First big pull

[stg2500]

With the exception of pulling a enclosed 12' U-Haul trailer a few months ago I am planning my first big pull with the truck.



I will be towing a 32' TT. Is there anything that I should be aware of when I am hooked up? I have about 8500 miles on the truck and am hoping that it will assist in gettingmy fuel mileage a little higher. I am averaging about 15 MPG during everyday driving and about 18 MPG on long trips empty.

 

[rich m]

like the Cummins brochure says:

RUN HARD!



if you don't have an exhaust brake, or at least a "mystery switch" to lock the TC for downhills, the footbrakes will take a bit of a beating, but here is one little technique that someone else pointed out a while back... while decelerating, or at least attempting to hold a reasonable downhill speed, keep the right foot very light on the go-pedal, rather than off it, entirely...

this will tend to keep the TC from unlocking, and you can use the engine's internal resistance as a bit of a brake. You can left-foot the brake pedal while this is going on, as well. Works in 3rd or in O/D... Naturally, you'll feel more drag in 3rd. If you completely lift the foot off the gas pedal, the TC unlocks and then you go freewheeling down the hill with nearly no resistance.



Did a car retrieval that way before my exhaust brake was installed, from Albuquerque to Las Vegas, using an unbraked flatbed... worked pretty good, but the exbrake is waaay better!

If your trailer is real heavy, you might never use o/d, but it drug the car/flatbed/luggage (est. 4-5000lb ??) very nicely in O/D. This was even before any real power upgrades... only the straight 4" at that time, and, I suspect, a stock-flat K&N.





If you've previously done heavy work with a gas V8, (and, nearly everyone with a pickup has at one time or other) You will fall from acquaintance to love, or from love to obsession within your first 100miles of towing. It just feels better with the right engine.

 

[Archive]

I agree with rich... run hard. But I never recommend running fast. If you have a blowout or high winds or anything else, you and your rigs will be toast. And maybe someone else on the road.

 

[SnoKing]

I read somewhere on the board that engaging the cruise control on going down hills will keep the TC locked up in 3 and 4. So, I guess one would set it at 40 or so before heading down a hill and then hit resume to re-engage it. Snow King

 

[Eric_77]

Just a reminder on proper braking technique.

When going downhill observe signs determine max safe downhill speed and apply brakes to bring speed 5mph below that firm braking release brakes completely. allow to come up to safe speed then again reapply brakes.

 

[lizzyhermit]

watch out for the semi's. I pull a 30' TT and the wind being pushed off the front of a 75mph semi can create some instability especially if they are passing you from behind.



I pull at about 65pmh most all the time and enjoy the journey.



Also, watch out for slack in the cord from trailer to your truck. With 30+ feet of trailer behind you sometimes turn some very sharp corners.



Also, have you thought of how to jack up your trailer in case of a flat? And check the tire pressure every day. At highway speeds it doesn't take long to have a trailer tire cause problems.

 

[stg2500]

Thanks for the replies.



My trip with the trailer was a success. The trailer towed great.



I never really felt that I was pulling the trailer except for on the hills.



I averaged 10. 3 MPG going to Loudon for the race and 11. 2 on the way home. That is based on the trip computer. I haved done the calculation out to see how accurate the numbers are.



What is everyone else getting for fuel mileage. So far my truck is still stock.



Thanks for the useful information

 

[CRuD]

Never go down a hill faster than you climbed it. If you climbed the hill in 3rd then go down the hill in 3rd. This does not apply to "Bombed trucks".

See Ya

Chris