Underpowered trucks
#11
03-18-2007, 01:13 PM
If you run Alabama and Mississippi with few hills or mountains, 300 hp or so will do the job. When I first started I had a truck with a 238 Detroit. It got the job done, even with mountains and a heavy load. The difference is that I had to drop to perhaps 3rd gear when one of the newer Detroit series 60's with 430 hp would take the same hill in 7th gear. I do that comparison because I happened to own trucks with those two engines at the same time. If you plan on running a lot of mountains such as out West, you will probably want more horsepower. In the Southeast, you can get by with less horsepower, but may drop more speed on the hills with a heavy load.
#15
03-18-2007, 11:59 PM
Originally Posted by allan5oh
I thought it was 410, might be 400. I've been known to be wrong before, but it doesn't happen often!
Must be one of them blue moons. So technically you are BOTH correct.
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#17
03-19-2007, 03:45 AM
In the dirt buisness less power is less breakage. I turned down my 400 to 350 a couple of years ago and have been able to keep up ok but on the highway I get spanked by everyone. I think big power on the road helps with fuel economy because you can keep your foot out of it.
#18
03-19-2007, 04:06 AM
Originally Posted by SoCal79
In the dirt buisness less power is less breakage. I turned down my 400 to 350 a couple of years ago and have been able to keep up ok but on the highway I get spanked by everyone. I think big power on the road helps with fuel economy because you can keep your foot out of it.
Now all they will buy is 500 hp ISX cummins and 18 speed fuller with 46 000 lbs rears, tri-axle dump trucks. The big motors, use less fuel and are alot easier to drive in deep mud or sand. We don't break driveshafts or rears as often either, now that everything is heavy duty.
#19
03-19-2007, 04:08 AM
Originally Posted by SoCal79
I think big power on the road helps with fuel economy because you can keep your foot out of it.
For example, a 400 hp engine "to the floor" will get the same fuel mileage as a 500 hp at 80% throttle. Now with that 500 hp, if you put it past 80%, you will be getting worse then the 400 hp engine.
#20
03-19-2007, 06:38 PM
Originally Posted by Mackman
275 in a tri axle damn i used to run a 87 r model with a 300 and that thing was a dog with only a 5 speed. I guess in N.C. it would not be that bad what is your GVW on a tri axle down there in PA it is 73,280 i think NC is less ain t it???
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