I just finished a 4000 mile trip and I though I would give you a report on my experiences. Maybe it will help in any decisions you might be making.
Background: I purchased my truck new in 98 and and then got a used 25ft Wilderness 5th wheel, one slideout. This was our first and we wanted to see how we liked it. In August 98 we took a trip to Alaska via the Alaska Hyw, took six weeks, 10,000 miles. It was a wonderful trip and the stock truck performed flawlessly. I averaged 13mpg. Although the truck did OK with that trailer ( probably about 7-8 K lbs. ) we were hooked and wanted to get a bigger trailer and I knew anything heavier would be a problem. Incidentally, the 25ft was ideal for an Alaska trip.
I purchased a Banks Stinger Plus and installed it myself. I was real happy with the increase in power. We then purchased a 33ft Cardinal 5th wheel, 3 slideouts, about 13 k lbs. My TC started slipping real quick on our first trip but we made it to Pa and back.
I then learned about TDR and got educated. You know the saying " Old too soon, smart too late". This was last summer and I thought this guy Bill Kondolay sounded pretty good so I drove (empty) up to BC and had Bill install his
VB, TC, and additional oil cooler. Well all I can say is, everything you've read is correct, Bill and his products are simply the best. When Bill came to Texas we put in some 275 injectors and that was a nice improvement. I also had my lift pump replaced, under warranty, and did the areoquip fuel lines and replaced the banjo bolts. That's about all the significant mods except gauges.
Now for this trip, the first since the tc and 275s. We were grossing 19000 lbs. We traveled interstates from Texas to Ohio and Alabama. No big mtns but some pretty good hills. The most noticeable difference in the transmission was much quicker acceleration up to cruising speed, probably twice as fast to 60mph. I pulled in OD above 60mph and OD off below. I could pull any hill at 70mph with no problem except mpg was about 10, cruising at 65 was much more comfortable and mpg was 11. Anyone considering an auto transmission shouldn't hesitate with this setup. I my opinion it is close to perfect. It would be better with two more wheels in the back and possibly 4.10 if a lot heavier.
The power is more than adequate, I hit a pretty good hill on I75 going south into Tenn. I started up at 65mph and had WOT most of the way, passing semis and everything else in the way, boost was 34 lbs and the turbo was music to my ears, EGTs peaked at 1200 and held there for several miles and I topped the hill at 70mph. It's great to have the power to do that, good for the ego. EGTS will hit 1300 with WOT from standstill and 36lbs of boost. You would have to really push it to have a problem. With OD off up to 70 mph is no problem except noise. The performance now is much better than stock with the smaller trailer. It is hard to believe the improvement. Transmission temp was 140 cruising and peaked at 170 after several mile of stop and go in a construction zone.
Backing into my driveway, S turn uphill about 150yds, temp got up to 200.
Fuel pressure holds at 13lbs cruising, never drops below 12. If anyone has any questions please E mail me. I'll be home until next Sat then it's off to Las Vegas and May Madness. Looking forward to meeting many of you there. We are going via El Paso, Tucson, Pheonix.
Tom Wolfe
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Tom W in Austin Tx 98 24v 2500 Quadcab, auto, 3.54, lsd, Rhino, white/driftwood, Banks Stinger Plus, 275 injectors, Manix grill, nerf bars , DTT's TC, valvebody, cooler, Smartbox, Mag-hytec trans & diff, Pac brake, Bilsteins.
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