Towing Holiday comments

[David Oxland]

Just got back from towing a 7000# trailer from Canada to AZ and return.

Drove right on 5000 miles bringing the milage up to about 7500 miles.

Milage overall was 14.3miles/US gal: of that, one tank was driving with no trailer so probably 14 mpg overall.

Interesting things;
max charge air pressure seen 22.8#
max EGT seen 1225F with sustained full throttle @ 2600 RPM
Max brake back pressure 62# again, at 2600rpm

These #'s are absolute peaks recorded. Normal towing at full throttle up a grade at 2200 rpm I would see 950F which was a bit surprising; had to get the higher rpm to drive it higher and at idle it drops to 250F or lower within 2 minutes? Not used to seeing that!

Brake worked well and would hold the load on a 7% grade in top gear at 2000 RPM with no help.

X-moniter worked fine recording the maximum figures I gave above . Fault with it is that the display is unreadable in bright sunlight, otherwise fine displaying charge air pressure and EGT simultainously and with rapid reaction to changes.

My wife drives plenty when towing and makes good use of the exhaust brake.
Transmission comfortable in all areas; even rpm drops between all gears.
Steering great.
Seats comfortable for long periods.
Took some time to get the Jordon Brake controler set up properly but it's now working well and seems to be truly proportionate.

Windows can really thunder at the right opening.
Overall this truck is a delight to operate.

Be happy to hear any comments or fed back from other '04 operators

David [/B][/QUOTE]



Just got back from towing a 7000# trailer from Canada to AZ and return.

Drove right on 5000 miles bringing the milage up to about 7500 miles.

Milage overall was 14.3miles/US gal: of that, one tank was driving with no trailer so probably 14 mpg overall.

Interesting things;
max charge air pressure seen 22.8#
max EGT seen 1225F with sustained full throttle @ 2600 RPM
Max brake back pressure 62# again, at 2600rpm

These #'s are absolute peaks recorded. Normal towing at full throttle up a grade at 2200 rpm I would see 950F which was a bit surprising; had to get the higher rpm to drive it higher and at idle it drops to 250F or lower within 2 minutes? Not used to seeing that!

Brake worked well and would hold the load on a 7% grade in top gear at 2000 RPM with no help.

X-moniter worked fine recording the maximum figures I gave above . Fault with it is that the display is unreadable in bright sunlight, otherwise fine displaying charge air pressure and EGT simultainously and with rapid reaction to changes.

My wife drives plenty when towing and makes good use of the exhaust brake.
Transmission comfortable in all areas; even rpm drops between all gears.
Steering great.
Seats comfortable for long periods.
Took some time to get the Jordon Brake controler set up properly but it's now working well and seems to be truly proportionate.

Windows can really thunder at the right opening.
Overall this truck is a delight to operate.

Be happy to hear any comments or fed back from other '04 operators

David