the_happiestcamper wrote:
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
JustLabs wrote:
You'll use more fuel and RPM to do it,but an 8.1 will run circles around a CTD of that era.
I really doubt that.
Doubt it if you want but that big block would smoke the oil burner of those years. The big block has more than a 1/3 more HP. Would not even be close.
I used to have a 2003 Quad Cab Long Bed 2500 with the 5.9 CTD. I now tow with what's in the sig. Definitely my 8.1 tows better than my Cummins did. 8-9 MPG gas vs. 13 MPG diesel towing. Maybe not all are like this, maybe I had a bad Dodge, maybe I have a superior GMC - just my observation.
Well that 8.1 has a 27% displacement difference over the 03 CTD, and was likely running 3.55 gears not the 4.10 you have. I traded a F250 in on my 01 CTD, it would not pull my trailer art the time up a grade at speed. I don't think it was 100%, but as a DD getting 7 mpg, I dumped it for the CTD, now get 15 city driving, 12 towing and move an 11K 5er up 6% and 7% grades at speed with 3.55's.
The other thing to think about if a gas TV gets 10 mpg, a diesel gets 12 mpg that is a 20% improvement.
It all boils down to personal preference, some will never enjoy the pleasure of towing with a diesel.
