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KenBrodin · 08-21-2016, 06:09 AM

2003 Excursion with 6.0, 400,000 miles. 44 galon tank. No bluedef.
They will all likely serve you well if you take care of them. Most people spend big bucks for diesels and take good care of the engines, neglect the transmissions and end up on the side of the road anyway.
Pick one, change the oil as scheduled, don't neglect fuel filters, find a shop equipped to do fluid exchanges on the transmission as opposed to pan drop, and you will be a happy camper. Maintenance is the key. These vehicles should easily go 500, 000 miles.

vintageracer · 08-21-2016, 10:56 AM

Consider This:

In Septemeber of 1994 I purchased one of the first 1995 Ford F350 Powerstroke diesel trucks with an automatic transmission built. I still own, drive and use the truck on a limited basis as I have since it was new. The truck now has 194K miles in 22 years.

The 1995 model "Powerstroke" engine option was $4,200 MORE/EXTRA than the 460 gas engine option which was about $1,000. At the time of my purchase in September of 1994 Diesel fuel was a LOT CHEAPER than gas. Routine maintenance on diesel engine is MORE expensive than a gas engine. Given these FACTS and doing the "Break Even" calculation based upon above facts and the increased fuel mileage provided by the Powerstroke diesel engine over the 460 gas engine the break even point (miles driven) I would have drive the truck assuming NO CHANGE in the above facts such as the price of diesel fuel at the time I bought the truck meant that I would have to drive the truck 110K miles BEFORE I could begin to break even on the expenditure buying the diesel engine option.

Fast forward to TODAY and our current economic environment!!!

Diesel fuel is MORE expensive than gas. The price of a diesel engine over the top line gas truck engine is $6K-$8K MORE money. Diesel engine maintenance is still MORE expensive than maintenance on a gas engine. All the above FACTS now mean that you will have to drive your diesel truck 250K or more miles BEFORE you reach the break even point by spending the EXTRA money upfront buying the diesel engine option. This analysis does NOT consider the time value of money which make the situation even worse! And let's not forget that today's gas engines will also go 250K miles with no major repairs. That was NOT the case in 1995!

How many people do YOU know that buy a diesel truck based upon their belief that they truly NEED that diesel engine to pull their RV trailer WILL KEEP & DRIVE their diesel truck for 250K miles?? Here's another FACT that none of us want to discuss. The Airstream crowd is an "Older and Grayer" crowd. Are you going to live the RV lifestyle LONG enough to drive 250K+ miles?

I know I hear it all the time that you NEED a diesel truck to pull that heavy RV?

HEAVY? 10K-15K LBS MAYBE???

Most gas engines are available in the SAME GVRW chassis's as the diesel with the possible exception being those 30K LB towing claims the OEM's now throw around trying to one up each other.

Today's truck gas engines develop Musclecar ERA HP at 350HP+ and have 400+ FT/LBS of torque to go with it. Will you get less fuel mileage with that gas engine than with a diesel engine? YES! Will that gas engine pull your RV trailer just as good as the diesel engine given the light weight of a RV trailer? YES!

Vehicle resale value certainly can and does make a difference when it is time to re-sell your diesel truck versus a gas truck. How many people know exactly WHEN that trade or re-sell time will be? Yes you can POSSIBLY get a large percentage of the money you spend up front on the diesel engine BACK at resale time. Of course that also takes into consideration the condition of the vehicle at the time of resale.

VERY few folks purchasing a diesel truck to their RV trailer will keep their diesel truck long enough time wise, drive it enough miles or have the real need of the additional grunt the diesel engine provides. Yes I know a lot of folks would rather be "Cummin Instead of Strokin" or all the other funny phrases the diesel boys like to throw around however look at the FACTS and you might just find that the diesel engine option may NOT be such a good expenditure of your hard earned money based upon your real towing needs and today's world of economics!

Something to consider!!!

xrvr · 08-21-2016, 11:05 AM

We don't need an Airstream either! You buy what you want. If we were all smart we would be towing sobs with minivans. I don't understand your point. And diesel here is the same price as premium.

**GCinSC2** · 08-21-2016, 11:39 AM

I got hooked on a Cummins from driving a 1997 3500 12V 5 speed that we owned at work. That old clattering beast would push you back in the seat in top cog going uphill when you said giddy up. Bought it later and my Son ran it from 07 to 15.

Then I bought my new 2005 2500 5.9L 6 speed and I owned nothing heavy to tow. 6 years later the AS appeared.

I was hooked on that engine powertrain combo, just had to have it.

Nothing but filters and fluids in 180K.

Spark plug free since '05 and my daily driver is, hold on to your keyboard a 2000 VW beetle 1.9L diesel 5 speed. And about an hour ago just finished replacing the timing belt, normal scheduled maintenance.

Bill M. · 08-21-2016, 11:57 AM

I pull with a 10 year old Dodge diesel. I think if buying new any of them will do a great job. I would buy the diesel again if I was going to do a lot of pulling.

xrvr · 08-21-2016, 11:59 AM

Mines an 06 Cummins. Really like it.

vintageracer · 08-21-2016, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avionstream

I don't understand your point.

I was very clear n my point about gas versus diesel.

I DO own a diesel truck and a gas truck.

tjdonahoe · 08-21-2016, 05:19 PM

I like my 07 dodge with a 6.7 cumalong and 6 speed auto, 105,000 miles, just oil changes....been good..

xrvr · 08-21-2016, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintageracer

I was very clear n my point about gas versus diesel.

I DO own a diesel truck and a gas truck.

Evidently I misread.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-22-2016, 12:53 AM

Hi, my Lincoln tow vehicle [gas engine] has been spark plug free too. Sixteen years old and over 125,000 miles with no spark plug changes.

rmkrum · 08-22-2016, 01:41 AM

That's living on borrowed time....

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

SpletKay06 · 08-22-2016, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, my Lincoln tow vehicle [gas engine] has been spark plug free too. Sixteen years old and over 125,000 miles with no spark plug changes.

Don't worry if it's a 5.4 it well be a very expensive spark plug change. Start knocking on wood now.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-22-2016, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpletKay06

Don't worry if it's a 5.4 it will be a very expensive spark plug change. Start knocking on wood now.

Hi, I always knock on wood [and my head] and yes it is a 5.4 L but not your ordinary 5.4 L. Mine is four cam 32 valve model. Expensive yes and I won't have it done until it miss-fires. At this point, what do I have to lose?

**GCinSC2** · 08-22-2016, 05:58 AM

Is that the engine that has very special spark plug R&R procedures and IIRC plug breakage?

m.hony · 08-22-2016, 08:40 AM

I don't know that the 5.4 spark plug change is all that difficult once you know what to do.
However, I would probably still leave it up to a dealer or a shop familiar with the process.
I think the deal is carbon buildup on the threads inside the head.
If you don;t try to just remove the plugs, but loosen, tighten, loosen, tighten repeatedly to dislodge the carbon on the threads without breaking out a chunk of the aluminum head...
If you do damage the threads, new threads can be tapped into the head and an insert is available at the auto parts store to get you going.

**GCinSC2** · 08-22-2016, 09:02 AM

Saw a magazine article on the topic, IIRC.

NoNameinNM · 08-22-2016, 09:45 AM

GM, Ford and RAM all offer a fine product, and each will have its pros and cons in your eyes as you check them all out. You really have to get out there and do the "butt in the seat" test for all three.

The brand we were so sure we would purchase after months of online research was quickly disqualified because my husband and I both took an instant dislike to the interior when we finally went for a test drive. Many people have said they eliminated the brand we ultimately chose from consideration for the same reasons we disqualified the brand they purchased.

The little things can make a big difference. What is most important is how those little things add up on your own unique list of likes and dislikes!

Toutsi 1957 · 08-24-2016, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

Which is the best all around choice ? Considering performance, quite operation, and general maintenance. What are the issues with the emission additives ?

Good morning Frank. These three towing machines are very good. I tested all three before buying a 2016 Denali 2500 Duramax. The Ford has the best towing and payload capacities but is the more expensive to run and maintain and is the less comfortable when empty. The RAM has the best combination of engine and transmission and has the best handling characteristics but the suspension and brakes are not robust enough, particularly the directions. The bushings, tie rods and everything have to be replace regularly. The GMC is the more comfortable and the most reliable of the three by a significant margin. The 6.2 gas ehgine is also excellent and I have been told by a GMC salesman that this engine is powerfull enough for my needs. I got it 2 months ago and I have just passed the 2500 miles and do 21 mpg at 65 mph with 500 pounds of load and I achieve 14 mpg at 60 mph towing a 2017 27 fb plus 1000 pounds of additional loads. On the roads and going over a mountainous region with slope of less than 6%. cruise control at 60 mph in normal mode (not towing mode) the truck goes very smoothly and run at 1600 rpm without downshifting. It is a marvel and love it more than my Airstream. I recommend you testing the three and to talk to trailers salespersons. Have fun shopping is very interesting.

TruckerFritz · 08-24-2016, 03:25 PM

Just to add to the discussion... Recently drove my son's 2015 Ford Transit 250.. Comes with the Ford 3.2 Turbo Diesel (made in South Africa, of all places)..very quick at 22 miles per gallon, and the best thing is, it's going in the 2017 F150...

Wanna EB · 08-24-2016, 07:47 PM

we chose the 2016 GMC duramax because the reliability data favored it by a significant margin. This engine and transmission combination is essentially unchanged since 2011 and has a strong track record. GM is redoing the engine for 2017 and I did not want to risk the new design for more torque and HP. It already has more than I need.
I drove the Ram and liked it, but my wife say "no way" based on the reliability data. Ford is just now releasing the new 2017 which looks like a great truck. The drivetrain will be essentially the same as 2016 and has been pretty solid over the last few years.
For me the it was the confidence is the drivetrain and the comfort that led me to the GMC