SNAPON66
NY
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Joined: 10/02/2008
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AM PLANING A LONG 5 MONTH/12000MILE ALASKA + TRIP
I HAVE A BIG FOOT CAMPER APROX 4000 LB WET
RXTRA FUEL TANK 90 GAL APROX 700 LB FULL
EXTRA TOOLS AND STOEAGE APROX 1250 LBS
TRUCK HAS 4:88 GEARS AND IS A TAD THIRSTY ON LONG TRIPS
I AM GOING TO INSTALL NEW GEARS 4:10
I HAVE ACCESS TO SEVERAL GEARS UP TO 3:73
ANY IMPUT OR BETTER IDEAS YOU HAVE WOULD BE HELPFUL
WHAT SAY YOU
THANKS RAY
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
The F-550 was set up to tow a total GCVWR of around 23,000 pounds, and they installed the 4.88:1 rear axle ratio because of that super capacity to tow.
If you are towing 15,000 pound fifth wheel, then at freeway speeds of say 65 MPH, you need the engine to turn fairly fast to make enouh horsepower to keep all that weight moving, so you are not downshifting on the slightest incline.
But with your lighter truck, and a total weight around 13,000 - 14,000 pounds, then the 4.10:1 ratio used in the F-350 is fine for a truck to make plenty of power at normal highway speeds. But remember that your truck tires are larger diamter than a pickup, so going with 3.73, while it is great in a F-350 with 16" rims, not so great for a F-550 that has 19.5" rims. If you are using 16" rims, and a 33" tall tire, then the 3.73 is ideal. 35 or 36" tall tires found on the 19.5" rims will require a slightly lower rear ratio.
I would plan on filling up with diesel before crossing into Canada, then fill up someplace about 500 miles into the drive. That way, you will have plenty of fuel to make it to Alaska before getting fuel again. And the farther south you fill up, or in a larger town, the better the price.
It seems that Fairbanks and Ancorage are the best fuel prices once in Alaska.
FMCA publishes a magazine, and in it they list all the states with a cost for deisel and gasoline as well as the fuel tax for each state. I don't know if other magazines do the same list, but some states it is much less expensive to fill up before crossing the border. I found that out in Missori, when I crossed into Illinois, it was about 40 cents more there.
In California, while it is fairly cheap to buy fuel in the large cities, Blyth, Bishop and Susanville know that you can not buy it cheaper anyplace closeby, so they raise the price a lot. The advantage you have is a reallly large fuel tank, and the ability to buy a 900 mile supply! So fill up before entering California.
You might want to google diesel fuel tax by state, and see if you can find a chart. There are also free sites that list the best fuel prices by zip codes, so if you know what the zip codes are going to be in the camping areas you plan to visit, then spend 30 minutes looking up a few.
Fred.
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T-10 Parabolic
North Carolina
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Joined: 01/21/2004
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RXTRA FUEL TANK 90 GAL APROX 700 LB FULL
Curious as to where you mounted your auxillary fuel tank..
Good luck on your Alaska trip... T-10
2005 King Ranch, 350 DRW. CC, 8' bed, 4X4 6.0 PSD
2004 Jayco Designer Medalion 31rls
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SNAPON66
NY
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T-10
550 HAS AN 11 FOOT FLAT BED I USED THIS TRUCK TO PULL A 35' FEATHERLITE DF IN MY BUSINESS AND NOW AM USING IT FOR MY SLIDE-IN 11 1/2 BIGFOOT. TANK IS IN FRONT OF SLIDE-ON AND GRAVITY FEEDS INTO MAIN TANK VIA VALVES AND LINES 78L 20W 15H WITH A 70X20X9 TOOL BOX ON TOP
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Humpty
Clayton, NC
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2007 Challenger 33DBB w/ Sidewinder
2002 Chevy 3500 CC DRW D/A
B&W Companion Hitch / Prodigy
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SNAPON66
NY
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HUMPTY DID NOT GET YOUR LAST POST AS I HAD IMAGES OFF
A LITTLE NEW AT THIS TRY AGAIN
RAY SNAPON66 AOL
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Humpty
Clayton, NC
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Please turn off the Caps Lock. It is considered Yelling in Web Forums.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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I think you will have better luck with this question in the Tow Vehicle forum. I will move it there.
Barney
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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Something I have been meaning to do, measure the height of my truck's 19.5 tires. Are they really much taller than those fitted to 250/350's? If you are not planning on towing heavy, than going to 4.10s would be a good idea for fuel economy. RPMs should still be high enough to keep the engine spinning happily without lugging. You say you have found gears all the way down to 3.73 for the Dana 120 axle? I looked into a regear for my truck, double cost since 4x4. It would take me years to recoup cost of mod in fuel savings. I could not find 4.10 or 3.73 for the Dana 110 axle, only 4.30 and above.
BTW, you lucky son of a gun. 5 month vacation!! To Alaska!!! Shoot, I would love to go fishing with Todd and Sarah.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USN Ret.
Wonderful Wife, 3 beautiful Daughters
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F450WHEELS
CA.
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Joined: 09/28/2008
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Capt Skup, I just looked into this since I just picked up A F450 with 4.88 gears. you can get 3:73, 3:91, 4:10, 4:30, 4:56, 4:78 and lower all the way to 6:50. But only the 4:30 and 4:88 have the tone ring for speedo pick up. I can get front and rear gears for $1,000 and do the install my self. If I go with 4:10 gears, I'll put A 30 tooth srpocket on the back of transfer case for speedo pick up.
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