I was at the media launch last week in Kentucky for the new special Cinch edition Kodiak and Topkick C4500 by Monroe. Yep 16 hours on a jet or at the airport during the Britian liquid bomb threat.
Pictures for now while I catch up on articles. The Cinch package is limited, with plans for 150 trucks. You should be able to see these trucks at some of the major horse shows. Any GM store can sell the C4500 but not all will have the Cinch edition. www.mrtrailer.com/cinch.htm
Posted 2006-08-14 3:52 PM (#46586 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
I'd LOVE to have one. Then I'd need a bigger trailer, then I'd need more horses to go in the bigger trailer, then I'd need more hay for the horses. Darn... The price of hay these days. :-)
Posted 2006-08-14 6:56 PM (#46599 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
Location: Texas
Mr. Truck- why in the world would anyone want one of these when they could spend twice the money and get them a SportinChassis? I have been offered one for a year on a sponsorship deal, but I really want to hold out for a SportinChassis so I can impress my buddies. That's bs, the first black one that hits Texas is mine. My 2004.5 Kodiak 4500 with LIGHT DUTY Duramax LLY has 122,000 on it and rolling. I did actually pass a shop a few thousand back, but didn't have time to stop.
Posted 2006-08-15 6:04 AM (#46622 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 346
Tx Vaquero, does your truck have air ride? I have only been in one without and man it was some kind of stiff. How does it pull compared to a 3500 with same engine.
Posted 2006-08-15 6:43 AM (#46624 - in reply to #46622) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
Location: Texas
My truck does have air ride and air seats. It is stiff without a load, but rides decent with a load. When you carry 105 psi in the tires, they are all going to be stiff, and it is definitely stiffer than a 3500. The engine is the same as the 3500. The big difference in pulling is the rear end ratios availabe. Mine has a 4:44 and it makes a huge difference.
Posted 2006-08-15 8:07 AM (#46627 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 346
Yeah I am familiar with the gear deal and it has to help. I rode in one without air ride with air seats and it was terrible. I like the heavier truck and bigger brakes. Sure would be nice with a 15' LQ 4 horse trailer. The 3500 is a tad over loaded at times. I was told that the air ride on a ford didnt help much just wondering about the 4500. i guess it would be the same.
Posted 2006-08-15 9:08 AM (#46630 - in reply to #46624) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by Tx. Vaquero on 2006-08-15 6:43 AM
My truck does have air ride and air seats. It is stiff without a load, but rides decent with a load. When you carry 105 psi in the tires, they are all going to be stiff, and it is definitely stiffer than a 3500. The engine is the same as the 3500. The big difference in pulling is the rear end ratios availabe. Mine has a 4:44 and it makes a huge difference.
I'd be interested to know how that 4.44 works out with the bigger (than 215/85 x 16 on 3500) wheels, e.g. how many RPM at 60 MPH ?
Posted 2006-08-15 10:27 AM (#46641 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
Location: Texas
I think the air ride makes a difference, but the truck is still stiff. I'm probably not a good judge on real comfort because after my butt is in the saddle all day, a wagon seat would probably feel good. My partner has a new M2 and I can't tell much difference when they are loaded, but his rides better empty. Reg., I'll check the RPM at 60 and report back, but I think I'm around 2300 at 70. Thanks for the tip on keeping my rope up. The way it's been going lately, I need all the help I can get.
Posted 2006-08-15 12:15 PM (#46647 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 346
Ok my friend thanks for the info. I think my 3500 is about 2200 at 70 so its basically the same. Pulling up hill I guess you can feel the difference in the M2?
After this back business gets better maybe I can rope again too!
Posted 2006-08-15 3:54 PM (#46665 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
The C4500 can have the 8.1L gas engine as seen in a lot of U-haul trucks, but I doubt if a dealer would order the Cinch edition that way, but you could order the truck that way.
Posted 2006-08-15 4:13 PM (#46666 - in reply to #46647) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
Location: Texas
Threeman- I forgot to answer your question about pulling with the M2 in the hills. He has the Mercedes engine and it is pretty torquey, pulls good. I added an Edge programmer and it helps the duramax a bunch, though probably still not as strong as the Mercedes. I had an older FL60 with 3116 cat and the duramax is definitely stronger than it was. We all seem to get there at the same time anyway. I'm not much of a cat fan, we have a Pete at the ranch with the C15 twin turbo and it is a real shop queen. Sure wish I had opted for the cummins.
Posted 2006-08-15 5:08 PM (#46676 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 346
Thanks TX. Good to know. I have decided to upgrade to the 450 or 4500 for the next truck. I hate to go bigger because of driving around. Price is another reason.
Hey friend of mine just told me it was 104 at Ft Worth/Denton area. What about where you are? Where is that?
Posted 2006-08-15 7:36 PM (#46687 - in reply to #46676) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 1719 Location: PA
Threeman, avoid the 450!! Too many problems with them, believe me, I know!! I have a GMC 4500 with Regency conversion right now. The interior is just like the Cinch one except I have a center console. I have only towed with it a couple times so it is just getting broken in. It does ride harder than the 450, even with air ride seats and air ride rear, and it isn't quite as handy to get around in (don't try a drive thru with it!) but it has gotten me there and back without breaking down and that's a big plus!!!
Posted 2006-08-16 9:51 PM (#46788 - in reply to #46687) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 115
Originally written by hav2ride on 2006-08-15 8:36 PM
...it isn't quite as handy to get around in (don't try a drive thru with it!) but it has gotten me there and back without breaking down and that's a big plus!!!
LOL If you try you'll be suprised at how many drive thrus you can fit a 4500 through. I take mine through the burger king and wendy's drive thru regularly! It always gets comments when they have to look wayyyyy up at you. Of course you kinda have to creep through the first time to be sure the clearance lights will clear.
Posted 2006-08-17 9:03 AM (#46806 - in reply to #46788) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 1719 Location: PA
But don't you have to almost get out to get your order?? The darn mirrors are out so far! Actually, if I were to really fault the truck, the mirrors would be the fault! Too much blind spot when you make a turn because of their shape. I think the Ford's are much better. Of course, they don't help much when you are sitting on the side of the road!
Posted 2006-08-17 2:36 PM (#46856 - in reply to #46570) Subject: RE: GM C4500 with Cinch package
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Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
Easily accessing fast food drive throughs . . .
I knew if I waited long enough, I would find an acceptable use for my half ton truck instead of pulling my BP trailer.
Now all I have to worry about is the stability of the truck when I lean out the DS window to reach that Super-Sized Big Mac meal deal ! Would duallys help?
GM C4500 with Cinch package
Of course you kinda have to creep through the first time to be sure the clearance lights will clear. 