Re: RC: trucks

[BMcCrary27@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/15/1999 5:44:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
Merryben@aol.com writes:

<< My Dodge gets a lot better mileage than 7 mpg.  I have a 93 3/4 ton 
extended 
 cab 4WD with the Cummins Diesel and the Banks turbo and exhaust system.  I 
 pull a 31' three horse slant load with 9' living quarters that is huge.  I 
 had an 83 Ford Diesel with the Banks Turbo before this and it got about 
12-14 
 miles pulling a trailer with an 8' camper on the truck.  If you get a Diesel 
 though, I would have the Banks system put on and not get an automatic 
 transmission....... >>

My husband has a Dodge w/Cummins diesel engine that he thinks the world of.  
He gets about 13 -14 miles/gallon pulling a 20' aluminum stock trailer with 
2-3 horses.  We converted the front section to an apartment, which added a 
great deal of weight, plus we carry 40+ gallons of water in it.  The truck 
does not have a Banks Turbo, but he did have bigger injector nozzles 
installed.  We had a Ford before the Dodge and he HAD to put a Banks Turbo on 
it, it just didn't have the power without it.  It always smoked going over 
the Sierras, whereas the Dodge just flies up the mountains w/o smoking at 
all.  I agree with Maryben on the stick shift; you need that for postive 
gearing, both up and down hills.  Our truck has 5 speeds, Lud has heard that 
they are now available with 6, which he says would be a great advantage.  
Either that or a 2-speed rear end.  To me, an automatic transmission on a 
steep mountain road is scary; you're relying too much on brakes and if they 
go out .......  Our truck also has 4WD, a necessity around our country and 
ranch.

Barbara McCrary


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