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Newbie Question!

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Jsaturn6002, Jul 3, 2025.

  1. Jul 3, 2025 #1
    Jsaturn6002

    Jsaturn6002 Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Jul 3, 2025
    0
    I'm looking at replacing my current truck. It is a 2016 Volvo VNL Cummins 455hp 10sp manual 2.60 ratio, its a great truck EXCEPT pulling hills loaded. You guys know how it is, pull a decently heavy load and it feels like you are riding up a mountain on a riding lawn mower. Empty 53ft and I can maintain 60mph at 4% ascent, but as soon as she's loaded i'm down to 40 or even 30mph, but thats over working my truck. I watch that temp gauge climb and cringe.

    I live/work the Pacific NW so you can't get far without hitting a hill or a pass. I have heard some truckers say need more horse power, others say its all about the axle ratio. So now I think I would like a 450-515hp, 12sp auto, but not sure about the ratios I should looking at. I know 2.60 isn't cutting it. Maybe 3.55? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again in advance!
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2025
    Jsaturn6002, Jul 3, 2025
    Jsaturn6002, Jul 3, 2025
    #1
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  3. Jul 3, 2025 #2
    Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

    13,368
    88,392
    Mar 19, 2014
    Arkansas
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    My kw is turned to 525, isx cummins, just 10 speed manual with 3.36.
    It pull hills/mountains ok. It was tuned in Denver at KW years ago.
    It runs 40-43 boost and maintains but you’ll have to kick engine fan on during summer heat.
    You need torque turned up with hp.
     
    Judge, Jul 3, 2025
    Judge, Jul 3, 2025
    #2
  4. Jul 3, 2025 #3
    Jsaturn6002

    Jsaturn6002 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 3, 2025
    0
    Thanks, I will have to look into getting it tuned for more HP. Also, I really should add an engine fan switch.
     
    Jsaturn6002, Jul 3, 2025
    Jsaturn6002, Jul 3, 2025
    #3
  5. Jul 4, 2025 #4
    Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

    4,522
    6,204
    Sep 17, 2012
    0
    You look at Joel Morrow on Facebook he know lots about gear ratio. He getting 11 MPG I believe with his special spec Volvo. He has like 2.06 axles. He say it pull good but his truck all for MPG.

    You can look on YouTube at Edison Motors. They are building heavy Duty trucks for pulling power and off road use. You can’t buy one yet. They are building their first 5 trucks now. If they can achieve production. They are building trucks with electric drive axles and diesel generators to recharge batteries and run everything. I think they claiming 750HP. They might be crazy expensive the first 5 seem to be very expensive. They are hand building them.
     
    Brandt, Jul 4, 2025
    Brandt, Jul 4, 2025
    #4
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