How hard to push (pull) it?

[jcrayford]

Hi all,

New trailer owner as of June '12. We bought a 2012/2013 Sabre Silhoette 250 RLUD. Pin weight of about 1400 lbs, empty trailer weight of about 9800 lbs (If I'm recalling everything right)

Tow vehicle is a 2006 Dodge 2500 Megacab 4x4 5.9 diesel. Just have cold air intake and aftermarket exhaust on it. No tuners/chips/etc.

My main question is (and this applies to anyone tugging a trailer): how hard do you normally drive the combination? From a dead stop? As far as highway speeds, do you wait for traffic to clear to pass or jam the "go-go" pedal into the floor?

When empty, I drive my truck decently - I want it to last without putting parts in every year. When towing, I'm driving even slower - lots of times holding up traffic.

I guess what I'm looking for is opinions on whether getting into it a little harder is bad for the truck/trailer?

Thanks in advance,

J.

[ependydad]

I'm not hip on your fancy lingo- but, unless you specifically went looking for LT tires or ST tires with a 75mph (or higher) rating, your tires are only rated for 65mph. Exceeding this can cause excessive heat build up and premature wear on the tire and increases your chance of blowouts.

So- I try as much as possible for 65mph to be my maximum speed.

As for getting there- I generally try for a deliberate speed up. Not mashing the go pedal- smooth and gentle for me. (Unless I need to mash it and then I do- I do live in the Baltimore/DC area where most are professional race car drivers!)

Does that answer your question?

[jeeplj8]

I think you are basically asking, how much acceleration is OK before I start damaging components.

TO a great extent you are asking everyone their favorite color - it is an opinion.

But I would suggest this, let your boost gauge and EGT be your guide. You should develop boost smoothly, not all at once. A cummins common rail is loafing at anything under 6 psi, or 600 degrees. It is not really working until you are past that point. And from there on up to about 20 psi and 1200 degrees is the work zone. There is no reason to exceed either number in normal situations.

[jcrayford]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I'm not hip on your fancy lingo- but, unless you specifically went looking for LT tires or ST tires with a 75mph (or higher) rating, your tires are only rated for 65mph. Exceeding this can cause excessive heat build up and premature wear on the tire and increases your chance of blowouts.

So- I try as much as possible for 65mph to be my maximum speed.

As for getting there- I generally try for a deliberate speed up. Not mashing the go pedal- smooth and gentle for me. (Unless I need to mash it and then I do- I do live in the Baltimore/DC area where most are professional race car drivers!)

Does that answer your question?

Yep, answers the highway speed question for sure.... Here in Alberta, if the posted speed is 110 kph (68 mph) I'm the guy holding up traffic while doing 100 kph (62 mph).... Pass me - I don't care. I'm not gonna burn up anything just 'cause you want me to travel at 75 mph like you.

Just have the OEM tires on the trailer - already checked and they're not Powermax.... The truck has BFG AT 'E' rated....

Still wondering about how hard to accelerate from a standstill though...

Baltimore is where the professionals are? LOL... Could've sworn it was in Calgary....

J.

[jcrayford]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

I think you are basically asking, how much acceleration is OK before I start damaging components.

TO a great extent you are asking everyone their favorite color - it is an opinion.

But I would suggest this, let your boost gauge and EGT be your guide. You should develop boost smoothly, not all at once. A cummins common rail is loafing at anything under 6 psi, or 600 degrees. It is not really working until you are past that point. And from there on up to about 20 psi and 1200 degrees is the work zone. There is no reason to exceed either number in normal situations.

Ah! and therein lies the problem.... I have no gauges in my truck (yet)...

I guess I'll just go by 'feel' and not run hard, using sound judgement and listening to my truck.... at least until I get some gauges.

I do accelerate smoothly, empty or towing. Just feel like getting an empty 8000 lb truck up to speed should take a little while (even longer when towing the 9800 lb trailer. Like I've always told the wife - If I want to go faster, I'll use the bike.

Thanks for the confirmations guys!

J.

[Cedar]

Oops. I better slow down. I think I'm going to fast for my tires. I usually do 110km/h on the highway. I'm usually passed by guys hauling trailers like I'm standing still. I'll check my tires when I get out to the trailer tonight.

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by jcrayford

Ah! and therein lies the problem.... I have no gauges in my truck (yet)...

I guess I'll just go by 'feel' and not run hard, using sound judgement and listening to my truck.... at least until I get some gauges.

I do accelerate smoothly, empty or towing. Just feel like getting an empty 8000 lb truck up to speed should take a little while (even longer when towing the 9800 lb trailer. Like I've always told the wife - If I want to go faster, I'll use the bike.

Thanks for the confirmations guys!

J.

My personal opinion is that no one should tow with a turbo diesel without a boost and EGT gauge. They are not that expensive and can truly help you out in the long run. I know I have caught costly things before they got or left me on the side of the road with my Edge CTS monitor. Of course, that was with a Ford and they break more than the Dodge's do...

Anyway - get something to monitor those two parameters and you feel so much better just knowing what your truck is doing and how hard (or not) it is working.

Used to have an 05 Cummins - wish I never got rid of that truck.

[VenturaBill]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

Of course, that was with a Ford and they break more than the Dodge's do...

Anyway - get something to monitor those two parameters and you feel so much better just knowing what your truck is doing and how hard (or not) it is working.

Used to have an 05 Cummins - wish I never got rid of that truck.

I had a 2005 F350 6.0L and as much as I loved the truck it had it's issues and did leave me stranded with trailer back in Arches NP. I never forgave the truck for that.
I now have a 2012 F250 4x4 6.7L, which is the new 400-horse Ford-built diesel and it is a whole different truck. More power and torque, it's as quiet as a gas engine and it pulls our 34' Columbus like a dream.
There has not been one issue with the truck or engine in the one year that I've owned it...

[rotorhead1250]

Jcray, since you don't have a chip or tuner, running you truck without an EGT or boost gauge is fine. Your truck was manufactured to haul heavy items and Dodge has it powered to do just that without damaging anything. That being said, when you get the funds I’m sure you will feel much better knowing how hot your exhaust is and how much boost your producing. Just sayin.

[OldCoot]

We accelerate at a normal rate, if the folks don't like it, they can lump it. I don't like some of their driving habits either. I really don't care what others think as long as I'm not causing a traffic obstruction and am traveling 60-65 mph. Didn't buy a camper to race.

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by jcrayford

Yep, answers the highway speed question for sure.... Here in Alberta, if the posted speed is 110 kph (68 mph) I'm the guy holding up traffic while doing 100 kph (62 mph).... Pass me - I don't care. I'm not gonna burn up anything just 'cause you want me to travel at 75 mph like you.

Just have the OEM tires on the trailer - already checked and they're not Powermax.... The truck has BFG AT 'E' rated....

Still wondering about how hard to accelerate from a standstill though...

Baltimore is where the professionals are? LOL... Could've sworn it was in Calgary....

J.

I just drive like I normally do except for speed. I lock the cruise at 100kph and go and as far as accelerating goes. I rarely jump on the gas hard and drive the same with or without the trailer.

[transamz9]

Just go how you feel like going. Being stock you will not hurt it. As far as the boost thing, the numbers that were posted earlier are numbers you would see for a Ford. You Dodge will run 25-30 psi all day long. I will run 15-20 on flat ground out on the interstates. I might see 6-8 coasting.