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I am currently in mid-trip and have had 2 small issues that I wanted to see if anyone has seen before. First, Well over 1000 miles on a the trip so far pulling 7000# trailer over many grades (Sierra's, and others in Nevada). No PSD issues at all, the thing just pulls. Have not hit a grade yet that it will not hold 55-60 MPH. The only issues I have has are relatively minor:
1) The hood has popped up several time. The main latch does not seem to hold. Upon slamming the hood, it will not lift, but after some driving it will pop up. Thank goodness for the safety catch. I have tried all adjustments and the only thing that seems to work so far is adding some washers under the 'loop' on the hood. Any thoughts?
2) While driving across Nevada was holding a pretty consistent MPH. I came to a grade and slowed some even downshifted but the speedo never changed. This lasted for about 10 miles. Then it started moving again, but was off by about 10MPH. Upon stopping (and turning off ignition) the needle was pointing to 7-8. The next morning, it seems to again be working fine. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the info.
As in my signature, it is an '06.
The hood supports have been lowered until the hood it lower that then top edge of the fender and made no difference until I added the washers.
Will discuss both issues with my dealer when I get back to home base.
Since you already adjusted the hood bumpers, i would say the latch is either way out of adjustment or defective. Get the dealer to look at both problems the first chance you get.
had the exact same speedo issues you indicate. mine would sometimes stay at zero. took it in the first time, they flashed the computer. didnt work. Second time they replaced the entire instrument cluster. Problem solved after that. Mine was an 06 also
Home from trip. No further issues with Speedo, so will just keep an eye on it. The Hood also stayed latched though with my washers, it is now hard to open. Will take it to the dealer.
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Total trip was 3372 miles, with only about 400 without the trailer.
MPG:
Overall: 12MPG
Best: 19MPG (without trailer)
Worst: 8.9MPG pulling over the Sierras and mountains in Nevada.
All hand calculated.
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The truck pulled like a champ throughout the trip. Not a single hick-up. Did not find a hill that it would not hold 55 MPH. Even running across the desert of 103F. Again no issues pulling. I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH THIS TRUCK. I will update this post, when I get the hood latch fixed.
Finally took the truck into the dealer for the hood latch issue. Turned out to be the cable. During assembly, the hood release cable got pinched somewhere on the fenderwell when a bracket was tightened down. This fixed the hood popping up while driving, and also the fact that the hood release handle always seemed loose. Was that way since day one, just thought it was normal.
I have an 06 and had to have the instrument cluster replaced also. Sometimes it would work and sometimes I would be doing 90 when the speedo would say 70. Good way to get a ticket!!
Since that one incident, I have not seen any other issue with my instruments. I have also learned since how to put the gauges into test mode. So if it ever happens again, I can diagnose a little more on my own this time.
Total trip was 3372 miles, with only about 400 without the trailer.
MPG:
Overall: 12MPG
Best: 19MPG (without trailer)
Worst: 8.9MPG pulling over the Sierras and mountains in Nevada.
All hand calculated.
Did you happen to pull Sherwin grade going north on hwy 395? Or perhaps Conway, also going north? Just curious because we have similar trucks and I'm doing that pulling our TT in just about a month. Our first time north of Bishop with the diesel.
Not those specific grades.
Our trip was from San Diego north to San Jose, then east over Donner Summit then Highway 50 across Nevada. I have also pulled the Grapevine, and Cajon Pass, and Mountain Springs Grade (east of San Diego). All with no problems. Just keep the boost and RPM in a good range and you should be able to pull them with no problems. Your speed will mostly depend on the weight you are pulling. My trailer is probably lighter than yours (7000#) but I can hold 55 over any of these grades.
Good Luck, hope you are as happy with your truck as I am.
Not those specific grades.
Our trip was from San Diego north to San Jose, then east over Donner Summit then Highway 50 across Nevada. I have also pulled the Grapevine, and Cajon Pass, and Mountain Springs Grade (east of San Diego). All with no problems. Just keep the boost and RPM in a good range and you should be able to pull them with no problems. Your speed will mostly depend on the weight you are pulling. My trailer is probably lighter than yours (7000#) but I can hold 55 over any of these grades.
Good Luck, hope you are as happy with your truck as I am.
My trailer is only 5,200#, so lighter than yours. Not much of a test for the truck really. My F150 with 5.4L would pull Cajon at 60mph, sometimes hitting 2nd gear, sometimes not depending on whether traffic got in the way. But Sherwin would slow that truck down to 40mph at the top and the whole hill required 2nd gear. Cajon is not much of a hill really, just a short steep bit near the top. Donner pass is pretty tough as I recall but it's been many years. And I was going west so I'm not sure what the eastbound is like.