Hoss 350
My GSP, Dutch
Just got back from a trip over to Orting, Washington to pick up a bunch of cordwood from my Father In Law's property. I know, I know, there is a lot of good burning wood right around or near Spokane, and I didn't have to drive 320 miles to get cordwood, but there is a lot to be said about helping out the FIL. You gotta sacrifice for family when they need help, man!
Anyway, I figured my 6' wide by 12' long by 4' tall 2-axle Texas Dump trailer hauls 2.25 cords of wood stacked full. I had it overfull, but just for the sake of argument, lets say 2.25 cords. Wood was wet. At 35 pounds per cubic foot stacked, (maple, alder and cherry) average, that means 4,480 lbs per cord. At 2.25 cords, the trailer payload was 10,080 lbs. The trailer itself weighs (SWAG) about 3K. Net up to 13,080. Now, figure my 350 loaded with luggage, a bunch of wood in the bed, me, my wife, my two dogs, and a full tank of fuel, and I figure a conservative estimate of 8,500. That adds up to a 320 mile trip at 21,580 lbs GCVWR.
I got 15 MPG towing it at an average of 67 MPH, pulling some of the longest, steepest grades we have over here.
Overall, the truck performed flwlessly. For as heavy as I was, it was almost like the load wasn't there. I could have easily maintained 70 on any one of the grades, but of course, I slowed down to 60 or so to take it easy on the old girl.
My main problem, however, was turbo surge in OD. I shifted down into direct a bunch of times to get rid of surge, but not because the truck necessarily needed it.
So, I needs me a wicked wheel. But I am scared to do it. I see the turbo WAYYYY back in there and look at my big hands and arms and think about laying on top of the engine all by myself wrestling with the thing, and it occurs to me that I am a chicken.
Help me out guys. Practical applications, time-savers, idears you've come up with, and an honest guesstimate of how long it will take an otherwise mechanically inclined shadetree with a horribly disorganized garage to get-'er-done. I have come to the conclusion that as long as you are careful, you can use the taped screwdriver trick. Anybody think I'm crazy?
Anyway, I figured my 6' wide by 12' long by 4' tall 2-axle Texas Dump trailer hauls 2.25 cords of wood stacked full. I had it overfull, but just for the sake of argument, lets say 2.25 cords. Wood was wet. At 35 pounds per cubic foot stacked, (maple, alder and cherry) average, that means 4,480 lbs per cord. At 2.25 cords, the trailer payload was 10,080 lbs. The trailer itself weighs (SWAG) about 3K. Net up to 13,080. Now, figure my 350 loaded with luggage, a bunch of wood in the bed, me, my wife, my two dogs, and a full tank of fuel, and I figure a conservative estimate of 8,500. That adds up to a 320 mile trip at 21,580 lbs GCVWR.
I got 15 MPG towing it at an average of 67 MPH, pulling some of the longest, steepest grades we have over here.
Overall, the truck performed flwlessly. For as heavy as I was, it was almost like the load wasn't there. I could have easily maintained 70 on any one of the grades, but of course, I slowed down to 60 or so to take it easy on the old girl.
My main problem, however, was turbo surge in OD. I shifted down into direct a bunch of times to get rid of surge, but not because the truck necessarily needed it.
So, I needs me a wicked wheel. But I am scared to do it. I see the turbo WAYYYY back in there and look at my big hands and arms and think about laying on top of the engine all by myself wrestling with the thing, and it occurs to me that I am a chicken.
Help me out guys. Practical applications, time-savers, idears you've come up with, and an honest guesstimate of how long it will take an otherwise mechanically inclined shadetree with a horribly disorganized garage to get-'er-done. I have come to the conclusion that as long as you are careful, you can use the taped screwdriver trick. Anybody think I'm crazy?
