sonofagun
06-24-2003, 15:43
Just go back from a trip from San Antonio to N.E. Utah (Flaming Gorge). 1600 miles one way. Pulled a 13000# 31ft triple slide 5th wheel with my 2001 2500HD 4WD/CC. Trailer weight was ok but pin weight was over (still under axle and tire ratings). Wanted to see how she would do. Not much wind in either direction (extremely unusual). Averaged 11 mpg going up and 12.7 coming back. Had one day with occasional heavy side winds 30 -40 mph and didn't get any white knuckles. She ran quite well actually with all that trailer side in the wind. This way my first pull with the Juice and WOW! Stayed in 5th gear most of the time. Max EGT temp was 1267 (for a short time) and max boost was 26.7 PSI. Traveled at 70 MPH whenever I could. Averaged 62MPH according to the GPS. I use a wing on the top of the truck and believe that it made a difference. On the way back I had a semi start to jack knife his truck in the fast lane next to me. It was raining. I had a good interval, he didn't. The only place for him to go was into my lane.
My interval got real tight. Executed a serious emergency!! stop. Everything stayed in a straight line thanks to a properly set up Prodigy brake controller and good brakes on both truck and trailer. We wound up about 5 feet from his rear end. The truckers were complaining about the
rvs and other traffic on the CB. I related my story, said I was glad all were safe. I pointed out that all those who pull an RV aren't mental morons and got a ration of #### from a bunch of them. The trucker who pulled in front of me came on and set them straight, thanked me, apologized for the whole thing and down the road we went. Shut the other 18 wheelers right up.
I was happy for the 43 Gal aux tank in the bed of the truck. Made searching out fuel stops much less painful (which island at the truck stop has the small spout, or is it in the front island where I can't even get the truck and the trailer.) Pulled 600 mile days with no fuel stop. Cool!
I know some have been asking this question recently: Should I stay with the 2500 or go up. All said I am getting ready for an upgrade and will probably go up to a 3500. I have another 300# of stuff I wanted to take and didn't. For me it's a king pin and 43 gal fuel and tank in the bed issue. The truck did very well. 265 tires and stronger wheels would be a reasonable upgrade but you still have warranty issues if you're over. you also have insurance issues. The Semi incident got my attention. If I had hit him would my insurance co. have questioned the king pin weight of my rig and it's capacities. Don't know but don't want to go there.
Great trip, by the way. Caught 78 trout in one day, average 17" to 24". Caught one 26" brown trout.
Bob
My interval got real tight. Executed a serious emergency!! stop. Everything stayed in a straight line thanks to a properly set up Prodigy brake controller and good brakes on both truck and trailer. We wound up about 5 feet from his rear end. The truckers were complaining about the
rvs and other traffic on the CB. I related my story, said I was glad all were safe. I pointed out that all those who pull an RV aren't mental morons and got a ration of #### from a bunch of them. The trucker who pulled in front of me came on and set them straight, thanked me, apologized for the whole thing and down the road we went. Shut the other 18 wheelers right up.
I was happy for the 43 Gal aux tank in the bed of the truck. Made searching out fuel stops much less painful (which island at the truck stop has the small spout, or is it in the front island where I can't even get the truck and the trailer.) Pulled 600 mile days with no fuel stop. Cool!
I know some have been asking this question recently: Should I stay with the 2500 or go up. All said I am getting ready for an upgrade and will probably go up to a 3500. I have another 300# of stuff I wanted to take and didn't. For me it's a king pin and 43 gal fuel and tank in the bed issue. The truck did very well. 265 tires and stronger wheels would be a reasonable upgrade but you still have warranty issues if you're over. you also have insurance issues. The Semi incident got my attention. If I had hit him would my insurance co. have questioned the king pin weight of my rig and it's capacities. Don't know but don't want to go there.
Great trip, by the way. Caught 78 trout in one day, average 17" to 24". Caught one 26" brown trout.
Bob