I am retiring soon and interested in getting a Host Mammoth truck camper. After talking to the local dealer as well as touring the plant, a 3500 dually appears to be the ideal truck for this big camperI will be using the rig to drive down to Cabo in the Baja and have heard from many the issues with Mexican diesel. Finding a used 3500 dually with gas engine is next to impossible. Also concerned with the lower torque, horsepower and durability of a gas engine.With this in mind, thought I would ask this forum their experience with driving diesels in Mexico, especially remote Baja towns that may not have low sulfur diesel fuel. Are there additive packages that may assist? Thanks in advance!!

please don't quote me and current research is needed. Other forums and possibly Truck campers warned about "trucks" having a classification beyond 2500 (3/4 ton) not being allowed to travel within Mexico.

Here is a recent discussion:More ULSD info - Link

Do not fear the reliability of the gasoline engines, they are quite reliable. The gas versions of duallys are out there. I found one ford in Missouri and one a Ram in NC by doing a quick search using carguros. I have a Ram 3500 SRW hauling 5000 lb 8’11” that’s 8’ wide with no issues. Yes in the mountains it takes a little more throttle to get up and over and I manually gear down on steep down grades, but I like my gasser. Also the gas versions give you more payload capacity as well. I done the math and there is no way to make a diesel pay for itself, but if you plan on pulling 20000 lbs a diesel is better option.

A 3500 really isn’t the ideal truck for a Host Mammoth, it’ll do it but that’s 450/550 territory.

Ideal? Probably more ideal than many here.

3500 diesel dually in Baja Mexico? | Good Sam Community

mike_kellie
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2018
please don't quote me and current research is needed. Other forums and possibly Truck campers warned about "trucks" having a classification beyond 2500 (3/4 ton) not being allowed to travel within Mexico.
racer4
Explorer
Dec 10, 2018
Here is a recent discussion:
More ULSD info - Link
bwlyon
Explorer
Dec 10, 2018
Do not fear the reliability of the gasoline engines, they are quite reliable. The gas versions of duallys are out there. I found one ford in Missouri and one a Ram in NC by doing a quick search using carguros. I have a Ram 3500 SRW hauling 5000 lb 8’11” that’s 8’ wide with no issues. Yes in the mountains it takes a little more throttle to get up and over and I manually gear down on steep down grades, but I like my gasser. Also the gas versions give you more payload capacity as well. I done the math and there is no way to make a diesel pay for itself, but if you plan on pulling 20000 lbs a diesel is better option.
burningman
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2018
A 3500 really isn’t the ideal truck for a Host Mammoth, it’ll do it but that’s 450/550 territory.
jimh406
Explorer III
Dec 11, 2018
Ideal? Probably more ideal than many here.
_1Flyboy
Explorer
Dec 11, 2018
...... Bajanomad.com just visited these topics: diesel fuel & TC’s in Baja..... Neither are a problem unless you try real hard to make it a problem... Some suggestions for you tho..... Join Bajanomad.com (free), get an insurance policy written by a Mexican company, don’t travel in the dark, get pesos BEFORE you cross the border, also take down a lot of $1,$5, $10, $20 bills & an ATM card, and the locals will treat you as good as you treat them, and DO NOT bring a gun OR ammunition....For me the best time Togo is October or May to early June.. And again bajanomad.com is your friend....
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Dec 11, 2018
Drove Baja all the way to Cabo in my bus conversion years ago.
Dually wheels will have 2-4" clearance between the painted lanes, while both side mirrors will stick over.
The only way to not leave your mirror on opposite traffic is going onto the shoulder ... all 4 inches of it and than a ditch that guarantees roll-over.
Fact is that you don't see too many wide vehicles there.
Travels_with_Yo
Explorer
Dec 11, 2018
If you have one of the newer diesels that require DEF you don't want to travel Mexico I've heard. DEF is not a commonly found commodity in Mexico.
valhalla360
Navigator
Dec 11, 2018
Combs wrote:

Finding a used 3500 dually with gas engine is next to impossible. Also concerned with the lower torque, horsepower and durability of a gas engine.

They aren't as common but plenty of gas trucks around.

For a truck camper (even a monster one), they have plenty of torque and HP. A truck camper doesn't take a monster engine. Depending on brand, you may even be able to get more HP in the gas version (example 2010 Ford: gas V10 = 365hp vs diesel = 350hp).

Durability is ancient history from back when 100k miles was a lot to get out of a gas engine and diesels were simple slow turning low HP 2 ton blocks of iron. Modern gas engines typically outlive the truck and modern diesels have plenty of electronics and ancillary devices that make them no more reliable.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Dec 11, 2018
I have a 3500 gas dually and it carries my AF990 well but I wouldn’t put a Host Mammoth on it. You need a 550/5500 truck to carry it comfortably.