RustyJC's Obligatory New Truck Photo

[RustyJC]

My wife snapped this photo of the new truck (see signature) as it was on its first RV towing assignment over Memorial Day weekend. The details are in my signature. I can already tell that it's going to be a towing son-of-a-gun. The flamingoes in the foreground are a "gift" from the RV park as my wife was wagonmastering a Texas Boomers rally.

I wasn't planning on buying a new truck, but during an internet search I found this one in dealer stock in Daphne, Alabama, so I made a flying trip over from the Houston, Texas area to pick it up.



Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

Rusty that is great!!! We will have to camp next to each other some time. I am sure we would get lots of comments. Funny part is no one knew we bought a new truck since our 11 looked the same.

I still love towing with mine. Hopefully we will be done at the DRV factory tomorrow and start heading towards Denver/Utah should be some fun grades.

 

[RustyJC]

Funny part is no one knew we bought a new truck since our 11 looked the same.

Same thing here - very few of our friends in our Texas Boomers RV group noticed that it was a new truck. Here's our previous 2011.

Rusty

 

[RustyJC]

Just a quick subjective comparison between our previous early 2011 3500 dually (350/650 Cummins, 68RFE and 4.10s) and this truck (385/900 Cummins, Aisin AS69RC and 4.10s). On a grade, the 2011 would "horsepower" up the hill - it would downshift and frequently rev to 3000 RPM before upshifting, if possible. This new one wants to "torque" up the hill - if it downshifts, it seldom revs over 2300 RPM before upshifting and using its torque advantage to "lug" up the hill. Both did the job (there is only a 35 BHP difference), but they go about it very differently because of the 250 ft-lb difference in torque. Both scenarios above are in tow/haul mode.

Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have down shifted mine manually thinking it may hold speed longer or move faster up a hill but it really likes that 2,300 + - range for pulling. I do run higher RPM going down a grade with cruise on with gear locked. Holds speed really well.

 

[RustyJC]

I have down shifted mine manually thinking it may hold speed longer or move faster up a hill but it really likes that 2,300 + - range for pulling. I do run higher RPM going down a grade with cruise on with gear locked. Holds speed really well.

Yes, the "smart" 2-stage exhaust brake is really nice. It feels much more effective than the 2011. I also really like the integrated trailer brake controller on the 2016 that, unlike the 2011, fully supports the electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes on the 5th wheel. It truly feels like the truck and trailer are stopping as one unit.

Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

They must have fixed the controller as mine and many others brakes don't work like they should in the 15's and some 16's.

I miss my MaxBrake!!!

 

[SnoKing]

Lets see Ron's trailer front cap is light on the top and dark on the bottom and Rusty's Dark on the top and light on the bottom.

Ron has park sense sensors in his front bumper and Ron does not. If I see them on Ron truck one of these days, then I will know he got a new one "again" like Jim did!!!

Oh yeah, Rusty and Jim have more torque than Ron and I. With my taller gears, 2150 at 58 MPH in 4th is a great hill climbing setup.

Happy June 1st guys!!!

SNOKING

 

[shorthorn]

great looking rigs fella's... Love the 2 tone and the aluminum wheels!

 

[Cummins12V98]

HMMMM 2017's will be out soon........

 

[Ram4Sam]

That's a good looking color combo but they need more color choices........Here in my neck of the woods, there are quite a few of them that all look the same.

Sam