HD trucks

goducks10 wrote:
Just color match one to your 5th wheel and go for it.

This close enough?

My diesel, 2003 GMC D/A combo, got four mpg better towing than did my old Vortex 454 which is no longer manufactured. The 454 got about 8 mpg towing my FW and boats while the diesel got around 12. That's a 50% benefit. Around town it was also about four mpg better, but coming from 10 mpg around town to 14 mpg around town was a 40% increase, still not too shabby. The gas engine will probably pull your load, but don't look to get the same mph as a diesel, especially pulling a load.

Think gas or diesel will get you up any hill to your satisfaction. Actually when comparing new the gas may even beat the diesel up the hill in the RAM line. I had a 5.7 Hemi and that thing pulled as long as you did not mind the sound of a screaming engine. My diesel with the tms pulls different, you never feel underpowered but you never feel over powered. The power just always seems the same if it is a flat or 7% grade.

I don't agree that your not at least in 3/4 ton area, those who say they tow just fine in that kind of weight are tring to convince themself that what they are doing is fun. They are doing it cause they do not have the option to upgrade and are too far in to say their wrong now. I have driven and sat on the passenger side of many of these "just fine" towing rigs and they will get the job done, I will not argue that, but you have both hands firmly planted on the wheel the whole way, if you don't mind that a 1500 May be an option. I camp to relax and needing to worry about the drive there and back or long trips, not signing up for that.

I don't agree that you will spend more fuel on a bigger truck. My dually diesel (2014) gets me between 3 and 4 mpg better then my 1500 did, (2011) not towing and towing, only 8 mpg better. Love it!

Whichever brand truck you choose (they are all good), if choosing a gasser, make sure you get a 4:10 or 4:30 axle for optimal towing torque. 3:73 is standard axle on most trucks (what you will see on dealer lots). The 4:10 is a factory option.

Is the 8,000# dry or wet?
If wet, this give some thought to the F150 EB Max/Max, 8,000# is well within it's towing capacity, 5er might be close on Payload, but the turbo's create low speed torque.
Towing an 8,000# trailer with today's diesel is nothing, even with 3.73 gears.
I pull 11,000# with 3.55's and a lot less HP and torque and do great.

Find someone with a Patriot Blue 2003 Ram 3500 4X4 6 speed Cummins and offer them a blank check for it.
Don't for get the Blue part, that's important. Oh and the blank check too.

Properly geared there are gasser options from the big three that will effectively tow a 8K# 5er up most any mountain, but none will do it to the degree a diesel will if that is what you truly want.

The newer Hemi 6.4 Ram gasser is a beast and is being used by current forum members to tow heavier 5ers than what you are planning to tow. Mileage reports when not towing is pretty good compared to HD gassers of the past and is not a bad option as a daily driver.

We use a Chevy 3/4 ton gasser with 4.10s to tow our 10K TT toyhauler around the mountain west and it has taken us up every mountain thus far, but I wouldn't and don't use it as a daily driver as it does consume quite a bit of fuel even when not towing. It's a dedicated TV and just sits in the garage until called to duty.

If you want the torque of a diesel than you have to go diesel, I know a few that use them as daily drivers and they seem not to have much problems doing so. Yeah they are a bit more expensive to purchase and maintain but they have better resale and of course more torque if you do a lot of heavy towing.

Ultimately, it's your call. Need to figure out where and how often you plan to actually tow, and if you are planning to go heavier than your 8000# 5er in the future. Diesel would be the better choice if going significantly heavier somewhere down the road, but for a 5er weighing 8K# and just towing 6 times a year or every 2 months, a newer gasser would fit the bill nicely as well.

Thanks wintersun I forgot about the rear end ratio for gas engines, I will look into that

Thanks everyone for the insite & links. I have driven them all and each one has their plus & minuses. I have also researched the gas engines available, my concern is mountain climbing or even hill climbing. I just don't see the available torque in the gas engines to accomplish the minor task of going up a 2000' hill. I was just looking for an opinion on what was perferred.

bigfink wrote:
Opinion, I am looking to buy a new truck, it will be used most of the time for daily driving, however I do pull a 8, 000 lb 5th wheel about once every 2 months. I would like the torque of the diesel for hill climbing, don't want to be the last one up the hill. Which is the better truck, Ford, Chevy or dodge? Or is there a gas engine out there that will give me the torque I desire, thanks for your feedback.

Mark F.

Don't forget the best option: GMC diesel doolie

If you have to settle for something less, go with the Chevy.

Otherwise, wait till you come to your senses and go either the GMC or the Chevy.

If you want gas, eat at taco bell. If you want to pull a trailer, get a diesel