From: Marc Strangfeld (curlyjoe98@yahoo.com)
Date: Mon Aug 30 2004 - 10:26:47 PDT
Patrick
Our "average/target highway speed" was 53-56 mph
(truck had 11.00 singles) This allowed the engine to
run at a sensible 2200-2300 rpm. When I drive I shift
around 1700-2000 rpm rather than wind it out. This
seems to just barely keep the rpm's in the power band.
I wish the truck had more gears to help with this.
When starting out on a hill or with a load I often
will use the low range in the transfer case
essentially making it a 7 or 8 speed. However you
still have the large jump between 3-4 and 4-5. In
addition to the interaxle removed I also had some
dummy hubs on the front axle. I think this helps a
lot and we all know where to get the selectro hubs if
you want fast and easy access to the front drive axle.
In regards to the wind resistance I can't help much.
I thought we would get less mileage due to the newly
installed cargo tarp but I couldn't see a difference.
Your shelter stands taller than a cargo tarp though
doesn't it? I'm not ruling out the fact that the pump
was turned up either. It's not uncommon at all for an
identical truck to get better fuel mileage with more
horsepower.
I hope this helps. If you can't get better than
7.5-8, I wouldn't be too concerned. That doesn't seem
all that bad.
Marc
--- Patrick Jankowiak <recycler@swbell.net> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> This is very good information, I am glad you had a
> good trip!
>
> Can you say what your average/target highway speed
> was?
>
> I am trying to think of why I get 7.5-8MPG (yes my
> truck rolls
> easily, it can be pushed by hand) and all I can come
> up with is:
>
> 1. wind resistance of the S-280 shelter
>
> 2. putting the pedal to the metal always in 3rd,
> 4th, and 5th to
> get up to speed (is this a normal thing or am I
> short on power? )
> unlike in a car where there's plenty of extra power
> and one can
> drive conservatively.
>
> 3. I have the interaxle shaft installed
>
> Patrick
>
>
>
> Marc Strangfeld wrote:
>
> > Hello
> >
> > Just thought I would let everyone know how the
> 3000
> > mile trip went from Eau Claire, WI to Ouray, CO
> this
> > year.
> >
> > First of all, if you turn up the pump and plan on
> > working the truck then a pyrometer is needed. I
> don't
> > have one yet but I will soon. With the extra fuel
> > being fed to the engine it will get hot and get
> hot
> > quick. ie, glowing orange turbo and manifold. I
> did
> > not have a meltdown but did have to watch how I
> drove
> > and pullover occasionally to let it cool down.
> > Monarch Pass is around 10 miles of 6% grade from
> > either direction and while spectacular to drive on
> it
> > is a great feeling to be at the bottom on the
> other
> > side. I stopped at the western side at a towing
> place
> > called Doty's Garage to meet the folks that own
> it.
> > (they have local ties to WI and are friends of
> someone
> > I know) anyway, he has lots of stories about
> people
> > who didn't have a good experience on Monarch Pass.
> In
> > fact while I was there a guy with a mid nineties
> Ford
> > F-250 was getting a qoute on new front brakes. On
> the
> > way down he fried everything, they got so hot the
> > seals in the calipers melted causing them to leak.
> In
> > a way I don't feel sorry for him.
> >
> > The truck was set up with freewheeling front hubs,
> > supersingle 11.00's (ndcc), and had the interaxle
> > driveshaft removed. Traction was not a problem as
> > long as I stayed clear of the uneven surfaces as
> best
> > I could. When we got to Ouray I did put the
> splined
> > hubs back on and did need them on the steeper
> streets
> > and parking lots. One drawback to driving with
> the
> > interaxle off I found is the middle axle, the one
> with
> > all the torque going through it wears a lot
> quicker
> > than the other tires. All the tires before
> leaving
> > were 60-70%. Now the fronts are 45-50%, the
> middle
> > axle 25%, and the rear about 45-50%. I quess the
> old
> > Hercules does have enough power to burn up a set
> of
> > tires. The fronts did not chop near as bad as I
> > expected them to since adjusting the toe in to
> around
> > .0625-.100.
> >
> > The truck had two atv's in the bed and the M105
> had
> > two atv's on it as well. GVW was an estimated
> 18,500
> > lbs. The cargo box was set up with bows and
> canvas
> > also. For mileage we saw anywhere from 8.00 to
> 9.50
> > mph. This was very good in my opinion and above
> my
> > expectations. We drove non stop both ways. It
> took 37
> > hours getting there and 32 to get back.
> >
> > We also got pulled over by Johhny Law three times.
>
> > Once on the way out near Fort Carson and twice in
> > Nebraska on the way back. Each time it was night
> and
> > the cops appeared to be bored having tailgating
> and
> > following alongside us for several miles before
> > actually making the stop. Each time they
> questioned
> > me on not having plates on the trailer, (WI law
> I'm
> > pretty sure doesn't require them, but I now will
> find
> > out) and an overall, "what the hell are you doing
> with
> > this thing?" They were all realitively pleasant
> and
> > except for wasting my time did not bother me.
> >
> >
> > Overall assessment of the truck now that I'm back
> is
> > this: four leaking rear hubs , one leaking
> injector
> > return line, a leaking front transfer case seal, a
> > leaking compressor base gasket, a leaking oil
> filter
> > canister base gasket, and a thourough wash job to
> get
> > rid of all the oily mess caused by the leaks. I
> > forgot to mention a bald set of tires, four new
> holes
> > in the cargo canvas, and a horn that works for
> #%@!.
> > On a good note, the new headgaskets aren't
> leaking.
> >
> >
> > I'm already looking forward to next year.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> >
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