Thanks for all the advice and experience on the Allison auto trannies and NH 1095 balewagons guys.

The tranny is a pleasure to work with in this application. Took about 6.5 hours of engine time to drive from Smith to Eureka at 55 MPH, throttle wide-freakin'-open. Engine is governed to not exceed 2750 RPM. Total time was about 8 hours with stops.

Now, here's the corker: by my reckoning, this balewagon, with an automatic transmission, an engine turning well above the max RPM for the same engine in a tractor application, in a vehicle that has the aerodynamics of a two car garage with open doors -- got approximately 15 MPG.

Huh?

So what the heck is Detroit's excuse for not getting the mileage on these snazzy diesel pickups up to about 25 MPG? Just on the basis of the superior tires, aerodynamics and slower engine RPM by better transmission choices, they should be doing significantly better than a balewagon, fer cryin' out loud.