RE: Customoizing truck camper?
I had sort of given up hope, but went by Galaxy RV while I was in Ontario, CA anyway. A Lance 881 or 981 looks pretty workable because they have a lot of floor space. The ladder probably would work for "traction." They had a 2005 881 there for $17,000.
RE: Customoizing truck camper?
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like it might be too awkward. I might be willing to live without the chair if the yoga wall would work.
Customoizing truck camper?
I am interested in getting a truck camper, but have been ambivalent due to back problems I have. I often use a zero gravity chair and do yoga that includes a "yoga wall," a wall with straps I hang off of. It occurs to me that I would rarely cook or eat in the camper (though I would want the fridge). How crazy is it to pull out the "kitchen" and dinette to make room for my peculiar needs? Thanks.
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
Thanks for the feedback. I did not understand the torque piece. For me, it will mostly be an economic decision. Right now that is looking like diesel if the truck also serves as a DD. I could easily put on 10,000 mies loaded, 20,000 total....
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
If anything, the same tranny behind the less powerful gas engine would last longer than the same tranny behind the more powerful diesel engine.
Also, a tranny in a truck with high axle gearing (3.31, 3.42, 3.55) will not last as long under very heavy use as the same tranny in the same truck with lower gearing (3.73, 4.10, 4.30). The lower gearing multiplies torque and makes for less stress on the tranny and less power demand from the engine.
So, in theory, an F250/350 with the V10 and 4.30 gears, the tranny should last longer than an F250/350 with the diesel and 3.31 gears, assuming both have the same tranny and tire diameter and both trucks are used the same way over their lifetime.
I would have thought the opposite. With a weaker engine, wouldn't the tranny shift more often and wear out sooner?
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
Summing up, by someone who is talking through his hat as I have never owned a truck much less a diesel, it seems to come down to how much you drive. Say 12,000 per year, just a few thousand loaded, tough to justfy a diesel. But in some years, I drive 20,000 miles, and might do 7,500 loaded. Tough to justify gas. Also, driving cross country and getting 8 mpg with a gas engine would make me nuts.
Also, while a well maintained gas engine can go 200,000 miles, a hard working transmission probably won't. Having to replace the transmission covers half or so of the extra diesel engine cost.
Mt effort to set the record for the longest thread continues. (grin)
Just for you info, Ford Super Duty it makes no difference whether it is a diesel or gas same trans in both. The 6 speed Torqshift is in them both. Now it is true that GM or Dodge do not use the same trans in the gas and the diesel.
Also pulling my 12,000# 5er I have never gotten as low as 8. In most cases I'm usually around 9.5 or over.
But if it is working harder, it should not last as long. Be interesting to see if anyone on the board is getting 200,000 out of gas engine trannys. What mpg do you get empty?
Visited a Lance dealer
Galaxy RV in Ontario, CA. If you are in the LA area, worth a visit. All they sell are Lance campers, one of three or so in the country. They cleared up some confusion I had (notwithstanding the efforts of this board, I still thought payload was relevant), and seem to be straight shooters. Definitely going for a slide out, 9-10 feet. There is a double slide out 992 which they did not have in stock. Looks neat, but pretty heavy. Slide outs are hard to find used, so I may be stuck buying new. They claim slide outs hold their value pretty well.
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
Summing up, by someone who is talking through his hat as I have never owned a truck much less a diesel, it seems to come down to how much you drive. Say 12,000 per year, just a few thousand loaded, tough to justfy a diesel. But in some years, I drive 20,000 miles, and might do 7,500 loaded. Tough to justify gas. Also, driving cross country and getting 8 mpg with a gas engine would make me nuts.
Also, while a well maintained gas engine can go 200,000 miles, a hard working transmission probably won't. Having to replace the transmission covers half or so of the extra diesel engine cost.
Mt effort to set the record for the longest thread continues. (grin)
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
though I wish they were quieter.
???
Have you driven the new common rail injection diesels...just as quiet as a gasser...
The Cummins may be a bit louder than GM or Ford...but they are all much quieter than diesels of yesteryear...the newer drive trains are amazingly refined.
You need to go out and do some test drives...then report back to us. It would be great if you could test drive with a load...but that is not always possible.
One test drive with a heavy load, and you would come home with the deezul!
Good luck, B
I have, and the newer ones are definitely quieter, though I thought they were still noiser than gas.
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
Again many thanks for the feedback. Using Ford gas engines as a baseline, in the 6.2 and V10 people are getting around 12 mpg empty (according to another forum), diesels can be expected to do 50% better freeway. Loaded the difference is about the same, plus the diesel "performs" better. The diesel will last longer, or if sold sooner, will sell for more. So I come away leaning toward diesel, though I wish they were quieter.
The 6.2 will do 14mpg or better empty. As for the diesel being worth more in a resale, remember you will pay 8k more for the diesel plus more for maintainance and fuel. Its a wash at this point. For me I like the less hassle of gas, and I am a recent owner of both.
More people reported 12-13, though some reported higher. I suspect they babied it, something I have never been known for.
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
Again many thanks for the feedback. Using Ford gas engines as a baseline, in the 6.2 and V10 people are getting around 12 mpg empty (according to another forum), diesels can be expected to do 50% better freeway. Loaded the difference is about the same, plus the diesel "performs" better. The diesel will last longer, or if sold sooner, will sell for more. So I come away leaning toward diesel, though I wish they were quieter.
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
I just did some checking on real world mpg of the Ford V10 and 6.2. It is pretty bad, easily a third worse than diesel. I realize mpg is not the only issue, but if I was focused just on that, I would prefer a slightly older diesel to a newer V10 or 6.2. The 5.4 is better, but then there may be power issues.
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
Thanks again. Gas did better in the discussion than I expected. Due to certain unique uses that make quiet running preferable, I may end up going late model gas, though I note that the payloads even for e.g. the Ford 1 ton SRW would be tight on a moderate sized camper.
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
Thanks for the feedback. If I drive 20,000 miles per year, how much more will the diesel cost per year to maintain assuming I have it done by the dealer?
RE: gas versus diesel for TCs
Now, I'm a diehard diesel fan, BUT... there's one BIG difference that makes a gasser a plus when it comes to hauling a TC. Weight of the drivetrain in relation to overall GVW.
Gas drivetrain weighs a lot less. Look at Ford's published Truck Camper Cargo ratings, and the gasser is much higher because the drivetrain weighs so much less. Same frame, same springs, same brakes, but about 800lbs LESS cargo capacity.
Click here to see Ford's published camper capacities in all their models.
But here's a quick check just to illustrate what I'm saying---
2011 Ford F350 4x4 DRW Crew Cab
GVW 13,300
Slide in Camper Capacity w/6.2L V10 --- 5,016
Slide in Camper Capacity w/6.7L Diesel --- 4,272
I love my diesel, I'll never sell it, but wow, if you're getting one for JUST a REALLY BIG TC, get a gasser. It's literally the difference between an F350 and an F450.
Thanks for the link. The payloads seem pretty low on the SRW's. Even a 9 foot Lance would be a stretch.
gas versus diesel for TCs
I know this is a topic that tends to get beaten to death, but when I did a search I could not find much that was TC specific. Has anyone done an analysis of how many miles a year you have to drive with the TC loaded to justify going diesel? Under one scenario I might drive 7500 miles loaded, another 12,500 unloaded. Many of the unloaded trips could be short, i.e. the truck would be a DD. Under another I might drive under 5,000 miles loaded and not much unloaded. I assume under the first I would be better with diesel (though I have heard diesel is iffy if doing a lot of short trips), the latter gas.
That also raised the question of what kind of gas. Say the camper weighs 3500 pounds wet. Would the typical V8 be viable there, or are we talking V10 or at least a large V8?
Thanks.
RE: 3/4 or 1 ton question
GM typically uses smaller, lower weight rated, wheels and tires on the 2500's than they do on the 3500SRW's. If you buy the 2500 and want to turn it into a '3500SRW', plan on the expense of a new set of 4 tires and 4 wheels in order to make the upgrade, as well as a set of rear springs, and anything else that is different between the trucks.
It's much better and less expensive in the end to just expand your search and look a little harder for a 3500SRW if buying new or used, or just order a 3500SRW if buying new, than to accept whatever 2500 is on the lot, just because that's what's easiest to find. Do your due diligence and get the right truck for the job.
When I wanted another truck to replace my Chevy, I decided I wanted an F350. I didn't want an F250. There were a lot more F250's around in the year range I was looking for than there were F350's. However, I searched until I found what wanted and bought it. I would not have been happy with an F250. I did my due diligence and got what I wanted.
Thanks for the tip. I was wondering about tires and wheels. On the Duramax forum they said some neighborhoods have restrictions on parking 1 tons. Have you ever found that to be an issue? Why did you prefer a Ford?
RE: 3/4 or 1 ton question
I have since learned on a Duramax forum that the Chevy 2500 and 3500 have the same axles. Everything else being equal, it would make more sense to get the 3500, but they might not be equal. 2500's may be more available, some neighborhoods have restrictions on 1 tons, etc.
I don't get it. I compared my 2012 3500HD gasser with a 2012 2500HD gasser (side by side) and the drive shaft on my 3500HD was at least 1" diameter larger. The axle looked bigger as well.
Thats because you are comparing gas trucks. The 2500 6.0 gas truck has the 10.5" AAM rear axle, whereas the 3500 6.0 gas truck has the 11.5" AAM axle. With the diesel 2500 and 3500, they both get the 11.5 AAM rear axle. Back when GM had the 8.1 engine in the 2500 and 3500 trucks, both got the 11.5 rear axle.
Rich
Useful info to add to the thread for those interested in gassers. I drive a lot of miles, so I can justify the cost of a diesel, though I will miss the responsiveness of a gas engine.
