Gas verses Diesel Tow Vehicle

[jwpaquette]

I’ve been following these boards for almost a year now as we contemplated our first AS purchase. I pitched the idea last summer to my wife who shook her head in disbelief. After six months of chewing on it, she opened up to the idea. Long story short - ordered a 30’ FC. As I read the advice from so many of you, the stories of the TV came up time and time again. We have a ‘16 Suburban with the max tow package and in theory it can pull the load but not to the point where we could stop worrying about the load or knit picking about how much additional weight we could bring along. Decided to add a ‘18 K2500 Duramax as a tow vehicle for the long haul trip we have set for this summer and the comments here reinforced that decision.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by jwpaquette

I’ve been following these boards for almost a year now as we contemplated our first AS purchase. I pitched the idea last summer to my wife who shook her head in disbelief. After six months of chewing on it, she opened up to the idea. Long story short - ordered a 30’ FC. As I read the advice from so many of you, the stories of the TV came up time and time again. We have a ‘16 Suburban with the max tow package and in theory it can pull the load but not to the point where we could stop worrying about the load or knit picking about how much additional weight we could bring along. Decided to add a ‘18 K2500 Duramax as a tow vehicle for the long haul trip we have set for this summer and the comments here reinforced that decision.

I have a 2017 30’ international pulled by a 2017 2500 duramax LP5. You’ll enjoy the combo and will tow with confidence. I moved to the duramax after towing extensively with a 2012 Infiniti QX and I prefer the duramax. There are pros and cons to both but overall the diesel with larger payload, engine brake, etc works better for our family.

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by jwpaquette

I’ve been following these boards for almost a year now as we contemplated our first AS purchase. I pitched the idea last summer to my wife who shook her head in disbelief. After six months of chewing on it, she opened up to the idea. Long story short - ordered a 30’ FC. As I read the advice from so many of you, the stories of the TV came up time and time again. We have a ‘16 Suburban with the max tow package and in theory it can pull the load but not to the point where we could stop worrying about the load or knit picking about how much additional weight we could bring along. Decided to add a ‘18 K2500 Duramax as a tow vehicle for the long haul trip we have set for this summer and the comments here reinforced that decision.

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. It sounds like you have everything all set to go. We also have a 2018 Silverado Duramax and a 2005 3/4 ton Suburban Quadrasteer. We still use the old Suburban to tow the Airstream in the Florida flatlands and when we need more passenger capacity.

Congratulations on your new Airstream towing combo. May you have safe travels and many great Airstream Adventures with them.

Brian

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by lesbuford

yes, please tell me about the recall on the brakes. I have hydraulic disc brakes on my 28foot Classic Limited. I have not yet tested the brakes properly. Also, can you recommend a good owners manual? I don't have any books at all on this. I am the third owner. Thanks for any help!

Check for a private message.

Manuals I think are available at airstream.com digital version.

[aa6rv]

If you got the Duramax, you will have no issues towing an Airstream. Yes, you can pull it with a V8 gas engine. But gas engines are not specifically designed for towing like a Diesel. People can argue as much as they want. Diesels are built better, last long, have higher torque and run at lower compression ratings than gas. I can tow heavy loads at 1700 rpms, my poor gas truck is over 3800 rpms. There just isn’t any comparisons. I go over that Southern CA grapevine and my GMC 3500, Duramax Denali laughs at that pass, my gas engine GMC tranny over heats and waves a white flag. If you are serious about pulling your trailer, only consider a Diesel. I spare the Dodge, Ford, GM fight for another time.


David

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by aa6rv

If you got the Duramax, you will have no issues towing an Airstream. Yes, you can pull it with a V8 gas engine. But gas engines are not specifically designed for towing like a Diesel. People can argue as much as they want. Diesels are built better, last long, have higher torque and run at lower compression ratings than gas. I can tow heavy loads at 1700 rpms, my poor gas truck is over 3800 rpms. There just isn’t any comparisons. I go over that Southern CA grapevine and my GMC 3500, Duramax Denali laughs at that pass, my gas engine GMC tranny over heats and waves a white flag. If you are serious about pulling your trailer, only consider a Diesel. I spare the Dodge, Ford, GM fight for another time.


David

If your gas engine is running 3800 rpm for towing something is wrong. Mine runs 1800 to 2100 rpm and tows with no issues.

By the way, diesel compression ratios are much higher. That’s how compression ignition works.

[aa6rv]

You are absolutely right, higher compression with higher torque. That’s what happens when I use my iPad and get distracted

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by aa6rv

I spare the Dodge, Ford, GM fight for another time.


David

I see no fight, all about the engine, Cummins hands down. It is hard for me to argue when Cummins 1st went into what I call a pick up truck and remains basically same today. Others have and continue to change who makes their engines. Not saying it is a bad thing, for me if not broken why change?

Best regards and safe travels

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by aa6rv

You are absolutely right, higher compression with higher torque. That’s what happens when I use my iPad and get distracted

My wife runs into same w/her iPad and getting distracted. Me I just have their stock and do not use their products. Better return w/less risk.

Best regards and safe travels

[aa6rv]

You got to support our Apple Stock....what do you think allows me to buy all my toys? I saw the vision when they first came out with iTunes at $7 a share. I'm retiring at 54. It's all good.....now I just have to pack up all my crap and get the hell out of California, so that I don't have to give them State income tax.

[Rocinante]

I'm sorry to read that you had such a terrible gas-powered truck.

Originally Posted by aa6rv

If you got the Duramax, you will have no issues towing an Airstream. Yes, you can pull it with a V8 gas engine. But gas engines are not specifically designed for towing like a Diesel. People can argue as much as they want. Diesels are built better, last long, have higher torque and run at lower compression ratings than gas. I can tow heavy loads at 1700 rpms, my poor gas truck is over 3800 rpms. There just isn’t any comparisons. I go over that Southern CA grapevine and my GMC 3500, Duramax Denali laughs at that pass, my gas engine GMC tranny over heats and waves a white flag. If you are serious about pulling your trailer, only consider a Diesel. I spare the Dodge, Ford, GM fight for another time.


David

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by sbowman

I see no fight, all about the engine, Cummins hands down. It is hard for me to argue when Cummins 1st went into what I call a pick up truck and remains basically same today. Others have and continue to change who makes their engines. Not saying it is a bad thing, for me if not broken why change?

Best regards and safe travels

Works for me...you don’t see any V8 diesels in the big trucks.....I like the cummins....and the ram...

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Works for me...you don’t see any V8 diesels in the big trucks.....I like the cummins....and the ram...

"Don't see any" is ... misleading at best.

inline-6 is a great configuration and Cummins has for many years made some of the best of those, but I think Caterpillar still makes V8s and Detroit Diesel made V8 diesels for highway trucks for 50 years or so.

In a semi there are fewer space considerations, so a long/tall long-stroke I6 that's well-suited for low-rpm-high-torque operation will almost always fit and is an excellent choice, but not the only one.

[n2916s]

My Nissan XD has a V8 Cummins diesel in it. Runs fine.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Works for me...you don’t see any V8 diesels in the big trucks.....I like the cummins....and the ram...

Depends on your definition of big trucks.

Off highway trucks use 8, 12, 16, or 24 cylinder power. Even Kenworth, Peterbilt, Freightliner, and Mack highway trucks came with 8 and 12 cylinder power. Pacific trucks used up to 16 depending on the model. Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit, and Mack all built V8s. More common in Australia than the US due to the higher loads permitted there. A 14 litre 6 cylinder can develop sufficient power for the loads allowed on US roads.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

"Don't see any" is ... misleading at best.

inline-6 is a great configuration and Cummins has for many years made some of the best of those, but I think Caterpillar still makes V8s and Detroit Diesel made V8 diesels for highway trucks for 50 years or so.

In a semi there are fewer space considerations, so a long/tall long-stroke I6 that's well-suited for low-rpm-high-torque operation will almost always fit and is an excellent choice, but not the only one.

Cummins 385 hp. Power stroke 460 hp and almost 1000 torque. Your call.

[KCCO]

Man, these things spiral into nonsense so very quickly. Instead of providing first hand advice based on our usage of a brand or engine type all people tend to do is try to prove people wrong at all cost.

[DBinSD]

I have towed with both.

I much prefer diesel due to the torque. I like being able to go up a hill without heavy downshifting or significant rpm increase.

Torque is your pulling power not horse power.

We have a Ram Cummings

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

"Don't see any" is ... misleading at best.

inline-6 is a great configuration and Cummins has for many years made some of the best of those, but I think Caterpillar still makes V8s and Detroit Diesel made V8 diesels for highway trucks for 50 years or so.

In a semi there are fewer space considerations, so a long/tall long-stroke I6 that's well-suited for low-rpm-high-torque operation will almost always fit and is an excellent choice, but not the only one.

V8 Detroit’s went away years ago....cat no longer makes on highway engines for trucks..quit in 2009.....

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Cummins 385 hp. Power stroke 460 hp and almost 1000 torque. Your call.

Cummins. Lets see, Ford has changed design/suppliers how many times in the past 20 years? If it an't broken why change?