| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Air bags vs Timbren
Pro's and con's to both. I've been happy with my Timbrens. Others say they give a harsher ride and they probably do in some situations but I don't really notice. It probably depends on how they are used. Air bags give more flexibility but the pressures have to be adjusted according to the load which can be a pain especially if you don't have a ready source of compressed air.
|
wilber1
|
08/27/08 08:27pm |
Towing
|
 |
RE: So How's The Carbon Tax Working For Ya'
Gruffy
The tax is on everything carbon, that includes natural gas, which is the most used heating fuel in BC, propane, jet fuel (but only on flights within the province), Etc, That's why your numbers don't work.
An added bonus is that we also get charged GST on the tax so the feds get a raise to. Something Dion isn't about to advertise with his "Green Shift". Oh Canada.
|
wilber1
|
08/23/08 06:13pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: So How's The Carbon Tax Working For Ya'
I dunno, in true Al Gore style the premier hitched a ride to Beijing on a private jet instead of flying commercial and I haven't bought fuel or vacationed in Canada since the tax came in. It's a tax like any other meaning it redistributes wealth. Any time a government is not in surplus or deficit it is revenue neutral. Using the term to describe a particular tax is just a red herring.
Aside from that I have an open mind on global warming and what to do about it, unfortunately Canadians have a tendency to believe if you tax something, it is fixed.
Rant over.
|
wilber1
|
08/22/08 11:08pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: Differential gear ratios
I have two 3/4 ton pickups, one with 3.54s and one with 4.10s.
I live at 4200 ft and and sedom if ever camp any lower so everything is up hill from here.
I much prefer the 4.10s for towing.
Are both diesel? What is the fuel mileage difference between them? I have 3:54's and am contemplating either 3:73's or 4:11's
I have an 01 Dodge CTD auto that I switched over from 3.55's to 4.10's. I don't do much with it other than tow so I never check the mileage running empty. I haven't noticed much if any difference towing. Doesn't matter as for me it is a tow vehicle first and foremost. Because I can't go anywhere without climbing a mountain where I live, 4.10's are the way to go. Also the 4.10 ratio allows me to tow comfortably at 60 mph in OD without lugging the engine and putting more stress on the tranny. My truck is stock and I see you have an upgraded TC and VB, but you are also running an EZ so it is probably a wash when it comes to stress.
|
wilber1
|
08/21/08 12:23pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Differential gear ratios
I dont like the idea of stressing a motor and transmission that have 337K miles on them. the gear change is to take a little stress off of the ole girl, hopefuly makin this truck last another 5 years. But the way it is now the transmission is always hunting for the right gear, and i want it to just go into OD and rev to its hearts content.
Then go for the gears. It will make life easier on the truck and won't cost you much more at the pumps if you are able to tow in OD a lot more.
Supercharging a truck with that mileage and then towing with it. OK I guess if you love suspense.
|
wilber1
|
08/20/08 10:07pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Differential gear ratios
I also do not believe an axel ratio should allow one more GCWR, for all and many more reasons as I have described above. There should be a chassis GCWR, and a performance drivetrain GCWR
There can be only one GCWR and it is based on the weakest link, whether it is driveline or chassis. If an axle ratio changes the GCWR, it is because something in the driveline forward of the differential is the weakest link. Usually the transmission. If a different ratio does not change the GCWR it is because the weakest link must be somewhere in the chassis.
|
wilber1
|
08/20/08 06:45pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Differential gear ratios
You don't say what your are towing or what you are towing it with so it is hard to give an answer.
Check the GCWR for your truck with your present gearing. If total weight for your rig is below that, I wouldn't worry much about durability. If you are above your GCWR, drop down to a ratio which gives you a GCWR that can accommodate your rig, particularly if you tow in the mountains. I went from 3.55's to 4.10's because most of my towing involves mountains where I live and haven't looked back. If the manufacturer says a lower ratio gives a higher GCWR, dollars to doughnuts it is because the transmission is the weakest link, or the clutch in the case of a manual.
Aside from that it is personal preference as to what ratio gives you the driving characteristics you like most.
|
wilber1
|
08/20/08 05:46pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Used Diesel Mileage Opinions
Just wanting to get opinions on what the upper mileage limit you'd consider if buying a used diesel truck. I know it all depends on how it's been maintained and driven, but sometimes it's pretty tough to know that answer. One of the truck's I'm considering is a 2004 Dodge 3500 with 166,000km (103,000 miles). It's not excessive, but it's still scares me a bit. Thanks.
166K is quite a bit for an 04 but not huge mileage. I don't think that alone would stop me from buying a truck. My 01 has 85,000 KM on it and that includes a trip to Newfoundland and back but that is probably closer to the other extreme. What has it been used for, how has it been maintained and how much do they want for it? That would be more my concern.
|
wilber1
|
08/19/08 08:59pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Dogs Without Borders (Canada/US)
Our dog goes back and forth on a regular basis. Maybe it's because they see us quite often but once every ten times or so, one side or the other may ask if we have a rabies certificate. Once every twenty times or so, they might actually ask to see it. We keep a photo copy in the glove box of each vehicle so we don't get caught out if they ask.
|
wilber1
|
08/12/08 11:18am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: Dodge Cummins Blue-Tec?
'm also interested in VW's approach to clean diesel technology, as their new Jetta diesel meets California's stringent emissions requirements without Urea injection, and that is a "break-through".
Me to but as VW Audi was a partner in developing BlueTec and withdrew because of branding considerations, the technology is basically the same. They can get away without urea on lighter vehicles like the Jetta but heavier ones like the forthcoming Touareg 3 liter 50 state diesel will have urea.
|
wilber1
|
08/11/08 03:19pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: RV Licence Endorsement in British Columbia
If you tow over 4600 kilos you need an endorsement but that only applies to BC licensed drivers. Doesn't apply to out of province drivers but doesn't Ontario have the same regulation?
|
wilber1
|
08/11/08 11:37am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: What is a good truck and ratio for towing?
I tow a 10K 5er over the same roads you do with a 2001 Dodge CTD auto. The even with the diesel I wasn't real happy with the 3.55's in the mountains with that weight so I switched to 4.10's. Glad I did. I don't know if that is any help but if you are looking to do a ratio change These Guys do good work. At least they did a few years ago when I had mine done.
|
wilber1
|
08/04/08 09:40pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Engine RPM vs MPH
Last winter we traveled 520 miles going avg. 52 mph not using OD and managed 12.8 mpg.
I couldn't travel 520 miles at 52 mph if I was paid.:W:B
What if you were paid by the hour?
|
wilber1
|
08/03/08 03:42pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Rockslide blocks hwy to Whistler
It was open again this morning.
|
wilber1
|
08/03/08 12:05pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: Toyota, Honda not immune
Who knows how long it will last but so far Canada seems to be bucking that trend.
For July
GM +5.2%
Ford -13.7%
Chrysler -7.6%
Toyota +18%
Honda +17%
Nissan +27%
The big increases in Japanese sales are in their most fuel efficient models, their truck sales are pretty much in the tank like everyone else. Surprise surprise.
|
wilber1
|
08/02/08 02:11pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Sumas WA Border Crossing
Sumas will likely be busy but not nearly as bad as Peace Arch. It really varies as to the time of day. If you can check the internet shortly before you arrive, this is a good site for the Fraser Valley crossings. Border Cams
The Sumas camera is about 150 yards from US customs.
When it comes to actual wait times, this is probably a better site
Border Wait Times
|
wilber1
|
08/01/08 08:29pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: BMW X5.....
Mercedes built a front wheel drive C230?
|
wilber1
|
08/01/08 06:07pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: problem to trade-in full size pickups
A few weeks ago there was a Ford dealer in the Okanagan advertising all kinds of incentives on HD pickups. If you already have a truck, no problem, they will give you another 4K off if you keep it. A sign of the times.
|
wilber1
|
07/30/08 07:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Is the diesel engine's reign as king of torque soon over?
I sure hope those MIT guys read this forum.
Sure would'nt want them wasting their time after consulting with you boys.
I don't think they are waisting their time, the idea of being able to give an engine a large increase in power and torque on demand is a good one, akin in some respects to nitrous but as far as making a 5 liter gasser put out that kind of power and torque over a long period of time for a serious tow vehicle, I'm skeptical. It will have to be designed as one tough engine from the crankcase up, like a diesel.
|
wilber1
|
07/29/08 08:33pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Is the diesel engine's reign as king of torque soon over?
Look for a natural gas engine for HD towing and hauling in the very near future.
I don't know.
Liquid natural gas is really only good for fleet operations because it has to lowered to -260 degrees in order to become liquid and therefore must be used fairly rapidly to avoid it blowing off into the atmosphere. Compressed natural gas doesn't give decent range because you can't carry enough to go very far without filling your bed with tanks. A buddy of mine had a Chev 1/2 ton with a 350 on CNG. He couldn't go much more than 100 miles without refueling and eventually converted it back to gasoline.
I love my CNG conversion but I hate how long it takes to fuel it. Similarly I've had an LP conversion, but now it's hated for high cost of fuel.
The Europeans (read MB, BMW, VW) will be re-intro'ing their diesels next year or so - which will have the advantage over gasoline by 25-30%, but it's the cost of diesel that's holding up sales. My Uni is 52 years old and it gets better mileage pulling 18,000#, than my old F350 (7.3) without a load. It's not about HP, it's about torque.
You have a Unimog? Cool. We met a German couple in Newfoundland last summer who were going around the world (slowly) in a camperized Bremach.
|
wilber1
|
07/28/08 09:38pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
