First Tow Impressions

[roadranger]

Just made a round trip turnaround Colorado to KC MO to pick up my new live steam locomotive toys. Going out with empty 6 x 12 trailer had to keep checking the mirrors to see if it was still there! Coming back with all of the goodies the trailer grossed 6000 lbs, and STILL couldn't tell there was much of a load tied on. (weighed everything at truckstop)

Eastbound, empty, holding 70-72 mph with foot got 13. 5 mpg average.
Westbound, 13,200 gvw, headwind, 72 mph with
cruise, 12. 3 mpg average.
Truck just broke 1000 miles halfway thru the coming home leg--hope the mileage will come up some with more miles on him??

An interesting thing, there were 4 other CTD's at this 'meet', local and as far as Tenn. (NO Pherds present) Seems the live steam guys appreciate the CTD diesel advantage. Turned a couple of them on to the TDR site for info.

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Deezul Doug-2001. 5 ETH/DEE,QC 4x4,3. 54 anti,
Tow/Camper,Westin SS Step Bars,relocated breather.

Tow #1 - 6x12 Interstate inclosed cargo trailer.
GVW 7500
Tow #2 - Starcraft camper trailer
GVW 4500

2001 Volvo S80T twin turbo

 

[Alan Reagan]

Wait until you put about 10,000 behind it. You'll be pretty impressed with how much these trucks will pull. And they are stable in that they really don't feel like they are being pushed around by a big load. And don't it run good when you unhook the trailer after pulling a good load?

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, SPA EGT/Boost Gauges, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights, Molded Running Boards

 

[CWade]

Just got back from Florida on my first "pull". Had 998 miles when I left and 3400 even when I got home. Pull the wife's 30 foot 5'er which weighs about 11,ooo and stands about 12'6". Went south on I-75 and topped the Mountain at Jelico, TN at 66 mph. Came home through the Carolina's up I-77 and pulled the 8 mile grade to Fancy Gap, VA at 66 mph. Pyro got close to 1100 degrees. Averaged around 10 mpg.
Glad I bought it !!

Charlie

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2001. 5 3500 Quad Cab 4X2
HO, 6 spd, 3. 55AS, Jacob's brake, patriot blue, 22K Reese 5th wheel,Reese digital brake controller, Isspro pyro & boost gauges, Snap-On tool box

 

[SOLER]

My truck is similar. I love it. I towed my 10K 5er to Lake Texoma two weeks ago, and was very happy with the power and mileage. Much better thatn my Y2K auto.

The trip was only 200 miles, but there were a few decent hills (about as big a hill as you can find in Oklahoma, anyway), and I was always able to hold whatever speed I wanted. I tried to hold 55-65. But, I got a few of those "looks" from people, you know, the ones that seem to say "look at that RVer, he can't go very fast. " Or even worse, the ones in an unloaded or slightly loaded F__d and Ch--y owners that say "he should have bought what I've got. " So, for a little while I had to touch 80, just to pass them up a 4-5% grade, and let them re-think their thinking!!! He He He!!! LMAO #ad
#ad
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Then I slowed back down to try and conserve fuel.

I am looking forward to getting an EZ. I hope that will help me stay in 6th longer on the steeper grades at normal posted speed limits.

I got 12+ mpg down with a big tailwind, and 11+ on the way back, with a headwind, but the winds had died down a bit when I returned.

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Shane Oler
'01 2500 4X4, ETH/6 speed, ISSPRO Pyro (pre-turbo)and Boost Pillar mount, Dark Garnet/Camel, 4" exhaust, Grill gaurd and nerf bars, 20K Reese 5er hitch

Other: '70 Olds Vista Cruiser 455 (future resto project)
30' Sandpiper 5er Super Slide bunkhouse(about 10k lbs. )

[This message has been edited by SOLER (edited 03-27-2001). ]

 

[Windrider]

Soler.

It's worse when the truck drivers start griping on the CB about that slow RV up there when your second in line. (The slowpoke is right in front of you. )

Yep, we had to have a little hill climbing contest when the slow car finally turned off. (Hey, he started it. )

Poor fella didn't catch back up until it turned to 4 lane highway plus a few miles.

Unfortunately I put biased ply tires on my trailer about 2 weeks before ordering my new truck. After running at 65 (my max) for a while you can cook eggs on those little 205/75R15s.

The trucker was doing about 75 when he passed me, and and gave me more respect for knowing the limits of my equipment (as opposed to running flat out).

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Pepe (My little Mule)
2001 ETH/DEE, 3. 55LSD, Forest Green Quad Cab
Ordered 2/5/01
Arrived 2/28/01
Titled 3/2/01

 

[WCrovo]

Going thru Georgia on I75 I went to pass a semi, I quess he didn't like the idea so he speed up as I went around. We cat and moused for awhile, when I looked at my speedo to see why I couldn't get around him I realized I was at 90mph(with trailer). I got on my CB and asked him what he was running. A 500HP Detroit was the reply. Man I love the power of my new truck. I am just getting used to the power and the brakes. I have almost forgot how weak my 99 auto was when towing!!! This truck loves to work hard. I have noticed that my fuel milages drops when going 70mph +, keep her at 65 or less and she gets 12 to 13 with 18,000 gross. I know you guys with the ETH/DEE's are lov'n them.

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH/DEE, 3. 54 Bright white,4 wheel discs.