First tow with new truck

[sagebel]

Took the trailer for a test run after I got it loaded. 6800#. Pulled some decent hills and accelerated all the way up. Tow/haul mode does a good job braking on decent.

Airbags and rear sway bar will added soon. The longer leaf springs sag a little easier. Sway isn't too bad. Trailer sway control actually makes a difference. I loaded the trailer light in the tongue just to see what it would do.

We are on the road next Monday headed to WA from NY. I'll have a complete report once I get settled in WA.

 

[DaveBen]

Enjoy your trip to Washington.

Dave

 

[JLDickmon]

you don't stop by here for a beer, you suck.

I priced one, too, as the #1 spawn wants a 3/4 or 1 ton as well...
just like the younger daughter, that has been driving my truck since April...

 

[sagebel]

Probably won't be stopping. I have an online college class that starts the 27th. We are planning on stopping at Mt. Rushmore for a day. My brother is getting married Saturday so that is delaying our departure.

 

[BamaSixGun]

You got a 2011??? I am so not liking you right now.

Pics please, or did you already post some up?

 

[sagebel]

I don't have many pics yet. (I don't carry a camera very often.) There are few on here somewhere.

Leaving WNY this morning headed for WA.

 

[sagebel]

All mileage hand calculated. Towing #6800 in a 7x16 tandem axle trailer. Ceiling is 6.5'. Low: 10.5mpg @ 75-80mph w/ headwind. High: 13.2mpg @ 65-70mph no headwind. No complaints yet. Tow/Haul downshifting is very aggressive. We are currenlty in Chamberlain, SD. Off to Mt. Rushmore tomorrow and then heading over the big hills Thursday and Friday.

 

[wpfd571]

Be safe and have fun, i've got a road trip to pheonix az. on the 26th should be a long but fun trip

 

[sagebel]

Made it to Spokane, WA today. Averaged 10.2 pulling all of the passes on I-90. I had a guy in an empty D-max pull up to me on the Continental divide. He paced me and I eased into it up to 75. Truck never downshifted out of 5th. (which is an OD gear). I could hear him downshift to keep up.

I could pull each hill as fast as I felt comfortable with all of the curves. I even back off once to let a tractor trailer pass another. No problems accelerating mid-grade.

Down hill I think the trans is a little aggressive. I rarely needed to brakes. Just a short tap and the trans would downshift and hold speed.

I switched off the trailer sway control a few times. It really helps with crosswinds and winding down the big hills.

We finish tomorrow.