I have a 37' outside length 5th wheel that I tow about 13,000 to 14,000 pounds depending on how long of a trip. I just sold my 2002 chevy crew with 8' bed with 6.0 gas and need to get another truck. I plan to go no older than 2011 but probably won't spring for new.GM is all I really know but I am willing to get any make of truck. The 6.0 pulled it fine but definitely slowed down on the hills on the highway. I am ok with that though as I am in no rush anymore.I am seeing a lot of diesels for sale and am willing to do that. But things like an F-250 super duty that looks bomb proof but then it has a 5.4L engine. That seems small to me. I know even less about the Ram. I am not sure if GM still makes the 8.1 gas but I imagine the 6.2 will be perfectly fine if the 6.0 was fine.What engine sizes in Ford and Ram should I look at 2011 and up?I will be doing a cross country this year.I am old enough now to know that whatever brand I buy will need maintenance because it is a million mechanical parts and they will all eventually rust because they are made of steel. They are what they are regardless of who makes it. Sadly I wouldn't think twice about buying a Toyota if they made one big enough.

The 8.1L was discontinued in '07; too bad, it was a great engine. If you want to stick with a gas engine Dodge is introducing the 6.4L hemi in the trucks this year but that means buying new and being a "guinea pig". The 5.7 hemi is a fairly proven power plant but it's no big block.Does GM offer the 6.2 in a 2500 or 3500? I thought they were only in the 1500 trucks. (Which really wouldn't make much sense.)The Ford V10 would be my choice if I had to have a Ford. Otherwise, their 6.2L is what's available now.Unless you don't pull much at all and/or let the truck sit a lot I would think you'd be happier with a diesel for that kind of weight. A GM Duramax pre 2011 would not have the DEF requirement and should be plentiful and reliable. The Dodge 6.7 Cummins has been a good engine for quite a while now. If you're buying a Ford diesel don't dare get a pre 2011.

Thanks. That is a lot more info than I knew.I was thinking I didn't need a diesel, but I have found a lot of them for sale. I am guessing people get over their heads price wise and are looking to unload. I have two cars so I don't drive a truck much. Trash to the dump, home improvements, rv, 1.5 miles to in-laws farm to haul whatever. I didn't know letting a diesel sit was a problem but I can just take it out at least twice per week.I really don't think I will go older than 2011. That is already 4 years old and they all rust. Older vehicles with high miles tend to have a lot of maintenance requirements and the low mileage older vehicles tend to have early rust from sitting.The price difference from new to even just one year old is so much that new is tough to stomach. I am just going to ding it up so letting letting someone else pay $15-20k to ding it up seems like a bargain.

For your fiver, get a diesel and make sure it is a dually. In the real world you have been towing overloaded, so why continue that mistake any longer if you have the chance. Depending on the region you live in makes a lot of difference the preferred truck brand.

You are in Maine, not a lot of mountains there. Do you find yourself pulling large mountains when you travel?If not, a gas engine should do you just fine. The GM 6.0 is in the 2500 and 3500 and is a fine engine. The Ford 6.2 is in the F250 and F350 and is also a fine engine. Ram is coming out with the 6.4 Hemi, but there isn't much real world experience with it. I would argue that any of these gassers would be just fine for those weights unless you are pulling serious weight up serious inclines in serious altitudes. I would prefer a new gas to a used diesel as long as the gas engine is stout enough.

thirteen wrote:I have a 37' outside length 5th wheel that I tow about 13,000 to 14,000 pounds depending on how long of a trip. I just sold my 2002 chevy crew with 8' bed with 6.0 gas and need to get another truck. ....... The 6.0 pulled it fine but definitely slowed down on the hills on the highway. I am ok with that though as I am in no rush anymore........I will be doing a cross country this year.I am old enough now to know that whatever brand I buy will need maintenance because it is a million mechanical parts and they will all eventually rust because they are made of steel. They are what they are regardless of who makes it. Sadly I wouldn't think twice about buying a Toyota if they made one big enough.I do like statements like this, it is fine if you get dragged down on the interstates with extra lanes for others to pass you. I personally see this as a safety issue on two lanes, if you get dragged down to 45 to 35 on a grade on a two lane without a passing lane, the backup be hind you will start to get impatient and then may try risky pass that could put others and you in danger.While a newer 3500 6.0 gas could do a good job of pulling, you might entertain the thought going to a diesel.

What Tow Vehicle is Enough? | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

thirteen
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
Thanks. That is a lot more info than I knew.
I was thinking I didn't need a diesel, but I have found a lot of them for sale. I am guessing people get over their heads price wise and are looking to unload. I have two cars so I don't drive a truck much. Trash to the dump, home improvements, rv, 1.5 miles to in-laws farm to haul whatever. I didn't know letting a diesel sit was a problem but I can just take it out at least twice per week.
I really don't think I will go older than 2011. That is already 4 years old and they all rust. Older vehicles with high miles tend to have a lot of maintenance requirements and the low mileage older vehicles tend to have early rust from sitting.
The price difference from new to even just one year old is so much that new is tough to stomach. I am just going to ding it up so letting letting someone else pay $15-20k to ding it up seems like a bargain.
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2014
The 8.1L was discontinued in '07; too bad, it was a great engine. If you want to stick with a gas engine Dodge is introducing the 6.4L hemi in the trucks this year but that means buying new and being a "guinea pig". The 5.7 hemi is a fairly proven power plant but it's no big block.
Does GM offer the 6.2 in a 2500 or 3500? I thought they were only in the 1500 trucks. (Which really wouldn't make much sense.)
The Ford V10 would be my choice if I had to have a Ford. Otherwise, their 6.2L is what's available now.
Unless you don't pull much at all and/or let the truck sit a lot I would think you'd be happier with a diesel for that kind of weight. A GM Duramax pre 2011 would not have the DEF requirement and should be plentiful and reliable. The Dodge 6.7 Cummins has been a good engine for quite a while now. If you're buying a Ford diesel don't dare get a pre 2011.

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What Tow Vehicle is Enough?

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