Seeking feedback- Gas tow vehicles

[Tail_gunner]

Thinking about a new truck. But with the outlandish cost of the diesel option, I want to get some feedback from those towing with gas engines.

I'm leaning towards a 2019 or 2020 Ram 1 ton. From what I've seen, the 1 ton has the solid rear axle, the 3/4 has an independent one. Please spare me the 'you should get a XXX brand truck' comments. I've had both of the other major brands and seen enough to know they all have short comings.

I'd get the optional larger gas engine. As much as I'd like a diesel again, I don't know if I can justify the $9000+ list price of that option.

So for those who tow a 5er with a gasser, what are your thoughts? What do you get for MPG roughly?

We have a Eagle HT 29.5 FBDS and a fish & ski boat we pull behind that for a combined weight of around 13,000 lbs.

[NewBlackDak]

The 2500 still has a solid rear axle(it’s actually the same axle as the 3500), just coil springs instead of leaves. The newer body style has an 8-speed with the 6.4, which should be an awesome combo. I think they’re rated around 17K. Mine is an older 6.4 with the poorly matched 6-speed. I have towed my rig(closer to 8K) all over UT, CO, NM, WY, and ID. I’ve towed over 10K with cars, and it has done fine. I love my truck, and it’s plenty capable.

However, 13K fiver is diesel territory unless you’re in flat terrain all the time. I can’t imagine climbing over a pass towing that much weight with the air resistance of a fifth wheel.

[Big1]

If you can wait Ford is coming out with the 7.3 gas engine it should be a game changer, I had the 2500 6.4L gas engine with the 4.10 gears the 5th wheel that I had which was around 11,000 lbs or a little more. We went to Vegas which is about a 1500 miles there I was getting on the flat land around 9 to 10 mpg but in the mountains I got around 7 to 8 mpg so either way you go it will be around or close to what I was getting.

[norty1]

God forbid my F350 PSD dies on me.
I will likely look hard at the 7.3 Gasser but I like to wait a year or two on a new engine to get the bugs out.

I have been looking at the specs on the Ford gassers now in service and I don't think they would be happy pulling my fiver. Loaded at around 13k with 2.8k tongue wt.

I get nightmares thinking about having to buy a even a used diesel.

I have no brand loyalty, just used to what I have but I would look around and what could do the job.

[DonaandDon]

Had a 08 Tundra SR5, pulled a 30' 5r to Arizona one year. Had some head wind for a day or two. I thought we would never get out of 4th gear (@7/8mpg). Now we have a 15 F-250 diesel, been to South Padre Island three times and I hardly see boost over 2 @ 12mpg.

Life may serve you lemons but you should never have to struggle with a truck.

The learning curve was, don't buy a truck to fit the RV. You will most likely out grow the RV and need a bigger/stronger truck.

[poohbear]

I've towed with big gas engines for many a year but after going deisal back in 2003, no way I would go back to gas. Having all the torque at low rpm compared to non-turbo gas engines ( about 1800 on my Dmax ) just works better, imho .

[PlayersZ28]

I tow with a 3500 Chev DMax. Total weight is 24,xxx#. We do 10,000mi over the winter going to the SW. Not sure I'd want to run in the mountains with this weight and no diesel. I can go down a 6% without using the brakes (engine braking) and accelerate up a 6% all while getting an avg 11.5mpg over the winter (10-12 towing, 20+ empty).

[RipinSC]

I pull a 321RSTS with a GMC 2500 gas. Pulls great with no problems. Avg MPG when towing is 7.

[Midnightmoon]

Tail_gunner, what is your current tow vehicle? I can't see your signature from my phone.

[tjwoles]

This has nothing to do with the ability to tow and fuel mileage, but from a female perspective it is a lot easier to find a fuel island that will accommodate both the truck and 5th wheel. We traded in our travel trailer and F150 for a 5th wheel and F350 diesel and it has made fuel stops so much easier. That is a big price tag to pay for a little added convenience though.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

Tail_gunner, what is your current tow vehicle? I can't see your signature from my phone.

From his sig:

FAA licensed A&P aircraft mechanic, ex-RV dealer parts dept
Retired B-52 Gunner/Flight Examiner, B-52 Crew Chief

2016 Jayco Eagle HT 29.5 FBDS w/ 15,000 BTU AC, 50 amp service, upgraded counter top, thermal pane windows, elec. stab jacks, outside grill, backup camera and MORryde pin box.

2011 GMC 2500HD DURAMAX/ ALLISON


Did that help?

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

From his sig:

FAA licensed A&P aircraft mechanic, ex-RV dealer parts dept
Retired B-52 Gunner/Flight Examiner, B-52 Crew Chief

2016 Jayco Eagle HT 29.5 FBDS w/ 15,000 BTU AC, 50 amp service, upgraded counter top, thermal pane windows, elec. stab jacks, outside grill, backup camera and MORryde pin box.

2011 GMC 2500HD DURAMAX/ ALLISON


Did that help?

Thanks. It does help.

There isn't a current HD Gasser on the market that would have difficulty handling a HT 29.5, even when pulling doubles when adding that boat. I don't believe it will have the same feel as a Duramax, but will get the job done when needed.

With that said, I have to agree with the previous poster, fueling that rig, especially when pulling doubles, may be the biggest challenge when moving to a gas powered truck. Truck lanes are out of the question, leaving you with dedicated RV lanes or standard pumps as your option. Not impossible, but it is noteworthy when making this kind if decision.

[2nOZ]

Originally Posted by Tail_gunner

Thinking about a new truck. But with the outlandish cost of the diesel option, I want to get some feedback from those towing with gas engines.

I'm leaning towards a 2019 or 2020 Ram 1 ton. From what I've seen, the 1 ton has the solid rear axle, the 3/4 has an independent one. Please spare me the 'you should get a XXX brand truck' comments. I've had both of the other major brands and seen enough to know they all have short comings.

I'd get the optional larger gas engine. As much as I'd like a diesel again, I don't know if I can justify the $9000+ list price of that option.

So for those who tow a 5er with a gasser, what are your thoughts? What do you get for MPG roughly?

We have a Eagle HT 29.5 FBDS and a fish & ski boat we pull behind that for a combined weight of around 13,000 lbs.

We’ve been pulling our 28.5 RSTS (10,000 lbs) with our F250, 6.2l gasser with 4.3 gears for a year and a half. We generally stay east of the Rockies. Going against a stiff south wind we see 7 mpg and with a tailwind we see 11 mpg. For the most part we average 8-9 mpg day in and day out. For what we do, it’s a good match.

[kayakterp]

I don’t have a 5er and my TT probably weighs about 7,500 lbs when loaded.
I average about 8MPG when pulling and about 12 MPG unloaded if I drive the speed limit with my 6.2 L gasser F-250 with 3:73 gears
I have not had it in real mountains like the Rockies yet but a bit in KY mountains

[OCBray]

We have a Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi gasser. Pulls our Eagle 321rsts 5er just fine. We average 8 to 9 mpg. We upgraded the gear sets to 4:56. This made a night and day difference with the truck. My only complaint is the 33 gallon fuel tank. I’ve seen some after market larger tanks that may be a future upgrade.

[RetiredLEO]

Originally Posted by Big1

If you can wait Ford is coming out with the 7.3 gas engine it should be a game changer.

X2

[Tail_gunner]

Thanks for all the input.

My issue with my current 2011 Duramax is the paint job is deteriorating at an accelerating pace. All the winter road salt here in da U.P. is hell on vehicles. And to make things worse, it's white which my usual body shop says is the worst color for some reason when it comes to paint degradation.

So I'm pondering my options, find out how much a paint job costs, or just get a different truck. In about 2 years, I'll be retiring and won't be driving back & forth to work anymore. So a new truck will last me longer than I'll last for the truck.

[WayneTaylor]

Tail gunnner;
Where are you located in the up? We vacation there every year, Engadine area. We will be there from Mid July to late Sept. this year.

[TonyCO]

I just bought a 2018 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L. I haven’t towed with it, but compared to my 2014 F150 Ecoboost this new one is a dog. I wanted the 3/4 ton because I knew the F150 was always maxed out. Our travel trailer GVWR is 7,500lbs. We live at about 6,400ft and always camp higher. Just driving this new truck around town without towing has me missing the twin turbos. I couldn’t justify the diesel price, so I’m happy with my purchase, but like I said I already know this thing is a dog compared to the Ecoboost. If I was towing anything more than my travel trailer I think I could justify the diesel. If I had a fiver it would be a no brainer for me.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by TonyCO

I just bought a 2018 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L. I haven’t towed with it, but compared to my 2014 F150 Ecoboost this new one is a dog. I wanted the 3/4 ton because I knew the F150 was always maxed out. Our travel trailer GVWR is 7,500lbs. We live at about 6,400ft and always camp higher. Just driving this new truck around town without towing has me missing the twin turbos. I couldn’t justify the diesel price, so I’m happy with my purchase, but like I said I already know this thing is a dog compared to the Ecoboost. If I was towing anything more than my travel trailer I think I could justify the diesel. If I had a fiver it would be a no brainer for me.

These are interesting comments that I can relate to. I personally have a Cummins Ram and a 3.5L Ecoboost F150. My wife daily drives a Ram 1500. Getting in to hers after driving mine all the time, I'm absolutely miserable. I can't stand how lazy it is on comparison. This week, she is driving the F150 while we attempt to fix her HVAC system yet again, and I'll have a hard time getting it back from her when her truck is fixed.

If you would have asked me 10 years ago what my dream truck would be, I would have said a Ford Super Duty with a Cummins swap. Today it would be if Ford would offer the 3.5L Ecoboost 10-speed combo in the Super Duty line. I'd be all over one in a heartbeat.