I believe anything over a 30 ft would be best served with a diesel and if 30 ft I would buy a gas engine because of less things to worry about. I have been looking at HH on the web and believe it would be my next purchase if the 2001 alpenlite gives out but it still seems new so maybe if it is in a wreck HH would be bought. Chev or dodge doesn't have a big enough gas engine and ford doesn't count for me so diesel is our only choice but the duramax seems great so far. chevman
chevman
2001 35 ft avalon alpenlite RK
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy
easyrider/reese airhitch
trailair center point suspension
JT Strong Arm Stabilizers
KSH 55 inbed fuel tank
Garmin 2720
scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
I agree with the diesel. They almost last for ever! We are on our 2nd diesel. Had to get a bigger truck. previous truck still ran great with 40,000 miles and was just broke in. I believe fuel mileage is better with a diesel. Diesel does cost more but fuel savings is great. We get about 12 and up MPG towing with our new diesel and it isn't broken in yet. Will improve with break in. The MPG is figured by gallons and etc., by hand. Didn't trust the electronic thing on dash but it is not too far off. Get 10 MPG in the rocky mountains towing.
I drive the new diesel and tow and it did bother me at first but got used to it. I am female.
2008 dodge 5500, diesel,Laramie cab, pressure pro tire.
2008 Carri-Lite 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces
D & D
Two Schnauzers, & cat
Texas Roadrunner wrote: Even though I have a Yukon XL for my personal vehicle, running errands in a dually while on trips is very intimidating to me, those things are behemoths!
Have you ever driven a dually? They are not as bad to drive and park as some think. With that said here is what you are going to run into with your way of thinking.
Someone suggested that you buy the 5th wheel first and then the truck to pull it, which is a good idea. So you go out and buy a big humongous fiver. But since you don't like a big truck, you are going to settle on a smaller truck that someone told you will do the job. Thinking all along that you have made the righ choice. Wrong!
When it comes to towing, you sometimes can't have your cake and eat it too, as the old saying goes. You either have to settle on one or the other. A smooth riding, easy to drive and park truck, or one that may be a little different. Meaning a 1 ton SRW or a 1 ton dually. And don't let anyone tell you they are the same.
You must realize that the tow vehicle has to carry part of the load as well as pull all of the load. A one ton SRW will pull as much if not more than a dually, depending on the trucks configuration. But it will not carry as much as the dually. And this is necessary if you are considering a heavy fiver. And don't be led to believe that you can beef up the suspension of SRW and it will carry the same load as a dually. Why spend the money on modifications when you can buy the required vehicle in the first place?
In essence, if you don't like a dually truck, certainly don't buy a fiver that requires one to pull it.
ryoung
2004 Dodge 3500 Dually HO 6 sp 4.10, Jordan Controller
2005 SunnyBrook 31BWKS
2004 Lance Lite 915
If you think you are even close to needing a DRW... get a DRW! The extra payload and stability are well worth it. All the latest diesels (I think it's the 07.5 and up) are having trouble with the emission junk - I don't know if any of them got all the bugs out yet. Craig
2003 Dodge HO CTD, NV5600, 4.10. Real 1Ton - pregnant with twin spare tires, 4WD - all on the rear. Aurora 2000 turbo, Diablo Predator, 4" muffler. 98 Sunnybrook 30RLFS 5th wh. WHOEVER INVENTED WORK DIDN'T HAVE AN RV!
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