Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Well, I finally entered my first truck pull. This was an ATPA sanctioned event for the big rigs with a 6800 lb street stock class. Before I go any further let me say thanks to the other pullers there that night. Without their help, I wouldn't even have been able to pull. I got great advice, help making weight (great help "re-weighting" also), a hitch, tools, and help pushing my truck around... thanks guys.
My truck took first place out of a field of 22 trucks which included one other bombed Cummins, a couple Powerstrokes, and a couple V10s. Final distance was 294 feet (just 6 little feet short of a full pull). Dodge had a good showing taking the top 3 spots with two bombed Cummins and a V10. Ford took the next 3 spots (I believe 2 Powerstrokes and a V10?) Chevy didn't show very well but there weren't any Duramaxes there (even though they were a sponsor).
First big impression is that this is not for the faint of heart. I can't think of anything more abusive to a drivetrain. I had some clutch issues following the pull and Peter and I are working on it. One poor guy in an old Chevy literally blew his transfer case apart (caught on video by the way). The ATPA officials spent some time picking parts of his truck off the track. As far as EGTs, the secret, in my opinion, is keeping your RPMs up. Both in towing and sled pulling, keeping your RPMs up makes all the difference in the world. With a shorter gear, the engine doesn't work as hard and airflow is higher.
Anyhow, all in all it was a pretty good night. The event was sold out (standing room only), the weather was great, the people were great, and the modified big rigs were very impressive. As I said before, I got most of the night on video so, if response is good enough, I'll convert some of the good moments to MPEG and post them.
My truck took first place out of a field of 22 trucks which included one other bombed Cummins, a couple Powerstrokes, and a couple V10s. Final distance was 294 feet (just 6 little feet short of a full pull). Dodge had a good showing taking the top 3 spots with two bombed Cummins and a V10. Ford took the next 3 spots (I believe 2 Powerstrokes and a V10?) Chevy didn't show very well but there weren't any Duramaxes there (even though they were a sponsor).
First big impression is that this is not for the faint of heart. I can't think of anything more abusive to a drivetrain. I had some clutch issues following the pull and Peter and I are working on it. One poor guy in an old Chevy literally blew his transfer case apart (caught on video by the way). The ATPA officials spent some time picking parts of his truck off the track. As far as EGTs, the secret, in my opinion, is keeping your RPMs up. Both in towing and sled pulling, keeping your RPMs up makes all the difference in the world. With a shorter gear, the engine doesn't work as hard and airflow is higher.
Anyhow, all in all it was a pretty good night. The event was sold out (standing room only), the weather was great, the people were great, and the modified big rigs were very impressive. As I said before, I got most of the night on video so, if response is good enough, I'll convert some of the good moments to MPEG and post them.
