[A/S] Jumping in

[Trapper <trappersemail@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello All,
  I use trucks in my business, 4 of them.  Pipeline work is hard on them but, they 
have to work.  5 years ago I fell for the diesel song, purchased 3, all GM always 
had GM 3500 dually.  What wonderful trucks they were, little sluggest on the 
"snatch" but if you got rolling they did well.  Other truck was a 454 the guys 
would grab that one to pull a trailer with a back-hoe on it out of a bad spot and 
then wanted to use the diesel on the hi way.  I pull the 34 ft exlla with the 454 
then and use another just like it now.  At the end of the year, each year, each of 
the diesels cost me 30% more to operate than the 454. Why? Parts,  a wheel bearing 
for a diesel cast 3 times the amount on the same for a gas truck. Shocks, the same, 
U-joints 5 times the price.  Put a fuel pump on one at $1100.  gas ones run $350.  
I could not run like that and unloaded them.  I believe that the motors will run 
forever but, it is the other $35000 worth of "stuff" that kills you.
  Just got back from the trip to Fairbanks from Richmond VA that you folks help me 
"set-up" thanks to all, everything was just as you told me it should be.  One 
comment the hi way was in just as good a shape as any hi way and road work was 
just as bad as anyplace.  The 454 did well just not as fast over the Mts; but then 
I never was in a hurry.
  The problem with the Dual-Cam that we talked about was never settled and it 
ended up in the tool box.  Life was good after that with not another problem with 
towing at all.  With the dually and "frictions" I felt safe.  The "Dreamship" is
 under the big blue tarp for the winter (as always) waiting for the April trout 
fishing trip to the Geo. Washington N F.
  I helped Gene with his "fridge" poor guy burped it a bazillion times as you guys 
told him but, the sad news, the pressure was gone. Ordered a rebuilt from Midwest 
Products and with a "Ain,t no Stinkin esstream gonna whip us" attitude we had at 
it, piece of cake.  Two nights we had it done, works as good as it ever did.  Ok, 
I'm back to lurking and learning.
 
                                             TrapperJ