the ultimate truck camper truck.

[towpro]

they don't make them like they used to

[Kayteg1]

That Chevy commercial reminds me trains, where single locomotive can get 100 carts rolling.
But than it needs 2-3 miles to stop...

[time2roll]

towpro wrote:
they don't make them like they used to

Well the video does say to just add some additional auxiliary springs and they were good to go. I assume that applies today too.

[Grit_dog]

^You found the like button! Lol

[specta]

NRALIFR wrote:
Well, it seemed clear to me that the truck had to work pretty hard to get going, but as Val said I may just be missing the point. The point being? Whether it takes “not much” effort to get 374,000 lbs moving on level ground, or not “not much” effort (I know, double negative). My intuition tells me that 374K pounds is a freakin’ buttload, and it isn’t going to be easy for ANYTHING to get it moving, and just flat out impossible for a VW beetle.

Just to be sure though, I whipped out my trusty slide rule, Big Chief tablet and Laddie pencil, and ran a few calcs. This is what I came up with:



Told ya!

I’m suddenly having an irresistible urge for a Hershey’s Kiss. Strange. :h

:):)

[NRALIFR]

Well, it seemed clear to me that the truck had to work pretty hard to get going, but as Val said I may just be missing the point. The point being? Whether it takes “not much” effort to get 374,000 lbs moving on level ground, or not “not much” effort (I know, double negative). My intuition tells me that 374K pounds is a freakin’ buttload, and it isn’t going to be easy for ANYTHING to get it moving, and just flat out impossible for a VW beetle.

Just to be sure though, I whipped out my trusty slide rule, Big Chief tablet and Laddie pencil, and ran a few calcs. This is what I came up with:



Told ya!

I’m suddenly having an irresistible urge for a Hershey’s Kiss. Strange. :h

:):)

[specta]

The new trucks are less prone to rust and they don't get hot climbing steep grades with a load.

That Chevy truck grunted, groaned and shook trying to get those logs rolling.

Low gear low range, looks pretty difficult to me.

[valhalla360]

JRscooby wrote:

Some time in the late '70s the buyers of light trucks learned the auto trans, with the amplification of the torque converter would match the load starting ability of the "granny low" 4 speed. And without needing to worry about the driver's skill level on clutch engagement and the first shift, they started giving the auto higher GCVWR.
The GMC I posted about was not a pickup, but twin screw. Had a 5 speed main, and a 4 sp auxiliary transmission.

The automatic needing no skill likely killed off the granny gear.

Add in the proliferation of 4x4 trucks with low range effectively creating a granny gear if you needed one helped the process along.

[valhalla360]

NRALIFR wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

NRALIFR wrote:




Yeah, you’re right. I’m surprised VW didn’t respond with a commercial of their own doing it with a beetle. It coulda done it.

:):)

Drop in a transmission with a low enough gear ratio and beef up the axles to handle the torque and I'll put my money on the bug. :C

You lost some critical context there when you failed to include the Hershey Kiss emoji.

Fixed it for ya :W

:):)

Naw I got it...but you still seem to be missing the point. Getting a big load rolling on flat ground isn't difficult.

[jimh406]

Here’s an article I ran into about the granny gear.

https://www.fourwheeler.com/news/features/granny-gear-transmission-2021-ford-bronco/

Btw, it says the last one was in the early 90s.

[Grit_dog]

^Scooby knows of what he speaks about truck drivin!
BTW love the analogy “might have to drive a stake to tell it’s moving...”

[JRscooby]

valhalla360 wrote:

JRscooby wrote:


In the '70s I had a few 427 GMCs (and a couple of Super Duty Fords, when SD implied 850 in VIN) I would pull out of quarry grossing 110,000 lbs. Step grade, or soft ground, put both boxes in 1. Might have to drive a stake in the ground to tell it was moving, but if your patient it will get there. But, once started downhill, would take a running automobile to pass.

When did they stop including a granny gear in trucks? As you say, you won't win any races but pretty much nothing short of the axle shearing off was going to stop it from turning the wheels.

Some time in the late '70s the buyers of light trucks learned the auto trans, with the amplification of the torque converter would match the load starting ability of the "granny low" 4 speed. And without needing to worry about the driver's skill level on clutch engagement and the first shift, they started giving the auto higher GCVWR.
The GMC I posted about was not a pickup, but twin screw. Had a 5 speed main, and a 4 sp auxiliary transmission.

[specta]

NRALIFR wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

NRALIFR wrote:




Yeah, you’re right. I’m surprised VW didn’t respond with a commercial of their own doing it with a beetle. It coulda done it.

:):)

Drop in a transmission with a low enough gear ratio and beef up the axles to handle the torque and I'll put my money on the bug. :C

You lost some critical context there when you failed to include the Hershey Kiss emoji.

Fixed it for ya :W

:):)

Where's the like button when you need one?? :B

[NRALIFR]

valhalla360 wrote:

NRALIFR wrote:




Yeah, you’re right. I’m surprised VW didn’t respond with a commercial of their own doing it with a beetle. It coulda done it.

:):)

Drop in a transmission with a low enough gear ratio and beef up the axles to handle the torque and I'll put my money on the bug. :C

You lost some critical context there when you failed to include the Hershey Kiss emoji.

Fixed it for ya :W

:):)

[valhalla360]

NRALIFR wrote:
Yeah, you’re right. I’m surprised VW didn’t respond with a commercial of their own doing it with a beetle. It coulda done it.

:):)

Drop in a transmission with a low enough gear ratio and beef up the axles to handle the torque and I'll put my money on the bug. :C