Howdy, newbie here, lurker for a while

Howdy All,

I am a retired old fart, 65 years young and recently started to drive truck again only this time as a recreational vehicle. When I was young I drove gravel trucks and while working for a carnival drove a tractor trailer hauling a ride called the Tilt-ta-Whirl. Worked as a machinist, welder, metal fabricator for many years. Built race cars, roundi-round and drag strip, built a lot of fast bikes and some semi monster Jeeps, still ride motorcycles down to nine at last count.

I had been towing a large toy hauler trailer with a Dodge one tone dually, got tired of driving with one eye on the road and the other on the pyro so about 6 months ago bought a 2002 Freightliner Columbia that had been singled and converted to a RV trailer puller, what can I say wish I had done it years ago. Anyway I have learned a lot by lurking on this forum and will continue to read these forums with interest.

I am very interested in contacting a fellow who goes by Rebel who does tuning but from what I understand I have to do a bunch of posting before I can send PM's. So if someone could contact him or Rebel if your reading this could you contact me via PM so I can work with you to get a tune for my truck. Thanks.

Dave

 

Howdy rebel127,

The FL has a DD 12.7L engine, rated at 430-470HP, I think it is now at the 430HP rating. Transmission is an Eaton-Fuller 10 speed three pedal auto-shift, ratio in the drive axle I think is 3.58:1.

The truck has been singled and is now used to tow a 38 foot toy hauler gross weight on the toy hauler 18,500-19,000 pounds.

I just recently did a 3,000 mile trip with the truck-toy hauler from the Seattle area to Ontario CA and back, running mostly I-5, cruise control set at 62 mph when ever practical. The truck averaged 7.057 mpg measured by filling the tank to the brim at the start and when refueling again filling it to the brim, then dividing miles driven by gallons used.

I am not looking for more power but was wondering if your tune would give a bit better fuel mileage. I fully realize that MOST mileage improvements are in the drivers right foot but think that for the most part I use the loud pedal conservatively.



Dave

 

Howdy Ducks,

Thanks for the PM, I am building my post count so I can send PM's I sent one to you but it won't go through until I have seven posts, this is number three.

Dave

 

Howdy rebel127,

Thanks for your PM, until I get seven posts I can't send or reply to PM's, this is post number 4.

Thanks for the phone number as your on the right coast and I am on the left what would be a good time ( your time ) to call you, thanks.

Dave

 

Howdy rebel127,

The truck itself is just under 17,000 pounds, the toy hauler when loaded with water, gear, food, and motorcycles is between 18,000-19,000 pounds.

Yes this truck does a much better job of lugging that toy hauler around then my much more expensive Dodge one ton dually, like I have said before to others wish I had made this move years ago. Post number five, two more to go and I can send PM's.

Dave