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Currently I drive a 1997 Chevrolet Diesel 8600GVW, 14500CGVW, 4.10 Rear End
Automatic Transmission.. 4X4...1600lbs gooseneck tongue weight...3 horse
live-in
1997 FRP trailer....11,000 fully loaded....actual CGVW 17,600lbs (3,100 over
max recommended by Chevrolet...no excuse here!) This weight was verified by
the feed mill scales. This truck is not a dually! Tongue weight makes that
decision!
My engine torque power range is between 1800-2200rpm (Diesel) This is where I
drive...at level, full load...the result with a 4.10 rear end..is between 55
and 65 mph.
At an even 6% grade...the result is 40MPH....At 7% the result is between 25
and 35MPH.
Some truths:
Automatic Transmissions are somewhat forgiving!
Standard Transmissions are not!
In addition to "watching" torque....engine temperature is
equally important.
Most older Diesels do not have Turbo...it makes a big
difference!...BIG DIFFERENCE!
There is nothing wrong with hauling in overdrive...read
the
owners manual....you must know the signs when to drop
down in gear.....excess shifting (automatic) creates heat
HEAT KILLS ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS
Leave the Air Conditioning OFF....you're much better
driving with the Heat ON...it actually aids in cooling the
engine!
it is assumed that all hauling vehicles have the proper
transmission coolers, good exhaust systems....clean
big air filters, maybe even dual speed cooling fans
Going downhill is much more dangerous..MUCH MORE
DANGEROUS..then going up hill!
Chevrolet, of the Diesels, is considered the least powered compared to the
Dodge and the Ford Powerstroke. An FRP Trailer is considered heavier than
Aluminum..
When the Manufacturer says CGVW Maximum is 14,500lbs...who would Haul at
17,600lbs.
I would not admit to making all the right decisions...I'm not sure which
one's were wrong (other than the 3,100lbs overload)....but I know that when
you begin to understand rear end ratios, torque and tempreatures...and how to
drive that "curve"
it's not much different than knowing how your horse handles the hills and
were the pulse rate changes the handling of oxygen levels, arobic,
anarobic...etc. etc. etc.
You're willing to learn about your horse......how about the other Vehicle?
Is there a better engine, a better transmission, who's better...ford,
chrysler,gm
aluminum, FRP, steel.....everyone is limited by what they can afford....most
everyone hauls overloaded...but the more you know about the abilities of
your equipment...the more you can compensate for what it doesn't have!
.............................Carlos
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