For a truck that runs 49 states and all of Can. which would you prefer, big power with steep gears or less hp and tall gears and why?
Obviously every body want's 600+ hp with 3,0-1 gear but if you had to choose>
Power or Speed
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by REALITY098765, Dec 29, 2019.
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PE_T and Flat Earth Trucker Thank this.
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Big power and steep gears. I can always run slow in the flats.
Tall gears get raped in the hills, they barely make up for the loss in the flatland.
I'd go for power. Take it easy in the flats and keep momentum in the hills. -
If u running out west im taking power and steep gears. Yeah u can downshift to get up the mountain but out west we got big mountains when u get off the big road u might be pulling it in 4th gear . its much easier to run up in them idaho monatana utah colorado and washington mountains with the right set up
Bakerman and Cabinover101 Thank this. -
Or pre ELD ? -
As many horsies I can pack under that hood and as many gears steep I can fit.
Never mind that crappy tall gears. If you had a big enough transmission and can shamble along at 85 before hitting red line then alls well.
The first 4 years was nothing but company issued tall gears which fall down 4 gears or dip into top of low range on a little hump in the Midwest or PA. Sick of it. Never again. I tasted my first true western truck later in the 90's with the right amount of horse and steep gears. Climb anything out west provided its not too steep at close to speed limit.
One of my older road cars was a mountain car, the axle was a bit over 4 something back there with a second aux OD box behind the trans. Get across 40 in Tennessee at 70 without having to struggle loaded to the east coast and back. Its not fast. Thats the key. Just shamble along. Add fuel as needed.
What the modern trucks take away is the ability to have gauges on the side dash following each of the axles and transmission temperatures, pyro, engine temperature oil and so forth. That additional information helps you make sure shes doing well and not running too hot. Its really important.D.Tibbitt Thanks this. -
PE_T, Bean Jr., D.Tibbitt and 1 other person Thank this.
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I prefer both. Power and speed.
Eggroll'n Trucker, Rubber duck kw, D.Tibbitt and 1 other person Thank this.
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