First Truck for a Tractorman

[fishman]

Also, as to the automatic vs. manual debate, I have used both extensively while towing heavy items and much prefer the automatic. That said, I can definitely see the application for a manual transmission in mountainous terrain. IF I were buying a truck with a manual tranny (which I won't), I would also make sure that it had a "granny" gear, plus 4 "road" gears, instead of the so-called "wide-ratio" gearbox. The granny gear allows the driver to start a heavy load with minimal stress on the drivetrain, because it's such a low gear. I also would make sure that the rear-end was a 3.73 ratio or higher (if a gas motor, don't know about diesels). Be aware that a 4.10 rear end will likely get poor mileage while commuting. The 3.73 is a good compromise between the 3.5x and the 4.1x rear end.

 

[DFB]

Re: Example weight rating for Dodge

Another interesting note for the 4x4 Dodge RAM 1500 class is the differences listed for maximum allowable trailer weights by transmission type in my owners manual. GVWR are all the same @ 6400lbs

Manual trans 5.2L gas eng. axle ratio (3.55) = 4800 lbs max. trailer wgt. GCWR 9,500 lbs

Manual trans 5.2L gas eng. axle ratio (3.92 ) = 5300 lbs max. trailer wgt. GCWR 10,000 lbs

Automatic 5.2L gas eng. axle ratio (all) = 7800 lbs max. trailer wgt. GCWR 12,500 lbs

Automatic 5.9L gas eng. axle ratio (all) = 7700 lbs max. trailer wgt. GCWR 12,500 lbs


Now get into the 2500 HD GVWR @ 8800 lbs

5.9L gas eng. all trans/all axles = 8800 lbs max. trailer wgt. GCWR 14,000 lbs


BUT... add the V10

8.0L gas eng. all trans/all axles = 13,200 lbs max. trailer wgt. GCWR 19,000 lbs /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

On my automatic transmission there is an O/D Off switch that will lock out the overdrive to prevent excessive shifting on hills. Shifting down into a lower gear (2nd and 1st) is also recommended for climbing and decending steep grades too./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

What's also important is the different recommended maintenance schedules depending on the operating conditions, such as towing and snowplowing.

DFB

 

[Bird]

My youngest daughter just bought herself a new Dodge, extended cab, but 2WD, pretty well loaded out. She said window sticker was $25,000 and they came down to $20,500.

Bird

 

[DrDan]

Cowboydoc,

Come on man don't give up! Make it a project (we all know ya got the bucks)! I am suprised about the Banks Transcommand. Are you sure it was installed right and all connections were making it? Mine works wonderful. If you are drinking a soda pop with a straw in it, you have to worry about corneal lacerations however. LOL Mine does NOT slip. It jumps from gear to gear with very little slop and tranny temps are in the 140 degree range. Did you see the company out in AZ that builds racing tranny's mentioned on ford-diesel.com? They were quite reasonable and do a heck of a job on them. Also are you running Amsoil in your tranny? That made a BIG difference. Have you actually fried a tranny yet or are ya just whinning? Also as Bird mentioned those US Gear OD's and UD's are pretty darn nice. Have you put an exhaust brake on your trucks? I haven't yet but it is just a matter of time (not doing that much towing in hills yet). Also B&D's torque converter is supposed to be great. Have ya got that PSD intercooled with Banks Downpipe? Man I got mine breathing and it actually scares me it zips up to 85 so fast.

By the way... I am buying an EZ Dumper hydraulic dump trailer which holds 5 yards. Ummmmm any idea what a yard of gravel weighs? It's gonna take a little over 3 tons and has hydraulic surge brakes on all four so I'll have a load to make the pyro and boost gauges kick a little. You gotta be nuts to get into diesel tractors and totally insane to get into diesel towing monstors! Fun but it keeps ya fairly broke all the time - just to see a little black smoke kick out the pipe. I am actually thinking of another diesel truck to put up on a trailer and take to the truck pulls. Is there any hope for me? LOL I love the sound of them Cummings when they hopped up a little. I spent a few days at Sheid Diesel in IN a couple weeks ago. I saw a guy come in and drop $4100 on a rebuilt injector pump and injectors and never even batted an eyelash (of course I dropped $3500 on intercooler and exhaust and a little tricking out). Thank god I ain't married - I'd be divorced in a month!

See ya guy

DocDan

 

[DrDan]

Glenmack,

Don't, don't, don't.... Get addicted to this pulling stuff. It can wipe out the budget real quick. We been steering ya from reasonable to brute and you know ya want a truck ya don't have to even question whether or not it will pull the load. Ya wouldn't have a Kubota if ya didn't like the best. LOL

Dr Dan

 

[kerr]

Just sell the tractor and forget it!

 

[cowboydoc]

Dan,
Yep already fryed the first tranny in the first month that I had it. That's why the rebuild was beefed up so much with all the mods. Mine is a new one so it already has the intercooler and everything. I did put the 4" exhaust on to get the temps down a little. I'm not much into hopping them up like my brother is. I just want to be able to pull my trailer up the hills and get good fuel mileage. As far as the exhaust brake yes that is one of the first things that we always put on them. Makes the brakes and drivetrane last alot longer. The Transcommand was installed right and they even sent me another one to make sure the old one wasn't bad. Still didn't make alot of difference. It firmed them up some but that dang torque converter unlocks at too low of a speed and rpms. They said only way to fix that was with a switch. Mine's still under warranty so we'll see. Rather than spend the 4k to build up the transmission I'd rather just trade for a manual that can take it. I like shifting but my wife doesn't. We'll see though. I just got it back last week and have been so busy I haven't had a chance to pull with it. My daughter has some rodeos this weekend though so we'll put it to the test then. Depending on the gravel you are going to be 2500 - 3000 lbs. I think. Talk at you later.

 

[DrDan]

Have you got a tranny temp gauge that is accurate (gotta be careful with gauges that are inaccurate)? If so what kind of temp's are you running when pulling? Man I can't understand a fried tranny in a month -- had to be a flaw in something. I think you can get a good combo with an auto but it may take a little investigation. I'm stuck - legs don't work so I have to use auto tran. LOL I used to love it when I had an old diesel LandRover. Had OD so I have 16 gears forward and 4 reverse. Blows people away when ya back across a parking lot in reverse and shift 4 times! Keep after it!

Dr Dan

 

[glennmac]

Well, while the rocket scientists are arguing in the stratosphere, I think I'd like to ask Wheeldog and Kerr about Toyota Tacomas, since they seem to have them or know about them.

Looked at one and drove it around the parking lot this morn. I liked it. Good size for the routine chores, commuting, and parking garaging. Would either of you worry much about using a V6 Tacoma to tow your tractors with fel and rear mower on an appropriate size trailer maybe 300 miles a year?

Kerr, maybe I should go further and just sell all my property and retire to a maintenance free condo in Naples, Florida.

 

[cowboydoc]

Glenn,
In the newest Quarter Horse Journal there is a great article about "The Right Truck". Would be a good article for you to read. You can look them up at www.aqha.com.