Re: [A/S] Exhaust brakes

["Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Quoting the manual, "Some aftermarket products may cause severe engine
and/or transmission damage.  There are various manufacturers offering
devices to increase turbocharger boost, exhaust brakes to increase the
power/torque of the 7.3L engine.  Many owners' past experience with these
products has been very poor. Severe powertrain damage may result from the
use of these aftermarket products which will not be covered by the Ford
Warranty."  I'm sure the 4X2 would ride smoother.  I have trouble with
traction on gravel, etc.  Too much power!  Might be a good reason for 4x4 in
snow and other situations.  Some acquaintances have strongly urged the use
of 4X4 for towing situations.  I'm  unwilling to risk a $40K investment this
early in the game.  My first downhill mountain range might change my mind.

I have the 3.73 rear and the first non-tow tank was 19.5 mpg.  Towing the
loaded  utility trailer dropped the milage to 15.5.  Lots of local short
runs included in both mpg figures.  The 4.1 rear might be better for the
heavier Airstreams, but I like what I got.  My conversion gets 14 without a
tow and 10 with towing.  No monetary savings, but the F250 is up to the job
and the conversion van is not!

This said, I hope I'm not stepping on Harvey Barlow's toes by passing on
excerpts from his recent purchase.  I doubt he'd ever tow with an auto
tranny.

"Harvey Barlow bought a new 2001 Dodge SLT Quad Cab 3500 ("one ton dually")
which
stickered at $36k.  It is a loaded version with essentially every option
except 4 wheel drive, which I did not want.  I paid $29,500 for it.  It has
the overhead computer console, CD player with 6 speaker sound system, fog
lights, remote door opener, locking rear differential, SLT trim, towing
package, bed liner, etc.  When I bought mine, Daimler-Chrysler-Dodge was
offering a $2000 rebate plus another $500 to members of the Farm Bureau.  I
assume both are still offered.  (You can determine all you need to know by
shopping on the web at http://www.4adodge.com.  You can spec out and price a
truck via that site as well as review the incentives in effect.  I view the
Farm Bureau as a socialist organization characterized by both hands out with
palms up looking for handouts from the taxpayers but joined anyway to get
the $500 rebate.  Being a farmer or a card-carrying socialist is not
required.  That $2500 cash rebate coupled with hard bargaining made the new
fully optioned truck very affordable.  If you are willing to travel to
Texas, I'll provide the names and phone number of the people to contact for
an identical purchase or an even lower price if you want a 2500 (3/4 ton).
I bought my truck from a friendly, honest dealer in a small town 350 miles
from Lubbock rather than from a Dodge dealer one mile from my home.  I would
have gladly traveled to New England, Florida, or Washington State to get the
price I wanted to pay but didn't need to.  I found an outstanding dealer in
TX.

My Dodge is powered by the recently introduced HO Cummins which is an
upgrade to 245 h.p. and 505 pound-feet of torque.  This version of the
Cummins is offered only with a close ratio six speed manual transmission.
The torque of the HO engine exceeds the torque handling capacity of the
automatic and the five speed manual transmission.  Both the older 5 speed
and the newly offered 6 speed transmissions are manufactured by New Venture.
The 6 speed has no known defects such as the one that caused the 5th gear
overdrive loss problems in the earlier transmission.  The 6 speed has
greater torque handling capacity than the earlier 5 speed.

I would never criticize the Ford, I still believe they are outstanding
trucks and my experience with several of them was very rewarding.  I have
not owned but also have tremendous confidence in the Navistar Powerstroke
turbodiesel engine.  I simply preferred the Cummins engine.

Yeah, your neighbor's 31' at $3500 sounds great but not if it needs all the
work your Safari did as you well know.  Your advice to him was correct, a
31' A/S loaded with propane, water, groceries, tools, bedding, clothing,
etc. will weigh 8000 pounds, far too much weight to tow safely and long term
behind a 1/2 ton p/u.  As I have said often from my soapbox, too much truck
is far preferable.  Of course for just occasional use on flat terrain it
will be adequate, not capable, but adequate.

As I mentioned, we just returned from a 4300 mile trip with a loaded 31'.  I
pulled it up and down 10 and 12% grades, at elevations up to 9500 feet, and
up to 90 mph on several occasions while passing cars and 18 wheelers on 2
lane highways in SD, NE, and KS.  The Dodge-Cummins will accelerate from 60
to 90 at a gross weight of 15,300 with amazing ease and quickness.  It pulls
effortlessly at 90 mph although I do not recommend that as smart or safe.
Also, to my surprise, Dodge trucks are apparently not speed-governed as are
Fords and Chevys.  All Fords and Chevys are governed at about 95 mph,
probably due to speed ratings of the tires (and ambulance chasing lawyers.)
I put my foot in the Dodge one day while headed to Camping World at Denton,
TX and found that it ran right up to 112 mph with a tight new engine.  My
guess is it will run 115 to 120 when the Cummins is fully broken in.  An old
Navy buddy's Ford PSD will only run 95.  The computer simply won't allow it
to feed fuel sufficient to go beyond that speed."

Back to  your question about my purchase.  It's the 4X4 and it does  ride
very stiff.  Not very neat for a stroll down small lanes.  Super slabs are
OK.  Also, I towed a utility trailer at near capacity of 3000 pounds without
an equalizer hitch.  Smoothed it out a bit, but was still a truck ride.  The
unit seems a bit sluggish in the mid range, but comes on strong at the
higher RPMs.  Haven't had a chance to tow the Safari, but I doubt that the
4500 pounds will make much difference when considering the utility trailer.
I did have to lock the tranny out of OD on some hills.  Just a push of the
button is all it takes and it's not a bother.  Just plan ahead a bit.  Do I
like it as much as my conversion van?  No!  Then, my conversion van won't do
the job with the Safari or a larger unit.

This is a lot of verbiage that  you might get bored reading, but .  .  .

                                                    '69 Safari, Joy