So my dad right now is completely fed up with his 2014 ram cummins dually. He has spent over 10K in the last year on it. That being said, I told him he might want to look at the new gas trucks. They have a 2018 Montana 5th wheel so I'm pretty sure this is their last RV. The Montana weighs right at 12k dry. So lets just say another 1500lbs for them and the gear. They want a crew cab short bed 4x4 single rear wheel for their new truck. They will make one trip in the winter to either FL or TX from Missouri. Then they will make probably 5-6 trips the rest of the year. All will be east of the rocky mountains. I think they should consider a gas truck but I don't know how these trucks perform pulling 13.5k- 14k? Anyone out there towing this weight with the RAM 6.4 or the Ford 6.2? It looks like the RAM is rated at 15,630 and the Ford is 15,000.

I have to ask. What cost him 10K in one year?

I think that Montana would weigh a lot more than the 12K dry weight. They may have a lemon but the great majority of people with diesels have few or no problems. In 110K on mine I've had one blown hose on the engine and a couple of minor electrical problems. I think that will be typical of most peoples experience. Pushing a gasser right to the limit of it's towing capacity, even in the flatlands, is asking for trouble. And the last time I was in Missouri it wasn't all that flat.Maybe they should check on trading the lemon in on a newer diesel.

We're pulling 12k with a 2008 V10. For what you describe, it should be fine.Newer gas engines have a lot of power. Only big difference is gas engines rev to generate big HP. No harm in it but people get nervous.

I pull 12.5K nearly full time with my V10, and occasionally as much as 16,000 all on mountainous terrain. I think he'll be fine.Also, keep in mind that the vast majority of the motorhome market has the Ford V10, with combined weights up to 30,000 pounds. If he wants a really nice gas-powertrain ride, you can spec an F650 for up to 37,000 combined, and gain nice features like air-ride seats, double saddle fuel tanks etc, for not much more than an F350. Just gotta add your own tow-bed.

valhalla360 wrote:We're pulling 12k with a 2008 V10. For what you describe, it should be fine.Newer gas engines have a lot of power. Only big difference is gas engines rev to generate big HP. No harm in it but people get nervous.Remember that his is 12k dry weight. More than likely he'll be pushing 15k, but I don't know what the GVWR for that model of Montana is. Our 35'9" Bighorn is 11k dry and 14k wet/loaded. We towed with a '99 F250 6.8L V10 and traded up to our current diesel. Sure glad we did. Not familiar with the new gas engines, but I've heard they can tow heavy loads.

Any experience with new gas engines hauling heavy??

ShinerBock
Explorer
Nov 02, 2018
I have to ask. What cost him 10K in one year?
agesilaus
Explorer III
Nov 02, 2018
I think that Montana would weigh a lot more than the 12K dry weight. They may have a lemon but the great majority of people with diesels have few or no problems. In 110K on mine I've had one blown hose on the engine and a couple of minor electrical problems. I think that will be typical of most peoples experience. Pushing a gasser right to the limit of it's towing capacity, even in the flatlands, is asking for trouble. And the last time I was in Missouri it wasn't all that flat.

Maybe they should check on trading the lemon in on a newer diesel.
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 02, 2018
We're pulling 12k with a 2008 V10. For what you describe, it should be fine.

Newer gas engines have a lot of power. Only big difference is gas engines rev to generate big HP. No harm in it but people get nervous.
carringb
Explorer
Nov 02, 2018
I pull 12.5K nearly full time with my V10, and occasionally as much as 16,000 all on mountainous terrain. I think he'll be fine.

Also, keep in mind that the vast majority of the motorhome market has the Ford V10, with combined weights up to 30,000 pounds. If he wants a really nice gas-powertrain ride, you can spec an F650 for up to 37,000 combined, and gain nice features like air-ride seats, double saddle fuel tanks etc, for not much more than an F350. Just gotta add your own tow-bed.
ReneeG
Explorer
Nov 02, 2018
valhalla360 wrote:
We're pulling 12k with a 2008 V10. For what you describe, it should be fine.

Newer gas engines have a lot of power. Only big difference is gas engines rev to generate big HP. No harm in it but people get nervous.

Remember that his is 12k dry weight. More than likely he'll be pushing 15k, but I don't know what the GVWR for that model of Montana is. Our 35'9" Bighorn is 11k dry and 14k wet/loaded. We towed with a '99 F250 6.8L V10 and traded up to our current diesel. Sure glad we did. Not familiar with the new gas engines, but I've heard they can tow heavy loads.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2018
valhalla360 wrote:
Newer gas engines have a lot of power. Only big difference is gas engines rev to generate big HP. No harm in it but people get nervous.

Yep ! Especially when coming from a diesel that has gobs of power down low. Diesel might get better fuel economy on heavy hauls, but the initial cost, DEF and more expensive oil changes mean you have to put a LOT of mile on in a year to make up for those addition costs.

The newer 6-8-10 speed automatic exaggerate this concern, but they are just doing what they are supposed to be doing.
ShinerBock
Explorer
Nov 02, 2018
I would rather tow with the old Ford V10s than any of the new V8s. While the new V8s may have the same or more horsepower/torque at peak, the old V10s achieved it at lower rpms making the power and torque usable in more gears than today's higher revving V8s.
ShinerBock
Explorer
Nov 02, 2018
theoldwizard1 wrote:

Yep ! Especially when coming from a diesel that has gobs of power down low. Diesel might get better fuel economy on heavy hauls, but the initial cost, DEF and more expensive oil changes mean you have to put a LOT of mile on in a year to make up for those addition costs.

The newer 6-8-10 speed automatic exaggerate this concern, but they are just doing what they are supposed to be doing.

It would actually cost me more in total cost of ownership going from a 5.7L 2500 to a 6.4L gasser 2500 than it would going from a 5.7L 2500 to a 6.7L diesel 2500. This of course is not accounting for the added towing performance benefit which is worth a lot for many people. Everyone's cost will be different depending on where they live and I would encourage they do the math before coming to such conclusions.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Nov 02, 2018
It depends on what his goal is. If he can easily afford a new diesel I think he would be much happier with a diesel. If the goal is to save money a new gasser would likely be cheaper to own. I would want a diesel for that weight.
Groover
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2018
If he can wait Ford and GM both are going to have new, stronger gas engines in about a year and RAM is doing something with the hemi to make it better for heavy trucks.