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09-08-2014, 06:50 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: york
Posts: 8
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SUV or Truck...Diesel or Gas
I think that my v8 2002 ford explorer is getting tired and I'm in the market for a new vehicle to tow with. I have a 23 foot Jayco Travel Trailer that weights about 5,000 lbs. We like the Expedition but not sure if it can handle hills and we like the F250 Diesel but not sure if the mileage and price of diesel will work for us. Right now we're getting 8 to a gallon so I guess anything might be an improvement. I appreciate everyone's advice and opinion. Mark
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09-08-2014, 06:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 394
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I have no experience with a diesel, so I can't speak a lot on that. When you mention mileage, from all I have heard the diesel does get better mpg. I guess a lot of it depends on what your needs are and what you're hauling while camping.
For me, an SUV wouldn't work. We haul firewood, river tubes and other things that I wouldn't want inside of my vehicle. Not to mention, my truck is also my hunting vehicle when camping season is over. I have the 4 door with split bench seats front & back. That gives me a seating capacity of 6 with a good bit of leg room.
How many people are you hauling? And what kind of cargo?
__________________
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI
2̶0̶1̶4̶ ̶J̶a̶y̶ ̶F̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶X̶1̶9̶H̶
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09-08-2014, 07:00 PM
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#3
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Woodstock
Posts: 1,128
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first thing to ask yourself is How many times you hook on and go in a season and how many miles
An expedition shouldn't have any issues with that trailer but then will you be moving to something bigger,smaller????
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09-08-2014, 07:09 PM
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#4
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Woodstock
Posts: 1,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smarkey29
Right now we're getting 8 to a gallon so I guess anything might be an improvement. Mark
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If you are traveling 2000 miles a season and getting 8MPG that is 250 gallons or 900 dollars
a diesel may get 14MPG equals 142 gallons or roughly 550 dollars.....so you pay a premium of many thousands for even a use diesel to save maybe 350 dollars a year in fuel.....I would stick with gas
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09-08-2014, 07:26 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Berlin Center, Ohio
Posts: 195
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I have a 2013 F150 crew cab with ecoboost. I can't say enough about the interior comfort and the quality of the ride. The truck is just really fun to drive and I get around 19MPG as a daily driver and around 10-12MPG towing an X23B. Just my opinion, but I don't think you can justify the expense of a diesel for the load you're towing.
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09-08-2014, 07:30 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: york
Posts: 8
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Great point. I do like the diesel for the longevity but then again I guess a gas engine will last as long as you take care of it.
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09-08-2014, 07:32 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: york
Posts: 8
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Howie, I do like the idea of a truck because I cold use it to haul mulch and other stuff around the house. I noticed that the 4 door trucks are really roomy.
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09-08-2014, 07:34 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: york
Posts: 8
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NB Hybrid, We will keep this one for a while and hope to take it cross country in a few years before the girls outgrow camping. The math makes a lot of sense. Thanks!
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09-08-2014, 07:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 353
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Diesel pulls it better and gets better mpg. Doesn't downshift with a load on it at every hill. I've had both and doubt I would ever buy another gas truck. (I have a 2014 ram megacab 3500 cummins and interior room is cavernous and I still have a bed to haul things etc.). If you are trying to justify the cost if a diesel and if you get your money back....I can't help you there as some say you do at trade in some say you don't. I don't really care and was willing to pay the 8k price difference and higher maintenance costs going forward...it simply pulls loads better and more effortlessly and I love the smooth torque vs high rpm screaming. Ymmv
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2014 Ram 3500 SRW CTD
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09-08-2014, 07:36 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,206
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The age old questions.....
I dunno, but those Expeditions are tow beasts. If you're looking for a full size SUV that can actually grunt a little, Expys are hard to beat. They could tow that 5k without even breaking a sweat.
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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09-08-2014, 07:36 PM
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#11
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Woodstock
Posts: 1,128
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you really have to drive a ton of miles to even think of covering the costs of a diesel truck and only if it is trouble free as well. A major mechanical failure and you will never recoup the costs. Diesel is great if you need diesel but if you are keeping this size trailer for a long time stick with gas IMO..
Good luck have fun
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09-08-2014, 07:39 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,091
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In your situation you do not NEED a diesel. If you WANT one, that`s another matter.
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
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09-08-2014, 07:41 PM
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#13
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Woodstock
Posts: 1,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crabman
In your situation you do not NEED a diesel. If you WANT one, that`s another matter.
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X2..or can afford one sure why not.
If I win the lottery I am buying an F450 just for kicks to haul my hybrid
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09-08-2014, 07:50 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Spicewood, Texas
Posts: 913
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I'm a diesel only buyer, but you only need the Ecoboost ford. My son just traded his 2014 ford diesel for the Ecoboost. He tows a 6000# boat with no problems.
He had total problems with the ford 6.7. Found out lots folks having problems. If you get a diesel get a dodge.
__________________
2015 338RETS Eagle Premier gloss sides., king.
2012 Ram 3500, crew cab 4x4 duelly Deleted
16k miles, 530HP, 1000 +torque.
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09-08-2014, 07:52 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Northern CT
Posts: 223
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I like having an SUV when I'm in "dad-mode", driving the family around. I would prefer a truck for "fun-mode" like camping, fishing, biking. Unfortunately, camping is a very small slice of my time, so SUV wins. Luckily for us, there are many SUVs available that are capable tow vehicles.
__________________
2013 Jay Flight 26BH
2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 4x4
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09-08-2014, 08:04 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,206
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There's so much talk about "paying" for the increased cost of a diesel. People really struggle with the decision, but it's not really that hard. If you need a diesel to pull your rig, then that's how it is. Cost is not a factor, you shouldn't buy a diesel thinking you'll recoup the cost differential, you should buy one because you need it to haul with. Cars are not investments, they're tools, and you simply need the best tool for the job purchased at the best price. Beyond that, its just spending money. Unless you have crap tons of money, then the previous comment does not apply to you.
But there's no reason you need a diesel for 5000 lbs. it's simply not the best tool for the job.
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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09-08-2014, 08:13 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Home
Posts: 123
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I have truck and trailer noted below. The Ecoboost is a great engine, pulls well, and I don't get a lot of screaming RPM going up the hills here in WV. I too get 8 mpg cruising on the interstate in Tow/Haul at 64 mph. I'm am debating going to 2500 and then new 6.4 Hemi or used Cummins. For HD, I'm a Ram guy. I say go with the EcoBoost and put a cap or hard tonneau on it. I am a huge fan of hard coverage for the bed, and you can take it off for the things that won't fit.
Still undecided and will likely wait as camping season nearly over for us, but it is also year end clearance time, so good deals are out there.
__________________
2015 Ram 2500 Laramie, MegaCab, 6.4 Hemi with 4.10 with 131,200 miles (19 Aug 2023)
2019 Forest River Forester 3011 DS
2015 Jayflight 28 BHBE (sold)
Equalizer 14,000 lb hitch with 12,000 lb ball and arms (sold)
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09-08-2014, 08:16 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Home
Posts: 123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper_bob
There's so much talk about "paying" for the increased cost of a diesel. People really struggle with the decision, but it's not really that hard. If you need a diesel to pull your rig, then that's how it is. Cost is not a factor, you shouldn't buy a diesel thinking you'll recoup the cost differential, you should buy one because you need it to haul with. Cars are not investments, they're tools, and you simply need the best tool for the job purchased at the best price. Beyond that, its just spending money. Unless you have crap tons of money, then the previous comment does not apply to you.
But there's no reason you need a diesel for 5000 lbs. it's simply not the best tool for the job.
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AMEN!! Best response I have read, and I've read a lot on this debate over the past 2-3 weeks.
__________________
2015 Ram 2500 Laramie, MegaCab, 6.4 Hemi with 4.10 with 131,200 miles (19 Aug 2023)
2019 Forest River Forester 3011 DS
2015 Jayflight 28 BHBE (sold)
Equalizer 14,000 lb hitch with 12,000 lb ball and arms (sold)
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09-08-2014, 08:18 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southeast, NY
Posts: 1,113
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I completely agree with the point that the truck is a tool. If your future plans include a larger trailer, then it makes sense to oversize your tow vehicle now for the future. While it's not the absolute rule, but what I have seen is most people who have a diesel wouldn't go back to gas.
I've had both. I had a Hemi Durango with 2.92 gears (a very stout towing capacity) then towed that same trailer with an F250 Diesel. While the Durango's Hemi and 3.92 rear had more than enough power, the overall stability of the package was far from desirable, partially due to the short (119") wheel base and the tires.
After switching to the F250 Diesel, I pulled that camper for 1 more year then traded it in for a 5th Wheel. Even though my 6.0 has NOT been trouble free (Yes, they are expensive to repair) I will get another diesel when this one is completely spent. Next time though it'll be a Dodge!
So, like it's been said above, do you need a Diesel? Probably not, but if your future plans include a larger trailer OR you want one.... I've never regretted the diesel route
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Karl - Southeast, NY
2020 377 RLBH
2018 Ram 3500 Mega Limited 6.7L Cummins w/ Aisin
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09-08-2014, 08:23 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: White Rock, BC. Canada
Posts: 374
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I have a trailer of similar size and weight and my Expedition handles it with ease. Downside is day to day mileage is so bad that it rarely gets driven.
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]2013 Jay Feather X213
2003 Ford Expedition
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