Hey everyone. Just got back from my trip to the good ole Jersey Shore. All in all it was a little over 1200 miles towing a total weight of 8700lbs (i know that from the Michigan state police officer who insisted i was over 26,000 GVW - but thats a different story) Anyways, The truck did fine the whole way except for too much downshifting on the Penn Tollway. (hwy 76/80? i think) I had to shut her down once for fear of trans getting way to hot. (No gauges, no #'s!) Is it better to downshift and hit these mountains at 3,000 RPMS or try and keep it at around 1500 to 2k? This all being auto trans. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

In those cases just lock out O/D. The engine can run all day over 2K RPM's and be perfectly happy. The trans on the other hand will overheat in a heartbeat if you keep shifting between 3rd and 4th while loaded down.

 

I would say it is best with the higher RPM. but the best solution is gauges. I can pull my 10k toybox all over the desert and the tranny gauge will show no more than 200, but as soon as I get back to town and slow down while climbing the few miles from freeway to home, it has reached as high as 215. If I did not have a gauge, I would have thought the opposite.

 

Kick it out of O/D and take it nice and easy. 2500 RPM's or so and the engine will pull the load just fine. You might want to invest in some gauges so you can drive by those #'s instead of instinct and RPM's.

 

Why would you be feared of running too hot? You dont have any tune as far as the sig goes. Best thing when you think your trans is overheating, dont pull over and STOP the engine, the fluid wont flow through the cooler, let it sit and idle. In any case, dont be afraid to downshift and let that engine sing. It is happy anywhere below 3400, trust me on that.

 

I've had trouble with it towing but that was only at low speeds, once the traffic cleared and I was moving at anythig above 25mph it would be good. I guess I need the bigger cooler but I want to be sure that I don't have any actual problems before I spend the money on a band aid repair. I recently had the trans repaired and I'm waiting for them to take a look at it first.

 

If you are at low speeds, your T/C is unlocked which causes the high temps. It's the way it's designed. A bigger cooler will definitely help and switching to synthetic fluid.

 

I would like to hear the story about the Michigan State police officer!

 

This is a long one! - After getting all the way back from NJ and some mountain delays, fog, and downpours (a total of about 18 hours with the trailer and stops) I get to my homestate at 3:45AM! ahhh home sweet home. The final stretch. I get about 20 miles in (monroe, mi) and pass a weigh station. About 2 miles after i get pulled over. Young state trooper comes up to the window (i looked older then him...dont think he shaved yet lol) and asks a few questions about the trailer and contents (Large cooler - 1500lbs, rooftop freezer compressor - 2000lbs, rack refrigeration system 3500 lbs) He suspects the contents are stolen. I explain to him the nature of the job and details and he still thinks for some odd reason (i have no criminal record AT ALL) that these could be stolen. (how could 2 people in a truck steal such large equipment!? ZERO common sense!!! Why would i go all the way to NJ to randomly steal this crap...IDIOT!) well im at his mercy so i jump back on southbound and do a large loop to go back to the weigh station for an inspection. While there i give him my credentials (yes i do have a chauffeurs license - its a MI law required if towing or driving over 10,000 lbs to CDL) I have to wake up my father in order to show that the load isnt stolen - he fax's over to the officer a sheet that lists our assets that we have "liquidated" from The large retail chain. ON THEIR LETTERHEAD. He finally gives up and starts hitting me with petty laws - Im not allowed to transport business goods if under 21. Ever heard that one? Told me i should have a CDL because its an international truck - WHICH THEN EXPLAINED that its only an emblem. This guys an idiot. He thought it was some sort of Semi-truck hybrid. He runs a full inspection and i pass most of it (1 running light out - TICKET, Trailer brake not connected properly BS - Ticket, Small crack in windshield about 2 inches long TICKET)

Heres where it gets good. I forgot the registration for our double axle 18Ft trailer. The plates check out fine, all registered to us. This is infact my mistake that i forgot the registration, but i didnt think the following event would ever happen: My new buddy from the state troopers explains to me that without a registration, a plate is useless and the trailer "for all i know" could be stolen. At this point im being treated like a criminal and was taken to a 12"X12X room in the weigh station. Im not allowed to leave, only make calls to insure the registration gets faxed over immediately to prove ownership. Now, its 4AM - i explained to him my father was still in NJ and my mother is home sleeping watching over my severely handicapped brother. No one has access to our warehouse except these people. After deliberating and calling my dads lawyer, i was released after FOUR hours of being held. let me remind you - I have no criminal record (a 5 over speeding ticket), father or mother has NO criminal record. Lawyer recommends that i file a case for unfair treatment and the abuse to my rights. I dont have the money and i dont need the headache. The officer left me by saying that I would be a felon if i did not show registration on the trailer by tomorrow 12pm, there would be a warrant out for my arrest and a suspended license. my Lawyer laughed when he heard that one and his commanding officer apologized many times for my treatment. we are still looking at over $700 in PETTY fines and STILL NO REASON why i was initially pulled over. Abuse of the badge on a hardworking American. They wonder why people turn to crime, when you do this to people with no money and nothing to lose, they have no other choice but to steal just to feed their families. I wonder if they will pay my attorney $549 for his work. All in all - the trip could have been much worse. We still have our health and nobody got injured. Although this is a very disappointing setback i still consider myself lucky for our mostly trouble free ride and safe arrival.

 

Gawd, I hope it wasn't my cousin tuzinowski that gave you the ticket. Sounds like him, though.

 

HOLY **** WHAT A F-ING MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Semi truck hybridNever heard that before what a dumbazz

 

I would at the very least contact his commanding officer, maybe even the head office and make them aware of the way you were treated. I know several state patrol officers and that is not the way they are trained to act. You could also contact your district att. or the DA in the area your court appointment and disscuss it with them. If several complaints are already logged, it will make a differance and you may get your tickets dismissed. Or you could do nothing, admit your were guilty and let him do it to someone else and continue to abuse his office.

 

I cannot believe your patience with that dufus. Good for you for awesome self control. That whole spill just disturbs me (and with me drinking now) I will leave it at that.

Don't be afraid to downshift! You will keep temps better in check running 2200-2700 rpm then pulling grade at 1800-2100 rpms.

 

I am glad that did not happen to me. I would of just got in my truck and drove away, ignoring him. Let him follow me with the lights on I need to go to bed.

 

That story is crazy. I was getting really pi$$ed setting here reading it. You have more patience than I do because I would of went to jail for assaulting a police officer.