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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Weight Distribution Hitches
Leave it on the trailer, got to be dead on when you hook back up though.............
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chadsalt
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10/06/08 05:39am |
Towing
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RE: My 6.0L gasser doesn't seem to be up for the task
you think those 35 inch tires might be causing the problem?Other than the tire size killing my 4:10s down to maybe 3:73s I can't see why they would be hurting.
Down to a 3.73 my ass, you need a ~4.70 to get back where chevy started you at. The 6.0 is easily up to the task, but not if you cut its balls off. You dont need a diesel to pull 9K in Florida, but if you run a lift and big tires without changing the gears then you might want one.
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chadsalt
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10/05/08 08:31pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Just a Tiny Bit disappointed with my F450
Sorry Chadsalt was referring to my old Dodge CTD. It had an overdrive off switch on the panel. On the 450 I just put it in tow/haul mode. To my knowledge there is no "overdrive off" switch on the Ford.
No need to apologize, I was just visualizing your truck running down the road at 3000+ rpm...........
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chadsalt
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10/04/08 03:43pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Just a Tiny Bit disappointed with my F450
Just a little FYI, putting the Torqshift in Tow/Haul mode does not disable overdrive. Actually O/D cannot be disabled on that trans. Tow/Haul will still allow the use of O/D but it will not allow it to shift until a much higher rpm. With 4.30 gears at 65 mph I guarantee it's in O/D.
Double what???? I haven't driven a Ford in a few years (what was the first for the Torqshift? I think I drove an 04?), but you're telling me Ford made the same stupid, asinine, idiotic mistake Chevy did with the Allison but never corrected it? IIRC the first two years (01, 02?) of the Allison you could not manually select 4th, seems like Ford should have learned from that mistake. But you're telling me Ford STILL has not learned? I'm going to research into this.
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chadsalt
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10/04/08 03:42pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Just a Tiny Bit disappointed with my F450
Thanks again for all the replies. For info purposes my truck is the 4x4 with the 4.30 rear end. Guess I was just expecting too much. Thought it would jerk the trailer around like a linebacker walking a chihuahua. I really do like the truck alot. Seemed very stable and felt like the truck was controlling the trailer rather than vice versa. By the way I always use the tow/haul feature and a steady foot(just kidding about the floorboarding). I personally disable overdrive when towing. Will say lots of difference between my previous TV (1997 Dodge CTD 2500) in towing this trailer as I mentioned above with stability and control. MPG towing was 10.3 with 450.
Huh? You payed extra for the Torqshift and now you try to out think it? I sure would'nt want to listen to the engine scream away in 4th with 4.30's.............
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chadsalt
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10/03/08 08:03pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Leaving TV tires aired up?
I do agree with contact patch, but what I don't agree with, is the wear pattern on these LT tires. I run 75 PSI in the rear, year round, (I never know when I'm gonna be hauling weight), and my tires are wearing perfectly in the rear. The fronts are at 47PSI, and they too are wearing perfectly. I do find on wet pavement that it tends to break loose (no load) if I'm not careful, but keeps my driving skills in tune! ha ha Tire manufactuers put ratings on them for a reason. I would not hesitate to keep a tire near 80 PSI, for any amount of time. The only thing you will gain by lowering the pressure, is some contact patch, a little smoother ride, and a pain in the butt to put them back to 80 when the time comes. JMHO tho..
MegaCab CTD vs. F150........hardly a feasible comparison in the unloaded weight department.
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chadsalt
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10/03/08 05:29pm |
Towing
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RE: Leaving TV tires aired up?
I run 80 psi rear and 70 front 24/7. The comments about braking are nonsense with ABS brakes. I have run like this on past two trucks for years with never a problem or ususual tire wear. A little rough on the ride but c'mon it's a truck.
Like I said, contact patch is lost on some people. Pull the P275's off a Corvette and slap some P155's on.......then see what happens to the stopping distance.
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chadsalt
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10/02/08 10:28am |
Towing
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RE: Leaving TV tires aired up?
WOW some of these posts are downright funny. 80 psi on a 1/2 ton empty, yeah right......that will work out just fine. I wont even run 80 psi empty on my Dmax for safety, 60F/45R will get some bite when I need to STOP. Takes long enough to stop, I sure dont need to be sliding around on the center 2" of the tire. The F150 would be even lighter, the concept of contact patch and its importance eludes some people.
jat4,
Try running overinflated if you want, but I can all but guarantee the first hard stop in the rain when you're empty (or maybe even when loaded) will leave you scrambling for a load/inflation chart.
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chadsalt
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10/01/08 08:39pm |
Towing
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RE: Gone to the dark side
I know the coolant temp and voltage on my truck are accurate as can be. The oil pressure I have read otherwise. On my 2002 Dodge truck, they were all very accurate.
You can thank Cummins for that. I remember reading years ago Dodge wasnt even going to put numbers on their gauges........Cummins said they wanted an accurate gauge.
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chadsalt
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09/30/08 05:29am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Gone to the dark side
Actually for the money the Edge Insight is about the most comprehensive gauge system for a Powerstroke. The in-dash temperature gauges are basically useless. I can tell you from experience that the coolant temp gauge will not top out until 235* at which point the idiot light will come on also. At temperatures of over 225* it never reads more than 3/4.
The trans temp gauge is just as bad. At 200* it still hasn't moved beyond it's normal position. There are quite a few plug and play gauge options out there that will simply plug into the OBD II port on your Ford. With the 6.4 diesel you don't even have to tap the manifold for a pyro to read EGT. It can be read from the OBD.
IMPOSSIBLE! The only factory damped gauges came on the LLY Duramax.
I think he was talking about Ford's gauges, not GMs. And I have read over and over that Ford's gauges are nothing more than idiot lights with pointers. The Crown Vics I drive often are the same, as is the Expedition I also drive.
Yes, he was talking about Ford gauges. I was making a reference to how few people actually knew that most (if not all) factory gauges, no matter the manufacturer, are really just "idiot lights with pointers".
I watched with amusement when this fact was "discovered" on another website refering to the LLY Duramax several years ago.
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chadsalt
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09/29/08 05:04pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Breakway Switch (cable)
Chadsalt: That sounds like a good idea, and thanks for the specifics on the type of chain I'd need... But what about the breakaway cable? How do I go about lengthening it? can it be replaced without replacing the entire switch?
Don't see why not. Buy some of the correct size cable, cut the old one off the breakaway plug, and fabricate the correct length.
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chadsalt
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09/29/08 01:20pm |
Towing
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RE: Equal-i-zer adjustment
You're fine. Most vehicle owners manual state to use the WDH to return the front axle to unhitched height/weight. You've done that. The hitch has moved weight back to the front or it would weigh less (40# is not less) than when unhitched.
Are you having a problem? Or did you weigh out of curiosity?
I would'nt change anything. Others will be along shortly telling you that more weight needs moved to the front and that the hitch on your Avalanche needs replaced......stand by.
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chadsalt
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09/29/08 05:58am |
Towing
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RE: Breakway Switch (cable)
Hi all. We recently upgraded our TV. Went out today to hook up for the first time and realized that my safety chains were now TOO SHORT! I see that what I thought was two chains is actually one chain, with hooks on each end, that is bolted to the underside of the TT's tongue.
Everything else hooked up fine, but my question is:
Can the chain be replaced (by me), and if so, I have read that each length of chain needs to be able to hold the weight of the TT (ours is 4250# dry). Where can you buy these chains? I measured the existing chain, and it looks like around 56" total.
ALSO:
How do i lengthen (or replace, if needed) the breakaway switch cable once I've installed longer safety chains?
This stuff seems pretty overwhelming sometimes! Thanks in advance for any help!
Unbolt the chain go to the hardware store and buy the right length. Grade 43, 1/4" chain should fulfill the law up to a trailer GVWR of 7000#.
While youre at it replace the S hooks with some slip hooks.
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chadsalt
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09/29/08 05:48am |
Towing
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RE: Gone to the dark side
Actually for the money the Edge Insight is about the most comprehensive gauge system for a Powerstroke. The in-dash temperature gauges are basically useless. I can tell you from experience that the coolant temp gauge will not top out until 235* at which point the idiot light will come on also. At temperatures of over 225* it never reads more than 3/4.
The trans temp gauge is just as bad. At 200* it still hasn't moved beyond it's normal position. There are quite a few plug and play gauge options out there that will simply plug into the OBD II port on your Ford. With the 6.4 diesel you don't even have to tap the manifold for a pyro to read EGT. It can be read from the OBD.
IMPOSSIBLE! The only factory damped gauges came on the LLY Duramax.
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chadsalt
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09/28/08 01:36pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2500HD wheels
While I agree theyre a PITA, I would say get a set from Ebay and dont strip them out this time.
Are you doing your own work? Ive used those stupid covers for years, havent ruined any yet. A cordless drill with the clutch set low works well to save time and not strip them.
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chadsalt
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09/26/08 10:19am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Something new I've learned about tires.
but I've never used a closed shoulder that was worth a******off the hardtop.
My tires seem to very good off road, in the mud and great in the snow too.
Now, In Dave's defense he said that they "tend to be" not "they always are". Every truck, tire, and towing combo are going to be different. I realize that. I have no idea what the 5th wheel's setup was. I just figured I'd throw this story out for discussion. Just one more factor to think about when picking out tires.
My 1/2 ton is a little more forgiving in the tire dept than the Dmax, which is an anchor and will find fault quickly with lesser tires. It stands to reason an open shoulder is better off road.
Yes, its a valid point for a guy selling tires to mention A/T tires wiggle a little more. But to tell a story of someone almost losing control and blaming it on the tires is a little excessive.
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chadsalt
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09/23/08 06:13pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Something new I've learned about tires.
I use/need my 4x4 and have won't run anything but "open shoulder".........haven't lost control yet??????????
Either your tire guy or the guy towing the 5'er was exaggerating. True, an open shoulder is going to handle different, get less miles, and be louder.......but I've never used a closed shoulder that was worth a******off the hardtop.
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chadsalt
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09/23/08 03:57pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
Where did you get the info for that quote? You seem quite confident in it.... just curious
Any load/inflation chart will demonstrate that fact.
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chadsalt
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09/23/08 01:26pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
And does the back end of a X weigh more than the front when empty, or am I missing something?
The back of my Ex weighs about 75lbs more then the front when empty - thanks.
Carl
Right about what I expected, so why are you running almost 15% more air in the rear?
Ive been known to run 60F and 45R on my Dmax, if it actually moves more than a few feet without a trailer, but there is a somewhat more drastic weight diff there.......over 1000#, not 75# little pounds.
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chadsalt
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09/22/08 02:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
Don't you mean info that agrees with your already made decision to run the tires overinflated?
And does the back end of a X weigh more than the front when empty, or am I missing something?
Why am I running my tires overinflated? Overinflated would be exceeding the 80psi rating, I am not doing that. My Ex almost exclusively used for towing in the summer months, I do not care to constantly air up and down the tires.
Why are you running them overinflated? I dont know. Overinflated as in "more than necessary".
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chadsalt
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09/22/08 02:44pm |
Tow Vehicles
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