Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Vaught
Formulajones, since you are on the left side of the country, and you seem to travel long distance occasionally, what was your speed up Davis Dam with the truck?
We did some certified testing there with a early 7.3L Turbo Diesel and with a certified "COMBINED WEIGHT" of 43,000 lbs (State Police weight scaled) the truck/trailer could do 45 mph up the Davis Dam highway.
Tom V.
|
I've been meaning to get over that way for a while but haven't towed up the David Dam as of yet.
I can give an example though, and maybe take that and compare. The steepest mountains we routinely climb around here start out near sea level and climb to about 7,000 feet in a stretch of about 6 miles with a series of switch backs mixed in. I'm sure there is a math formula to figure out the grade needed to accomplish that, but I can tell you it's steep.
In any event, it takes out semi's on a regular basis, and even some cars overheat before reaching the top. Semi's usually crawl 20-25 mph making for a pretty dangerous stretch of road.
The duramax I can maintain any speed I wish. I generally hold 70 mph and it'll stay there without downshifting, and if I come up on a slow car, I can actually pull out and pick up speed if need be. Both gas engine trucks won't do that, they gradually slow down throughout the pull to the top, usually 45 mph by the time you crest the mountain. Of course we aren't pulling 43000 lbs either. With the combined weight of the truck, the trailer, and it's contents I'm in the neighborhood of 18,000 lbs.