| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: disc brake delay
All disc brake actuators have some delay while they build pressure. Hydrastar is supposed to be one of the quickest. But an additional problem is that they all have a voltage level below which they do nothing. Google for my thread "Disappointed in Disc Brakes." https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29930221.cfm
I found my main problem to be turn on voltage with light braking. Because my 2012 F-350 did not have the "Low/Med/High" setting I had to resort to a Prodigy P3 to get the actuator to start working on light braking. The "Low/Med/High" setting, as I understand it, determines how aggressive the voltage back to the trailer is on light braking. I would try High to see how it affets things. After the brakes are set in, I would be surprised if a 9 setting didn't lock up the brakes.
|
lenr
|
03/07/21 10:02pm |
Towing
|
|
RE: Raising our 5er
Best way to actually know how much raise is needed is to pull the trailer wheels up onto boards until the trailer is level, then measure the boards and rail clearance on the truck. We have 7" rail clearance and there have been times when we were glad that we had it. We added MORRyde SRE4000 rubberized equalizers to our trailer--they raise it about 1 1/4" at the wheels. We also replaced the OEM Chinese tires (235/80R16) with Goodyear Endurance trailer tires in the 235/85R16 size which raises a theoretical .45" at the wheels for almost 2" total. LT tires also come in that size. The SRE4000 is amazing in how it smooths the trailer ride and is just as easy as replacing a solid equalizer. MORRyde recommends on of their X-Factor braces on the center pair of spring hangers when using the SRE4000.
|
lenr
|
02/25/21 03:59pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Ford 7.3 Gas motor
Yes speaking of numerical ratios because they are precise and easy to understand.
|
lenr
|
02/23/21 02:56pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Ford 7.3 Gas motor
Straight from the Super Duty Order Guide ^^^^ are correct about 3.55/4.30 in 250 and 3.73/4.30 in the 350. Interestingly, the 6.2 is only available with 3.73/4.30. The 250 with 3.55 also has a lower tow rating than the 350 with 3.73. These lower ratios seemed to start in 2020 with the 10 speed transmission. Me thinks Ford is trying to improve their fuel mileage. It makes some sense that Ford would pick the 250 to try for better mileage since it has a derated GVWR.
|
lenr
|
02/22/21 05:42pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Brake controller craziness, advice?
Increasing wire size along with rewiring everything has helped me on three different trailers. I use 12/2 with one run to each axle--that is even larger than using one 10/2. The more wire capacity to the hubs, the less voltage lost in the wire. Rewiring also helps eliminate broken connections.
|
lenr
|
02/17/21 01:18pm |
Toy Haulers
|
|
RE: Puma trailers. Any good?
Used a Puma fifth wheel from 2013 through 2019. It had less problems than the trailer before or the one after, and the issues were so small I repaired them at home. They would be my first choice if sopping for aluminum sided wood frame construction. The wood framing seemed quite substantial for that class of trailer.
|
lenr
|
02/11/21 01:06pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Fuel mileage
MPG is inversely proportional to work being done. So, when I hook up the fifth wheel I'm moving 2.5 times as much weight. However my experience seems to indicate that aerodynamics of the trailer is big factor at the highway speed that most of us travel. Our 2012 F-350 CCSB SRW 6.7 diesel gets 20 at highway unloaded, 15 around town, and 11 towing at highway (+ or - depending on wind direction.) I've read many reports that the 20 -21 Fords are getting better mileage with the 10 speed and lower numerical axle ratios. But when towing I'd be surprised if they do much better due to the significant amount of work being done. As an indication of the effect of aerodynamics at highway speed our 1) 6500 lb 27' bumper pull trailer, 2) 27' 9400 lb fifth wheel, and 3) 37' 12,700 lb fifth wheel all got around 11 mpg at highway speed. The fifth wheels have/had round nose caps while the bumper pull was classic old flat.
|
lenr
|
02/07/21 12:31pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Morryde Rubber pin box
The MORRyde pin box doesn't raise the height and is adjustable up and down in the frame just like the stock pin box. You have to purchase the MORRyde pin box compatable with the OEM PIN box so all the bolt sizes match and the holes line up. MORRyde lists comparable OEM pin boxes on line. The MORRyde SRE4000 rubberized equalizer does raise the trailer 1.25" but most of us can use the help back there to level the trailer.
|
lenr
|
02/05/21 03:10pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Morryde Rubber pin box
There are actually 4 ratings of the MORRyde pin box. Under 11.5K and over 18K are also sizes. The 4 sizes are primarily just different sizes (and maybe stiffness) of the rubber block inside. Going with too large a size wouldn’t dampen much chucking. Going with too small might allow the mechanism to bang up against its stops. Going from memory it moves about 3” back and forth and 1.5” side to side. We started with the under 11.5K for our small 9400 lb trailer. It has an 18K weight rating sticker on the metal even thought it came with the <11.5 block. It reduced chucking by about 50%, but it was a distinct improvement. Next we replaced the Lippert Equa-Flex cushioned leaf spring equalizer with the MORRyde SRE4000 rubberized equalizer. Night and day difference! Chucking was 99.9% gone—not reduced, but gone. As a side bonus, I’m sure the trailer itself was getting a much smoother ride. So, I don’t know how much chucking would be gone had we done the equalizer first, but the pin box is an inexpensive, simple, way to make an improvement. It also helps when hitching up—if not properly aligned as I back up, the pin can just shift to the side. When we moved up to a 12.7K trailer, I ordered the 11.5 to 14K block from MORRyde, and changed it out myself. It does take two strong folks to change out the box—the MORRyde has a lot of metal in it.
|
lenr
|
02/02/21 04:35pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: I-65 Alabama
We live in Indianapolis with relatives in SE Ohio, so we're real familiar with I-70. I-70 in Indiana does get about everyone's vote for worst. But, when we were on I-65 a few years ago most of Alabama would have had my vote. Basically I won't travel it again until someone on line confirms that it is fixed.
|
lenr
|
01/30/21 05:38pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
I-65 Alabama
Search doesn't find any recent threads on I-65. What is the current condition from Montgomery to Nashville for pulling a fifth wheel? A few years ago it was the worst bumpy roads ever.
|
lenr
|
01/29/21 10:56am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Ford super duty 3.31 rear end. Will it be a big mistake. ?
I drive a 2012 Job 2 6.7 diesel. It engages engine braking when tow haul is turned on and no other time. In tow haul if you press the brake petal more than slightly, it will down shift to cause more engine braking. I understand that later years (maybe around 2015) the engine braking and tow haul modes were separate switches so one could engage the higher shift points of tow haul without engine braking involving aggressive down shifts. When tow haul and and cruise are both on the engine will downshift aggressively to try to maintain the cruise speed setting when gaining speed down hill. As said above, I'm in that model year range where engine braking was not very effective. However, if one sets the cruise about 10 mph less than the maximum speed that you want to achieve going down the mountain it will usually hold it back to that +10 setting. At least it will going down the South side of Mount Eagle Mountain. I don't believe that a 2012 does any automatic trailer braking. I have no idea how later years behave, but I cannot imagine that Ford would keep engine braking from working if one was driving without using cruise. Oh, and I was only indicating that I shut off cruise going down short hills where I'm only going to gain a few mph to keep the down shifting to half of what it would be otherwise. It will still down shift going up the other side.
Apologies for getting away from OP's original question. Again, either axle ratio will be fine but I would choose the 3.55 because the 10 speed top gear ratio is so low.
|
lenr
|
01/24/21 10:00pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Ford super duty 3.31 rear end. Will it be a big mistake. ?
I run 275/R65-18 highway tires, so the 3.31 works (mostly) for me. My 800 torque and 400 hp works great as others have said above. Tow haul mode absolutely eliminates gear hunting—my transmission just drops to the gear needed and holds it. My comment earlier about dropping to fifth on hills was based on experience in states with rolling hills where little grading is done. My favorite complaint is I-26 in NW SC. The trans will drop to fifth going up, back to 6th as I crest, and shift back down to fifth going down with cruise control trying to hold the speed. Just a ton of shifting! Yes, I know the owner’s manual says to not use cruise when towing. I end up shutting cruise off going downhill letting it coast up a few mph.
Just to answer the OP’s question clearly: no you’ll not make a mistake with 3.31.
|
lenr
|
01/23/21 09:17am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Ford super duty 3.31 rear end. Will it be a big mistake. ?
My bad on 20" tires requiring 3.55. Looks like the last year for that was 2019. I still wouldn't choose it for pulling a DRV. Not that it matters here, but the 6R140 does not have a 1:1 ratio. 4th is 1:1.15. I believe the Allison 1000 does have a 1:1 ratio.
|
lenr
|
01/22/21 06:01pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Ford super duty 3.31 rear end. Will it be a big mistake. ?
It would be handy for folks to read the 2021 Ford Super Duty Order Guide when determining axle ratios. The built my truck app on line will show ones choices as you build. Ford is fairly stingy on axle choices depending on model and options. For Instance if one gets 20” SRW tires, only the 3.55 may be selected with a diesel. We tow with a 2012 F-350 diesel 3.31 6R140. When we had a 9400 lb fifth wheel it was just fine. Now that we have upped to 12,700 lb, I wish I had a 3.55 because I drop to fifth going up hills in those states that don’t grade much. As said above, desired axle ratio is dependent on tire size and top transmission ratio. The top ratio of the 10R140 is about 6% lower than the top gear on the 6R140 and the 3.55 is about 7% higher than the 3.31 so I would definitely get the 3.55 given the choice—same engine RPMs at highway speed. That said, if buying off the lot and other things dominate the choice, the 3.31 will just run in lower gears. The transmission is a truck transmission and is built to run in lower gears all day if needed. 9th gear is just 9% lower than 10th.
|
lenr
|
01/22/21 10:28am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: 2021 Cummins 1075 lbft peak torque at 1356 rpm
So, this is the second thread that I have followed recently where the higher torque rise of the Cummins engine is discussed as a good thing. I have tried to think through why that is good, and all I can come up with is that it reduces the need to shift to a lower gear as load increases. In the days of manual transmissions shifting was something to be considered. With automatic transmissions, no big deal. As said above a downshift in a 3 or 4 speed transmission was a big jump in RMP, and again something to be minimized. Modern automatics are highly reliable and can shift without a reduction of longevity. The 8 to 10 speed transmissions exist to achieve the best ratio for given load and speed, so they need to shift to accomplish that. In my Ford with its less torque rise and a 6R140 transmission, gear hunting is not a problem, but if gear hunting starts, locking out a gear or switching to Tow-Haul mode solves it. Also, in a torque wars world where all the engines are similar at low end torque, I am fine with the engine having less torque rise since that means more HP at the top end. Top end HP is what accelerates my rig up to speed the fastest and pulls the mountain the fastest in whatever gear the transmissions determines. The Ford 6.7 consistently excels in HP while keeping up with the competition in torque.
|
lenr
|
01/05/21 03:09pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Ford F-250 7.3 Gas Engine Axle Ratios
My opinion--yours will vary: Ford reference only.
Back in the days of the 4R100 transmission with its first gear ratio of 2.71 launch was a problem. When Ford came out with the 5R110 they split the old 1st into 2 ratios with the top 3 gears staying the same ratio. With a new 1st gear of 3.09 launch was improved. The 6R140 went to 3.97; more improvement. The 10R140 uses a 4.615 ratio. It is hard for me to believe that launch would be a problem with any axle ratio.
|
lenr
|
01/03/21 08:33am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: SRW Tires
My opinion--yours may vary. Most of below comes from knowledge of 2011 through 2016—recent years may have changed some of this, although I haven’t noticed much as I look at recent years documentation.
The Ford Super Duty brochure showed that the F-250 used a lighter capacity axle from 2011 through about 2015. There was a great debate online with most contending that the same axle is used in both the 250 and 350 SRW for mass production cost saving. It is possible that the lighter axle was used for 2011 Job 1 250s to use up existing supplies from 2010. However, everyone now believes that the axles are the same from at least 2012 and possibly 2011. The F-250 is typically derated to 9900 or 10,000 lb. GVWR even though it can physically handle more. This allows insurance and licensing cost savings in some states. The F-350 since 2011 adds the auxiliary spring and that’s about it other than labeling. So, yes, in agreement with most of above, tires are likely to be the limiting factor. I have noticed in recent years that the 20” tires can get as much as 14,400 GVWR.
|
lenr
|
12/31/20 11:48am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Meds on the road.
90 day prescriptions generally require the Dr to write a 90 day script. You don't need to do mail order to get a 90 day fill. It is the insurance companies that set the amount of time that a script may be filled early. We have used GoodRx and Kroger Savings Club to fill ahead of schedule, and just did for 4 months away. It cost a little more in co-pays--a convenience cost for us. Any drug store will transfer from another regardless of whether they are in the same company or not. But you will then have to transfer back. The chains like CVS or Walmart probably make that easier.
|
lenr
|
12/29/20 05:34pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
|
|
RE: How will my new F350 behave in cold temps?
According to threads read on Ford sites, Ford discontinued putting a block heater in every engine starting with the 6.7 in 2011. Folks got caught trying to save money and ended up with no block heater to connect a wire to.
|
lenr
|
12/20/20 08:47am |
Tow Vehicles
|
