I took my first trip this weekend with my '06. It was a 230 mile trip pulling my race trailer. I have to say that I am very impressed with how the truck pulled the trailer. I couldn't stop grinning while I was driving. I only had it come out of OD a couple of times and it was when I was really mashing on it going uphill. Most of the time it held OD just fine while going uphill at 70mph. My only complaint is that sometimes it shifted back into OD too quick after coming out. The remedy for this was to keep your foot hung into it if it came out of OD until you crested a hill.

While towing performance was great, mileage performance was nothing to brag about. The truck has about 2.2k on it now and my last unloaded tank was hand calculated at 12.3 mpg. That does include a lot of pulling a 5x8 utility trailer with a dirt bike on it, but it barely weighs much.

On this trip, after burning an entire tank with the trailer in tow, the overhead read 8.7 mpg. Hand calculated, the real number was 7.2 mpg. This was running usually around 70mph on the freeway almost 90% of the trip.

The trailer and truck are pictured below. I pulled into the truck stop and weighed the whole rig. I gross out at over 20k when loaded.

 

Good looking rig. I had to move from 2 wheelers to 4 wheelers, as I am not too smart on the bikes. Still like to go out and get muddy, just not on 2 wheels anymore. Once the engine breaks in more, the mileage will get much better. Like a good wine, it gets better with time.

 

I m surprised it grossed so high. I have a 50 ft vintage race trailer, and put two cars in and gross 23-25. I d guess my truck is 1500 or so lighter I guess.


Nice looking.

 

I was surprised at the gross also. I was loaded and full of water. Maybe the the living quarters is what is making the weight if you don't have the LQ option. Even so, I woudln't think the living quarters weigh that much.

The next time I am near that truck stop, I am going to weigh my truck alone to see what the trailer and truck weigh seperate.

 

I notice the gooseneck seems to be sitting a little behind the rear axle. Do you use a offset ball? My B+W puts the ball about 6 inches forward of the axle.

 

Nice setup!

MikeyB

 

The ball is mounted about 4" behind the rear axle. It is a welded in set up with a screw in ball. The trailer also has a PopUp goosneck 9" extender coupler on it. This is what allows me to pull the full width trailer with the short box.

 

I pull my offroad rig and at 18500-19000 gross all the time I would have thought more for that rig.
But I have found this is 5-8 mph can change the fuel 4mpg or more.
After 64-65 mine likes to drink it.
Jon

 

Thanks for the info. I have been told that the offset rigs; either the ball or gooseneck, reduce the towing strength to 20,000 lbs from 30,000.
Anyway nice rig. One more question: does your steering ever get a little light with the load placed to the rear of the axle? I am thinking of getting the offset ball.

 

I can tell NO difference in steering. I will weigh the truck alone and I will be able to compare weight of front axle with trailer and without. I will post those results when I get them.

 

Nice rig and trailer. I just got rid of my 24 ft race trailer after 6 years and 8 surgeries trying to make it in mx. I had to settle for a house, baby, and dual sport bike, but I still have fun. Texas has some of the most beautiful mx tracks.

 

I have to agree with Mr.Gadget, 65 is the sweet spot for me when pulling my camper.
The RPMs sharply decrease and so does the exhaust drone just from dropping from 70 to 65.

 

I agree with the milage guys. I ussually pull in 5th (nv5600 conversion) at 65 or so....if the road is nice , light traffic, etc, Ill kick it up to 6th and go faster but I have 3.55's so 5th goes pretty far.

I do well ussually around 13-14 going slower....60-65 and it will fall to 10 if I go 75.

 

When pulling our travel trailer (8000+ lbs) I can easily pull it at 70-75 mph, but this last trip I have found that sweet spot also, right around 65 mph. It's a safer towing speed anyway, especially on the freeways around here.

 

Not bad pulling a 20 K Barn Door at Seventy Miles An Hour. What in Sam Hill were you expecting You Know that speed and wind resistance account for the numbers? Try driving a real truck at 60,000 lbs and 70 mph and see if you get 6-8 mph..........