Looking at changing tow vehicle

olddude1970 · 03-02-2019, 10:32 PM

TT is a 2018 Hummingbird 16 MRB, so not all that heavy.

Currently have a 2006 GMC Sierra half ton with 293+k miles on it. Thinking about a newer (than what we have) 3/4 ton for now and future TT's.

Gas or diesel?

Current trips will more than likely be on the shorter side but getting close to retirement so that will change.

Any input and experiences will be appreciated.

Vasquez Kid · 03-02-2019, 11:02 PM

Hey Oldude1970,

This is pretty wide-open. Do you think that you'd go with a bigger camper and use it more once you retire?

Personally I'd like to buy more and bigger hardware but I'm just not there yet

olddude1970 · 03-02-2019, 11:09 PM

It is open, not quite sure how to phrase it.

More traveling initially, but want to make sure if we move up to a larger TT we won't have to upgrade the TV at the same time...don't have that kind of scratch lol

Vasquez Kid · 03-02-2019, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olddude1970

It is open, not quite sure how to phrase it.

More traveling initially, but want to make sure if we move up to a larger TT we won't have to upgrade the TV at the same time...don't have that kind of scratch lol

If I were to shoot from the hip I'd say that it seems like you are content with your trailer but the truck has a lot of mikes on it - but at the same time money is tight.

Consider a newer, lower mileage, gasser for now. Is it a daily driver? If so go with another 1/2 ton. Otherwise take your time and watch for a 3/4 ton gasser at a great price. Sounds like time is on your side.

Then buy the new(er) camper right before you retire.

olddude1970 · 03-02-2019, 11:35 PM

It would not be a daily driver so a little more leway there.

I have been watching both gasers and diesels. Actually just missed a chevy 2500hd gaser by a day. It was a good price too.

I guess the question is for those who have towed with both. Which was/is preferred and why.

robkelly · 03-03-2019, 06:14 AM

Go for the 3/4, that way you don't have to worry about going bigger with your next TT, and you'll likely have a better towing experience with your current rig too. Granted we we're close to the maximums on our 1/2T, but I noticed a huge change when we went to 3/4. You also don't want to make the same mistake we did of not going big enough - went 1/2 to 3/4 to 1 Ton within a year and a half.

I never had a bad experience with a gasser, but having towed with both, I will never go back to gas. Yes there are increased initial and maintenance costs for a diesel, bit IMHO they are worth it for the power and mileage benefits they give you. The exhaust brake is another fantastic benefit of the diesel. It's a personal thing, and I know they are designed for it, but I can't stand hearing a gas engine running at 3 - 4k RPM while pulling a hill.

jasum · 03-03-2019, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robkelly

Go for the 3/4, that way you don't have to worry about going bigger with your next TT, and you'll likely have a better towing experience with your current rig too. Granted we we're close to the maximums on our 1/2T, but I noticed a huge change when we went to 3/4. You also don't want to make the same mistake we did of not going big enough - went 1/2 to 3/4 to 1 Ton within a year and a half.

I never had a bad experience with a gasser, but having towed with both, I will never go back to gas. Yes there are increased initial and maintenance costs for a diesel, bit IMHO they are worth it for the power and mileage benefits they give you. The exhaust brake is another fantastic benefit of the diesel. It's a personal thing, and I know they are designed for it, but I can't stand hearing a gas engine running at 3 - 4k RPM while pulling a hill.

X2 what Rob said

jbrnigan · 03-03-2019, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robkelly

I never had a bad experience with a gasser, but having towed with both, I will never go back to gas. Yes there are increased initial and maintenance costs for a diesel, bit IMHO they are worth it for the power and mileage benefits they give you. The exhaust brake is another fantastic benefit of the diesel. It's a personal thing, and I know they are designed for it, but I can't stand hearing a gas engine running at 3 - 4k RPM while pulling a hill.

x3.....mine is 3/4 ton

redsnapper · 03-03-2019, 08:00 AM

Pulling a 24' TT (6000#) with a F150 and the 5.0 V-8 was fine on relatively flat ground.
Ascending a grade was quite another.

That motor struggled up a grade....kicking down into 3rd gear and spinning at 3700-3800 RPM.

Now I have the 06 Dodge Ram with a 5.9 Cummins
.
Night and day difference in power. Rarely downshifts on a mild grade.

Plus the bonus of getting 22-23 MPH when not towing.

The overall feeling is better with a 3/4 ton....I feel the truck is in more control than the trailer.....especially when the wind is blowing from the side.

With a smaller trailer, a gasser 1/2 ton will get it done just fine.

RedHorse1 · 03-03-2019, 08:45 AM

Olddude, you don’t say how big you might want to go. We started with a 5k tow bumper pull to see if trailering was going to interest us. It must have because we jumped to a 5th that scales almost 13k. After about a year pulling the little trailer we’d set our sights on a 5th and I’d narrowed it down to a few models. Looking at the weights I decided a 1T diesel was my better choice. Was still working but could see retirement in 2-3 years. We pulled with the new truck about another year before trading for the 5th we decided on.
My point is: give some thought to how big you might go and upgrade the TV accordingly.

Lake Huron · 03-03-2019, 11:36 AM

My adage, go big or go home. However, not everyone can afford to go big in one jump.
When I had my house built I poured concrete along side the garage and an apron up the side of the driveway for parking of my utility trailer and a vehicle. I never imagined that 15 years and 5 trailers later, would have a 44' 5th wheel parked there and had to make the apron longer at one point, and later, bust out a good portion of the apron and make it even longer yet. I guess those are what's called growing pains.

As far as my tow vehicle, I quit playing with 1/2 ton trucks 20 years ago and went to a 3/4 diesel. The 1/2 ton just wasnt getting the job done for me. My 3/4 diesel was a dodge and we outgrew the cab. The rest of the truck can still pull a house off its foundation if needed. So, I upgraded to a true crew cab and decided on a dually. All my truck does is pull my 5th wheel and I have other vehicles for daily drivers.
Even today the 1/2 tons have more power and can pull more including some light 5th wheels.
Remember, there's no replacement for displacement.
Ford says its V6 twin turbo EcoBoost engine makes X horsepower, can pull XX amount, bla, bla, bla.. Whatever. I'm not bashing it by any means, but, do you want to pull or do you want to PULL? My company truck is an F-450 with a V10 in it. That truck tips the scale at 12,800. I can barely break 8mpg on the highway. It has some decent pulling power for a gasser. Honestly, I think GM has probably the best gas powertrain out there with their 6.2l. It's been out for a few years, reliable, gets pretty good mpg empty and pulling and has good power. If you step into the diesel class, that's where you can hook up to pretty much anything and pull it. I wouldn't hook up to a fully loaded 53' semi trailer and pull it, but a 1/3 loaded one I would. Sounds insane but that basically what these big 5th wheels are.
A lot depends on what and how often you are going to pull as to what truck you need. Either way, if you upgrade and get a bigger gas truck and outgrow it, the resale value on trucks right now is absolutely nuts. You can sell it/trade it without losing a bunch and upgrade again to a bigger truck.

Riverman · 03-03-2019, 12:00 PM

Go Diesel or go home... I tried a 2500 gas guzzler and it had to go.

The last truck I'll own is my 2006 Dodge 2500 Mega cab with 5.9 Cummins diesel.

TCNashville · 03-03-2019, 01:24 PM

I would not own one of todays diesels out of warranty, too scary.

olddude1970 · 03-03-2019, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCNashville

I would not own one of todays diesels out of warranty, too scary.

Unless you have a lot of disposable income or deep pockets what choice do you have other than something that is out of warranty for either gas or diesel? New prices are way over my pay grade.

Riverman · 03-03-2019, 01:54 PM

I like my out of warranty diesel... What would scare me would be pulling into a GAS station every few hours.

TCNashville · 03-03-2019, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olddude1970

Unless you have a lot of disposable income or deep pockets what choice do you have other than something that is out of warranty for either gas or diesel? New prices are way over my pay grade.

I would look for a used, low mileage pre emission diesel such as Riverman has or a 3/4 ton gasser which would be easier to find. A used gas engine will be far cheaper to repair than any diesel power plant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverman

I like my out of warranty diesel... What would scare me would be pulling into a GAS station every few hours.

Agreed but with diesel fuel prices running 30% more per gallon on average than unleaded, the cost of operation is almost a wash.

Riverman · 03-03-2019, 02:31 PM

I've had two gas rigs and now a 5.9 diesel. The diesel wins...

olddude1970 · 03-03-2019, 04:26 PM

I have the possibility of picking up a 2010 F350 dully. Real clean inside and out. 182k miles, 11900.00 aksing price. Has the 6.4 diesel. Doing some research on it now...way more truck than I need right now, but would pull anything we change to later

TCNashville · 03-03-2019, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olddude1970

I have the possibility of picking up a 2010 F350 dully. Real clean inside and out. 182k miles, 11900.00 aksing price. Has the 6.4 diesel. Doing some research on it now...

Please do a lot of research on the 6.4, it has a history of being somewhat problematic. Read some stuff here.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum169/

**Midnightmoon** · 03-03-2019, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olddude1970

I have the possibility of picking up a 2010 F350 dully. Real clean inside and out. 182k miles, 11900.00 aksing price. Has the 6.4 diesel. Doing some research on it now...way more truck than I need right now, but would pull anything we change to later

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCNashville

Please do a lot of research on the 6.4, it has a history of being somewhat problematic. Read some stuff here.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum169/

Good advice here. Take it from someone who has been privileged to work on diesels from all manufacturers over the last 20 years. Avoid the 6.4L. At 182K, it is already on borrowed time. There is a reason why it is so cheap.

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