CKNSLS wrote:
macsplinter wrote:
We are going to do the same thing. Going to sell our 2005 duramax and go to a half ton PU and a smaller camper. After having two diesel trucks ( one dodge and a duramax) I will never own another. I don't have the kind of money to keep up or to repair a diesel pu and having the biggest and fastest truck and camper is not important to me.
Half ton trucks are more capable than ever before. I believe diesels will continue to shrink in sales especially if/when the younger set becomes involve in RVing. When you take in consideration that you can tow 7,000 pounds with out issue and the Ultra Lights are in that range, there is no reason for a diesels for the casual RVer.
As I have mentioned before-last year I completed an 8,000 mile, 8 month trip around the country with my 2011 Silverado half-ton towing a 28 foot 5,500 pound travel trailer and had ZERO ISSUES. The diesel guys like to pull the reliability card, but the gas motors are every bit as reliable.
Pretty amazing that the new V6 model half tons (not the ecoboost) can tow 5600-7450 lbs between the three lines depending on the model and still pull down 20-25 mpg empty.
The lighter engines all make around 300 hp and 269-305 ft lb of tq. The new Dodge Ram Pentastar V6 with the 8 speed transmission seems to be really amazing.
Just doing an unscientific study of my local dealers websites it seems that there are a lot of new Rams being ordered with this V6, also the new 2014 Silverado's are selling well with the 4.3 (305 lb ft of tq, over 7000 lb towing with 4x4)
Of course, Ford has been selling the 3.7 V6 by the bushel loads since 2011 and in a crew cab configuration (2wd only) its rated to pull 5400 lbs... I expect Ford to up that rating soon in order to "keep up".
There are going to be many consumers who are going to ask for more efficient vehicles that can still tow decent loads.
Here is an example of a trailer that would work with the Pentastar Ram or the 4.3 4x4 Silverado Crew Cab... I am thinking with a family of four, and needing bunks.
Apex TrailerAnyway, thats just an idea. I am very excited about the future of RV'ing.