[Minnie's Mate]

I read that Range Rover (owned by Ford) has developed a small V-8 diesel for its SUV's and Ford is planning on installing it in the F-150. Looks like Ford and GM are planning on going head to head on this one.

The thing though is that you don't need a diesel in a half ton truck to pull a medium weight trailer. Going diesel doesn't increase your tow rating. It will increase fuel economy, but that is now off-set by the difference in the higher price of diesel vs. gasoline cost. What you get may be increased torque and low end pulling power and hopefully increased service life. But most folks trade trucks every 3-5 years so for most buyers, longevity isn't the issue.

I'm not convinced a 1/2 ton diesel is going to do much for the towing community. I think what the RV industry will have to do is get the auto makers to make a towing class vehicle. This may be a 3/4 ton SUV such as a Suburban or the like and maybe there will ultimately be only one brand of such and there may not be any competition or there may not be anything larger than the Explorer on the market from any other maker.

I think only time will tell. But I do think that if the RV industry is to survive, there will be tow vehicles on the market and the RV industry has survived energy crises and CAFE regulations in the past so I think it will continue to survive as long as there are people who want the lifestyle so we will have options in the future.