George H wrote: Short trips are hard on a diesel, they need both warmup and cool down time. You don't give the weight of your 34ft 5er, suspect it is heavy enough to need either a diesel or a V10 and everything I've heard about the V10 says thirsty.
I drive my 2004 PSD 3 miles one way to work every day in between camping trips and have had no issues with regular short trips. I do full throttle acceleration as often as traffic permits to clear the exhaust ports and exercise the turbo. I also do minimal idleing except at stop lights. I also change the oil more frequently since the engine does not get fully warmed up.
I have a 06 f-250 v-10 and its mileage is not great but if your worried about mileage don't go RVing and buy a compact.The v-10 will get around 8-10 towing real world and maybe 13-14 not towing on highway.
A Diesel will always get more mpg than gasser!! PERIOD!
Thank you for pointing out the ACCURACY of my post.
I averaged 10.5mpg towing our 5th wheel. My mileage was about the same with all my Cummins powered Rams.
And no, diesels don't "always" get more mpg than a gasser. The new ones especially.
Trailer Life October 2005
Dodge 1500 QC HEMI auto/3.92
16.6 mpg solo, 6.5 mpg towing a 5800 lb TT in the Rockies
Trailer Life Sept 2003
F-550 PSD CC towing a 13,605 5th wheel,
11.3mpg solo, 8.0mpg towing.
Took a 7% grade at 50mph 2600rpm
Trailer Life April 2004
F-350 PSD CC towing an 8180 lb TT
18.7mpg solo, 9.5mpg towing
6% grade 60mph at 2500rpm
Trailer Life March 2001
F-550 PSD CC towing 15,040 lb 5th wheel
11.1mpg solo, 8.3mpg towing
7% grade 35mph at 2800rpm
Trailer Life February 2002
Freightliner Sport Chassis Cat 7.2L
9.65mpg solo, 7.17mpg towing 15,680 lb 5th wheel
38mph up a 7% grade.
Trailer Life December 2002
F-550 PSD CC towing 10,141 lb 5th wheel
10.9mpg solo, 8.2mpg towing
The towing report concluded,
8% grade at 22mph 2750rpm
Trailer Life February 2007
F-450 6.4L PSD 4.10 towing 20k lb 5th wheel
no mileage reported
7% grade 41mph at 2850rpm
txninva wrote: Thanks to all for your responses. I've been leaning towards the V10 and I think i'll go that direction. The research i've done suggests a diesel is not a good choice for my driving habits.
j
If you're set on a Ford, gas is definitely the right direction. Good luck and have fun.
2008 Dodge 3500 CTD LB SRW 4X4 6-Speed Auto
P3 Blue Ox Sway Pro
2007 Komfort 212
The only way we can really justify most of the "toys" we have is in our heads. TTs, THs, Big TVs. I got away from trying to justify things years ago. I buy it cause I WANT it. I like big trucks, cars and trailers cause I'm a big man. I guess you could shoehorn me into a tacoma or ranger with a port-a-power and some wesson oil, but we really wouldn't want to see that.
Big Sexy and BonBon
2003 Dodge 2500 4x4 Laramie Cummins Auto, Edge EZ, AEM Brute Force, Timbrens, B&W.
2004 35SRV Victory Lane
1998 Harley Road King (Mine)
2003 Harley Road KIng (Hers)
1 - Jacked up, Tricked out Golf Cart. (HERS, HERS, HERS)
A Diesel will always get more mpg than gasser!! PERIOD!
Thank you for pointing out the ACCURACY of my post.
I averaged 10.5mpg towing our 5th wheel. My mileage was about the same with all my Cummins powered Rams.
And no, diesels don't "always" get more mpg than a gasser. The new ones especially.
Trailer Life October 2005
Dodge 1500 QC HEMI auto/3.92
16.6 mpg solo, 6.5 mpg towing a 5800 lb TT in the Rockies
Trailer Life Sept 2003
F-550 PSD CC towing a 13,605 5th wheel,
11.3mpg solo, 8.0mpg towing.
Took a 7% grade at 50mph 2600rpm
Trailer Life April 2004
F-350 PSD CC towing an 8180 lb TT
18.7mpg solo, 9.5mpg towing
6% grade 60mph at 2500rpm
Trailer Life March 2001
F-550 PSD CC towing 15,040 lb 5th wheel
11.1mpg solo, 8.3mpg towing
7% grade 35mph at 2800rpm
Trailer Life February 2002
Freightliner Sport Chassis Cat 7.2L
9.65mpg solo, 7.17mpg towing 15,680 lb 5th wheel
38mph up a 7% grade.
Trailer Life December 2002
F-550 PSD CC towing 10,141 lb 5th wheel
10.9mpg solo, 8.2mpg towing
The towing report concluded,
8% grade at 22mph 2750rpm
Trailer Life February 2007
F-450 6.4L PSD 4.10 towing 20k lb 5th wheel
no mileage reported
7% grade 41mph at 2850rpm
Quit reading and start towing...
'07 Chevy 2500HD ClassicD/Max LBZ 6Spd Ally Westin nerf's,5'' mbrp turbo back
PPE airbox mod,Hijacker 24k,uniden/maxrad,Prodigy,Magellan nav,'06 Cougar 314,265 Bfg Km's,Chrome MB 16x8's,Firestone bags,level command compressor kit My GaragePhotobucket
George H wrote: Short trips are hard on a diesel, they need both warmup and cool down time. You don't give the weight of your 34ft 5er, suspect it is heavy enough to need either a diesel or a V10 and everything I've heard about the V10 says thirsty.
I drive my 2004 PSD 3 miles one way to work every day in between camping trips and have had no issues with regular short trips. I do full throttle acceleration as often as traffic permits to clear the exhaust ports and exercise the turbo. I also do minimal idleing except at stop lights. I also change the oil more frequently since the engine does not get fully warmed up.
Dick
Now this is an interesting post. You proudly proclaim "... and have had no issues with regular short trips." Then you go on to explain all the extra things you do to compensate for the short trips.
Interesting point of view.
Bob & Jamie
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- Don't sweat petty things ... and don't pet sweaty things!
- I can't be troubled with your business ... I'm far too busy tending to my own!
- Remember, just because you saw it on the internet doesn't make it so!
Crankng numbers with a gas getting 12mpg at 3.70 gal, diesel getting 15 at 4.30 per gal, driving 10K miles a yr, the gas rig will be cheaper by $150 a yr......hmmmmmm......I own a diesel, not sure why a diesel is cheaper with those numbers, along with the increase of some $6-7000 for the newest emissions?
Diesel is not what it used to be folks. Personally I would go with the GM 6.0 6 sp auto over the Ford V10 5 sp auto, but that is me! Even the dodge hemi looks like a nice pulling machine for trailers under 10K or there abouts. This is coming from a diesel guy too! I drive 20-25K miles a yr, with current diesel prices etc, my next rig will be a 6.0 gas GM with the 6 sp. If it would have been availible 2.5 yrs ago, I would be in one of those vs my Dmax! That includes pulling my 12K equipment trailer around with it too!
marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
I don't believe one size fits all. Diesel is not always the best choice as gas is not always the best choice.
Today, If I were buying a new TV, I would give real serious consideration to the gasser... right up until I get the diesel. I've got extra cars and trucks to make the short trips so when I tow, I want my diesel and I'm willing to pay (and pay) for that diesel grin. It is a choice I made based on my driving needs and wants.
I think you're making a good choice based on your driving needs and towing style. Short trips are not good for the diesel and it does not sound like you will tow a whole bunch. Good for you, good choice!
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