ThinK I saw johnB's old camper?

ihsolutions · 05-26-2010, 08:57 PM

This afternoon while heading north on I-75 in MI, I passed a nice looking sunline which could only have been JohnB's old 2499,, on account of the downspouts. I was in a construction zone and didn't get a good look, but it was being towed by a dodge diesel light blue pickup. How many sunlines with downspouts can there be?

He was driving really slow, 55 or less, and I was doing my usual 63-64mph towing the heartland. So it all happened pretty quickly, and my attention had to return to the concrete barracades....

**Sunline Fan** · 05-26-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihsolutions

This afternoon while heading north on I-75 in MI, I passed a nice looking sunline which could only have been JohnB's old 2499,, on account of the downspouts. I was in a construction zone and didn't get a good look, but it was being towed by a dodge diesel light blue pickup. How many sunlines with downspouts can there be?

He was driving really slow, 55 or less, and I was doing my usual 63-64mph towing the heartland. So it all happened pretty quickly, and my attention had to return to the concrete barracades....

I'd say it is, because Roar does have the Dodge 2500 CTD in a medium/light blue. Gee, they didn't waste any time getting back out!

Jon

**JohnB** · 05-27-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihsolutions

How many sunlines with downspouts can there be?

Well I know of 2 of them!! He he

Gee good eye to catch a down spout doing 65 down the highway....

The rig you described does sound like Viking.

kanyonkitty · 05-27-2010, 11:31 AM

Actually, I think catching that the truck was "diesel" was harder to notice that the down-spouts. Those down-spouts are a JohnB statement, and well, I know I'd notice them. Glad they are enjoying their 2499.

Get Sunny back tonight YEAH, WAHOO, YIPPEE

Kitty

**Sunline Fan** · 05-27-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanyonkitty

Actually, I think catching that the truck was "diesel" was harder to notice that the down-spouts. Those down-spouts are a JohnB statement, and well, I know I'd notice them. Glad they are enjoying their 2499.

Get Sunny back tonight YEAH, WAHOO, YIPPEE

Kitty

I'm no expert on Dodge, but I think the CTD badge is on the front fender in front of the wheel well whereas the HEMI badge is behind the wheel well. Hopefully someone will confirm this for me...

Jon

Viking · 05-30-2010, 03:57 PM

Jeff,
You've got a sharp eye!
We headed north Wednesday, and we are staying at P. H. Hoeft State Park, just north of Rogers City.
We are in Rogers City right now, where they have Wi-Fi at Mc Donald's. The bonus being the chocolat shake!
Jon, - yes, the Cummins badges are on the front fenders, and the color of our dodge is "Atlantic Blue".
When we are not in a hurry, we are comfortable at 55, which is the minimum on I-75. The GPS verified the speed. Lower speed keeps the fuel cost down!
Also, it seems easier to stay legal as we get off I-75 and on to M-33.
We have hardly seen a cloud in the sky since we got here, and the cool breezes off Lake Huron fell very nice.
Hope it continues!
Roar

ihsolutions · 06-01-2010, 06:14 AM

Roar,

I'd love to go 55mph or maybe 60, but unfortunately my truck gearing will not cooperate. I need to go 62-64 to stay in the sweet spot of the power band to avoid downshifting.

My unit weighs around 13k pounds, and it doesn't even downshift going over the Zilwaukee bridge, believe it or not. As long as I'm going the right speed heading into it.

That camper of yours looks like new, what little I saw of it. There was a another trailer in front of you and behind you as I recall, which meant that I didn't really have a chance to see yours until I was right up next to you.

Our weather at Higgins lake was the best I can recall for Memorial weekend as well. It felt like the middle of July rather than May!

Viking · 06-01-2010, 01:20 PM

Jeff,
The weather is still grrrreat here in Rogers City. We stopped in at the library to check our e-mails.
We didn't have the T-2499 weighed at the M&G, but I venture to guess that we are at less than half the weight of your fiver.
Our tranny will go into overdrive fourth at 55 mph at light load, and it will hold that down to 45. At 55 the Zilwaukie bridge does not cause a downshift. I'll double check that on the trip back south.
From memory, and that is always shaky if it is mine, at 55 mph the tach shows 1500 rpm.
If I had a choice, I would opt for an Allison any day. The combination of Cummins and Allison would be ideal in my book!
Roar

MACK C-85 · 06-01-2010, 02:36 PM

My '04 CTD with the T-276-SR in tow runs about 1200 RPM @ 55mph (Dogsville!!!) I either have to maintain 60 MPH or go to "towing mode" which brings me up to about 2000 RPM @ 55MPH (Watch the Fuel gauge drop!!) So, my sweet spot is 60MPH, it will pull most slight grades without a transmission shift. 1500-2000 RPM seems to be where it runs best (fuel vs. pull)

Mack

Viking · 06-02-2010, 02:35 PM

Mack,
Stopped by the library again today.
I misquoted our upshift point in my last post.
At light load the last upshift comes at just over 40, and the converter lock up happens at 50.
I did check the tach at 55 in O.D. (4th) lock up, and it is showing 1500 rpm.
Wow! - 1200 at 55! What axle ratio is that?
I don't know ours, but we have 4x4 with limited slip rear axle. Don't know if we had any optional ratios with that combination. The issue never came up when we ordered.
Just a little brief shower last night accompanied by some thunder. Mostly cloudy today, but we are thoroughly enjoying our Sunline!
Roar

MACK C-85 · 06-02-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

I did check the tach at 55 in O.D. (4th) lock up, and it is showing 1500 rpm.
Wow! - 1200 at 55! What axle ratio is that?
I don't know ours, but we have 4x4 with limited slip rear axle. Don't know if we had any optional ratios with that combination. The issue never came up when we ordered.

Roar:

I think it's more of a function of a heavier trailer than axle ratio, I don't remember the ratio off the top of my head, but it is a 4x4.

Mack

**JohnB** · 06-02-2010, 07:04 PM

Hi Guys

Since we are comparing 55MPH and gearing, My last 3 trips I slowed down from 60 MPH to 55 MPH and gained about 1.2 to 1.5 MPG. The best towing I have ever had other then running pure gas from western NY a few years ago.

In tow haul mode, my Torque shift will go into 5th gear and OD and drop down to 1,750 RPM just purring along the semi level interstate towing 55. It has the 4.10 rear axle with limited slip with 18" tires. On a slight grade she will up shift smooth to 4th and do 2,100 until it comes back downs to 1,750.

Oddly enough I can get that same RPM combo doing 60 mph. This OD I do not know if it is a gear or not. It does take a little longer/more pull to down shift to 4th coming out of 60 but it will drop into 5th and OD still at 60 as it does at 55. This thing is truly smarter then I am what ever it is doing.

At the moment I'm with the 55 towing crowd hanging out in the right lane.

John

Viking · 06-04-2010, 08:59 PM

We are back, and we had nine great days at P. H. Hoeft State Park on the shores of Lake Huron. In town, Rogers City, it was in the mid eighties, and the cool breezes off the lake felt really good. I would estimate that on the week end the C.G. was close to 40% occupancy. After the week end it dropped to about 2%. The lake was only at 61°F, so this old fart chickened out and did not go swimming.
On the way home the Dodge chugged over the Zilwaukie Bridge in overdrive and locked torque converter at 55 mph. at 1500 RPM. without breaking a sweat.
Roar