Blanco1
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Re: The best hand Electric Trailer Dolly for the money & why?
smokamoto wrote: I use the $600 Trailer Valet XL with my 4,400# TT and it works well. It is rated for 10k# but I wouldn’t want to go there. I added a switch wired to the trailer brakes for safety as the built-in brake is clumsy to operate. The new hands-free remote control Trailer Valet looks nice however it’s $1,200! How did you add the Trailer Brakes switch? The factory one seems to work well, but does make me nervous considering my Trailer weighs almost 7K Lbs. I've gotten better at not needing it but do like having it as an option & fits well in my Pass Through storage.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Gear Vendor/Gear splitter
Bedlam wrote: The biggest problem with a diesel on deceleration is lack of back pressure. If you cannot adjust valve timing (Jake brake) or restrict the exhaust, it will feel like a gasser with the spark plugs removed. I think you will like the feel of an EB setup. My current truck runs 4.44 gearing and 31" tall tires. This results in great performance up to 65 mph (which I don't exceed). If you tune your setup with the proper axle RP ratio for your desired top speed, you may find the other gears fall in place better for your use. I read about many guys locking out 6th or 5th when towing which reduces the number of gears they have available and creates larger splits - I use all six of my gears when towing and don't use my truck unloaded to need anything taller. This gives me closer splits since all the gears are usable under load. Interesting thoughts on the gear ratio R & P... I can’t see ever needing to go faster than 75 MPH. & that’s only because some states have that speed limit while towing even & if you can’t get out of the way your almost a danger to yourself & the other vehicles coming up on you at slow speeds. But myself I’m happy around 60 mph while towing, being I’m so use to Ca.’s 55 MPH MAX while towing . Thank you the helpful suggestion. I’ll keep in mind on our next trip. I think I’m good ehereit is now, but i’ve Never really given that much thought. The only bummer is that my truck is a 4X4 so it will cost me twice as much. & I have over size tires as well. Now you have me wondering my gear ratio. Might be stock? Might not?823Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gear Vendor/Gear splitter
Bedlam wrote: With your 5.9 and a manual transmission, start with a good exhaust brake to help in slowing you down on grades. If you find the axle gearing to be off or you need ratios to be closer, address that after the exhaust brake. Gear Vendors makes nice split for gassers, but their product does not hold up to the deceleration forces a diesel with an EB can create and it will die prematurely. There may be other companies that provide splits for your current 5-speed or maybe you can find a different transmission utilized in a MDT that mates up to your 5.9 that will do a better job. FYI: I am not a professional Class 8 driver, but I have been driving diesel pickups since 1982.. Thank for a friendly reply. Realistically my biggest concern is going down steep grades, even though my trailer has electric brakes on both axles. I still would like to help save the brakes. Help on the downhills is a safety concern & gear splitting was more for fun & yet as stated before would allow a little more control of the RPM range.822Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gear Vendor/Gear splitter
Grit dog wrote: Blanco, for being a professional truck driver, you're looking at this about 100% wrong, IMO. First, you keep saying how much power your truck has. Either you're full of ..it or it has enough power to pull what you're pulling. You'll gain the most out of the GV in upper gears for powerband but the splits, depending on axle ratio arent the greatest for a NV4500 in 4+ and 5+. Exhaust brake will provide the "control" you're looking for downhill throughout most of the rpm range. IMO, GV is not warranted or needed unless you want a double OD for empty cruising or need a split between 4th and 5th if you don't have the power to muscle through that gear split. Again, neat gadget, but really not for what you're wanting to do. It's not perceptibly going to add more control using engine braking like you're wanting it to because you have a diesel. JMO From what you guys are saying it does seem my original thought of the EB is the best plan. I’m not full of it & have had no issues climbing any hills yet. I’m just having fun with thoughts of what my next mod should be? There is a bit of space between the gears on my Dodge & that’s ok, but I also don’t mind shifting through 10 gears at work. Of course those truck weight a hell of a lot more & really do need the gears. I’m sure I don’t, it seems like an additional fun Gadget to have?m I sold all my other projects to make room & gather enough money for a large Down payment on our new Tragel trailer. Modifying cars has been like an addiction to me since I was about 14,.822Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gear Vendor/Gear splitter
1320Fastback wrote: I know every vehicle is different and we all tow different trailers but my personal set up will go down the Grapevine and the grade going into the desert east of Alpine,Ca in overdrive and not gain speed. I tow around 7,000lbs @ 62mph or under and just let off the diesel pedal and coast. No engine brake, no exhaust brake. Maybe some day I'll get a big trailer and see what happens ;) Manual or Automatic? & are you running a gear vendor? Or what is your point?822Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gear Vendor/Gear splitter
Cummins12V98 wrote: Big rigs have engine brakes. Like mentioned gearing is not going to help much on a pickup diesel truck. But hey give it a try! Once again I will correct you! WRONG! Engine Brakes & exhaust brake on big rigs are options! They do NOT all have them!822Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gear Vendor/Gear splitter
Cummins12V98 wrote: Blanco1 wrote: BarneyS wrote: More gears would not necessarily help with slowing the rig down in place of an exhaust brake. It would in a gas rig but not in a diesel. Going up it would probably help but not coming back down. Barney Really?!?!?! & on what do you base that comment from? How many years have you been driving Diesels? Big Rigs? You ever notice on mountains grades going down hills there are always signs reminding the Big Rigs to use lower gears. I wonder why that is? They both have their place I'm sure.. But my main experience is from big rigs with everything from 9 speeds to 13 speeds & with both Engine Brakes & exhaust brakes as well as big rigs with no aux brakes at all. & in those cases, you basically slow it down & let the trans do most of the work. That being said, I've never driven a pick up truck with a EB. Everyone of those trucks have an EB! Dude no offense! But you obviously have no idea what your talking about when when it comes to driving big rigs! You say "EVERYONE OF THOSE TRUCKS HAVE AN EB" WRONG!!!! I've been driving big for about 1/2 my life & MANY don't have any sort of EB at all! The ones that do, normally have an Engine Brake ( Jake Brake ) & only one I have driven had an Exhaust Brake & MANY have nothing but that foot pedal to slow you down. I drove a rig about 9 years that had no EB of any sort! Trust me not fun on steep mountain roads. But you just drive much slower using the transmission gears to keep you slowed down & in control.360Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gear Vendor/Gear splitter
BarneyS wrote: More gears would not necessarily help with slowing the rig down in place of an exhaust brake. It would in a gas rig but not in a diesel. Going up it would probably help but not coming back down. Barney Really?!?!?! & on what do you base that comment from? How many years have you been driving Diesels? Big Rigs? You ever notice on mountains grades going down hills there are always signs reminding the Big Rigs to use lower gears. I wonder why that is? They both have their place I'm sure.. But my main experience is from big rigs with everything from 9 speeds to 13 speeds & with both Engine Brakes & exhaust brakes as well as big rigs with no aux brakes at all. & in those cases, you basically slow it down & let the trans do most of the work. That being said, I've never driven a pick up truck with a EB.360Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gear Vendor/Gear splitter
ScottG wrote: Problem with them is they don't like lots of torque run through them backwards. So it you have an exhaust brake you shouldn't use them. Interesting thought? But I'm thinking with 10 gears an exhaust brake may not be as needed being you have more gears to play with vs that gap in between where the EB comes in so helpful. But I'm assuming the EB would be less expensive?360Views0likes0Comments
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