Towing , 454

[dbentzinger]

James Don't let all these guys spook you!! We all know it's the nut-behind-the-wheel that counts. Back in the Rodeo Days the 454's and 460's pulled millions of miles with Very heavy, custom trailers. My personal record is just under 2MPG pulling out of Dodge City in a heavy head went, with four head, and a real heavy trailer.[ Had to get to the next show.]
Good Luck!!!

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by dbentzinger

James Don't let all these guys spook you!! We all know it's the nut-behind-the-wheel that counts. Back in the Rodeo Days the 454's and 460's pulled millions of miles with Very heavy, custom trailers. My personal record is just under 2MPG pulling out of Dodge City in a heavy head went, with four head, and a real heavy trailer.[ Had to get to the next show.]
Good Luck!!!

I don't think anybody is saying a big block gasser can't do the job, sure it can. However, it's just not a very pleasant driving experience crossing the Continental Divide with the pedal on the floor, the RPM at the red line and the engine screaming.

[CORattler]

quote:Originally posted by jlb27537

Towing it up Monarch Pass is one thing, going down the other side is another thing.

Oh, ain't that the truth!!

[Art-n-Marge]

Sorry about the interruption, but I'm a Ford owner but will add something to consider.

My truck is rated to fiver tow 15,200 lbs the way it's equipped. However, at the last check I weighed my truck when in towing mode (hitch, gear, passengers, pets, accessories, etc.) and it weighed 8,500 lbs. With a combined GVWR of 22,500 this means the trailer must weigh no more than 14,000 NOT 15,200. Even the empty curb weight of 8,150 means I can only fiver tow 14,350 lbs. It's a good thing my Montana weighs 13,500 when being towed.

Please remember it's not about the monster diesel or optimum gasser engines and their capable trannies, it's also about the wheels, tires, suspension, brakes, differentials and other things when towing our tons of fun. Something to keep in mind. I do need to get back to the scales and reweigh things, especially since we fulltime and probably carry more stuff even though we unloaded a lot of heavy stuff (glass TV tubes, for example) since the last time on the scales.

[mlh]

If you are worried about stopping you need to look at the SAE J2807 tow standards that most trucks are tested to now. You WILL be surprised. We need to stop our rigs going down a mountain or on the Interstate. The tow standard is stopping from 20 MPH on a 12% grade. I'm not worrying about stoping in the Wal Mart parking lot it's stoping from 60 70 MPH that I'm concerned about.

[WaltBennett]

My previous truck was an '02 454 short bed extended cab 4x4. Put a cold air intake kit and a Gibson exhaust on it - talk about a fun truck! Yes, it would drink gas, but it would also get into triple digit speeds right quick. Almost as good as my old 1400 Suzuki Intruder!

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by Art-n-Marge

Sorry about the interruption, but I'm a Ford owner but will add something to consider.

My truck is rated to fiver tow 15,200 lbs the way it's equipped. However, at the last check I weighed my truck when in towing mode (hitch, gear, passengers, pets, accessories, etc.) and it weighed 8,500 lbs. With a combined GVWR of 22,500 this means the trailer must weigh no more than 14,000 NOT 15,200. Even the empty curb weight of 8,150 means I can only fiver tow 14,350 lbs. It's a good thing my Montana weighs 13,500 when being towed.

Please remember it's not about the monster diesel or optimum gasser engines and their capable trannies, it's also about the wheels, tires, suspension, brakes, differentials and other things when towing our tons of fun. Something to keep in mind. I do need to get back to the scales and reweigh things, especially since we fulltime and probably carry more stuff even though we unloaded a lot of heavy stuff (glass TV tubes, for example) since the last time on the scales.

As noted, manufacturer's tow ratings are mostly Barbra Streisand. I got this somewhere, but it's the best explanation of tow ratings I've seen:

The towing capacity is normally the lowest of:

- GCWR minus weight of tow vehicle when ready to travel (loaded).

- Hitch capacity.

- TV tow capacity.

[mlh]

If you really won't to know what a joke tow ratings are look up SAE J 2807. They are the tow ratings that all the manufactures are going to.
Lynwood

[jamesva]

Not everybody has a 100 gran laying around for a truck and fiver, paid 8 grand for a fully loaded crew cab dually 4x4 with 53000 miles on her, like new, and 39000 for a 3400rl, best of both worlds with had to give mpg for better living qtrs. just plentin it is 1993 and everyone would be appricated.

[jamesva]

no spell check

[mlh]

Smart move!! That's $48000 to buy gas with. At 8 MPG that's 192000 miles of free driving and no DPF or EGF of $8000 high pressure fuel pumps to worry about. You used your head.
Lynwood