What did you do to your Tow Vehicle today?

[SmokerBill]

Filled it up with gas for the first part of my 400 mile drive to Salt Lake City tomorrow. Yep, it's getting warmer up north, so time to follow the heat.

[Treatcg]

Ordered a 2.5" shank for the Equalizer hitch. Got tired of messing with the reducer on the F250. Scheduled appointment for oil change and tire rotation.

[SmokerBill]

Used it to pull my TT to just past Twin Falls, ID, a little over 500 miles. It's now beer-30.

[SouthCo]

Put new tires on her.

[Fill The Coolers]

Dropped $1100 on tires and an alignment today. Next week I will have the pulsating brake issued resolved. Then it will be professionally detailed, windows possibly tinted and a remote starter installed.

[ttavasc]

Gave it a good work-out towing the trailer from Seattle area to Glenns Ferry, ID - 575 miles. The sweet spot for this combo is 62mpg and it will hold that up the passes when locked in 4th gear at about 3400 rpm which is right in the power band for the Hemi. Averaged about 11.3mpg (hand-calculated) over the passes. Now that we are in some flatter terrain that is creeping up towards 12.5-13mg. I had a tank that came it at 13.7mpg on a similar trip south last fall.

[SmokerBill]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

Gave it a good work-out towing the trailer from Seattle area to Glenns Ferry, ID - 575 miles. The sweet spot for this combo is 62mpg and it will hold that up the passes when locked in 4th gear at about 3400 rpm which is right in the power band for the Hemi. Averaged about 11.3mpg (hand-calculated) over the passes. Now that we are in some flatter terrain that is creeping up towards 12.5-13mg. I had a tank that came it at 13.7mpg on a similar trip south last fall.

That's some great MPGs ttavasc. I averaged just under 10mpg for my trip, but I guess my trailer is about double the weight of yours. I need to start thinking about changing the oil in mine. It has about 6000 on it now, but the EVIC hasn't told me to change it yet. I've notice that when you work the engine hard, oil changes are less frequently called for. I guess higher temps burn off the impurities, at least that's my theory.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by tuckerdog1

Like the sound of that. Been wondering how I was going to deal with our Champion. Sounds simple, but could ya post a pic?

Thanks,
Tuckerdog1

Tuckerdog1, YOU ASKED FOR IT! I NOW HAVE PICS for our DIY lightweight Champion generator ramp:
DW and I have little trouble rolling it up and into the truck bed. We stand on either side of the ramp and both of us roll it up far enough for someone to grab the handle while in the truck bed. Usually the DW climbs into the truck bed while I hold the gen then she lifts the handle while I push and it rolls into the truck bed.

If solo, a block and tackle could be used to pull on the handle while standing along side the ramp.

The ramp and fiberglass ladder has no trouble supporting the generator and 2 sheets (2' x 4') of 1/4" plywood, BUT NO ONE should walk on this ramp.

(Notes: There are 2 clamps holding plywood sheets together. There hasn't been a reason (so far) to clamp the plywood to the ladder.
Also, the truck tailgate is removed temporarily for loading/unloading the gen.)

[Paintinfool3]

filled up my firestone ride rites to check them and all is well

[tuckerdog1]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Tuckerdog1, YOU ASKED FOR IT! I NOW HAVE PICS for our DIY lightweight Champion generator ramp:
DW and I have little trouble rolling it up and into the truck bed. We stand on either side of the ramp and both of us roll it up far enough for someone to grab the handle while in the truck bed. Usually the DW climbs into the truck bed while I hold the gen then she lifts the handle while I push and it rolls into the truck bed.

If solo, a block and tackle could be used to pull on the handle while standing along side the ramp.

The ramp and fiberglass ladder has no trouble supporting the generator and 2 sheets (2' x 4') of 1/4" plywood, BUT NO ONE should walk on this ramp.

(Notes: There are 2 clamps holding plywood sheets together. There hasn't been a reason (so far) to clamp the plywood to the ladder.
Also, the truck tailgate is removed temporarily for loading/unloading the gen.)

Thanks Sherm,

I take one of those Werner adjustable ladders. So I should be able to do this without removing the tailgate. I like it. Thanks,

Tuckerdog1

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

That's some great MPGs ttavasc. I averaged just under 10mpg for my trip, but I guess my trailer is about double the weight of yours. I need to start thinking about changing the oil in mine. It has about 6000 on it now, but the EVIC hasn't told me to change it yet. I've notice that when you work the engine hard, oil changes are less frequently called for. I guess higher temps burn off the impurities, at least that's my theory.

I just re-scaled the set up before heading out on this trip. The trailer is about 3700 - 3260 on the axles and 440 on the tongue. As mine is only 7ft wide and probably not as tall the reduced frontal area likely has a lot to do with it. I have the 3.21 rear end plus the 8-speed tranny so lighter and less frontal area likely allowing the 3.21 to deliver the better mileage. On the flat at 62 it's in 7th gear and about 1650-1700 rpm.

I noticed the same thing with the oil life meter on my EVIC - the harder I work it the longer between changes. I'm running the full synthetic and following the severe use maintenance schedule due to my daily commute only being about 5 miles one way - never really gets warmed up on that.

Put another 575 miles on it from Glenn's Ferry, ID to Lake Mead/Echo Bay. We are here now for the week - head back north next weekend.

[Diesel Donnie]

Originally Posted by Crabman

What did you do to your tow vehicle today? From changing the oil to changing the engine to installing a new mod, we want to know what you did to your tow vehicle TODAY!

My 05 Duramax posted a "low coolant" message on the screen- It developed a coolant leak while towing- We got to our campground ok and took "Ally" to the local GM dealer to have repairs made- The problem was a leaky gasket on the oil filter adaptor assembly- The complete assembly was replaced rather than just the leaky gasket- $525.00 for the part- 152k and she runs pretty smooth yet- Back in the day when I was much younger, I would have replaced the leaky gasket and moved on- Now I find myself at the mercy of repair facilities- JMHO- DD

[SmokerBill]

Changed the oil and filter a few days ago, using my old standby, Walmart Supertech brand full synthetic, about $18 for a 5 quart jug. I don't shy away from Supertech, since it's made by one of the major manufacturers and relabeled. Seems to rate OK on the bobistheoilguy website, too. And I use Purolator filters, again rated high in some tests.

Going to hook up to the TT later this morning and start pulling it. Not quite sure where YET! Last 6 nights here at the Puyallup Fairgrounds took $150 out of my pocket. OUCH! Too rich for my blood.

[Bassdogs]

Ordered 2 new tires to replace the rears on my 2010 durimax. Not sure of mileage [bought used] but I've put 26k miles on it. Probably have total of 40 - 45k I would guess so that's ok, but fronts are still in good shape with no significant signs of wear. Rears wore bald on the 2 inter tread strips with good tread showing on the outer strips.

Tire guy tells me it was probably due to over inflation. I ran rears at 85 and fronts at 80 per sidewall max's. Never had a tire wear like that. Any suggestions to prevent in the future.

[Camping Grandpa]

Hmmm....what did I do with my TV today?????
Oh yeah, I drove it to work. Hate when that happens but it pays the bills. Couple more years and we'll join the ranks of the retired!! Oh yeah Baby!
Happy Friday y'all.

[SouthCo]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Tire guy tells me it was probably due to over inflation. I ran rears at 85 and fronts at 80 per sidewall max's. Never had a tire wear like that. Any suggestions to prevent in the future.

Im no tire expert but usually over inflation wears the center of the tires... I've seen the inside wear faster on the front but never the rear... Hmmmm

[Rvan]

Today installed a new LED driving light bar, an aftermarket stereo with a back up camera, and some other do dads. Great trucks are built, not bought!

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by Rvan

Today installed a new LED driving light bar, an aftermarket stereo with a back up camera, and some other do dads. Great trucks are built, not bought!

Pics or it didn't happen [emoji3]

[SmokerBill]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

I just re-scaled the set up before heading out on this trip. The trailer is about 3700 - 3260 on the axles and 440 on the tongue. As mine is only 7ft wide and probably not as tall the reduced frontal area likely has a lot to do with it. I have the 3.21 rear end plus the 8-speed tranny so lighter and less frontal area likely allowing the 3.21 to deliver the better mileage. On the flat at 62 it's in 7th gear and about 1650-1700 rpm.

I noticed the same thing with the oil life meter on my EVIC - the harder I work it the longer between changes. I'm running the full synthetic and following the severe use maintenance schedule due to my daily commute only being about 5 miles one way - never really gets warmed up on that.

Put another 575 miles on it from Glenn's Ferry, ID to Lake Mead/Echo Bay. We are here now for the week - head back north next weekend.

When I'm towing, I always keep the transmission in 4th gear, tow haul mode, about 60mph and 2300 rpm- my tranny is only a 6 speed, and 4th is direct, 1 to 1 ratio. Unless I'm towing steep grades, my transmission runs at around 130 degrees. I lose a little MPGs, but I feel like I'm babying the drive train pulling in a lower gear. I have a 3.55 rear end.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by SouthCo

Im no tire expert but usually over inflation wears the center of the tires... I've seen the inside wear faster on the front but never the rear... Hmmmm

I didn't explain this clearly, there are 4 tread bands and it was the 2 in the middle that went bald. Thinking over inflated.