IS 40k gross too much?????

[SEmerson]

I pulled a 40' bus last night. What a horrible pull. I was about 40k gross. On the flat I could pull 55-60 mph. That was holding 1200-1250 piro 35 psi and 200 -210 water temp. Worse the hills really sucked. One hill I toped at 40 mph. The whole drive was 70 miles. :{ But at least I didn't get caught.

 

[QRTRHRS]

For the engine? Na. For the rest of the truck, o'yea.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

I'm not trying to be a wise guy but, call your insurance company and ask them if you would be covered while doing this. I will bet the farm they would drop you like a hot potato and swear they had never met you before they would pay a dime.



Glad you made it without incident.

 

[Murietaman]

What city in socal and what color is the truck. I want you in front of me.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I gotta tell ya - with NO malicious intent or flaming meant, there is absolutely NO situation I can imagine that would motivate ME to endanger myself, my equipment, or the lives and well-being of those AROUND me by doing something so thoughtless and foolish...



THAT'S what large commercial towtrucks are for!



Glad you and those around you managed to live trrough it - you (or THEY!) musta had guardian Angels working overtime...

 

[GAmes]

what the He!! were you thinking?????

Glad I was in Texas when you pulled that stunt. Dragging it to an exit would have made sense, but 70 miles!!! You must be in your 20s.

 

[CFowler]

SEmerson, i love it!!!!!i only wish i had seen that. pass any fords?to all thoseflaming him, ill bet he had lights, brakes,common sense.

 

[EXSTROKER]

He did not mention this was on a chain not a tow bar

Yes I was the one dumb enough to be pulled

 

[SEmerson]

Well it is like this. I couldn't afford a tow. Heck if I could afford a tow I would have license. And if I had a license my insurance would not have been canceled. But the tow wasn't that bad steering was ok, the bus would steer with both hand held tight. And as the truck slowed down the chained slacked causing the bus to ride against the bumper. That way the truck would slow down both while only sliding the truck some. And just in case we did this at night with the lights off to not draw attention.



Just kidding I had to add it just for you flamers... .....



Believe me at the speed we went we didn't have a problem stopping. Starting and even keeping it moving was the bummer. The bus was running for power steering and air brakes. Most was uphill besides. Plus we had a pilot truck with us.



And I had to test my DTT... ... ... ...

 

[Forrest Nearing]

well, if the bus had steering and brakes, then you're NOT criminally insane!



just the owner of a pretty tough truck

 

[Murietaman]

I used to tow a lot of Jeeps when I had my Land Cruiser. They wouldnt get behind me so I had a short chain welded straight and I would push them down the road. Saved them a lot of embarrasment. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

You know, I am suprised that it took four days for this thread to get some attention. I have to admit, I would not mind watching a bus being pulled with a 3500. I will bet it was a workin' real hard.



Hey, SEmerson, did you happen to check fuel mileage? And, do you have those plastic bull balls hanging off the back end of your truck? You oughta.

 

[SEmerson]

The pull took almost 3/4th of a tank. So probly about 4 or less.



I was worried about hurting my truck. Nothing like 35 psi for 1. 5 hours solid. I thought it would pull easier.

 

[draymorris]

Too much - I will tell you in about 9 more months

That is about the time my warranty runs out.



You pulled it with a chain, right? No offense, but you were not really considered to be grossing 40k - There was no weight on the truck - just a hell of a lot behind it. Give me some more time, and I will be able to tell you how mine holds up to grossing 39K over "x number of miles". RIght now at over 45k on my truck, I tend to agree with other on this thread - it is too much. What you describe - topping hills at 40mph and not being able to run over 60 - is just about an every weekend pull for me, but usually for about 220 mile. I have no chip, so I don't worry about the EGT - just put my foot in and keep the RPM's in the torque range.



I would have loved to see a bus behind a Dodge, though!

 

[ndurbin]

I have no chip, so I don't worry about the EGT - just put my foot in and keep the RPM's in the torque range.

I've heard you can burn the pistons up on a stock truck pulling a heavy load like that.



I had to pull a semi at my previous job, wasn't with my truck. Was driving a 1 ton Chevy 454 w/ a 4 spd. The semi still had brakes put we couldn't run the motor b/c the oil filter split and was leaking oil. I didn't get much over 15-20 mph. Pulled it about a mile to a rest area. Waited for one of the other semis from work to pull it the other 8 miles back. The whole way back we were worried the brakes would lock but they never did.



And before this I had to pull it out of a ditch with the spray rig loaded on the semi. Atleast it had a cummins in it.

 

[Elite1]

I have no chip, so I don't worry about the EGT - just put my foot in and keep the RPM's in the torque range.



Before I got the box (chip), I could get my stock truck to 1400 no problem empty, going up a long steep grade. Seems to run cooler with the volumizer box.

 

[KBalzuweit]

There are alot of guys out on the road using a 3500 as a hot shot rig. Many are are running a gcwr in the 35,000 area. But they have there trucks set-up for it and have the correct trailer too.

 

[CharlieMiller]

I wouldn't think about abusing my truck like that :--)

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Originally posted by CharlieMiller

I wouldn't think about abusing my truck like that :--)

your truck wouldn't think it was abuse!

 

[RBachant]

I see plenty of trucks registered between 30k and 33k every day. So I don't think you are that out of line doing it. It probably isn't the best thing for the truck's components.