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scottandanna · 09-27-2015, 07:29 AM

Tires are 275/60r20, so the big ones. 3.93 rear end with a tru-trac.

I don't want to lose the 22mpg daily driving miles, since I put at least 100 miles a day on the truck for work, not towing anything. I will only tow the travel trailer 2-4 times per year, so I will need to get used to it.

I am keeping an eye out for one of those caps as mentioned in previous post. I think that is the best I can do with this old truck. It will also provide dry storage for other stuff I might be hauling.

TDI-Minnie · 09-28-2015, 07:40 AM

Yup, sounds like a used cap is your best bet. Lots out there on Craigslist or ebay.
You can always keep it for the next truck, too.

NFlcamper · 09-29-2015, 08:54 AM

How is the trailer oriented on the hitch ready to go? Flat? Nose up or nose down? Nose up will kill you as it forces air to compress under the back of the trailer as it flows under. Nose down isn't as bad. Flat or completely level helps alot.

scottandanna · 09-29-2015, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NFlcamper

How is the trailer oriented on the hitch ready to go? Flat? Nose up or nose down? Nose up will kill you as it forces air to compress under the back of the trailer as it flows under. Nose down isn't as bad. Flat or completely level helps alot.

Luckily, it sits almost perfectly flat. As flat as I can get it with the Equal-I-Zer bar setup. And luckily, the ride height is the same on both the truck and the jeep, so I don't have to re-adjust it as I swap it between the vehicles.

It actually rode quite well, better than behind the jeep.

It was just the cruising effort at 65 mph that was miserable. Held too high a rpm for my comfort, and downshifted, and ate up my gas.

Riccochet · 09-30-2015, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottandanna

Luckily, it sits almost perfectly flat. As flat as I can get it with the Equal-I-Zer bar setup. And luckily, the ride height is the same on both the truck and the jeep, so I don't have to re-adjust it as I swap it between the vehicles.

It actually rode quite well, better than behind the jeep.

It was just the cruising effort at 65 mph that was miserable. Held too high a rpm for my comfort, and downshifted, and ate up my gas.

What RPM's are you seeing at 65? I'd suspect you'd be seeing 2500-3000 with spikes to 4000 under heavier load / going up hill or accelerating. And you'll be seeing around 10 MPG, maybe a little more if you're lucky. Best I've seen while towing was 9.1.

Understand that the Hemi produces it's power and torque higher in the RPM range. At 65 MPH mine with 3.55 gears runs around 2200 - 2300 RPM.

IdahoSRT10 · 09-30-2015, 12:22 PM

A pair of these will give you a feeling of less wind drag. Easy bolt project and CARB approved. They bump up the mid range Tq. and Hp about 20. I slight MPG increase too if you don't stomp on it! Our older hemi's loved them.

scottandanna · 09-30-2015, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riccochet

What RPM's are you seeing at 65? I'd suspect you'd be seeing 2500-3000 with spikes to 4000 under heavier load / going up hill or accelerating. And you'll be seeing around 10 MPG, maybe a little more if you're lucky. Best I've seen while towing was 9.1.

Understand that the Hemi produces it's power and torque higher in the RPM range. At 65 MPH mine with 3.55 gears runs around 2200 - 2300 RPM.

That is about right.... except gas mileage dropped to around 8. My trailer has a flat front end, which is our biggest problem.

Shorty headers are a good idea, but not sure if I want to spend that kind of money on a 300,000 mile engine...But, might be an option if I end up towing more with the truck. The truck is in good enough shape that I will most likely drop in a new crate motor when this one gives up the ghost.

scottandanna · 10-18-2015, 07:49 AM

FWIW...a friend of mine suggested i get a tuner "chip" for my truck. I ended up chatting with Greene Racing on Facebook and he recommended that i find a used superchips flashpaq 3865 so i hit ebay and found one for $210 shipped but it now.

Well after installing the Tow program, the stock one provided with the programner, it made a WORLD of difference!

We towed for a three hour trip. Spent one hour in bumper to bumper because of an accident. Then two hours driving rolling hills, and it was darned near pleasant!.

I filled up with super, even though i dont think it is required, and it feels like it has much better low end torque. Holds each gear a little longer. And doesnt have to constantly downshift, only downshift one gear and two gears only on larger steeper hills and bridges.

Held mostly at 1800 to 2000 rpma so it didnt feel like enginde was "screaming" and we averaged 9.0 mpg.

I can live with this!