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Old 10-31-2008, 02:49 PM   #1
Bill-N-Donna
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Almost ready

I’m almost ready for the big towing test. I got the hitch moved over to the F-350 today. I have everything ready except I’m waiting on the Prodigy controller I bought from padredw. When that arrives all I have to do is just mount it and plug it in.

With anticipation of how it will do I sort of worry about the high miles I have on it wondering if it will effect how it pulls. I’ve had to do a couple of fixes so far but right now it’s running really good. It will now start up on cold mornings and run like I expected it to. It was running really rough when cold but an EGR valve fixed that.

Hope to get it tested soon, just wish we were going somewhere rather than a pull test!
 
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Old 10-31-2008, 04:24 PM   #2
Waynem
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F-350? Did it have the built in brake controller??
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Old 10-31-2008, 04:51 PM   #3
Bill-N-Donna
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Don't believe so. Someone had removed something that was attached to the dash near the steering column. I haven't read anything in the owner’s manual about a brake control other than the engine brake that controls it when you are braking or on hills.
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Old 10-31-2008, 08:37 PM   #4
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Bill-N-Donna

You're going to enjoy the extra payload and stability the dually gives you,the solid feeling is awesome.The turning radius may be slightly longer than your previous tv (don't know what tv you had) but you'll get used to it after a little pratice.We have the Prodigy brake controller and it works as one with the 5er.

A good hook and tow test for us sometimes involves a short drive/45 miles or so down the highway at speed limit and lane change pratice to get the feel of the new truck in interstate traffic.A lunch stop at a rest area is also a pretty good idea,gives one a chance to look over the rig in a real travel situation.

Good luck with your new tv and test run.
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Old 11-01-2008, 02:42 AM   #5
Bill-N-Donna
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My previous T/V was a Dodge Ram extended cab dually. When I got that one, I was pulling an Airstream trailer. The difference in stability was awesome to say the least. After that first pull with a dually I was hooked on them. The turning radius on the new truck is a lot different. Back to making wide turns once again. Reminds of the 74 Dodge I used to have a long time ago.

Yesterday, when I got the hitch put on I had all of the parts and placed the rails and brackets in a box next to the cab. I told the sales clerk about them in the box. When I went to pick up the truck they ask me where the rails were; they had installed new ones. They didn't look in the box. So I offered to just swap them out and they took my old rails and brackets. Everything from where the hitch sits on the rails on down to the frame is now new. I did have them install a new bolt kit. I really felt better about that rather than using the older bolts which probably would have been ok.

This morning I was putting a few things over into the truck, you know the usual carry along kind of things; when I noticed that the hitch sitting on the rails didn’t have any pins in them at all. I had forgotten to take them with me and I assumed that since the hitch was on the rails and everything else being new that it was ready to go. They didn't say anything about the pins at all. Good thing I wasn't completely ready to take it out for a test or it could have been a disaster! I remembered where I had placed the pins and then I put them in. Whewwwwww! Someone must have been watching over me again!
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Old 11-04-2008, 08:34 AM   #6
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I just got back from the big towing test today!

Overall I can sum it up in 4 words that Jackie Gleason used
“How Sweet It Is.”

When I first started off I thought it was going to be somewhat laborious. The start was somewhat slow but it didn’t take very long at all to realize this was going to be the perfect towing combination for us. I set the cruise control and put it in tow/haul mode and it took care of the rest. I may have lost about 2-3 MPH but it didn’t look like it slowed me down any more than 5 MPH at the most on the hills I went over; quite a difference from how the gasser did on the same hills.

I also did a few measurements with the MPG over a distance of 43.1 miles I filled up at a Flying J with and indication of 7.01 mpg. Felt a little disappointed in that but checked it on the way back and filled up where I usually do with a distance of 42.3 miles for 12.26 MPG. I believe the difference is probably due to the switches were possibility set to kick off at different sensitivities. Taking an average it calculates to 8.95 MPG. If I maintain that on trips I will be a very happy camper.

I also weighed in on the scales with almost a full tank of gas. The next time I’m out that way I’ll need to get a weight with just the truck for an exact pin weight. I think its good to know where we are on the weight thingy.

Thanks Bingo for the recommendation on using the Prodigy. I took off before I got it checked real close but when I hooked it up I set it on F2 I think it was; it did just great. There isn’t much more to say on that.

With the longer wheel base I have to make a lot more adjustments to get the Monty parked where it belongs. That was a big change over the Dodge even with the extended cab on it I had a real tight turning radius.


Just thought everyone might want to hear the up-date on it since I mentioned it at the beginning of this thread.

Later
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Old 11-04-2008, 10:36 AM   #7
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Bill-N-Donna
....This morning I was putting a few things over into the truck, you know the usual carry along kind of things; when I noticed that the hitch sitting on the rails didn’t have any pins in them at all....
.... They didn't say anything about the pins at all. Good thing I wasn't completely ready to take it out for a test or it could have been a disaster! I remembered where I had placed the pins and then I put them in. Whewwwwww! Someone must have been watching over me again!
Holy Cow! I would have a few choice words with them about that!!!



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Old 11-04-2008, 11:57 AM   #8
bncinwv
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Hey Bill,
The only thing left to do is pull it with us for the 15 hours to Florida for Thanksgiving (Well for you it would only be around 14 and a half!!). Might as well test it real good, ya think????
Bingo
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Old 11-04-2008, 02:25 PM   #9
Bill-N-Donna
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quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

Hey Bill,
The only thing left to do is pull it with us for the 15 hours to Florida for Thanksgiving (Well for you it would only be around 14 and a half!!). Might as well test it real good, ya think????
Bingo
Wish we could, that would be great!
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