Seeking feedback- Gas tow vehicles

[kenc.main]

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Just throwing it out there. You'll get your diesel option money back on trade on.

Not really, you pay 9k more upfront so the resale opinion is mute. Plus the added expense to operate and maintain, my calculation shows it as a loss unless you tow constantly for over 200k miles, then it is a break even (Excel is a great number crunching tool)

[RipinSC]

Another fact is today’s gas engines have increased towing power. Trailer life magazine had a good article showing that today’s gas engines are equal to what a diesel was 5 to 7 years ago. They also compared the cost difference for maintenance and added cost for diesel fuel over gas. The key is make sure you do not exceed the towing capacity of your truck with what ever engine you go with.

[Gunslinger]

Originally Posted by kenc.main

Not really, you pay 9k more upfront so the resale opinion is mute. Plus the added expense to operate and maintain, my calculation shows it as a loss unless you tow constantly for over 200k miles, then it is a break even (Excel is a great number crunching tool)

You are correct Excel is a wonderful numbers crunching tool. But it works a lot better if you're not entering fictitious what if's.
I get a kick out of the responses that say "I've crunched the numbers," or "I read an article." The fact is, you don't know squat if you ain't owned both a gasser and a diesel.

[Nolan]

I think most of the gas engines in more recent HD trucks have excellent longevity. One thing eluded to at the beginning was fueling with a trailer.... I recently installed a 60 gallon auxiliary tank for my 6.7 Ram 3500 and we are loving it. It is so convenient to drive all day and not worry about finding a gas station, we just pull in rest stops where it is easy to get in and out of. I know to get auxiliary fuel tanks rated for gasoline usually cost quite a bit more.

[specialK]

13k is going to take you very close to out of the gasser options. 6.4 with the 4:10 is good for 14k tow rating - that's awfully close. You're at that level where I say go diesel.

I just had the same issue. Luckily, mine is only 8500 dry (same fifth wheel) but no boat, so the 6.4 diesel worked out for me. Same thing, though, I didn't want to spend the extra for the diesel or buy an older diesel...

[OCBray]

Originally Posted by Nolan

I think most of the gas engines in more recent HD trucks have excellent longevity. One thing eluded to at the beginning was fueling with a trailer.... I recently installed a 60 gallon auxiliary tank for my 6.7 Ram 3500 and we are loving it. It is so convenient to drive all day and not worry about finding a gas station, we just pull in rest stops where it is easy to get in and out of. I know to get auxiliary fuel tanks rated for gasoline usually cost quite a bit more.

Who did you get your auxiliary tank thru? Or is it the usual diesel bed tank?

[Nolan]

Originally Posted by OCBray

Who did you get your auxiliary tank thru? Or is it the usual diesel bed tank?

It is in the bed and plumbs into the fill neck. I actually got it through camping world when they had a good sale. Ended up installing it myself and only took an hour or so.

[cariboocreek]

Diesel....

[specialK]

I'm not finding any tanks for regular fuel. Seems it's more flammable than diesel, maybe?

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by specialK

I'm not finding any tanks for regular fuel. Seems it's more flammable than diesel, maybe?

I believe the available larger tanks for gasoline tanks mount where the factory tanks mount, but hold more than the factory tank(s).

'Back in the day' when I bought my auxiliary in-bed diesel fuel tank, in-bed gasoline tanks were not allowed by the DOT. It's likely that has not changed.

And, yes, gasoline is MUCH more flammable than diesel.

[KillerIsMe]

Originally Posted by GraftonGuns

Gunner, I have a 2016 F-350 Lariat Crew Cab with the 6.5' box, It's a gasser with the 6.2 liter engine. It is also my daily driver. I get 12-13 mpg combined. I have got over 13 on straight level road. Now, when I tow my 5er I average around 10 mpg combined. I can't see spending close to $10K for a stinky smelly Diesel. Oil changes are really expensive not to mention the cost of Diesel fuel plus the DEF additive. Yeah, They run at a lower rpm and have a lot of torque but, I'm happy with my Gasser....

We have the same set-up! Except my Ford is a 2017 XLT (not Lariat). Great minds...

Tom

[DDR]

Originally Posted by specialK

13k is going to take you very close to out of the gasser options. 6.4 with the 4:10 is good for 14k tow rating - that's awfully close. You're at that level where I say go diesel.

I just had the same issue. Luckily, mine is only 8500 dry (same fifth wheel) but no boat, so the 6.4 diesel worked out for me. Same thing, though, I didn't want to spend the extra for the diesel or buy an older diesel...

Ford Superduty with 6.2 and 4:30 gear can tow up to 15k. It is all about startabilty, once going all is the same with the 3:73 except for Hill climb. May drop a gear lower that the 4:30.

[Wire]

I pull with a 2017 6.2 gas F350 (4:30 gearing). I’ve got a 30.5MBOK 5th Wheel. Pulls just fine, I’ve been through The Rockies and often through the mountains in North Georgia and Tennessee. No trouble, no regrets, it is plenty powerful.

If I was to wish for a diesel, it would be for the range not the power. I can only go about 200 miles between gas stops while towing. But with four kids, pee stops usually come before that anyway.

[Joan617]

Originally Posted by Yooper906

That's a good point that has worked out well for me. Resale is great on diesel trucks.

We picked our truck after we bought the 5'er. 7 months a go, all I knew about trucks was from Jeff Foxworthy jokes. I picked our truck based on the math. Dodge dealer never paid attention to me the two times I went.


I'm told that the truck will likely outlive us and at least one knowledgeable truck owner said that I might get even more than I paid. If true then just dumb luck on my part.


Joan was furious when she saw the price tag. Then she drove it and said "Now I get it..."


-Angus

[Big1]

Originally Posted by Joan617

We picked our truck after we bought the 5'er. 7 months a go, all I knew about trucks was from Jeff Foxworthy jokes. I picked our truck based on the math. Dodge dealer never paid attention to me the two times I went.


I'm told that the truck will likely outlive us and at least one knowledgeable truck owner said that I might get even more than I paid. If true then just dumb luck on my part.


Joan was furious when she saw the price tag. Then she drove it and said "Now I get it..."


-Angus

Now that's what I'm talking about, I'm looking to get a new 1 ton but don't let my wife know, lol.

[Joan617]

Originally Posted by Big1

Now that's what I'm talking about, I'm looking to get a new 1 ton but don't let my wife know, lol.

Hah! I just related this to Joan and she said "Have her call me". She loves the truck and is good at driving it with the RV. Lucky for me, when I start talking about safety features such as TPMS, Air bags or Timberens, she will cut me off mid-sentence and just say "Buy it!". We have the 4 dogs and 4 cats in the truck and she values safety.


Now about that really really safe beer cooler....