the ideal multi-use truck?

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by mefly2

JFS ... not sure just how stripped down your Ram diesel is, but no one around here gets 20+ mpg on the freeway unless the emissions package has been stripped off (voiding warranty) of the late model Cummins / Rams and they are traveling under 50 mph. We certainly do NOT get that in our Ram 2500 Cummins.

You kidding me? Not to be rude but...

2013 Ram diesel Cummins (yes - DEF) 4x4 with ARE cap (200lbs) plus additional 300lbs in bed with two - three adults and some other stuff (peeps and stuff) in Mega Cab configuration - fairly level ground at average sea level - if I keep it around 70-75 mph I get 18-21 mpg (averages to 20 mpg via computer and hand calculations over a few hours and couple hundred miles). If I'm closer to 75 or stop and goes it drops to 19.

Even when I had my 2011 Ford Super Duty 4x4 Crew Cab with Scorpion 5.7 diesel (of course DEF like modern diesels) I would average 17-19 with same type of ARE topper and weight.

Yea - my 2013 Ram Cummins diesel gets better mileage than my 2014 SRT 6.4 Grand Cherokee with 8 speed tranny (1 mpg but it's still better)

Towing with both vehicles with both Airstreams at same speed to beach and back (DC area due East to Atlantic Ocean - so pretty level) was about 11 - 13 mpg with the Ford and 30' Classic while the Ram with 27FB Serenity seems to be 14 - 16 mpg.

So not to hijack this thread, there are some pretty in depth discussions here or we could always start a new one.

So my point, don't know if financially the math works out for everyone, but for I, my truck gets better mileage than my SUV, but I have an A4 for daily driving.

[JFScheck]

Again - not to hijack the thread but this is my observed mileage traveling a route (well established traveling between the Atlantic Ocean and my casa that I do with great frequency) with a few different vehicles....

So again I say, if you can swing it go with an Oil Burner 2500 or 250 (or maybe the new 2014 2500 Ram with gas 6.4)...

[jasperkins]

I also average 20mpg in our 2013 ram 3500 mega longhorn with truck topper, when an average speed of 75mph on the highway. And that is in the Carolinas, which is not flat. Considering my truck alone is 11k pounds, I am impressed with the new technology getting better gas mileage.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by jasperkins

I also average 20mpg in our 2013 ram 3500 mega longhorn with truck topper, when an average speed of 75mph on the highway. And that is in the Carolinas, which is not flat. Considering my truck alone is 11k pounds, I am impressed with the new technology getting better gas mileage.

Wow, that is a heavy vehicle. Just wondering what the 75 to 0 MPH stopping distances would be like?

Note our TV/trailer combo ready for travel weighs 9K LBS.

[switz]

On a nearly see thru stretched dime 2 molecules wide by 1 molecule thick.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by switz

On a nearly see thru stretched dime 2 molecules wide by 1 molecule thick.

WTH??? are you talking about Deoxyribonucleic acid molecule's or what??

[andreasduess]

I am still partial to a diesel for my next vehicle. Up here in Canada the economics make more sense than in the US, I believe.

I also like the way a diesel delivers power, all the way from the lower rpms. Personally, I would not consider buying a vehicle that delivers less than 25mpg (not towing) on the highway. As our tow vehicle is also our daily driver, a diesel would make sense for us.

[switz]

No, the size of the dime he stops on would be greatly elongated and thus very thin

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

I am still partial to a diesel for my next vehicle. Up here in Canada the economics make more sense than in the US, I believe.

I also like the way a diesel delivers power, all the way from the lower rpms. Personally, I would not consider buying a vehicle that delivers less than 25mpg (not towing) on the highway. As our tow vehicle is also our daily driver, a diesel would make sense for us.

Good luck with that. When you find a vehicle, Diesel or otherwise, that will comfortably tow a 34' AND get 25 MPG I sure would like to know about it.

Certainly not trying to start another tow vehicle argument, but I suppose I left myself open when I used the word "comfortably", as I'm sure you may have a different definition.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Good luck with that. When you find a vehicle, Diesel or otherwise, that will comfortably tow a 34' AND get 25 MPG I sure would like to know about it.

My Odyssey delivers 25mpg when not towing and tows my 34' International extremely comfortably, with power to spare.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

My Odyssey delivers 25mpg when not towing and tows my 34' International extremely comfortably, with power to spare.

Your 34' has a "base weight" of 6250 pounds, is a narrow body trailer, where mine is closer to 10,000 pounds is 8 1/2 foot wide, and has a tongue weight of 1150 pounds. Lot of difference.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Good luck with that. When you find a vehicle, Diesel or otherwise, that will comfortably tow a 34' AND get 25 MPG I sure would like to know about it.

Certainly not trying to start another tow vehicle argument, but I suppose I left myself open when I used the word "comfortably", as I'm sure you may have a different definition.

GL350BTC comes to mind....we tow a 2011 28 ft International Serenity and average 27 mpg unladen (hand calculated). Granted, I wouldn't want to drive mountains constantly (plenty of power but an exhaust brake on a 2500/3500 is the only way to go then IMHO). Pricey on the front end but my gosh they have three rows and are comfy.

[rangebowdrie]

Been a long time since I posted anything on this forum, I see that not much has changed regarding the "small vehicle vs. large vehicle" discussion.
While I still tow with the old suburban, I still have a soft spot for a real heavy-duty vehicle that will go anywhere, tow anything, easy to work-on and be usefull for back country hunting/exploring trips, with/without a trailer, and carry enough payload to never worry about.
I think I have found it, and it's only about a foot longer than a crew-cab long bed pick-up. The mileage isn't so great, but you can't have everything,,and they are rather inexpensive for what you get.

Posting this, at least partly in jest, but still with a kernal of truth.

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by rangebowdrie

Been a long time since I posted anything on this forum, I see that not much has changed regarding the "small vehicle vs. large vehicle" discussion.
While I still tow with the old suburban, I still have a soft spot for a real heavy-duty vehicle that will go anywhere, tow anything, easy to work-on and be usefull for back country hunting/exploring trips, with/without a trailer, and carry enough payload to never worry about.
I think I have found it, and it's only about a foot longer than a crew-cab long bed pick-up. The mileage isn't so great, but you can't have everything,,and they are rather inexpensive for what you get.

Posting this, at least partly in jest, but still with a kernal of truth.

Nice truck! Also, it can burn gasoline, kerosene, cooking oil, diesel, jet fuel.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by rangebowdrie

Been a long time since I posted anything on this forum, I see that not much has changed regarding the "small vehicle vs. large vehicle" discussion.
While I still tow with the old suburban, I still have a soft spot for a real heavy-duty vehicle that will go anywhere, tow anything, easy to work-on and be usefull for back country hunting/exploring trips, with/without a trailer, and carry enough payload to never worry about.
I think I have found it, and it's only about a foot longer than a crew-cab long bed pick-up. The mileage isn't so great, but you can't have everything,,and they are rather inexpensive for what you get.

Posting this, at least partly in jest, but still with a kernal of truth.

Perhaps surprising for somebody like myself who's firmly in the "smaller is better" camp, I very nearly bought the equivalent once, from the British Army.

In the UK, ex military vehicles get sold at auction, then they get sold on by dealers who specialize in that sort of thing. More often than not, their lots consist of a field full of trucks. Buy at your own risk, but as most military vehicles are ridiculously over-maintained (gotta give the squaddies something to do) there are real bargains to be had.

I was looking for a Land Rover ambulance at the time, to convert into a camper, but I did get sidetracked by the large trucks. The main reason I didn't go through with it at the time were fuel costs. I think they got about 5mpg.

[switz]

That high 5 mpg rating was usually achieved by driving over a cliff with a strong tailwind