danojeno
Corona, CA
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Joined: 07/17/2011
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With a 30' 5er, I'd say you're going to have to scratch the 5.4 and the 6.0. That vintage 6.0 just doesn't have what it takes to frequently pull that stuff. That leads you to feeding the barons. I tow a 12k fiver and get between 5 and 7 mpg. Unloaded trailer at 9k it aint any better. Mixed city / highway not towing is about 10ish. 8.1s are out there, you just may have to travel a bit.
2006 Chevy 2500HD 8.1 4x4 CCSB
2012 Eclipse Stellar 28SBG, Spring Over Axle
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zogg
Il
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Joined: 07/19/2010
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In 2005 we bought our first 5th wheel...9500 pounds. My son talked me into a diesel, which I kept for a year and sold it...hated the diesel, though many guys love them.
I ordered a new V10 with a 6 speed manual and loved it. Towed as good as the diesel without the hassle....got 9-11 mpg towing and 16 mpg hiway....generally 12-14 around town, but I drive easy.
Two years later, my left hip went bad (no more shifting) so I traded for a Chevy 3/4 with the 6.0....what a dismal disappointment. Truck struggled all the time when towing and mph was as bad as the v10.
For a daily driver, the v10 is ok, but not great on gas. The 6.0 is not any better. Towing there is no comparison....I would only buy a V10 to tow heavy.
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2011 GMC Sierra HD 2500
6.0 (gas), 4x4, 3.73
2013 Flagstaff V nose 30', 7300# 
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transamz9
Lawrenceburg Ky
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Joined: 07/27/2010
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sc3283 wrote:V-10 or 8.1
you really can't achieve both....great towing power...then high MPG for a daily driver
you will HATE attempting to tow with an under powered tow vehicle & many small engines when towing will get less MPG than the larger more capable...because your working the snot out of them while towing...where the big engine is just cruising comfortably
I do, but we won't go there because that wasn't the question.
2005 RAM 2500 Cummins/2011 Sandpiper 345 RET/2008 Nitro Z9 Mecury 250 PRO XS
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ExxWhy
Ohio
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Joined: 11/24/2010
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Depending on how much daily driving you do, it quite possibly would pay off to get a little econobox beater car to drive to work and use the truck as a TV primarily. Even the smaller engines aren't going to do too well in city driving with a truck. Towing, I don't think you will see much difference in MPG, may as well have the power.
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SledHedEd
mass
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Joined: 02/14/2005
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Well, I have had quite a few pickups and have towed travel trailers for years. I am very familiar with poor mileage with a truck over an econobox however I am not going to put another car on the road to save fuel on the truck. Looks like most opinions is to skip the small v8 and check out v10's and 8.1's. The weight of the 5ver will be around 10k loaded. Maybe I should be asking opinions on the Ford v10 compared to the 8.1 GM in that vintage. I DO appreciate all your input so far.
Enjoying what life brings me everyday.
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LimogesMan
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 10/26/2005
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As many said, the Vortec 8.1L V8 or the Triton V10 in a 1 ton truck.
Check for a 4.10 or 4.30 axle ratio.
Long box usually gives you a bigger gas tank.
Good luck
2002 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4X4 FX4 Lariat, 5.4L Triton V8, Precision 4.10LS
2004 Keystone Springdale 249BH 26' Fifth wheel (5800# empty)
Husky 16K dual pivot glider. TomTom One 3rd edition.
18 mpg empty, 11 mpg towing.
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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The 8.1L GM and 6.8L Ford have virtually the same specs and will give the same MPG performance. All other gas engines in those MY's are not suitable.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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Joined: 08/10/2003
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In the 2000~2004 model years the torque king will be the 8.1L. Ford added the 3V heads to the V-10 in 2005 and that is when it got it's torque bump that puts it up to the 8.1L.
One other thing to consider is the transmission. The 8.1L came with the Allison. The 2000~2004 V-10 only came with a 4 speed auto. The V-10 didn't get the 5 speed auto until 2005.
The 8.1L/Allison will be available with either 3.73, or 4.10s. The 8.1L/3.73 has a 5er tow rating of 14,000# IIRC. The 8.1L/4.10 combination has a 5er tow rating of almost 16,000#.
If you are considering the V-10 you may want to look at the 2005+. If you are looking at the 8.1L then any year will do.
In Memoriam: Liberty Belle
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transamz9
Lawrenceburg Ky
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Great post engineer! Very good info.
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lazydays
Maysville, Ky.
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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Don't forget about the Dodge v10. They were available through 2003. I believe mine was 305 hp 440 tq. Gas milege wasn't great but was a very reliable truck. My brother had the 8.1 Chevy during the same time and it was a great vehicle also. His would pull a little bit better.
Very Patient Wife
Two Boys (16 & 8)
Girl 11 months
2008 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 29.5 RLS
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 6.6L
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