Jay Flight 29QBS and Ram 2500 question

[trailerCaptain]

Planning on purchasing 2013 2500HD 5.7L CNG and 2016 Jay Flight 29QBS(7000#Empty/9500#Gross).

I have a 70 mile one way commute, sometimes 120 miles. Looking to get the best of both words in terms of a commuter/tow vehicle. I plan to use the 18GGE natural gas option for commuting and using regular gas for towing on the weekends. Max towing on CNG is advertised as 7650# and ~11000# on gasoline. The truck has an optional 35 gallon gasoline tank. I probably don't need to bring my extensive gold bar collection with me camping so I don't expect to be anywhere near 9500#.

The wife won't give up her SUV for a truck. A third vehicle and new wife isn't in the budget. Please poke holes in my plan as you see fit.

[certified106]

How far do you plan to routinely tow the RV to camp on weekends?

[trailerCaptain]

Mainly to local beach sites, typically <100 miles. But would like to plan some longer trips in the future.

[spoon059]

Good combo. I have a Tundra pulling my 29QS and am looking to upgrade my tow vehicle to a 2500 Ram.


My question is why not consider diesel? Yu will likely get MUCH better mileage with diesel than with a 5.7 gas, towing and empty.

[trailerCaptain]

I've considered diesel but the truck will be used for commuting 95% of the time. Diesel trucks also are considerably more cost for moderate increase in efficiency. Fuelly average for the 2500 5.7L is ~17mpg. My city has a CNG station that sells for $1.85/GGE (gas gallon equivalent). Also planning to install an at home fueling device

[Edd505]

What kind of mileage with GGE? Diesel is about .10 a gallon higher than reg. gas, so $3.00 a tank more per fill, but the diesels out pulls gas. Diesel engine will cost more when your buying but you'll get more when you sell. It took one time pulling with diesel and I'd never go back to gas. Got a buddy with a diesel, try pulling you TT with it and you see for yourself.

[cekkk]

ED505, "Diesel is about .10 a gallon higher than reg. gas, so $3.00 a tank more per fill, but the diesels out pulls gas."
OP is in SoCal, which I take to be southern California. I'm getting regular gas prices in LA/Long Beach around $3.65 and $3.86 for premium. $3.17 for diesel! Here in Colorado diesel was several cents below regular until recently when the two are about even. Have to say, I think this is the first time diesel has been cheaper than gas since my first diesel, way back in 1980. Of course, it probably depends on where you live. I was in Metro D.C. and now Colorado. But saw the same in my travels. That might make an oil burner more attractive to OP, especially with a long commute.

[trailerCaptain]

My current commuter car is a diesel and yes diesel is cheaper right now, been pretty nice. I don't expect that to continue in the long term.

CNG vehicles prices are down right now due to relatively low gasoline prices. Once I get a CNG pump installed at home ill be paying the equivalent of $0.50-$0.75 on my monthly gas bill.

[spoon059]

17 mpgs is pretty good for a gasser. I am thinking about a Ram 2500 myself to pull my 29QBS. Reviews I have read for the 5.7 were poor, poor, poor mileage. 7-9 pulling the camper and averaging 15 unloaded.


Since I have to come out of pocket to upgrade my truck, I didn't want to get worse mileage. That really led me to look at the diesels. Used diesels are a couple thousand more, but 50% better towing mileage (12-14) and a couple mpg better highway (17ish) led me to believe it was worth it.


Either way, hope you like your truck. Keep us posted how everything is working out!