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Old 11-27-2021, 10:50 AM   #1
linux3
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Which Truck

We are getting close to a change.
I like the GD https://www.granddesignrv.com/showro...oorplans/226rk.
Sorry Keystoners....
Anyway the claim is you can pull it with an F150.
We all know this is silly. I'm looking at a 2500HD Diesel or gasser.
I'm thinking gasser.
It's the 6.6L.
I test drove both and the gasser is $9000.00m cheaper.
The gasser is an LTZ double cab in the same blue as what I have and I like it.
The diesel is black.

I'm looking at 10K GVWR. Will the fuel usage make up for the difference in price?

We use to wander all over the mid west and put aroud 10K miles on our travels.
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Old 11-27-2021, 12:06 PM   #2
JRTJH
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Let's do a little math and see what comes up....

Most diesel trucks towing that type/size trailer will average about 11 MPG.
Most gas trucks towing that trailer will average around 8.5 MPG (maybe a tad more)...

So towing/driving the new truck 10K miles a year, the diesel would use 909 gallons of fuel and the gas truck would use 1176 gallons of gas.

So, the gas truck would use around 267 gallons more. At around $3.50 per gallon, that's an annual added cost of $934 for each 10,000 miles.

So, if the cost of operating both trucks was similar, towing performance is acceptable to you for either rig, and all other maintenance/repair costs are considered equal, it would take you roughly 9.6 years to absorb the increased cost of the diesel.

Considering that most people finance a truck for 60 months, you'll be financing around $9,000 less, lower payments, less interest and probably less taxes as well.

So, if you're OK with the performance of the gas truck and don't need a diesel, you'll have significantly more payload capacity with the gas engine, and not have as much "fretting about being overloaded"..... Now, if you look at 1 ton trucks, that payload issue with a 3/4 ton diesel is a mute point....

We bought our 3/4 ton diesel at a time when the 1 ton models were too tall to fit in our garage. Given the hassles that I've had trying to stay under my GVWR, at this point, if I do buy a new truck, it'll be a 1 ton and I'll rebuild the garage doors if I have to. I won't buy a new 3/4 ton diesel and continue this BS of always towing "at or almost at GVWR"....
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Old 11-27-2021, 12:39 PM   #3
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Love my Ram with the Cummins, but I love GMCs more. But couldn't find anything bigger than a half ton GMC in October of 2020.

Yes the diesel adds $9000 - $9500 to the price and that engine is heavy. My payload is on 2097#. I weighed my rig at CAT scales last month when headed to a campground by myself. I was 200# over payload. So I have a 2022 GMC 3500 SRW on order.

If you plan to tow in the mountains, I recommend a diesel. The diesel engines are towing beasts.
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Old 11-27-2021, 04:29 PM   #4
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Get the biggest DRW in your favorite brand. That way your set for the future.

FWIW, I worked at a GD dealer and the 150 series isn’t really that light.
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Old 11-27-2021, 05:44 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
Get the biggest DRW in your favorite brand. That way your set for the future.

FWIW, I worked at a GD dealer and the 150 series isn’t really that light.
LOL, but not really bad advice.

The truth is a 2500 gas will likely have enough payload for that 5er. If you want a diesel get at least a 350/3500 SRW, for payload. In reasonable trim level will likely be in the 4,000#+ range.
You might soon want a larger 5er, and the cost difference between a 250/2500 and a 350/3500 SRW is minimal.
To Chuckster’s comment on a DRW, it is only about a $1,300 upgrade on Ram.
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Old 11-28-2021, 09:14 AM   #6
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If I buy, whatever I buy will be the last of it.
At my age I really don't see RV'ing much more than another 5 years.
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Old 12-01-2021, 11:33 AM   #7
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Well, after much thought, talk and testing....
I really like my Silverado 1500 and our Passport is good because we can manage city streets and places of interest.
Did I ever tell you about the time I parallel parked in Roanoke?
Or Zanesville Ohio so we could walk the "Y" bridge?
BTW if you are ever near Zanesville you gotta see the Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio.

Anyway, everything is paid for and we have had way to many good times.
As "The Cars" said, Let the good times roll.
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Old 12-01-2021, 11:54 AM   #8
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Having stuff “paid off” is much better than thinking about how many more payments.
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Old 12-01-2021, 04:01 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by linux3 View Post
Well, after much thought, talk and testing....
I really like my Silverado 1500 and our Passport is good because we can manage city streets and places of interest.
Did I ever tell you about the time I parallel parked in Roanoke?
Or Zanesville Ohio so we could walk the "Y" bridge?
BTW if you are ever near Zanesville you gotta see the Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio.

Anyway, everything is paid for and we have had way to many good times.
As "The Cars" said, Let the good times roll.
Well can’t argue with that choice, will say I have also parallel parked a GN horse trailer with our Ram 2500 5 speed stick.
A lot of it is about comfort level.
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Old 12-01-2021, 04:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by linux3 View Post
Well, after much thought, talk and testing....
I really like my Silverado 1500 and our Passport is good because we can manage city streets and places of interest.
Did I ever tell you about the time I parallel parked in Roanoke?
Or Zanesville Ohio so we could walk the "Y" bridge?
BTW if you are ever near Zanesville you gotta see the Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio.

Anyway, everything is paid for and we have had way to many good times.
As "The Cars" said, Let the good times roll.

There is a lot to be said for having something smaller and maneuverable. I did for many years and loved the ability to go into tight spaces, streets etc. It was always fun but I would suggest one never try doing the square in Santa Fe NM with a 25' trailer in tow behind a LB truck - out of pure ignorance. Thank goodness for CBs back then and the help I received to get out - and it was late at night.

Lot to be said for larger trailers; we each make that call to match our needs - there is not a wrong choice.
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Old 12-02-2021, 04:32 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by linux3 View Post
Well, after much thought, talk and testing....
I really like my Silverado 1500 and our Passport is good because we can manage city streets and places of interest.
Did I ever tell you about the time I parallel parked in Roanoke?
Or Zanesville Ohio so we could walk the "Y" bridge?
BTW if you are ever near Zanesville you gotta see the Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio.

Anyway, everything is paid for and we have had way to many good times.
As "The Cars" said, Let the good times roll.
I like things with a "zero balance" as well. I got over the "must have the latest and greatest" or the "new shiney thing" years ago. For our use it works. It's a personal choice for everyone.

As for parallel parking I've done it a few times with our rig (a little over 50' with a turning radius of a football field) and it wasn't tooooo bad. Obviously I won't find many streets with enough open spaces but we have camped in a few campgrounds where the site was oriented that way. It's something that I suggest anyone should practice with any trailer just like backing up,straight over distances greater than the length of the rig, and backing into spaces at different angles. One day it will come in handy and it's far better to have experienced it before you get into a place where it's required.
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Old 12-04-2021, 08:13 PM   #12
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Practice practice practice! Most of us professional drivers do these maneuvers daily but not everyone gets it. It can be entertaining or frustrating to watch some of the drivers at truck stops backing into a parking spot! Parallel parking used to be mandatory on the CDL A test but I'm pretty sure they've dumbed it down. (and it shows!)
My rigs.
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Old 12-05-2021, 04:19 AM   #13
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Jeff, We may have to have a little 'talk' with you concerning that bull bar on the front and the effect on your cargo capacity!
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Old 12-05-2021, 07:59 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
I like things with a "zero balance" as well. I got over the "must have the latest and greatest" or the "new shiney thing" years ago. For our use it works. It's a personal choice for everyone.

As for parallel parking I've done it a few times with our rig (a little over 50' with a turning radius of a football field) and it wasn't tooooo bad. Obviously I won't find many streets with enough open spaces but we have camped in a few campgrounds where the site was oriented that way. It's something that I suggest anyone should practice with any trailer just like backing up,straight over distances greater than the length of the rig, and backing into spaces at different angles. One day it will come in handy and it's far better to have experienced it before you get into a place where it's required.

I have a neighbor lol

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It was a good chuckle to watch.

Practice practice practice lol



As to the opp. Do we get to see a picture of the new tow pig and trailer?
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Old 12-05-2021, 08:07 AM   #15
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I have a neighbor lol

Attachment 37375
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It was a good chuckle to watch.

Practice practice practice lol



As to the opp. Do we get to see a picture of the new tow pig and trailer?
I hate my utility trailer (4' x 8' tilt bed). I rather back in the 35 1/2' travel trailer into the driveway anytime vs the utility trailer.
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Old 12-05-2021, 08:30 AM   #16
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I hate my utility trailer (4' x 8' tilt bed). I rather back in the 35 1/2' travel trailer into the driveway anytime vs the utility trailer.

I have a little motorcycle trailer just like that, slow and steady does it, worst part is it’s low and you can’t see it in a mirror.

I hand walk it a lot of the time
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Old 12-05-2021, 08:48 AM   #17
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..........gasser is $9000.00m cheaper...........Will the fuel usage make up for the difference in price? We use to wander all over the mid west and put aroud 10K miles on our travels.
Assuming 5 mpg fuel consumption difference at $5/gal then yes. Personnaly, I like a diesel tow vehicle.......more torque, exhaust brake, better fuel economy, longer distance between refuling and longer lasting engine.
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Old 12-05-2021, 08:53 AM   #18
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My sister has one of those “1/2 ton towable” Grand Design fifth wheels. But as their tow vehicle is a 2500 diesel I can’t attest to the towability of a 150 or 1500.
At one time I had a Keystone Cougar “X-lite” that wasn’t quite extra light with a length of 36 feet end to end. My old and trusty 2500 Dodge cummins struggled in the mountains pulling that trailer.
So, we upgraded the truck to a 3500 SRW Ram Cummins HO with Aisin transmission. No regrets and it pulled that Cougar with no problem.
But, now that we had an adequate truck why not upgrade the trailer, so, off we go and bought a Grand Design Solitude 310GK. And the truck handles that quite well including travels through the Rockies and the passes.

Bottom line is I wouldn’t attempt to pull a fifth wheel with a 1/2 ton regardless of what the sales critters say. I see too many rigs being pulled by too little tow vehicles (I live in the vicinity of 3 national parks).

I advise getting a larger truck to err on the side of safety. That 1/2 truck may be adequate in towing the unladen 5th wheel but you could be pushing the limits of the truck.

And the best truck to tow with? It is the one you bought.
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Old 12-05-2021, 09:03 AM   #19
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Either of the GMC / Chev diesel/gas trucks will retain their resale value, they are probably at the top of used truck list. 5 years from now they will fetch you a good dollar, it goes without saying maintenance is key.
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Old 12-05-2021, 09:04 AM   #20
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If your towing long distances diesel for sure
I’ve towed with gassers for nearly 28 years
And now I have a cummins with a rather light 12K lb. gross fifthwheel and it is so quiet power is unmatched and fuel is 11-15 mpg towing at 68 mph. And I get 24 mpg empty highway of course. Payload for the truck is 2700lbs pin is 1200 plus hitch 2000.
I did add air bags just to ride level. Best towing ever
I would preferr a 3500 but not one to be found at a reasonable price. Likely we will down size in. A couple years and upsize the truck maybe
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