How I broke in my Cummins

[TowPro]

I had around 6000 miles on the truck, maybe 100 of those towing, and 4000 were dealer demo miles.



Last Saturday I left PA for Disney World. We had about an hour drive of back roads until we hit 95, then about 3 hours of 65 MPH.



In VA the speed limit turns to 70, so I bump up the speed to around 70. AC on, 95 deg, Towing 10800 lbs, running on OD and the temp gauge stays just above the center, and the engine has to run real hard to keep 70MPH going. At times the cruse control keeps the truck running at WOT! 500 miles later we stop for the night at the South of the Border Campground. Next day I do another 500 miles, doing 70-75, truck is starting to run smoother. then we do 250 miles in a week around Disneyworld (I stayed in Thousand Trails out of Disney world).



coming home we are probably just a little under 10800 trailer weight, (our wallets are a lot lighter).



in 2 days I did another 1000 miles coming home, 3/4 of that was over 70mph, running much smother now.



Every fill up was around 10mpg. Computer said 9. 8MPG.



I know it gets 17 empty before I left, lets see what it gets now.

 

[yogibear]

TowPro, you will get better mileage if you don't use cruise control when loaded. The only time I use CC while towing is when I'm on level. As soon as I get into even small rolling hills, the CC goes off, and I nudge the pedal down as I reach a hill. As soon as you loose your cruise speed, the CC puts the pedal to the metal to get your cruise speed back, and that takes more fuel. On the big hills, I cheat a little, speed it up 2 or 3 mph, or more, then ease on over. You'll be surprised, you will gain 1 or 2 mgp.



Larry

 

[Prairie Dog]

One of the few things (OK the only thing) I don't like about my new truck is the drive by wire throttle. I cant tell how far down the peddle is when the cruise is on because the go peddle springs all the way back up.

 

[PaulCreamer]

WELCOME BACK!

Hope the rest of the trip went as well as the ride did

How was 1000 trails? Do you have kids? How did the new truck feel on the way down and back?



Paul

 

[TowPro]

Re: WELCOME BACK!

The truck runs much better now that i took it on a 2000 mile hard tow!



I had to move it tonight so the block truck could get in the driveway, noticed right away it felt better.



Yes I have one daughter who is 10. We have been members of 1000 trails for around 3 years now and use it pretty often for working people. Last year we had 20 nights in Thousand trails, plus 10 in other campgrounds! The Orlando thousand trails is real nice, a little nicer then the one in Hershey I go to all the time, but its great also. Not all 1000 trails are great, some are just "good".

Originally posted by PaulCreamer

Hope the rest of the trip went as well as the ride did

How was 1000 trails? Do you have kids? How did the new truck feel on the way down and back?



Paul

 

[pathaymond]

Could you help me out here I am trying to figure out what 1000 trails is do they have a web site? Thanks.

 

[TowPro]

Thousand Trails is a Campground Assoc you join. It cost from $4000. 00 on up to join (depending on how much of the US you plan to camp in), then pay dues of around $300. 00 per year, and you will be able to use any of the Thousand Trails campgrounds for Free. (there is tons of used memberships you can buy on places like ebay. All with different prices, and dues prices.



They have certain rules like you can stay 14 days, then you have to leave for 7 etc, etc to prevent people from living in them. Most of them are really great camgrounds. If you live on the west coast there is tons of them, out here on the east coast there about 200-400 miles apart.



For more information see There web site if you have any questions, you can PM me.



I see your in GA, there is one out on 85 right over the GA line in SC at lake Hartwell. Below you is one in Orlando GA, 2 in west TN, 6 in Tex. If you go to there website, you can see how they have so many campgrounds on the west coast.

Originally posted by pathaymond

Could you help me out here I am trying to figure out what 1000 trails is do they have a web site? Thanks.