butt today getting on the highway.



Talk atcha later,



Wiredawg

 

[HBarlow]

I think you'll be very pleased with the way it pulls and handles your heavy fiver. The detuned 305 hp/610 tq C&C engine won't accelerate as strong as the '06 I owned but is great as a towing motor.

You'll love the Aisin 6 spd automatic and the integrated exhaust braking provided by the sliding nozzle turbo. In the tow/haul mode you'll be in complete control of the load. You'll have plenty of road speed for towing when in fifth gear (top gear in Tow/Haul) and the way the Aisin shifts up when starting the load and downshifting when slowing along with the exhaust brake feature engaged is impressive.

If I'm on a secondary highway and not in a hurry I run along at 62mph in Tow/Haul at about 2200 rpm. If I'm in a hurry I'll run it up to 65 or even 70 and deactivate Tow/Haul after I get up to speed. The ISB6. 7 has plenty of power to pull in sixth OD if you kick the speed up to 65 or better.

 

[Wiredawg]

Weighed the Truck Today....

I'm getting new experience owning a 4500... the TX vehicle registration folks called me Friday asked what I'm using the truck for, how heavy my trailer is and told me to get a weight ticket so I can sign the registration application. If it becomes an issue of what GCVW to register, I'm going for the whole 26K lbs.



The truck weighs 10,840 lbs w/ the aux fuel tank/tool box w/ out fuel in it, w/ out the Campanion 5th wheel hitch and w/ out two more 5-drawer tool boxes. So, I would add another 1K lbs for those. I do have the new custom made Brown's Welding brush/grill guard and 1 inch tube framed diamond plate running boards. Ride is pretty good with the extra weight on the front end and cab. I'm having a tire storage pit/box being made next week, where we're going to cut a notch out of the floor of the bed and box it in (w/drain holes) where the the tire can be stored standing up between the frame.



I'm gonna reweigh after I get the rest of everything installed and aux fuel tank plumbed. We're going to take the 5er out next Fri so I'll take pics w/ it installed and more pics when I finish setting up the truck.



Happy Trails,



Wiredawg

 

[LBARTLETT]

post pic's of your Brown accessories and the tire box when completed if you have time, I'd love to see it and have a safe trip

 

[CUMMINZ]

I find it amazing how quickly our trucks gain weight as we add gizmos on them to make them a good towing/riding/handling vehicle. The weight/GVW guides on the manufacturers websites are almost misleading. Looks like you have gathered a very well truck. Good luck with it. It will only get better. :-laf

 

[LBARTLETT]

CumminZ, just looked at your website, wished I'd have sprayed my dually fenders likie you did, what an excellent idea

 

[Wiredawg]

Next lessonn learned...hooking up marker lights...

Well, here's to assuming things are different on a C&C over a reg truck... I hokked up 12 marker lights (on running boards and front air dam) and it set an alarm/ running lights stopped working. Disconnected them and all was well again. I guess I will tie them into the trailer connection. Live and learn. Darned electronics.



Wiredawg