The Man Thread

[lawnspecialties]

Alright ladies, before you get all in a "huff", you can chime in if you'd like. But "The Man Thread" just fits.

Now that we've seen many folks posting their "rigs", I'd be interested in seeing what all you've done to your tow vehicle. I think it's BigDisneyDaddy whose signature says his Duramax "isn't completely stock". Just what have you guys tried that you like and what should we stay away from?

For most of us, driving to the Fort is a major investment. Reports of over $1000 in fuel are not unheard of. So any tips could really help someone looking to maybe "upgrade" or "enhance" their tow vehicle or maybe even their "towed" vehicle. Things to stay away from would be equally helpful.

As for me, I have an '05 F-250 6.0L 4X4 with the 3.73 rear end. I have installed an MBRP 4" turbo back exhaust with the cat still in place. I also have an Accu-Fab intake elbow and an S&B cold air intake system. All three of these I'd recommend since all they do is basically "free up" the truck from air flow restrictions. I can't wait to see how our trip next month does.

I also have a SuperChips FlashPaq re-programmer. I'm not a big fan of it for towing. It really makes the truck scoot in economy mode but when in towing mode with a load back there, the engine does well, but the transmission seems confused. Constant up and down shifting at 45-55 mph speeds. Besides, the truck seems very happy with the setup I have now.

 

[Gatordad]

This is how I live my life. Perhaps more can follow. Those of you from the Northeast know what I'm talking about. Donnie has the same characteristics, albeit from a Florida Disposition.

 

[bradisgoofy]

I still have my tow vehicle even though I now have a motorhome. 2004 Dodge 3500 ( one ton ), Quad cab, long bed, 5.9 Cummins diesel, 3.73 rear end, 4x4. This truck is bone stock and runs great. When I towed my 36' fifth wheel we got as good as 12mpg and no lower then 10mpg, cruising at 65mph. I really think this is a great truck and have no plan to part with it. We are considering making it into out "toad" since it will tow "four down" and the golf cart will fit in the bed.

 

[lawnspecialties]

Brad, that's impressive.

We got 8-9 mpg maximum when we went to the Fort almost two years ago. But we rarely got below 70-75 mph. I'm going to "try" to keep it down a little this time but am not sure how well that idea will hold up.

I also didn't have the intake elbow or cold air intake but not sure if they'll make that big a difference or not.

 

[CaptKen]

02 F250 with 7.3. Was stock until the fairy visited it the other night. The son installed a Bully Dog, adjust on the fly system chip. I can adjust from stock to +50 +70 +100 +140 horsepower while driving down the road. The 50 drives well around town, the 140 smokes the tires. Was getting 10mpg pulling the 5er, so I guess the next trip we'll see if there's any improvement.

BTY. I got my wife's permission to post on this thread.

 

[lisa8200]

02 F250 with 7.3. Was stock until the fairy visited it the other night. The son installed a Bully Dog, adjust on the fly system chip. I can adjust from stock to +50 +70 +100 +140 horsepower while driving down the road. The 50 drives well around town, the 140 smokes the tires. Was getting 10mpg pulling the 5er, so I guess the next trip we'll see if there's any improvement.

BTY. I got my wife's permission to post on this thread.

I started to get DW's permission until I realized eneryone would just think it was her posting.

 

[CaptKen]

Just found out it wasn't a Bully Dog, it's a TS Performance.
I always have my wife's permission when she's not here.

 

[lisa8200]

I have a f250 with the power stroke. I haven't done anything to it but i have noticed the exhaust is unobstructed by muffler etc. It has an aftermarket sticker for the wieght requirements in the door jam. I doesn't appear to have a lift so I think its to show it's set up with the oversize tires, not massive but larger than stock. I do know that if I'm at a dead stop and punch it I will leave half my rubber on the asphalt.I'm not sure if the original owner put a chip in or what, this is my first diesal.

 

[DznyRulz]

I drive a 2004 Ford Ex V10 4.30 4x4, completely stock. What I did do was get the ScanGaugeII so I could see what was going on. I found that if I keep it below 65mph, use cruise control when possible and use overdrive on the flats I get a little more than 2mpg better than the way I was driving it before.

BTW: Real men don't need their wife's permiss... Ouch! How in the heck does she always seem to know what I doing?

 

[big kahuna1]

No mods or chips here. Stock trannies can't handle the chips and I am still under warranty and don't want to screw that up. Basically all stock except for some window dressing. I get a low of around 15 to a high of over 18 solo depending on my speed and almost 11 mpg while towing at 65. No GM's or Ford here...just NOTHIN' BUT TRUCK!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Wow, I feel like the Chihuahua among the big dogs here. I have a Ford F150 with the 5.4L V-8 and the 3.73 rear end. Strictly stock, but pulls the Kiwi like a dream. 18mpg without the trailer, 11-13 towing.

 

[bord1niowa]

Don't feel bad Ftwildernessguy, I am pulling a pop up with a Chevy 1500 Conversion van with a std 5.7. Nothing special on the pulling power but I doubt I will need it yet. Haven't pulled the pop up yet with it but I will be this spring and in June to the Fort. Hope the mileage isn't too bad as we have a 1300 mile trip each way.

 

[ejmbibb]

Well since someone else started this thread, I will take this opportunity to vent.... here goes.

As you can see by my signature below, I have on 08 f-350 cc 4x4 duallie with the new 6.4.... I HATE IT!!!

It gets amazingly bad mileage compared to my 03 that had a 6.0, it got 18 empty and about 14 towing, new one is lucky to get 12 empty and 8-9 towing. But my biggest complaint is the diesel particulate filter regeneration, when it decides to do a dpf burn, it bumps the idle up to 1300 or so, no matter what you are doing. One time, I was in a drive thru, and it decided to do it, and I almost rammed the lady in front of me. Then after it does that, it smokes like one of those farm tractors you see on tv in the tractor pulls. It is so bad that I have had people pull off the road behind me, and someone come up to me at a light and tell me my truck was on fire. You know, I feel if you spend $50k+ on a truck, you really should have to be embarassed to drive it down the road.

Took it to ford, and they said it is just a design characteristic, and there is nothing wrong. Well I called a lemon law attorney Friday, and got the ball rolling, she said that they have lots of complaints about the 08 and it shouldn't be a problem. I just hope I can get something worked out before we leave for the fort in febuary.

My perfect truck would be, a cummins diesel, an allison tranny, in a ford body.

Well enough with the rant for now... thanks for listening.

John

 

[tungpo1]

No mods or chips here. Stock trannies can't handle the chips and I am still under warranty and don't want to screw that up. Basically all stock except for some window dressing. I get a low of around 15 to a high of over 18 solo depending on my speed and almost 11 mpg while towing at 65. No GM's or Ford here...just NOTHIN' BUT TRUCK!

Super nice truck.

 

[Fish Almighty]

2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 stock, 150k miles.

And since this is a man thread... do we get to post pics of bikini-clad women too?

 

[Rhonda]

And since this is a man thread... do we get to post pics of bikini-clad women too?

I don't think so Fish.

 

[mamaloya]

Well, I am not a man, but my TV is a 1500 Chevy Express LT 5.7L V8 3.73 with the factory heavy duty trailering package.

 

[LarryJ]

Alright ladies, before you get all in a "huff", you can chime in if you'd like. But "The Man Thread" just fits.

Now that we've seen many folks posting their "rigs", I'd be interested in seeing what all you've done to your tow vehicle. I think it's BigDisneyDaddy whose signature says his Duramax "isn't completely stock". Just what have you guys tried that you like and what should we stay away from?

For most of us, driving to the Fort is a major investment. Reports of over $1000 in fuel are not unheard of. So any tips could really help someone looking to maybe "upgrade" or "enhance" their tow vehicle or maybe even their "towed" vehicle. Things to stay away from would be equally helpful.

As for me, I have an '05 F-250 6.0L 4X4 with the 3.73 rear end. I have installed an MBRP 4" turbo back exhaust with the cat still in place. I also have an Accu-Fab intake elbow and an S&B cold air intake system. All three of these I'd recommend since all they do is basically "free up" the truck from air flow restrictions. I can't wait to see how our trip next month does.

I also have a SuperChips FlashPaq re-programmer. I'm not a big fan of it for towing. It really makes the truck scoot in economy mode but when in towing mode with a load back there, the engine does well, but the transmission seems confused. Constant up and down shifting at 45-55 mph speeds. Besides, the truck seems very happy with the setup I have now.

I have set my Van up to tow almost exclusively and try and live a long life and the following is just a sampling of what I have done.

1. Full gauges, pre/post egt, boost, water temp, tranny temp, fuel and air restriction.

2. 4" exhaust

3. Old SC programmer, have plenty of power, but EGT issues in the mtns and will be upgrading to a DPTuner F5 chip when funds allow

4. Extra Oil, Fuel and tranny filtering

5. The most bullet proof tranny (BTS) that IMHO money can buy and as far as I can tell for the 7.3L crowd no one makes a better one in the country compliments of Brian Thompson.

6. A modified trailer battery charging system that can be turned off and on via a rocker switch in the cab and is monitored in the cab via an ammeter.

7. Aux backup lights again controlled via a rocker switch in the cab.

8. A host of other minor things mostly convenience or desires of mine that made sense to me such as manual GP activation, interior lighting, better air filter, 10 disk CD/tape player/exchanger, etc.

Larry

 

[lawnspecialties]

Geesh Larry, why not sell the camper and just pull a mobile home? That van could do it.

Seriously though, you should work for Banks or something like that. Who did your gauges and what kind are they? I've talked with a good friend who owns a repair garage and he says he has a guy who can install some easily for me. That kind of stuff I'd rather someone do it right than me do it. I just don't have the time.

I'm probably going EGTs (pre-turbo), trans. temps., and boost and will most likely mount them on the pillar.

 

[LarryJ]

Geesh Larry, why not sell the camper and just pull a mobile home? That van could do it.

Seriously though, you should work for Banks or something like that. Who did your gauges and what kind are they? I've talked with a good friend who owns a repair garage and he says he has a guy who can install some easily for me. That kind of stuff I'd rather someone do it right than me do it. I just don't have the time.

I'm probably going EGTs (pre-turbo), trans. temps., and boost and will most likely mount them on the pillar.

Specifically here are just the gauges and you can poke around the rest of my albums on WS to see the other things I have done.

5 gauges along the A-pillar (note: that switch box in the overhead has been replaced by the fuel and air restriction gauges)

Here is a pic of my trailer battery charge gauges and the switches for my various extra lights.

Pics of the fuel and air restriction gauges

Larry