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perryg114 · 11-25-2016, 04:32 PM

Pappy is right. Diesel is not needed to tow an Airstream. Maintaining these things is very expensive. Gas engines are so much better than they were 20+ yrs ago. The first 100k miles is gas, oil, and tires for the most part.

Perry

tjdonahoe · 11-26-2016, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

Pappy is right. Diesel is not needed to tow an Airstream. Maintaining these things is very expensive. Gas engines are so much better than they were 20+ yrs ago. The first 100k miles is gas, oil, and tires for the most part.

Perry

I have been running diesel pickups for 25 years, I have never had any problems with any of them, the worst was a water pump, my new ram gets 20.3 mpg empty, I haven't been anywhere with as yet, oil changes for a lifetime cost me $850, there is a reason you do not see any big trucks running down the road with gas engines, they all went away back in the late 1960's, the Diesel engine is more efficient..I like the exhaust brake and the horsepower...

Countryboy59 · 11-26-2016, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

All those miles you listed, especially saying that 30,000 miles a year warrants buying a diesel, is silly. Today's gas engines can go 200,000 with no problem with decent maintenance. In actuality diesel engines start having their own problems after their 100,000 mile warranty runs out. Many things start to go bad that are very expensive on a diesel. Gas engines don't have much to go bad other than spark plugs or a water pump. Again, you don't need a diesel to haul your Airstream, you just want one.

Anything that will hit 70mph on a Detroit freeway ramp with my trailer (6000 lb loaded car hauler or Bambi) in tow works for me! It also has to start after a week in the airport parking lot at 18 below. Both diesel and gas will do the job when new but I put on more miles than most and they don't stay low mileage for long!

Leisure driving and commuting are two different things. Until I retire my truck needs to do both.

Countryboy59 · 11-26-2016, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I have been running diesel pickups for 25 years, I have never had any problems with any of them, the worst was a water pump, my new ram gets 20.3 mpg empty, I haven't been anywhere with as yet, oil changes for a lifetime cost me $850, there is a reason you do not see any big trucks running down the road with gas engines, they all went away back in the late 1960's, the Diesel engine is more efficient..I like the exhaust brake and the horsepower...

The big trucks running down the road are wet-sleeve million mile engines that idle for prolonged periods and pull very heavy loads. Comparing to light truck diesels or gas is like comparing reciprocating to jet aircraft engines. The only thing we have in common with semi truck drivers is the Cummins hat lol.

1973Argosy · 11-26-2016, 08:14 AM

850 for a lifetime of oil changes seems awful cheap to me. My last diesel, 2006 6.0 powerstroke, was costing 60.00+ at every oil change. When I added in changing the fuel filter and air filter price would run 80 to 100 dollars. Sold the truck at 60000 miles due to a $3200.00 repair of the egr and oil cooler. I serviced that diesel as I had the two before it, every 10000 miles, so I had 600 to 750 just in oil changes in two years. I totally agree that the power from a diesel is nice to have, I am a male, but the 5.4 in my expedition has more than enough umph to pull my trailer anywhere and oil changes only cost me 19.00 every 5000 miles. When I sold my last diesel I took over my current expedition from the wife at 120,000 miles. Same expedition is sitting at 227000 miles currently, with about 40000 of that towing. When my trusty 2v 5.4 engine dies it can be completely replaced for the price ford wanted to change an egr and oil cooler on a diesel.

m.hony · 11-26-2016, 08:39 AM

I have been running gas pickups for 30 years and I have never had any trouble...
My gas pickup will accelerate to highway speed on the ramp with the trailer...

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

tjdonahoe · 11-26-2016, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

The big trucks running down the road are wet-sleeve million mile engines that idle for prolonged periods and pull very heavy loads. Comparing to light truck diesels or gas is like comparing reciprocating to jet aircraft engines. The only thing we have in common with semi truck drivers is the Cummins hat lol.

Do you think that I just fell off a pumpkin truck? Well I have been running my own trucks since 1966, my last kenworth with a 3406 cat, 500 hp has 1.4 million miles on it and the head never been off with original injectors and turbo, very little idle time, that is what kills an engine, also I like going down the road at 1400 rpm loaded, it is a lot easier than at 4000 rpm, we have a lot of up hill in Montana....

Countryboy59 · 11-26-2016, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Do you think that I just fell off a pumpkin truck? Well I have been running my own trucks since 1966, my last kenworth with a 3406 cat, 500 hp has 1.4 million miles on it and the head never been off with original injectors and turbo, very little idle time, that is what kills an engine, also I like going down the road at 1400 rpm loaded, it is a lot easier than at 4000 rpm, we have a lot of up hill in Montana....

Cool! Still no comparison to a light pickup truck towing an airstream.

n2916s · 11-26-2016, 09:58 AM

Well, I just towed my first 150 miles with my new Nissan Titan XD with the Cummins diesel. Not a half-ton but also not a 3/4 ton...
I traded in my half-ton first generation gas Titan for it.

So far, with admittedly very little experience, the differences are:

1. The gas Titan's sweet spot for torque and power was about 3500 rpm. Hit a big climb, drop into third gear and scoot up the hill at 3600 rpm, 60 mph. Loud and gas guzzling, but no sweat. The diesel ( granted no serious climbs yet) just goes up the hill without downshifting. The only way to know it is working harder is to watch the instantaneous mileage readout.

2. The gas Titan,,when you asked it, would accelerate like a scalded cat up an on ramp, with or without the trailer. Loud and gas guzzling but brief and very helpful. The diesel accelerates acceptably, with or without the trailer, but not like the gas version -- I am adjusting to the difference.

3. The added weight of the XD (~7000# vs. 4600#) certainly provides a greater feeling of stability -- big wind on the drive home Sunday and barely felt it.

4. The XD's turning radius is only slightly greater than the older Titan but it feels more ponderous. The XD also stands much taller which should mean that it is more susceptible to rollover (don't plan to find out). Tough to find a parking spot sometimes.

5. We try to,avoid using the XD for local errands and such but sometimes it can't be avoided so my average mileage is only about 16.7 (which is 3 mpg better than the gas Titan, which was a big old fuel hog). As we don't have 500 miles towing on the odometer yet, we are limited to 50 mph towing. At that sedate speed, I was seeing 20 mpg on the flats but we all know that no one with a pulse is going to drive at 50 once they don't have to.

I didn't really want the diesel after such good luck with the 5.6 V8 in the old Titan but they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. So, I am on a new learning curve. The new truck has lots of new toys and gadgets (for example, after you hook up the trailer you can stand behind the rig and use the key fob to cycle through all the lights) and is very quiet and comfortable.

The payment book is very, very thick.

Mike

switz · 11-27-2016, 02:01 AM

The challenge for the Nissan folks with the V8 Cummins is:

Will there be a really trained diesel mechanic at every dealership?

One wants a trained mechanic and not the new kid to do any work associated with the Cummins including changing the oil and all the filters.

I have not taken the 2012 Ram 2500HD back to any Ram dealership since new nor will they ever see it while I own it. I use a diesel specialty maintenance and modification shop.

n2916s · 11-27-2016, 11:59 AM

I am fortunate to have both a fine, local mechanic and the basic skill set to do all the routine maintenance (oil changes and fuel filter changes are actually pretty simple). The local Nissan dealer seems to have a single, competent mechanic for the Cummins so they will only see me for warranty work.

If I have a problem on the road, I will seek out a Cummins facility first, then, reluctantly, a Nissan dealer.

Countryboy59 · 11-27-2016, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2916s

I am fortunate to have both a fine, local mechanic and the basic skill set to do all the routine maintenance (oil changes and fuel filter changes are actually pretty simple). The local Nissan dealer seems to have a single, competent mechanic for the Cummins so they will only see me for warranty work.

If I have a problem on the road, I will seek out a Cummins facility first, then, reluctantly, a Nissan dealer.

Well, if you need a mechanic for that anytime soon that's a REAL problem. Hopefully just maintenance...

n2916s · 11-27-2016, 06:31 PM

Have my fingers crossed. My old Titan went over 100k before I had my first repair bill (other than brake pads).

slowmover · 11-28-2016, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2916s

I am fortunate to have both a fine, local mechanic and the basic skill set to do all the routine maintenance (oil changes and fuel filter changes are actually pretty simple). The local Nissan dealer seems to have a single, competent mechanic for the Cummins so they will only see me for warranty work.

If I have a problem on the road, I will seek out a Cummins facility first, then, reluctantly, a Nissan dealer.

The Ford guys learned the hard way way: keep all receipts.

As a Cummins driver the past decade, and also aware of the dearth of genuinely qualified mechanics, I believe I'd opt for dealer service with oil and filter changes. No wiggle room for them then, should a problem arise.

GM has a better record than Ford on taking care of 4-series Bosch fuel pumps. Don't know what yours has, but the owner testimonies are sobering in re latest engines (after the 6.4L). Any excuse to stall the warranty claim.

1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

KJRitchie · 12-14-2016, 05:22 PM

I had an opportunity to ride in my boss's 2017 F250 Powerstroke Platinum crew cab with 6ft bed yesterday. I sat in the back seat and the short ride was very comfortable, the Powerstroke diesel was very quiet and smooth. I checked the load sticker and it was 1956lbs payload. Considering this is the most blinged out trim level, even with the double moon roof the payload isn't too bad. I have to admit the Powerstroke is a quieter and smoother diesel than my Cummins and the ride seemed to be better. When looking at the F250 in 2015 I didn't like the interior and the Lariat trim levels were priced higher than my Big Horn package. My boss's Platinum is probably $20k more expensive than my Ram.

Kelvin

wbrisett · 12-15-2016, 03:55 AM

My neighbor just bought one of the new Ford F250's. While I haven't ridden in it, it looks gorgeous inside and out. He did tell me that there absolutely no deals on them at the moment and he was only able to get them to give him the Ford loyalty discount, otherwise they have no incentive to give buyers any monetary incentives. I've heard somewhere that this is the engine that GM and Ford worked on together. But, I've not seen that listed anywhere else, so I'm not sure of that.

I do know that he paid quite a bit more of his 250 than I did for my 2016 Duramax 2500 Chevy and we're both pretty well optioned out.

dznf0g · 12-15-2016, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbrisett

My neighbor just bought one of the new Ford F250's. While I haven't ridden in it, it looks gorgeous inside and out. He did tell me that there absolutely no deals on them at the moment and he was only able to get them to give him the Ford loyalty discount, otherwise they have no incentive to give buyers any monetary incentives. I've heard somewhere that this is the engine that GM and Ford worked on together. But, I've not seen that listed anywhere else, so I'm not sure of that.

I do know that he paid quite a bit more of his 250 than I did for my 2016 Duramax 2500 Chevy and we're both pretty well optioned out.

No diesels out which are joint efforts. You may be thinking of the 10 speed trans in the F150s. That is a joint effort between GM and Ford.

tjdonahoe · 12-15-2016, 08:51 AM

I always bought ford's, until they came out with the 6 liter diesel and the problems associated with them and no dealer help, I went with Dodge as I like the 6 cilinder Diesel engine. In the big trucks the V8 diesels didn't have a good a good track record. 110,000 miles never in the shop for my 07, 6.7 ,my new 2017 has 3.42 gears and a bit better mileage and I like it. There is no such thing as too much money or too much horsepower...

Thiss · 12-15-2016, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

My boss's Platinum is probably $20k more expensive than my Ram.

Kelvin

There is a lot of utility in 20k I would have a hard time justifying that expense. One other thing to consider is DEF. I have travelled over 7,000 miles and am just now needing DEF. The V8s burn far more of it. Also, a new V8 is a smooth engine, but does it stay that way after a 200k; it can but it might not. Keeping the valves adjusted on the Cummins insures that it will stay running right and the inline is a more inherently balanced platform.