I haven't owner a big gasser. I will tell you though that when reading this forum before making my purchases all were very helpful and sincere. I ended up with a 5th wheel at 13,600 GVWR and a Chevy 2500HD Diesel..Duramax combination. Just returned from an 8500 mile 49 day trip and the truck preformed GREAT. I was at 20,400 CVWR. I love the tow-haul feature. Coming downhill the engine brake is fabulous. Good luck with your dilemma. It's a fun one to have.
Safe Travels,
M.J.McKay
* This post was
edited 09/01/09 05:16pm by m.j.mckay *
I say go diesel. I have pulled with both and diesel by far wins the comparison. You can look at it two ways...will I make the money I spend on a diesel back...or will I get immediate savings in mileage. I chose the latter and haven't regretted it at all.I get on average 14 MPG on an Imperial gallon of fuel. Our gallon has 1 quart more than a US gallon. I pulled a 36 ft 5er, toyhauler loaded and now pull a 35 ft, 3 slide 5er. If I had my druthers I'd go with a 1 ton but my 3/4 ton Duramax does a great job.It's a 2001 crew cab 4x4, short box with a Pullrite super slider. I don't care if you live in the flat lands or mountains, a diesel will pull better and get better mileage constantly. The maintenance costs are a bit higher as there is more engine oil etc. Do your homework and then decide. Have fun.
Pipeman
Ontario, Canada
Full Member
35 year Fire Fighter(retired)
VE3PJF
The conditions you state in your post would indicate a Diesel is the best choice for you. Heavy camper,20K miles a year, you intend to keep it for awhile. We pulled the same 5th wheel with both the V-10 and now the diesel. The V-10 did a good job but the diesel does it better.
sloman2001 wrote: Never had a 5th wheel, looking to purchase one that is just shy of 35', GVWR of 11,685 with a hitch weight of 1525. Looked at gas and diesel engines, never owned diesel, but was surprised to see such a huge cost difference in purchase price and especially maintenance costs. Given all the experience in this forum, what would you guys suggest as to gas or diesel, pulling a rig of this size. I can get a gas V-10 that will tow up to 14,600 with a 4.1 axle. Would I regret the gas engine, or do you think this would be well within the spec? I do not want to tow on the edge of the spec if possible. I will tow this about 20K miles per year.
Thanks in advance!!!
Tom
My opinion is that IF I were to tow 20,000 miles/year, I would only be looking at diesel tow vehicles. Good luck, and have fun!
I have towed the same 5er with both a gas and diesel engine. My gaser was a 2001 chevy 3/4 ton 6L SB crew cab and my diesel is a 2008 3/4 ton 6.7L Dodge Mega cab. I love the diesel and the way the truck will tow up hill with no issues at all and the standard exhaust brake with the 6 sp auto.
One item that no one has mention yet is trying to put gas in the truck. I was always a nervous wreck trying to get the truck and the 5th wheel around the gas island and the low over heads at the island. With the diesel you can fill up at the truck islands and have plenty of clearance with the camper.
The mileage is way better then the gas engine ever was when pulling my 5er with the diesel.
Good luck with your choice and enjoy.
Vulcaneer wrote: My truck is 06 F350 with V10 and 4.30 RAR. Mt trailer is 34' and 12,500 loaded. Have pulled east coast to west coast and back. Truck never missed a beat and pulled everything I asked of it, and pulled very well. We normally tow about 5,000 per year. So for me this combination works fine. So if it is tow capability your are concerned with the Ford 30V V10 is well within the spec your are faced with.
But if I was towing 20,000 miles per year, I would recommend the diesel 3500. I have a preference for the Duramax/Allison. The Cummins is a great engine too. But for the overall truck, I prefer the GMC/Chevy to the Dodge. Also prefer the crew cab to an extended cab, because of the door opening configuration. Suicide doors are a PITA.
Just to clarify (your statement was a little confusing), the Dodge Quad Cab trucks (which is between a crew cab and extra cab) have 4 full doors, no suicide doors. I do agree though, suicide doors are a MAJOR PITA. They don't seem like a big deal at the dealer lot, but when you're loading groceries or something into the back seat, and you have a car on either side of you, you have to have someone pass the bags to you over the door, or constantly move it out of the way to get more stuff.
As to the OP, diesel is better. I came from the gasser world, and thought I'd never leave. Now, I'm not going back unless they come up with an engine that gets similar efficiency and torque. A Dodge diesel will generally be the cheapest of the three. Drive them all and see which one you like the most.
'Don't know what a Dodge 2500 can pull with such low payload capacities. Not a much of a 5th wheel according to specs. Maybe a 3500 but definitely not the 2500.
When shopping for new truck with brochure in hand from Dodge tow capacity was in line with GM and Ford but payload was way lower. When I questioned salesman he agreed. Either book was wrong and salesguy did not know any better I am not sure. I recall it was under by approx 500#
* This post was
edited 09/01/09 08:00pm by dezolen *
dezolen wrote: 'Don't know what a Dodge 2500 can pull with such low payload capacities. Not a much of a 5th wheel according to specs. Maybe a 3500 but definitely not the 2500.
Not sure where this thought comes from. The current 2500 has a towing capacity of 13,600 pounds and payload of 3350. Towing capacity of the Ram 2500 has been on par with the competition at least since 2003, if not before.
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 HO Cummins
2002 Sea Hawk 32' 5er
2004 Crownline 216 LS 350 MAG
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