Gas verses Diesel Tow Vehicle

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by 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.

The problem which I have pointed out time and again in all of these type threads is when " I have the best " is alleged by a poster and often other types, brands are disparaged. The fact is that there are many variations of the same basic technologies used by endless applications.
While my preference is Ford, familiarity dealer relationship etc., I would have no problem owning a Ram with a Cummins or a Chevy with a Duramax. Modern trucks and engines have to hold their own in this competitive world otherwise they are gone in wink.
We have been running Semi Dumps with Cummins, Mack and Cat 3208 diesel engines side by side for years with the same 750 k miles before doing major overhauls on them.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by sbowman

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

Ford changed suppliers once, from International/Navistar to an in-house design, the 6.7

[Tater]

I have my second Duramax only because I have had good luck with Silverados. I have friends with Rams and they swear by them. One Ford friend would have nothing but a Ford. As others have said, the market is competitive and if you like a particular brand then stick with it and you will be happy with your choice.

[Daquenzer]

My son is looking for a pickup and recently drove a Nissan XD SL with a 5 liter diesel (Cummins). He’s a diesel mechanic and was quite impressed with it. It had a very nice ride to it. It’s a newer pickup by Nissan and it’s a 1/2 ton with 555lbs of torque and 1600rpms and about 310 horsepower. It can pull 12,700 lbs. The Nissan 2018 diesels are about 10,000 cheaper than the F250 diesel. I have an F150 Ecoboost which I’m going to keep for a few years. But I would think this would be a very good option without having to go to a big truck.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by 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

Torque is force at a distance leverage. It is NOT power.

Good Lord. They are different units of measure. Like volts and watts.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by sbowman

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

Because the Ford has almost 100 more horsepower. I don’t give two rips how many times they’ve changed engines. Engineers change things.

[malinois38]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

My son is looking for a pickup and recently drove a Nissan XD SL with a 5 liter diesel (Cummins). He’s a diesel mechanic and was quite impressed with it. It had a very nice ride to it. It’s a newer pickup by Nissan and it’s a 1/2 ton with 555lbs of torque and 1600rpms and about 310 horsepower. It can pull 12,700 lbs. The Nissan 2018 diesels are about 10,000 cheaper than the F250 diesel. I have an F150 Ecoboost which I’m going to keep for a few years. But I would think this would be a very good option without having to go to a big truck.

I was anticipating this 5 liter Cummins being my first deisel truck. You are correct, they are priced right. However, I was expecting payload close to 2000lbs. The ones I have looked at have come in at 1400-1600lbs of payload. Disappointing for my particular trailer/use.
I will stick with my 1/2 ton gas and 1325lbs of payload for the time being.

[Hans627]

For those who use diesel as their TV a few questions:

Do ever have trouble finding diesel fuel as you travel on back roads (not the interstate highways) in rural parts of the country?

Also is getting to the diesel pumps a problem with an AS in tow (again in stations in rural America)?

Thanks!

[Roadtech]

With a range of over 500 miles, I have never had an issue finding diesel fuel. We rarely ever drive farther than that in a day, so I usually refuel after we unhitch. If we do refuel while hitched, I look for fuel stations where the pumps run parallel to the building rather than perpendicular, which are easier to maneuver. Preferably look for truck stops like Love's, Flying J, etc. which are set up the best for trailers.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Because the Ford has almost 100 more horsepower. I don’t give two rips how many times they’ve changed engines. Engineers change things.

Agreed, engineers change things. Ford 7.3L owners used to leave their cabs on, and after that engine stopped production they make you take the cab off for engine work. That's a change for sure.

In 2008 I was at the Mid America Truck Show, Louisville KY. We had a 2007 Dodge Ram on display for products we were displaying as part of Marmon. Hood open, guys kept coming over and saying there wasn't room for a payment book under the hood of the new Ford 6.4L diesel offering. Even the turbo has a turbo. And they were eyeing a now very simple inline 6 and admiring it.

My 2005 5.9L so far at 194K, just filters.

Gary

[ZOZ]

I just picked up my first AS. I needed to go 1900 miles RT to bring it home.

Realizing that, I upgraded my TV from 2017 GMC Canyon Denali 3.6L 308 hp gas to 2018 GMC Sierra Denali 6.2L gas 420 hp.

From Illinois to Colorado (no noticeable headwind): 19.4 mpg @ 75 mph average.

From Colorado to Illinois (noticeable headwind): 13.8 mpg @ 62 mph average.

For the new truck, maximum towing speed for the first tow was 50 mph for the first 500 miles. Those figures, obviously will drop when I load up.

For a gas engine with a 8-speed transmission in tow haul mode, those numbers are quite impressive. Plenty of diesel fuel around but I didn't need any.

zoz

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Agreed, engineers change things. Ford 7.3L owners used to leave their cabs on, and after that engine stopped production they make you take the cab off for engine work. That's a change for sure.

In 2008 I was at the Mid America Truck Show, Louisville KY. We had a 2007 Dodge Ram on display for products we were displaying as part of Marmon. Hood open, guys kept coming over and saying there wasn't room for a payment book under the hood of the new Ford 6.4L diesel offering. Even the turbo has a turbo. And they were eyeing a now very simple inline 6 and admiring it.

My 2005 5.9L so far at 194K, just filters.

Gary

Still outsells the Ram by a good margin. I agree the inline six is the best design for a diesel but I’ve seen cab off repairs on those too. Bottom line: which one makes the most power and torque. At least the cab on my Ford won’t need to come off for a bent frame.

[KCCO]

Originally Posted by ZOZ

I just picked up my first AS. I needed to go 1900 miles RT to bring it home.

Realizing that, I upgraded my TV from 2017 GMC Canyon Denali 3.6L 308 hp gas to 2018 GMC Sierra Denali 6.2L gas 420 hp.

From Illinois to Colorado (no noticeable headwind): 19.4 mpg @ 75 mph average.

From Colorado to Illinois (noticeable headwind): 13.8 mpg @ 62 mph average.

For the new truck, maximum towing speed for the first tow was 50 mph for the first 500 miles. Those figures, obviously will drop when I load up.

For a gas engine with a 8-speed transmission in tow haul mode, those numbers are quite impressive. Plenty of diesel fuel around but I didn't need any.

zoz

We tow with a diesel ram - and it works great for our current 30’ flying cloud, but if we ever downsize this gm 6.2 will be at the top of my list to drive.

Nice looking truck!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Hans627

For those who use diesel as their TV a few questions:

Do ever have trouble finding diesel fuel as you travel on back roads (not the interstate highways) in rural parts of the country?

Also is getting to the diesel pumps a problem with an AS in tow (again in stations in rural America)?

Thanks!

Think I was all over this past summer; 11 states including 2 province's in Canada. 23K miles...never had an issue finding diesel nor getting in/out of service stations. Sometimes the fuel was a bit more pricey, but that's my only complaint. I do carry light weight gloves as some times the stations can have messy fuel handles...but gas sometimes is dirty handles also. I tuck a right hand glove inside the fuel door, between DEF and fuel filler cap, and use it when I need to. I bought a package of 6 at Home Depot...only have used 1 right hand glove the past year...I will be coming up on 1 year in June with this truck. Do I miss gas; yes for the economy of maintenance and fuel, but the benefit of driving this 3/4 diesel pulling the 28'AS is well worth the ease of driving while hooked up and extra payload I have to carry all the other "stuff". For now, I am very happy. I also purchase DEF at Walmart where it is substantially cheaper than at service stations.

[n2916s]

The only issue I have had with diesel is particular to the Cummins in my Nissan -- the truck is only approved for B10 fuel or less. All the Flying J's are labeled for B5-B20 so they are out and Illinois and now Minnesota mandate B20 fuel so I can't fuel anywhere in those states and not void my warranty.

Haven't run into that problem anywhere else, yet.

[pappy19]

The Cummins 6 cylinder has changed many times in order to comply with changing Clean Air regulations. The Cummins from 20 years ago isn't the same engine today. The same can be said for the V8 diesels for Chevy and Ford. Changes were made due to emission regulations.

[DBinSD]

Hans627

We have run across limited Diesel on back roads however, it was in our 2016 Prism motorhome that had limited range especially in wind.

Our 2017 Ram 2500 with stock 31gal tank does much better. If you can't find Diesel in 300+ miles...your lost !

You should have no problems.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by pappy19

The Cummins 6 cylinder has changed many times in order to comply with changing Clean Air regulations. The Cummins from 20 years ago isn't the same engine today. The same can be said for the V8 diesels for Chevy and Ford. Changes were made due to emission regulations.

Concur w/Federal requirements, concur Cummins 20 years ago is not the Cummins today, however lets discuss Fords 6 and 6.2 diesels should you truly and fairly compare apples to apples. Fords 7.3 in my opinion was a power house in its day. 7.3 went away altogether due to Federal requirements. This being said Cummins has stayed the course, the others not so.

Best regards and safe travels

[Isuzusweet]

The crazy thing is......in the not too distant future, this thread will be redundant, as you will be choosing an electric tow vehicle; better torque, acceleration, no altitude hp loss, cheaper to maintain.....the list goes on.

Right now the big three are all looking at each other wondering who's going to bring one to market first......my bet is FCA and RAM.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

The crazy thing is......in the not too distant future, this thread will be redundant, as you will be choosing an electric tow vehicle; better torque, acceleration, no altitude hp loss, cheaper to maintain.....the list goes on.

Right now the big three are all looking at each other wondering who's going to bring one to market first......my bet is FCA and RAM.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

I wounder, will we be able to get out of the driveway before "recharge required"?

Best regards and Safe travels