Pulling at the Fair

[Tubbyman30]

Hi, I've got an '01 4x4 7.3 with an auto trans, and I was planning on pulling the sled at the local fair. I take care of my truck, and I don't drive it hard at all.

I was just wondering if my transmission is going to grenade if I try and pull with it?

Also, as I have never pulled a sled before, what is the best way to do it? Start in 1st?

[TTBadDog]

If I were doing this I would budget for a new trans. I would expect that in the life of your vehicle it has never been pushed as hard as what the sled will do if you mat it the whole time. Nothing much to be gained by doing this and a lot to be lost. It really won't impress anyone anyway.

[powerdome]

I would NOT hook up to a sled with your bone stock truck. Ill give you a couple reasons

#1- its Bone Stock, wont do very well at all.

#2-There is much more than just a trans you have to worry about, twisting driveshafts breaking tie rods from steering with the front tires digging/spinning

I recommend you watch some youtbe vids on pulling, somewhat modded PSD make respectable runs at times but those have LOTS of mods, a bone stock PSD will not put on a good show.

I have a BTS trans and im still hesitant on hooking up to a sled because I know what im up against and its hard if not almost impossible to compete with the other trucks in my class

On the other hand i tow 30,000lbs Gross Truck/Trailer weight on a weekly basis and i NEVER hesitate to tow, but i think twice about pulling a sled

[YAMAHAMMER]

I've seen people pull with there stock trucks plenty of times. Its not as cool to watch, but I doubt you're pulling to put on a show. When I pulled mine it was basically stock, I just did it to do it. It was a neat experience, BUT. Like they said, there is a huge possibility that something is going to let go. So aslong as you've accepted that fact, have fun because thats the point right?

[tattoocharlie]

i would also like to add that this being an 01 theres a good chance of having the dreaded mechanical diode inside.if thats the case i would be very afraid of pulling with this.unless you have money for a new tranny.

[Tubbyman30]

ok, thanks for the info.

[Tubbyman30]

You pretty much said what i was thinking. Our truck pull isn't a main event. There is always a few stock 1/2 tons doing the pull, so i'm not looking to impress anyone, I just want to see what it will do before I do the mods. Its the same when I do the quarter mile. I`m not looking to win.

Thanks for replying.

[xcr8oo151]

Originally Posted by powerdome

I would NOT hook up to a sled with your bone stock truck. Ill give you a couple reasons

#1- its Bone Stock, wont do very well at all.

#2-There is much more than just a trans you have to worry about, twisting driveshafts breaking tie rods from steering with the front tires digging/spinning

I recommend you watch some youtbe vids on pulling, somewhat modded PSD make respectable runs at times but those have LOTS of mods, a bone stock PSD will not put on a good show.

I have a BTS trans and im still hesitant on hooking up to a sled because I know what im up against and its hard if not almost impossible to compete with the other trucks in my class

On the other hand i tow 30,000lbs Gross Truck/Trailer weight on a weekly basis and i NEVER hesitate to tow, but i think twice about pulling a sled

only 10,000 over the gvcw.gota cdl and lawer?

[powerdome]

Originally Posted by xcr8oo151

only 10,000 over the gvcw.gota cdl and lawer?

Yep...and yep...and lots of liability insurance along with several hundred thousand miles of trucking/towing expierience. Ive been stopped weighing 26,000 by DOT in my one ton. No problems at all because im a CDL holder and told me i can go higher depending on my trailer weight stamp. CDL allows me to haul to the max and if my local DOT is okay with it, (i stay within a 100 mile radius) im going to continue to do it.

I would NOT haul that kind of weight if my trailer was not sufficient. My trailer does alot of the stopping i am very meticulous about keeping good brakes/bearings/suspension in good order. I chain down my load so much you could flip it over and it wont budge and check chains every 25-50 miles.

If all i can gross is 20,000 in a one ton truck, ill go ahead and say goodbye to the diesel world because any gasser or can yank 20K around.

So not to worry, I have my whole ass in good hands.

[xcr8oo151]

Originally Posted by powerdome

Yep...and yep...and lots of liability insurance along with several hundred thousand miles of trucking/towing expierience. Ive been stopped weighing 26,000 by DOT in my one ton. No problems at all because im a CDL holder and told me i can go higher depending on my trailer weight stamp. CDL allows me to haul to the max and if my local DOT is okay with it, (i stay within a 100 mile radius) im going to continue to do it.

I would NOT haul that kind of weight if my trailer was not sufficient. My trailer does alot of the stopping i am very meticulous about keeping good brakes/bearings/suspension in good order. I chain down my load so much you could flip it over and it wont budge and check chains every 25-50 miles.

If all i can gross is 20,000 in a one ton truck, ill go ahead and say goodbye to the diesel world because any gasser or can yank 20K around.

So not to worry, I have my whole ass in good hands.

i too am a truck driver and hold a class a cdl ,but i wouldnt go over that much.i also keep all 6 of my trailers well mantained.a plate rating would not hold a candle in the wind if there was a crash they would be looking at the gvcwr of the truck.just my .02 cents.

[powerdome]

Im am aware of what can happen, or could happen. Too keep the odds somewhat in favor of the only type of accident that could happen would just be myself. I travel over nights only, and am hauling down the road between 12pm-5am and i am to the scrap yard before the sun comes up.

I can usually count on one hand the amount of cars i meet.

I keep the speed at around 45-50mph and the only risk i have is running over a deer.

I dont want to end someone elses life but i cannot pay the bills with only grossing at 20K with my set-up i would only have 7000lbs payload.

If i would stay at that i can no longer justify the $$$ i spent for the BTS trans.

[xcr8oo151]

i understand the whole payload thing.my truck and 36ft tripple axle deckover is 13300 empty.i usualy scale at 22500-23500lbs.i live within a 30 min. of the yard,so i am only on the high way for about 5-8 min. all else is country and back roads.i get a sick feeling in my gut when i see these yahoos using a pickup for a semi.didnt mean to jump on you'r case.what is the price for car body's where u are?we just hit $50 a ton,last year it was $280 a ton.a real kick in the short's if u ask me.

[xcr8oo151]

powerdome i see u have the decel mode from jody,i am going to get it soon.how do u like it?

[powerdome]

Originally Posted by xcr8oo151

i understand the whole payload thing.my truck and 36ft tripple axle deckover is 13300 empty.i usualy scale at 22500-23500lbs.i live within a 30 min. of the yard,so i am only on the high way for about 5-8 min. all else is country and back roads.i get a sick feeling in my gut when i see these yahoos using a pickup for a semi.didnt mean to jump on you'r case.what is the price for car body's where u are?we just hit $50 a ton,last year it was $280 a ton.a real kick in the short's if u ask me.

I sell my carbodies/farm iron between 140-160/ton in Greeley, Co. So each load for me is around 11-1300$ I stay on pavement but NEVER EVER hit the interstate unless im empty.

As far as my decel tune, i got it from Cale at BTS, but i really dont notice a difference at all. I know it works when its warming up idle'n. But I cant tell if its working when i turn the knob when going down a decent grade. The truck tows great and it probably helps i have all new brakes on my 39' triple axle flatbed.

Sorry to hi-jack this thread and make it about towing..not pulling at the fair.

[Tubbyman30]

[Sorry to hi-jack this thread and make it about towing..not pulling at the fair. [/quote]

Ya, it went from me asking how to pull the sled properly to how heavy you can tow on the road.
Its ok though.

But how would you start? work your way up with the shifter? or let the tranny shift itself, as I have an auto tranny.