Bill;
I had an 02 Chev Shortbed 3/4 ton single rear tire duramax. I pulled a 3950 for two years and it did good but I was overloaded more than you by far even with oversized tires and air bags. I had the engine pumped by 100hp and it helped a bunch over the stock setup. If you pump an engine definitly put on a Pyrometer as I would have smoked the engine without it. The 3/4 ton did alright but your 1 ton will handle more weight yet.
I sold the Chevy and bought a 1 ton Ram with duallies and the Cummins with engine brake. The 1 ton does not squate as badly as my 3/4 ton did so I would think yours would be about the same. I had thought about air bags on this truck but I think it is okay without. This truck has 50 hp more than my pumped 02
Chevy did and it is noticeabe. (Stock Chevy about 225 pumped to 300, Cummins has 350) The extra power has been nice and the engine brake helps a bunch also. I put guages in this truck like I did the Chevy but where this one is not pumped I could have done without them. I am an old truck driver and diesels and turbos etc. are not anything new to me. The Ram Cummins engine is well enough internally protected that an idiot could drive it and it would be protected from burnup.
I had put a Hypertech programmer on my Chevy and as I experimented with and without be pumped, I can say I really think I would have smoked it without having a Pyro to monitor and keep the temps down.
I read a lot about the Chevy engine and Allison trans before pumping it up and the reason I didn't go over 100+hp was it appears that more than 100 you will start having trans problems. I monitored the trans temp also with and without pumping it and you get higher trans temps with it pulling harder.
Going from a single tire to a dually has made a world of difference in the handling of the trl. It is much more stable and my nerves are at rest knowing I have an extra tire in case of a blowout. You already have the duals and the 1 ton so you will be fine. If I can help you anymore please let me know.
PUG, thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post. It sounds like the 3/4 ton truck did the job even if you were overweight. Unlike your expertise, I am relatively new to the diesel world. I bought my truck 3 years ago and have been reading up on duramax's for quite some time now. Overall I am pretty happy with my truck. The only troublesome problem is the injectors, which is well-known for these LB7 engines.
I completely agree with you on juicing up the truck. I have yet to buy the gauges and a programmer, but have been toying with the idea for quite some time now. The Allison transmissions are pretty reliable and usually dont have many problems, but like you said once you juice 100+ hp they tend to have problems.
I plan on installing a pyrometer and boost gauge when I purchase the programmer. I think I'm going to go with PPE's Xcelerator Standard. From reading diesel forums most of the duramax guys say they are one of the best to use. You had mentioned that you added 100hp with the Hypertech programmer, how noticeable was it? I mean I have read and read about these upgrades but have yet had a chance to experience the difference.
My biggest concern with my truck and hauling a 3850/3950 was just being overweight. I know that guys haul in excess of 20-25k with these trucks, but I just wanted to be sure that I would be okay with hauling that big toy hauler.
To be honest, my wife and I are dead set on the 3850 or 3950 compared to the other models. They offer the best floor plans and some of the nicest features. Do you have any complaints about your 3950? Are there any options you recommend that I get?
Also, do I need to worry about weigh stations??? I have always wondered if I ever have to stop at them.
Thanks again,
Bill