Re: '95 Dodge Trucks (Warning)

["Becky" <bechack@sierratel.com>]

Should have put it in neutral, that way the steering would still work and
the racing engine won't be pushing you faster!

Maybe there are more safety ideas out there others could suggest....?
Come on guys....I am sure that we are close to the largest group of amateur
"haulers" around with LOTS  of miles

I for one never leave my driveway without checking ALL fluid levels, double
checking the camper tie downs, check the lights on the trailer, check the
chains and check the tires.....I end up walking around the rig at least
twice before leaving for a ride...

To whoever it was that suggested we all get to know our vehicles....you
would be proud to know I change my own oil !    Yup, it's messy, but I feel
that I have a real "feel" for my truck.....

Becky Hackworth
and my '91 F350 crew cab dually with 165,000 miles and still going strong.
Gonna need some major maintenance soon, but still cheaper than a new $40,000
truck....Can't justify that one ANYTIME soon....
-----Original Message-----
From: guest@endurance.net <guest@endurance.net>
To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Wednesday, December 15, 1999 2:39 PM
Subject: RC: '95 Dodge Trucks (Warning)


John Bass SH Boomer @aol.com
I have a '95 Dodge 3500 dually with the Cummins diesel. Love it with the
exception of one thing. On this model the throttle has a return spring that
if it breaks or becomes disconnected the vehicle goes into full throttle. I
know this from experience, on a trip to Montana a couple of years ago I
crested a hill between Three Forks going into Whitehall, I was pulling a
three horse trailer, had a cab over camper on and my 12 year old daughter
with me. As I crested the hill and started down I was in full throttle, the
hill was a 6% grade for three miles and curves to boot. I tried to tap the
brakes as I thought that the cruise control had stuck. That didn't work. I
gained speed rapidly and tried to brake but knew I would just run through
the brakes on both the truck and trailer, I considered turning the key off
but didn't know the consequences, rather the steering wheel would lock up or
not. So I just concentrated on trying to keep the truck on the road . Once I
got on the flat I turned the key off and coasted to the side of the rode. I
found that this little spring had came off a bracket and was just hanging
there. Didn't know excatly where the spring went so I just rigged it up to
work.  The next day in Missolua a bought a new spring for $1.59, the dealer
didn't have the time to show me how to install it so I ended up at a
Cummin's dealer for help. The kicker is that Dodge is aware of this problem
but have never had a recall.  Some '95 models and beyond have a different
throttle system.  If you have this model it may be worth your time to check
it out. I have secured the spring on mine so it won't slip off again but if
it breaks I'll be back in the same situation.  Hopefully I won't have my
daughter with me. John


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