Tow rig/daily driver
- Thread starter giles
- Start date
She loved the cold morning air today, 17.4 on way in. It has been windy earlier this week, will be interesting to see if it's just loosening up or if it's a fluke.
The mpg book was transferred from the Duramax to this one, the sales managers mouth dropped when I showed him 5yrs of data lol.
The mpg book was transferred from the Duramax to this one, the sales managers mouth dropped when I showed him 5yrs of data lol.
I'll keep this post updated with the high level info, but more details will be captured here:
https://www.dieselplace.com/forum/6...78490-2020-2500hd-w-6-6l-gas.html#post9846104
https://www.dieselplace.com/forum/6...78490-2020-2500hd-w-6-6l-gas.html#post9846104
Interior features are something I did without on this last truck too, so I get the little things like storage. I went and bought a tool box and I haven’t had one of those in a couple of years. There just isn’t anywhere to put things in a base model truck. Overall, I think I’ll be happier without the comfort and fancy trim level as mine is a tow rig. Looking at stickers, I feel much better about the choice! It’s crazy what people are paying for leather and Bluetooth. If this was a truck making crazy long trips with the family, my choice would be different. We have a nice “truck” we needed a work truck.
First fill-up of 32.1gal today at 540 miles. Started with 63 miles, leaving 477/32.1on this tank for an average of 14.9mpg combined driving. We did a lot of running around this past weekend, kids sports and such, that are only 10-15mins away. First picture is right after resetting everything at the pump. I use Trip 2 to watch the different segments and start and stop is definitely a killer with a lot of 12 and 14mpg showing. I didn't baby the pedal at all, just my normal driving style. I noticed this is in the 1400-2100 RPM range. This week will show more on the highway side of things and I think I'll see the avg. move up to 16-17.
Yesterday I removed the 4x4 stickers on the bed and the N-Fab step bars arrived today. Much better looking and both the mrs. and the boys approved the easier in/out capability.
Yesterday I removed the 4x4 stickers on the bed and the N-Fab step bars arrived today. Much better looking and both the mrs. and the boys approved the easier in/out capability.
No gonna run it like it is for a while. These are 17x7.5" rims so running the wider 285 or 33" tire wouldn't be an issue. If anything Ill paint them black for simplicity reasons. I just don't know if I'll do it before getting new tires or not.
I've always had a love-hate relationship with wheels. They always rust because of winter's up here and are just a pain to keep clean. But man, a nice set of clean and shiny wheels can make a rig look sweet. That said, I'm not taking this one that way. I always felt bad I didn't wash the Duramax more like I had previous vehicles but I'm flat tires of washing cars these days. So this one is going chrome won't get you home, black will get you back. It's going to stay dirty most of its life.
Downshifting- I think you hit on this Adam. I know some people don’t like it, personally, I love it. I believe the truck runs more efficient at higher RPM’s. All trucks. More fluid flowing to parts likes transmissions, more oil flowing through the cooler. Generally your fan kicks on when it downshifts. All things to help your truck in the long run.
Less stress on your drivetrain if it downshifts under power on a hill or passing.
Understanding your truck and how it likes to run is key when towing. If I know a hill is coming, I prefer to make it downshifts before I even get to the hill and let the truck pull me over the top. Kinda like driving a big rig, pick a gear before the hill and stick with it.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I’d challenge anyone to prove me wrong. I bring this up because I was just talking to guy about this this morning as he’s looking at a new truck. He was bragging about how he likes the lugging power his 5.9 Cummins has. Of all trucks, a Cummins is not one you should lug. Those transmissions do NOT like heat!
I used to tow a lot with a 5.7 hemi in the mountains of AK. Totally different animal when you are pulling grade for 5+ minutes. I’d downshift that truck to third or fourth gear and power up the hills pushing 4,500-5,000 rpms. Right in the middle of the powerband. Never once had an issue. Just because the motor is singing, doesn’t mean you are hurting anything.
What’s the powerband on that new 6.6? I think you’ll be happy with it once you get over the fact that it just isn’t a diesel and you need to work it different.
Less stress on your drivetrain if it downshifts under power on a hill or passing.
Understanding your truck and how it likes to run is key when towing. If I know a hill is coming, I prefer to make it downshifts before I even get to the hill and let the truck pull me over the top. Kinda like driving a big rig, pick a gear before the hill and stick with it.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I’d challenge anyone to prove me wrong. I bring this up because I was just talking to guy about this this morning as he’s looking at a new truck. He was bragging about how he likes the lugging power his 5.9 Cummins has. Of all trucks, a Cummins is not one you should lug. Those transmissions do NOT like heat!
I used to tow a lot with a 5.7 hemi in the mountains of AK. Totally different animal when you are pulling grade for 5+ minutes. I’d downshift that truck to third or fourth gear and power up the hills pushing 4,500-5,000 rpms. Right in the middle of the powerband. Never once had an issue. Just because the motor is singing, doesn’t mean you are hurting anything.
What’s the powerband on that new 6.6? I think you’ll be happy with it once you get over the fact that it just isn’t a diesel and you need to work it different.
Gas engine hp is always made at the high end. For this one it's at 5200 for go rating and 4000 for full torque.
https://www.google.com/amp/gmauthority.com/blog/2019/02/6-6l-v8-l8t-gm-engine-specs-released/amp/
I always shift into manual to be able to control the highest gear when pulling any kind of good grade (i.e. SE Ohio/West Virginia)
https://www.google.com/amp/gmauthority.com/blog/2019/02/6-6l-v8-l8t-gm-engine-specs-released/amp/
I always shift into manual to be able to control the highest gear when pulling any kind of good grade (i.e. SE Ohio/West Virginia)
Rereading that, it sounded like I was calling you out. My bad homie. It was more of an informational post for those new to towing or looking at towing. I did want to know your numbers though. That thing should sing and sound good under load!
Iowa_Buckeye
Smartest person here
Inside shots. The back seat of the F-150 was impressive, then I opened this one said "awwww ya". They extended the wheel base 5" and put it all in the cab. No more feet kicking the back of my seat
Middle seat/armrest down.
Seat up:
Found this guy on Amazon (remembered my uncle's old Ford having one). Wedges perfectly in the middle open area now that the 4x4 mechanical shift is push button electronic.
Even WT trim gives vents to back seat in middle area (2014 LT did not)
I'm slowly molding into the interior layout and options. The floating/squirmy feeling in the steering is still not a thing I enjoy. Playing with different tire pressures, but they are either too low and cause the light/message to come on each start up, or too high and you're rattling out your fillings. Really missing that 18" AT tire and Bilsteins right now.
Middle seat/armrest down.
Seat up:
Found this guy on Amazon (remembered my uncle's old Ford having one). Wedges perfectly in the middle open area now that the 4x4 mechanical shift is push button electronic.
Even WT trim gives vents to back seat in middle area (2014 LT did not)
I'm slowly molding into the interior layout and options. The floating/squirmy feeling in the steering is still not a thing I enjoy. Playing with different tire pressures, but they are either too low and cause the light/message to come on each start up, or too high and you're rattling out your fillings. Really missing that 18" AT tire and Bilsteins right now.
The new EPA regulations on diesel trucks should drive the prices down. Hopefully...older trucks I suspect will rocket though. Keep the miles off your 06’ Cummins @hickslawns ! That’ll be a golden ticket shortly.
Warning: emotional post
FUCK YOU FORD!!!!! Everyone talked about the hype of the 6.7 and ford finally having a reliable truck again. Raising my BULLSHIT flag!!! Haven’t even washed this damn thing and this is the third time it’s broke. 94,000 miles and I’ve replaced an intake elbow, a turbo and now it looks like I have some sort of sensor problem.
Might want to wait a day or so for told you so comments...I’m ready to do something stupid. I have spent entirely to damn much money on used trucks the last 3 years. Could’ve easily paid for a brand new one.
FUCK YOU FORD!!!!! Everyone talked about the hype of the 6.7 and ford finally having a reliable truck again. Raising my BULLSHIT flag!!! Haven’t even washed this damn thing and this is the third time it’s broke. 94,000 miles and I’ve replaced an intake elbow, a turbo and now it looks like I have some sort of sensor problem.
Might want to wait a day or so for told you so comments...I’m ready to do something stupid. I have spent entirely to damn much money on used trucks the last 3 years. Could’ve easily paid for a brand new one.