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I have only towed this TT with my 08 SD V10, so I have been patiently waiting to hook it up and take it for a ride and compare. This 3.5 EB is unbelievable, it pulls this TT easier than the V10, it is effortless! The only neg I found was you can definitely feel the difference towing with the lighter truck, but the built in sway control quickly kicks in and corrects it. It was very windy today and I did not have my hitch sway control on, so it will be much better. Brakes are great and have no problems stopping it. Now this was only a 15 mile each way test drive to the CAT Scales, but I have to say I am very happy with the way the truck handled the load and I am extremely pleased with the EB's power! It pulled this thing with less effort than the V10 did! The pics may be deceiving, the pavement is not level and the rear truck tires are sitting in the lowest point some what exaggerating the squat.
Looks like fun! That is what I wanted to hear. The hitch sway control will help a lot. Sounds like a successful first test. Do you have a weight distribution hitch? I still have to redo my hitch since my prior truck was lifted.
Jimmy,
Good to hear that it tows so well. I've gone around the block with our popup and it was like it wasn't even there. We're looking to move up to a hybrid or a TT, though so I'm curious about your weights. What are the hitch weight and the gross weight on that beast?
Drew
Just passing on some info. I was concerned my TT would be to much for it so I just had to make sure all would be within legal limits.
CAT Scales 5/15/11
Steer axle #3020, max allowed by door sticker is 3600
Drive axle #3520, sticker says 3850
Trailer axle #6440 Trucks max tow is #8600
Gross Weight #12,980 trucks max GCWR #14,000
All within legal limits, my only concern is the drive axle, but with 1 more link on the WD hitch and a little weight distribution I will be fine. There is a storage compartment across the front of the TT which has way to much un-necessary junk in it, and it is direct tonge weight and axle weight. If I get rid of some of the junk and transfer some of the weight back over the trailer axles I will be in great shape! I believe the tonge weight for the TT is #1000. Also keep in mind I have not yet set up my hitch for the 150 4X2, it is as I used it with the 250 4X4. And yes Jim I will still be game for camping, just won't be able to drag the brick into Holopaw with a 4X2. Thanks guy's and I hope this was all helpful info.
Sounds impressive! What is the axle ratio? Let us know how it does on long hills and what kind of fuel mileage it gets when you can get it out on a real road trip!
Axle is 3.15LS not a gear I would want if I was towing in Pa, where I grew up, but it does just fine down here in the flat state of Florida, and the mpg's may even be a little better than others are reporting due to the environment and gears.
Try to tow with your sway bars on and the sway control off. I have a F250 and it tows a lot better with the truck's sway control off. With it on you feel more sway from the trailer. Almost like the bars and the trucks computer are fighting each other and making it worse. Although it may help you with the lighter truck.
Thanks for the info next time I take it out I will turn it off and see how it goes. setup the hitch today after taking measurements, had to raise the ball 3" so the old SD must have sat about 3" higher than this truck. No surprise there!
It's nice that you have towed without the bars on and the Sway Control turned on. This way when you do hook up the hitch you have something to compare it to. If you can try it both ways, sway control on and off, and let us know if you see a difference. Also if it's better with the truck doing the work instead of the WDH. I am afraid to tow without my hitch installed. I got a brand new 33' TT and I can't bring myself to try it, at least not yet, I would like to go camping in it at least once before I wreck it. lol