Posted 2007-04-05 11:47 AM (#58571) Subject: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 346
With fuel prices do you see things slowing a bit? Just back from TX and it seems that I didnt see the normal rigs on the road. Saw alot of duallys. Very few freightliners, 4500's etc.
Just wondering...I am in need of a 4500 or larger truck.
Hey TX Vaquero, still like the 4500? Or would you consider the larger truck?
Posted 2007-04-05 3:03 PM (#58585 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
It might slow a bit but really, horses are a recreational habit. People spend a ton of money for the horse, training, tack, gear, housing etc.....and stay home just because of fuel prices? In my case, I'll probably pass on local shows in favor of fewer Class A shows. This way I can save some money and enjoy my arabian shows.Its funny cause I can recall fuel going as high as 1.75 a gallon! and people predicting the death of horse shows. I don't like paying 3 bucks or more but if that what it takes to go to a show,then I guess I'll pay it. Its not like I can hitch up the old nag and drive him to show. That or stay home and I don't ride all winter to do that.
Posted 2007-04-05 3:39 PM (#58592 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Location: Texas
I haven't noticed the numbers being down and the parking lots are full, so I guess not many are staying home. I'm in Nevada and I've paid from $2.50 in Tx. to $3.25 out here. The further west the higher. I'm enjoying the 07, the only thing I don't like is the pickup style bed it has, just makes hooking up a little tougher. The 4X4, or I guess 6X6, is really nice. I pulled a lot of Fruitliners out in Denver and OKC. The dealer that is sponsoring the 07 is also a Peterbilt dealer and he is building out a new 340 to pull their trailer for hauling the off road trucks they race. I am going to use it some later this summer, so I'll see how it works then. As of now, I don't see any need to spend the extra money, this truck will do all I need it to and will pull with any of them.
Posted 2007-04-05 6:46 PM (#58615 - in reply to #58611) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Location: Texas
Glad you got it figured out, I'm still working on it. I did not see the sticker on the 07, so I don't know what it cost, but I do know some of the conversions get pricey, yet they are still half the cost of the alternative. When I got the 04, I just ordered the basic truck, then had the bed put on and the upgrade seats added. I did not go for all the gee whiz stuff the 07 has, most of which doesn't mean anything to me. I don't know how to use the navigation system, the dog doesn't watch DVD, I only have 3 CDs, so a 12 CD changer doesn't mean much, and I really don't care if the back seat folds down electrically and is heated. The dealer did all the engine/trans. upgrades, and since it is their truck, I guess it is fine with me, but it WILL RUN!
Posted 2007-04-05 7:08 PM (#58617 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Northern, CA
No, I don't really see any slow down in the venues we do (reined cowhorse). I drive a 4500 (13 mpg unloaded/11 mpg towing a big a** LQ) and don't think twice about loading and going. I just look at the fuel costs as a part of what we do, business or pleasure.
Posted 2007-04-05 9:23 PM (#58632 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378 Location: Nebraska
I see terrorist actively picking up, because we (the U. S.) are paying $70 a barrel for middle-east oil. and everything else increasing in price to catch up. But what can you do?
Posted 2007-04-06 6:29 AM (#58639 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 346
Yep. Thanks for the replys. The fuel cost was unreal this trip compared to the last several that I had been on that far. This is the first trip with the large LQ trailer (16') and it made a difference. Bigger trailer means bigger fuel bill and I guess truck bill too since it isnt big enough to carry it.
The 3500 ran anywhere from 200 - 235 degrees while pulling the trailer. Fan clutch running (i guess why fuel bill was so high) non stop. Its really loaded. I have a pucker mark in the seat when twice a fellow motorist slammed on brakes in front of me and I didnt have enough brakes to stop. I slid past two cars the first time and one car the second time. thank god no one was in the on coming lane. I am a courteous motorist too, I waved very nicely just not with the whole hand.
A freind told me that the price of corn in OK was since he buys 600 tons every few months. The good ole uncle sam double subsidies on corn producers (in the corn belt) last year not to plant. Yet we wonder why corn is so high, no one planted. Go figure. Feed is high, fuel is high, maybe I need to sell out and get high too.
Posted 2007-04-06 10:14 AM (#58651 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
threeman; What kind of chip, tune, fuel box you got on that Duramax? you said 6.? mpg and running 230 degrees!!! Looks like they would offer these Duramax's with a 4:10 axle, bet the temps and milage would inmprove. Sounds like you are mighty heavy, trailer weight and on the "GO PEDAL". Friend of mine in Ky. just bought a used 2002 Peterbilt with 60000+ miles on it, forget what model, 8.3 Cummins 330hp, 6 speed allison, crew cab with sleeper behind cab, pulling body, 22.5 tires, black, chrome, polished aluminum and stainless everywhere. Said he paid less than what a new 2006 45-5500 GM was selling for. He got rid of a 2002 F-550, his trailer was wagging the dog. Sundowner, 4H with what looks like a 20' lq, hay pod, big tanks, etc. He crosses the scales with 4 horses empty tanks at 43700#. He said it was night and day difference between the Pete and the F-550, like comparing apples to raisins!
Posted 2007-04-06 10:54 AM (#58657 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 346
I have a edge juice but while towing I turn it off. The allison(under the gm configuration) IMO cannot handle excess power other than stock with stock tranny. I have had 5 duramax trucks. Two of them i still own one being the 05. I have slipped and limped the tranny in each one except the new 07 and it will not be getting a programmer. Its a 2500 though and is used a a daily driver. The 3500 sits mostly with a trailer in tow about two to three days a week.
Yeah I could slow down to 60mph and save the temp from getting hot but i dont drive that way. with anything. the 4500's i personally think would be a bandaid on my situation but man they cost enough and honestly cannot pay 100k for a truck. i dont even owe that on my house.
the trailer weighs about 14.5 empty. then add the 60 inside water tank, 45 gal horse wter tank, clothes for 3 folks, saddles & tack for 4 horses, hay & feed, and then three horses, and it is HEAVY. I know the 3500 is overloaded. Heck the mileage will tell you that alone. Stopping in a hurry is really not so fun. Honestly with the power i dont have a problem. I cannot set the cruise though there isnt that much power.
Posted 2007-04-06 11:07 AM (#58661 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Believe I would be looking for a well maintained, used MDT or HDT. Pete, KW, IH, Freight Shaker, or something. Even one of these withh 200,000+ miles has a whole lota life left in it. You'll have a truck for the hills, going up as well as coming down and be getting better than 6-7 mpg doing it. No "pucker holes" in the seats and the family won't have to pry your fingers off the steering wheel when you stop (if you can) for a "water break"! I don't think I would want that load behind my 3500 pushing me all over the road, (think GM says you can tow a GN trailer up to 15,000#, not to exceed 22,000# for the truck/trailer combination, with a D-MAX equipped 3500 dually), it may be a little more with the newer higher HP trucks, but not by much. You are pretty much D-MAXED-OUT before you start to add the contents into the trailer. Just be safe as you can until you can see further!
Posted 2007-04-06 12:11 PM (#58666 - in reply to #58657) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Regular
Posts: 92 Location: oregon
Did you install the air intake system and the 4" exhaust along with your juice? We have the juice with attitude with the above items and the engine exhaust stays cool while towing our 10' LQ. We get 12mpg, sometimes a little higher, depending on the terrain. We tow in #1 or #2. When not towing, we average 18 to 20.
Posted 2007-04-06 4:03 PM (#58674 - in reply to #58571) Subject: RE: With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 346
Nope stock exhaust and I would guess that would lower egt's alot. One reason the engine is hot is that the egt's are never under 1040. I did see it max at about 1340 something stock. I maintain above 70% throttle just to maintain 65 mph on flat roads. Up hill or an incline I see alot of 102% trottle marks. Thats the reason for temps so hot. The fact is that the 3500 is over loaded.
With fuel prices do you see everything slowing?
