Would like honest suggestions about tow vehicle issues

[RobertN]

Mentioned before in other thread too. Remember, the diesel will get better mileage, but diesel is 40-60 cents a gallon more expensive. And, the new ones want the blue juice so that factors in too. "E" rated tires are more expensive too.

Most of our trips are Placerville to Bodega Bay, or Carmel; gasser would do that fine.

On the flip side, you say you want to go out more, and update to a 10,000 trailer. When we did our trip a couple years ago from Placerville to Corpus Christi Tx(~5000 miles round trip) the diesel was definitely the way to go...

Well I thought about the 3/4 with a gasser, but when a 2010 Dmax gets better MPG, has more HP at the rear wheels than I have at the crank, and over twice the torque, AND gets better mpg (did I say better mpg?) than my 4.7L Tundra, then a diesel is the way to go. We want to start traveling more with the 5th wheel, and I want reliable power.

 

[CJONE]

Just my take on this, I would have a hard time buying a new diesel unless I was towing 10k+ or towing all the time. I love diesels but the new emmissions crap is killing them. The info on the GM's is spot on, the trucks get decent mileage and ride good, stick with the years mentioned. The Ford's I would buy a new one in a heartbeat, the new engines have been holding up well. As for the 6.0 and 6.4 I would steer clear of these. I love my 7.3 and will not sell it unless I find one cleaner [doubtfull]. Don't have alot of experience with the new Dodges, we only have 2 around here and they have been doing good and they are worth a look in my opinion. CJ

 

[Beltzington]

Apparently buying a trailer to big for the intended tow vehicle isn't something unique to my family. I bought almost the exact same size trailer you have and almost killed myself trying to tow it with a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the GVWR math worked but in reality it was way to much trailer for the Jeep.

My answer to your question was a 2006 2500HD LTZ diesel, bought it used with low mileage for half what it cost new and could not be happier. Hooked to the trailer you have to remind yourself you are towing a large trailer and the tow-mode of the 6-speed tranny is awesome coming down steep grades, engine compression takes care of 80% of speed control with minimal braking. When towing, I believe fuel costs are a wash between diesel and gasoline as the diesel will get better mpg. Can't beat the torque either. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[handirifle]

Yea just to be clear, i have NO desire (nor the money to do so) to buy a NEW diesel. Went through that with gassers in the 70's on smog crap. I am not discounting the virtue of the new gas trucks and this has not been a quick decision either.
It has also been my personal experience that just because they say it can or the numbers add up, doesnt make it really work. My truck is rated to 6800 and this traier is about 5500 the way I tow it. Handling and pulling on rolling or flat is nice. Breaking could be a lot better. I have to rely more than I like on the trailers brakes, but thats what they're on there for.

It seems we have always towed "near the limit" and I am tired of feeling on the edge. I put less than 10k a year on my truck currently, so fuel cost is a wash. Diesel price varies from more than or equal to premium to the same or less than reg gas so who knows. But the power will always be there regardless.
eventually I want to sell off my old 16 hp Massey Furgesun tractor for a Kubota Bx and do my tractor work AND mowing all with diesel. Trying the KISS method.

 

[Turbys_1700]

What did that involve and cost if you don't mind my asking?

I bought my truck in 04 with 38K 1 owner miles on it...
I paid at the time NADA black book wholesale which was 30K...
I would assume that it is worth 12K-15K now but it is not for sale...
It is paid for with only 105K miles and suits me to a tee...

 

[handirifle]

Sorry, I meant the upgrade to the 330hp, not the truck.

 

[sacmarata]

With the 94, does it have overdrive? What kind of mileage do you get? I'm pretty sure the wife wouldn't go for one that old though, unfortunately. When did they stop production on the 12 valve?

I have 340,000 miles on my 94' 12 valve. With stock tires and topper I actually got 26mpg hand calculated. Now with no topper and 285s I get around 21mpg. I can stretch that a bit if I keep my foot out of it but maybe only 1 or 2 mpgs. I'm trying to give you real world numbers, so I'll just say an avg of 21 now.

When it comes to towing I can speak from a lot of experience. BUY A DIESEL! If youre a Powerstroke guy, a Duramax guy or a Cummins guy, I don't care. They each have their ups and downs (except for 12 valves cummins )

I currently own (that I tow with) a gas Chevy 1500 HD with 6.0 liter and 4L80E tranny. It's a 3/4 ton truck with 3,000lb payload and towing capacity of 10,000lb. It has "tow mode" which is a glorified way of letting the computer change the shift points and lockup on the torque converter. It's about 300hp and 360lb/ft torque. Sounds good right? NO! That truck couldn't tow it's way out of a wet paper bag! Sure, if I wanna burn up my tranny and break stuff it "COULD" haul my tractor on the hills of KY, but I know it's limits and it mostly hauls groceries, kids and lawn mowers.

I've also got the 94' 12valve Cummins. Stock HP is only about 160hp but FOR FREE you can get that up to about 360 at the crank. I advanced my timing 16*, got rid of the fuel plate, and put some 4,000rpm governer springs on it. Of course I beefed up the tranny and TC or it would just chew em up now. It's a beast! There is NO comparison to ANY gasser I've ever used and that includes the Ford V10.

Something to remember...AGAIN...get an upgraded valve body transmission. If you cant lock out at low speeds you will burn up almost any transmission. Theres a lot of misguided folks out there bad mouthing transmissions that were never designed to do what they did to em. If your tranny is not locked out and you are pushing high RPMs/torque your fluid will heat up quick fast and in a hurry. Nothing is gonna snap or "blow" at that moment usually, but what youve done is DRASTICALLY shorten the life of your TC and tranny. These kids do this, then 6 months later run down the road and the tranny starts acting up when theyre not even hauling something and they trash talk the tranny that they treated like a borrowed mule 6 months before. Of course it's gonna give out. You can't run 300 degree temps in a tranny...ANY tranny and expect it to last.

 

[sacmarata]

With the 94, does it have overdrive? What kind of mileage do you get? I'm pretty sure the wife wouldn't go for one that old though, unfortunately. When did they stop production on the 12 valve?

hahahaaa...I got on a rant and forgot to answer yer question. Yes the 94' has overdrive and they stopped production in early 98. If you can find a 12 valve 98' you have found the HOLY GRAIL of trucks!

Things to ask when 12 valve shopping:
What injectors
What fuel plate
what gov springs
what valve springs
has the KDP (killer dowel pin) been fixed
whats the timing set at

 

[CJONE]

hahahaaa...I got on a rant and forgot to answer yer question. Yes the 94' has overdrive and they stopped production in early 98. If you can find a 12 valve 98' you have found the HOLY GRAIL of trucks!

Things to ask when 12 valve shopping:
What injectors
What fuel plate
what gov springs
what valve springs
has the KDP (killer dowel pin) been fixed
whats the timing set at

I can't believe you guys would mod these diesels like that, I mean comon chips, injectors, turbos, transmissions. Uhhh oh uh yea I'll be quiet now!! I love the killer dowl pin comment, sad but true. I can get 18-19MPG out of my 7.3 if I keep it below about 72 mph at 80 it stays about 15 in the 4th chip POS. My gassers would struggle to get close, the 6.0 GM I HAD would struggle to get double digits. My next prodject is a 12v transplant into a superduty. There has been a few 6 leakers around here that are grenaded. Found a 06 but it was a dually and I don't need that. Most can be had under 4K. I think that would be the perfect truck other than the noise. CJ

 

[Peacock]

I can't believe you guys would mod these diesels like that, I mean comon chips, injectors, turbos, transmissions. Uhhh oh uh yea I'll be quiet now!! I love the killer dowl pin comment, sad but true. I can get 18-19MPG out of my 7.3 if I keep it below about 72 mph at 80 it stays about 15 in the 4th chip POS. My gassers would struggle to get close, the 6.0 GM I HAD would struggle to get double digits. My next prodject is a 12v transplant into a superduty. There has been a few 6 leakers around here that are grenaded. Found a 06 but it was a dually and I don't need that. Most can be had under 4K. I think that would be the perfect truck other than the noise. CJ

A VE pump 12v is fairly quiet. Even a p7100 is quieter than a 7.3 or a cold start 6.0.