Is a dually needed?

[kevinwak]

Heck, I'll throw my $.02 in... First, it's nice to see, that after all of the flaming brand wars I've seen on TBN in the past, cooler heads are prevailing. Kudos to everyone for keeping it civil, I mean that. Now, as far as dually vs. SRW, great question. I've always owned SRW, because my truck spends as much time off road as on. I have owned a sampling of all of the big three diesels, in about every flavor offered. Each one had its good and bad points. Ford experience: 7.3 Powerstroke, multiple oil pans, HPOP issues. 6.0 Powerstroke, EGR and oil cooler, head studs. 6.4 Powerstroke, EGR cooler, $hitty fuel economy. 6.7 Powerstroke (2011), whacko tranny, engine ran like a bull. Chevy experience: 6.6 D-Max(2007) Fast! But, tranny cooler lines, IFS = Suck! Did drive very well empty! Dodge experience: 5.9 12v, killer dowel pin. 5.9 24v, lift pump failure(had 5 sp manual behind it, so rest was bullet proof). 6.7 common rail, pre-DEF, $hitty fuel economy. 2013 6.7, DEF, good fuel economy, AISIN tranny rocks, new front end tight. Will report back as I add miles. I do think, for your needs, you might want to go dually... Pic of my latest rig ;-)

What was the fuel economy of that dodge with the Aisin like? Thinking that in a crew cab will be my next truck.

 

[daugen]

https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf...818&ei=lSTyUuO4NKSVygGl-YGgDA&ved=0CFUQrwswAQ

now this is funny in light of our discussion on proper parking techniques. zoom in and move up the parking lot until you see the white Snapon truck.
it just made me chuckle. One thing to hog four spots, but he couldn't even get it in far enough, leaving his back end blocking the road and wrecking everyone's line of
sight...you just want to have little easily removed stickers made up with Nice Parking! on it, but, sigh, one would probably be sued...
If this guy walked forward, I could almost excuse him. But if he walked backwards and past the rear of his truck, he must have been drunk.

btw, trying to find Sears parts locally when I found this gem in the rough...

I've parked my motorhome in a public lot before and took two spots, one lane only. Took a lap around the truck and a re-move to get it right.
Maybe he really had to go to the bathroom...

 

[daugen]

Doesn't Aisin also make a/c units and a bunch of other car parts?
Remember thirty years ago when we used to think "cheap Japanese stuff?"
Now made in Japan is almost like made in Germany.
And perhaps more reliable. ? or just cheaper...? both is good.
Wouldn't it be nice if Aisin built a plant in the US?

power just went off, ahhhh, power back on in sixteen seconds.
Ice storm is bad news. need to go check on gen.

 

[dodge man]

In older Dodges before they started using 6 speeds, 3.73 and 4.10 gears was what is available. My 2004 has 4.10's. Going much over 70 mpg it seems like the engine is screaming. With the newer transmissions, you don't need the deep gears. I'm not sure what comes on the newer Cummins, but its something like a 3.43. With the six speeds, you still get great pulling power off the line, but have the overdrive to keep the RPM's down on the highway.

 

[Soundguy]

In older Dodges before they started using 6 speeds, 3.73 and 4.10 gears was what is available. My 2004 has 4.10's. Going much over 70 mpg it seems like the engine is screaming. With the newer transmissions, you don't need the deep gears. I'm not sure what comes on the newer Cummins, but its something like a 3.43. With the six speeds, you still get great pulling power off the line, but have the overdrive to keep the RPM's down on the highway.

4.10 ain't bad. try 4.88's

 

[daugen]

4.10 ain't bad. try 4.88's

most of the motorhomes with the F53 V10 chassis have 5.38's. I had never seen a number that high before..

 

[Soundguy]

i think on a 550 you can get a 5.55

 

[Bob77064]

In older Dodges before they started using 6 speeds, 3.73 and 4.10 gears was what is available. My 2004 has 4.10's. Going much over 70 mpg it seems like the engine is screaming. With the newer transmissions, you don't need the deep gears. I'm not sure what comes on the newer Cummins, but its something like a 3.43. With the six speeds, you still get great pulling power off the line, but have the overdrive to keep the RPM's down on the highway.

They have 3.42 gears in them, there are some options.

 

[newbury]

The first big (bigger than a 5 ton ) truck I drove had 13 speeds and I think got about 6 mpg hauling a lightly loaded 40' semi trailer. That was back in '73. I wonder what the gearing on that was?

 

[downslope]

most of the motorhomes with the F53 V10 chassis have 5.38's. I had never seen a number that high before..

Are the MH tires taller to negate/require the 5.xx axle ratios?