Finished my new tow vehicle, it works very well.

rjstractor wrote:

Mr. Cob wrote:

blofgren wrote:
That's a great looking truck; I love the older Pete's too.

What engine and transmission does it have?

The engine is a 6NZ C-15 550 horse power with 1850 lb pounds of torque, the transmission is an Eaton-Fuller 18 speed Auto-Shift, 3.55 axle ratio. It has what it needs to get the job done and then some, darn thing is going to get me into serious trouble one of these days with the law as I run up the mountain.:B

Dave

You say you like to row the gears and you got an Auto-Shift? I'm just yanking your chain a little, sounds like a great choice. I have some time in a 10 speed AutoShift and I'm amazed by the little tricks it employs to complete shifts that I wouldn't dare try in a full manual.

I do like having control, the Auto-Shift allows control when you want it and allows you to just kick back and let the Elves work when your feeling lazy the best of both worlds. The 18 speed has been a real pleasure to drive in the mountains so much better then the 10 speed that is in my Freightliner. We left the mountains of Colorado yesterday and are now cruising the flat lands of the midwest BORING but it is what it is.

Dave

Mr. Cob wrote:

blofgren wrote:
That's a great looking truck; I love the older Pete's too.

What engine and transmission does it have?

The engine is a 6NZ C-15 550 horse power with 1850 lb pounds of torque, the transmission is an Eaton-Fuller 18 speed Auto-Shift, 3.55 axle ratio. It has what it needs to get the job done and then some, darn thing is going to get me into serious trouble one of these days with the law as I run up the mountain.:B

Dave

You say you like to row the gears and you got an Auto-Shift? I'm just yanking your chain a little, sounds like a great choice. I have some time in a 10 speed AutoShift and I'm amazed by the little tricks it employs to complete shifts that I wouldn't dare try in a full manual.

Mr. Cob wrote:

73guna wrote:
We're you rolling through Nebraska today, I-80 eastbound?
Saw a rig/setup similar to yours east of Kearney Ne. around noon o'clock.

yes that was me, We are now at a rest stop having lunch before turning off the freeway and heading to Mark Twain Cave.

Dave

Stay out of caves!!! Just saying, having spend a year in Thailand 1966-67. You have covered some ground since I saw your rig at Frontier Village. Chris

73guna wrote:
We're you rolling through Nebraska today, I-80 eastbound?
Saw a rig/setup similar to yours east of Kearney Ne. around noon o'clock.

yes that was me, We are now at a rest stop having lunch before turning off the freeway and heading to Mark Twain Cave.

Dave

We're you rolling through Nebraska today, I-80 eastbound?
Saw a rig/setup similar to yours east of Kearney Ne. around noon o'clock.

Very cool setup, I would have enjoyed helping you build it. I would be scared putting the car on the deck. With my luck I would drive off the other side.

Cool project.

Went to your website detailing the build....love that deck.

Great setup.. thanks for sharing....

Mr. Cob wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
I enjoy driving my Pete but for loads under 30k I prefer a 1 ton.

From what you wrote, I am assuming your one ton will stop 30,000 pounds as quickly and as controllable as an HDT. Must be some sort of special edition one ton.

I am NOT giving you a hard time but braking ability and safety is one of the main reason that folks who use an HDT to tow large RV trailers do so. I had a 14,000 pound toy hauler push my 8,000 pound one ton through an intersection when attempting a panic stop, I don't even want to think about how bad the wreak would have been had I been towing 30,000 pounds that day.

Dave

A class 8 highway tractor is going to be able to stop a 20 or 30 thousand pound trailer in a reasonable distance even if the trailer brakes fail so if safety is a big concern a class 8 is probably the way to go. Or, if you want a little car to bomb around with once you arrive at your destination, Mr Cob's Pete is hard to beat. I'm just saying I enjoy driving my little pickup more than the Pete when the loads are lighter. I appreciate that the Ford is quieter and I find it a little more relaxing. I think the electric over hydraulic disc brakes on my 5ver could be set up to pull back on the truck in a panic situation. So, as long as things are working properly the new 1 tons are capable of handling some pretty heavy RVs.

cummins who said anything about mileage?
you are correct however they get shameful mileage compared to a econ car -aero dynamics are not good.I dont see any reason for their existence whatso ever, but I own one and its fun and the only car that fits behind the sleeper.
License? more straw men? My truck and car will be 10's if not 100's of thousands cheaper in my lifespan of RV'ing . Licence/plates insurance even resale figured in.Remember up here in Canada your truck would cost me 100,000$ and $13,000 in taxes so horses for courses.
Downsides? just ask I got some you dont even know I bet.

Hey, I just saw the Pete, Smartcart and toy hauler at Frontier Village.