| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: winter vs battery
Unless you have a very heavy 4D or 8D case size battery taking the batteries out & keeping them in a somewhat warmer garage is no big deal. Give them a maintenance charge every month or so.
Since you have power to the unit unplug the converter for good measure & plug your dehumidifier in somewhere inside.
I just put mine into hibernation. It is stored indoors & gets nothing till April. No dehumidifier. No battery tender. Nothing. The trailer is dead.
Our fiver goes indoors as well and the batteries are in my garage so the fiver is dead. I charge them once a month or so with a battery charger.
If I were running a dehumidifier in the trailer, I would unplug the converter and disconnect/remove the batteries.
|
blofgren
|
10/31/20 09:30am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: 5W40 or 15W40 in 6.7 CTD?
I used to run 15W40, but for the last couple of years I've been buying complete service kits from Cummins online which includes premium Fleetguard filters (fuel and oil) and Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme full synthetic 5W40. The engine does seem to be a bit quieter with the Valvoline, but I think either is fine.
Here is the kit that I buy.
|
blofgren
|
10/31/20 09:24am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Need some advice, gearing/fuel mileage.
So I kinda agree with both of you. When I’m looking at buying I’m trying to consider maintenance and operations costs. In my area, Ram is cheaper for oil changes and fuel filter changes. We know Ford has raised the game with the ten speed tranny on fuel mileage.
Capital cost seems on top of each other even with my trade. So I lost this truck, sold the day after I looked at it. It’s a dealers dream time.
But after ya buy it, who cares about the fuel mileage? I agree! And maintenance for that matter. Ya just take care of it.
This has been a good thread for me! Thanks
Lift the hood on all three. Nuff said.
Totally agree. Order the same truck you test drove with 3.73's and be happy. :B
I was playing with the build tool on Ram's website and it appears 3.42's aren't even offered anymore so you are choosing between 3.73's and 4.10's now.
|
blofgren
|
10/30/20 08:49pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Can this weight be right?!?!
Agree. 4th gens gained some weight from 3rd gens which gained weight from 2nd gens.
Last dump run with the 07 Mega Cab, 7900 lbs with me, handful of tools behind the seat and an unknown amount of fuel.
The 6.7, big auto trans and chassis upgrades of 4th gen, that sounds about right.
Are you saying you're a light weight? :B
|
blofgren
|
10/30/20 08:46pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Need some advice, gearing/fuel mileage.
Well, after having 4.10's in my last 2 trucks (Fords), I'm really liking the 3.73's in my current truck and my GM Yukon. Gives plenty of grunt for towing and reasonable RPM's running solo. It's a very good compromise. Unless you're towing very heavy (which the OP won't be at 16-17k lbs), I would personally skip the 4.10's.
I realize that the 6 speed autos make up for this somewhat but driving for hours on end solo with 4.10's can be somewhat annoying. JMHO.
|
blofgren
|
10/30/20 04:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: 2020 Ram 3500 5th Wheel Tailgate Available?
Just drop the tailgate! I have been towing 5er's since 1995 and never needed a 5er tailgate.
X2 especially now that they have cool features such as back up cameras and lock/unlock with the fob.
I had a fifth wheel tailgate on my 1996 F250 and it made turbulence in the box noticeably worse.
|
blofgren
|
10/29/20 09:51pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Can this weight be right?!?!
My truck full of fuel, fifth wheel hitch, my wife, 5 year old son at the time and myself scaled at 9,600 lbs. So yes, they are very heavy! :C
|
blofgren
|
10/29/20 09:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: winter vs battery
Why not disconnect the batteries and unplug the converter? The 12V system would be dead but no worries about the batteries then.
|
blofgren
|
10/28/20 06:52pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Found a unicorn
Congrats! I'm sure it will serve you well.
|
blofgren
|
10/25/20 07:21pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: 200,000 Mile Milestone
Congrats, Fish! That is certainly a reliable truck. :C
How long do you plan on keeping it?
|
blofgren
|
10/25/20 07:20pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Michelin Defender LTX Discontinued ??
Perfect, thanks!
|
blofgren
|
10/23/20 06:30am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Michelin Defender LTX Discontinued ??
I just purchased 6 last week. No mention of shortage or discontinuing.
I got an unbelievable 80K out on each of 3 sets on my last truck.
What size are the tires on your truck? My Ram DRW takes 235/80R17 and these tires aren't made in that size. I'm not too keen on the other offerings Michelin has, so I'm not sure what route I'm going to take.
I have Defenders on my Yukon though and they are great so far.
I went up to 245/80/17s on my DRW. A lot more tire options. I didn't see a drop in mpg, might be an option for you to give you more tire options.
I don't think many around here are sorry to this tire leave.
you beat me to it. I also put 245/80/r17 on my dually
Are you guys sure it's 245 80 R17? I see 245 75 R17 but not the other size. 245 75 R17 may be better for me because they are slightly smaller and I'm already towing a bit nose high.
|
blofgren
|
10/22/20 07:50pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Michelin Defender LTX Discontinued ??
I just purchased 6 last week. No mention of shortage or discontinuing.
I got an unbelievable 80K out on each of 3 sets on my last truck.
What size are the tires on your truck? My Ram DRW takes 235/80R17 and these tires aren't made in that size. I'm not too keen on the other offerings Michelin has, so I'm not sure what route I'm going to take.
I have Defenders on my Yukon though and they are great so far.
I went up to 245/80/17s on my DRW. A lot more tire options. I didn't see a drop in mpg, might be an option for you to give you more tire options.
I don't think many around here are sorry to this tire leave.
you beat me to it. I also put 245/80/r17 on my dually
Thanks guys! I'll look into that.
|
blofgren
|
10/21/20 09:05pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: I'am Finished! Roof Coating and Maintenance Report
Great job! It looks very nice!
|
blofgren
|
10/20/20 09:29pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Michelin Defender LTX Discontinued ??
I just purchased 6 last week. No mention of shortage or discontinuing.
I got an unbelievable 80K out on each of 3 sets on my last truck.
What size are the tires on your truck? My Ram DRW takes 235/80R17 and these tires aren't made in that size. I'm not too keen on the other offerings Michelin has, so I'm not sure what route I'm going to take.
I have Defenders on my Yukon though and they are great so far.
|
blofgren
|
10/20/20 09:07pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Ford 6L diesel in the news again
The reality is that there is no "bulletproofing" a 6.0L diesel. They had some major inherent design flaws with the worst one being not enough head bolts per cylinder. Even with studs, they are known for blowing head gaskets.
Spin it as you will, but the 6.0L was and still is a POS that I'm sure Ford regrets ever selling. As many have stated, my biggest issue was not that the engine was a POS, but how Ford refused to make things right and continued to sell it for several years in many cases to loyal unsuspecting customers. Strangely enough in 2013/2014 when I was shopping for a new truck I considered the Ford 6.7L until I looked under the hood of a couple at my work and the HPFP issues were starting to rise about then. That was enough for this die hard Ford guy (3 Fords over the course of 15 years) and I moved on to another brand.
|
blofgren
|
10/18/20 10:23pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Decided on a truck after MANY months.
I’m sure this will be a great powertrain for you OP.
Ford finally followed the simplicity of the GM LS engine line which is bulletproof.
|
blofgren
|
10/16/20 09:52pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Ford 6L diesel in the news again
When I bought my X in 06 I really wanted the 6.0. But I came across A very clean low mile V-10. Glad I did. This was before all the problems of the 6.0 were evident. The V-10 never left me stranded and made it up the mountains just as easily as the diesel did. I’ll take a few less mpg over being stuck in the middle of no where!
Yep, the V10 is a bulletproof workhorse! :)
|
blofgren
|
10/16/20 09:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Ford 6L diesel in the news again
you know I think I know about 20 people whi had 6L and the only ones that ever had issues were the ones that "tuned" the engines, the guys that left them stock love them.
Steve
Mine was bone stock and it was a high maintenance POS. After thousands in repairs, both warranty and out of pocket we still had a truck that we were afraid to take far from home. I tried to sell it, no luck. I had a very tough time finding anyone to take it on trade; finally found a dealer who would when I bought the truck in my signature new. I made the change and have absolutely no regrets. Ford didn’t spend $1B in warranty repairs on the 6.0L because it was a good engine....
|
blofgren
|
10/16/20 09:47pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Long term storage
Leave well enough alone.
It is stored indoors out of sun and possibly extreme cold weather/winds/snow/rain ect.
Tires do not "need" to be isolated from concrete, wood, stone, gravel that is nothing more than an old "wives tale".
As long as your storage does not have extreme moisture concerns, I do not see any reason as to why you would worry about "running" things like furnace, fridge and so on just for making sure..
As far as wheel bearings, they are reasonably sealed from moisture and they should have plenty of grease and you are storing indoors, there is no reason to go to the hassle of hooking up and towing 10 or 20 miles.. They will not go bad or freeze or break sitting.
Tires losing pressure is normal, 1-2 PSI per month is considered normal, simply add pressure to sidewall max rating periodically which you have already done.
You didn't mention the battery, as long as you have a multistage converter, leave it plugged into shore power or disconnect battery and use a manual charger once every three months.
Thats it!
By the way, the 30+ yr old TT I am using sat on a campground lot for 10 yrs before I bought it. All I did was fix a broken brake wire, replace the breakaway switch and add pressure to the crusty cracked tires and towed it home 18 miles that way..
^ This 100%. Batteries and mice would be the only 2 things I'd be concerned about.
Thank you VERY much! We are very lucky to have indoor storage that keeps it out of the elements. Moisture is not an issue in the building. The batteries were at the end of their lives and no longer holding a charge by the the time we put it away last summer, so I took them out for replacement this spring, when the virus struck. I'll buy new ones next spring when HOPEFULLY the border is re-opened and we can head south to spend time with our American friends. BTW - we are always on the lookout for mice when we visit the fiver as we do visit it regularly to make sure all is well....and to make sure it's not too lonely!
Many thanks again - it really is appreciated!
Yep, all is good then. We store ours indoors for 6 months every winter and usually don't look at it until we pick it up. It will be just fine. :)
|
blofgren
|
10/14/20 09:23pm |
General RVing Issues
|
