Gas engine

[Rwake901]

Anybody tow their 5th wheel with a gas pickup if so does it have enough power? I’ve been shopping for a truck to pull a 5th wheel (empty weight is 11,450) and the dealer recommended a diesel. I would prefer a gas engine. I would think a 6 liter gas engine with a 410 rear end would do it. Am I wrong? Thanks for your help.

[Cummins12V98]

goducks10 wrote:
New diesels don't smell. MY 12 CTD didn't smell. Only the newer ones that are deleted smell.

"but we don't like the odor of diesel fuel"

It's the "FUEL" smell they don't like. I mis read it also earlier.

[rhagfo]

klr650goldwing wrote:
We are pulling our 12,000lb 5er with a V10 gas with 456 gearing. We've been in the mountains of North Carolina and the Big Bend area of. We have not been in the Rockies yet. So far we've had no problems. We drive about 60-65 most of the time, but when on a 70 mph road, we go 70. We have slowed some on a steep climb. There is no doubt that a diesel will have more power, but we don't like the odor of diesel fuel so this is our choice and we are happy with it.

goducks10 wrote:
New diesels don't smell. MY 12 CTD didn't smell. Only the newer ones that are deleted smell.

I always like those that state diesel fuel stinks, I turn my own wrenches a lot, I would rather work on a diesel fuel system than gas! Gas makes my eyes burn, just the fumes no splash. The diesel is easier to get off your hands afterwards also.

Klr650goldwing is correct, it is his choice, just like it is mine.

[goducks10]

New diesels don't smell. MY 12 CTD didn't smell. Only the newer ones that are deleted smell.

[klr650goldwing]

We are pulling our 12,000lb 5er with a V10 gas with 456 gearing. We've been in the mountains of North Carolina and the Big Bend area of. We have not been in the Rockies yet. So far we've had no problems. We drive about 60-65 most of the time, but when on a 70 mph road, we go 70. We have slowed some on a steep climb. There is no doubt that a diesel will have more power, but we don't like the odor of diesel fuel so this is our choice and we are happy with it.

[mountainkowboy]

Super_Dave wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
mountainkowboy what did that "little" Camper weigh fully loaded? WHY the 19'5's?

Arctic Fox builds heavy and that looks like a 11' - 12', my guess is at least 6k, assuming it has slides.

That's an 04 AF 1140 and was 5,720lbs ready to camp and that truck was over GVWR by far. Not 19.5's, those are stock 215/85-16's which I upgraded to 235's for more cushion cause the front were REAL close to maxed.

[Me_Again]

rhagfo wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
uhhhhhhhhh, irishtom, surely you are aware that you are preaching to the choir? :W

It was interesting to note that it did not take the OP too long to notice that the diesel drivers all carry on bout how that is the only way to go and like wise the gasser guys do pretty much the same. But it is my opinion that the diesel drivers constantly lurk for a chance to bash a gasser. :B Nothing else to say they have to lean on the "S" word (screamer).

I am convinced that the gas motors have come into being and are continuing to advance, surely because of demand.

Well the question by the OP is towing a near 15,000# 5er with a gas engine, that is near the max tow rating for gas even with 4.30 gears. With a diesel he would well within max tow rating with 3.73, or even 3.42’s.
Yes, gas is getting better, but so is diesel.

A SRW RAM 3500 with Aisin is a sweet setup for that weight. Long legs cruising at 80 MPH at 1750 RPMs bobtail and a low first and second gear to get a load moving. Our 5th wheel weighs 16K for a combined weight of 24,500. A GREAT combo.

Chris

[Super_Dave]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
mountainkowboy what did that "little" Camper weigh fully loaded? WHY the 19'5's?

Arctic Fox builds heavy and that looks like a 11' - 12', my guess is at least 6k, assuming it has slides.

[Cummins12V98]

mountainkowboy what did that "little" Camper weigh fully loaded? WHY the 19'5's?

[mountainkowboy]

jerem0621 wrote:

The extra premium is just the price of admission. Especially for a Dodge. (Experience there, I love Dodges). The diesel doesn’t make the body any better, or the ball joints more reliable or the interior last Longer, or the paint not peel.

Yup, my 97 had to be repainted by Dodge long before 100K, and it needed to be repainted again when I sold it at 170K. The front end was completely rebuilt twice in the time that I owned it. That truck couldn't hold an alignment to save its life, had to have one every 10K-15K or it ate the front tires. Lets talk about the garbage auto trans that they used the 47RE, Rebuilt 6 times by Dodge in 112,000 miles. When they refused to rebuild it the 7th time I converted it to an NV4500. The seats were falling apart along with most of the crispy plastic interior. The only thing that was any good in that truck was the CTD and the Dana 80 axle. Loved the truck for its ability, but the Dodge part of it was junk.

Replaced it with a 7 year older F350 gasser and never looked back. 10 years later the F350 has never faltered or needed any major repairs.

[Cummins12V98]

"The diesel doesn’t make the body any better, or the ball joints more reliable or the interior last Longer, or the paint not peel."

My 98 12V still had the original front suspension at 300k but at that time the one upper ball joint started to get a bit loose and a bit of rust on the front axle u joints. So I did all ball joints, hubs and front u joints. All tie rod ends etc were on it when I sold to my son at 365k. He has since replaced front axle with a late 2nd ged unit for MUCH better braking. Also driveline u joints OE. Body fit and finish was great and it still shines at 400k. It does have very small dots of white showing. Interior still looked new at time of sale, he has added leather since. Dash is perfect.

There is a reason for the demand. Simple solid rigs.

Recent pic for your viewing pleasure, first 98 with 400k and second 01 with 130k.

[jerem0621]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
How about this comparison. People always say buy 4x4 simply for the resale value. I say the same comparing Gas to Diesel.

I paid 15k last Summer for a 2001 RAM Sport 2500 4x4 SRW LB with 123k original owner miles in great condition. What would that same truck be worth with a Gas engine?

NADA clean retail with Diesel option $12,325, clean retail gas engine $7,250.

But the fact is the RAM Diesels get an additional premium price.

Just me, I would have bought a $5,000 version of the same truck with the bullet proof V10.

The extra premium is just the price of admission. Especially for a Dodge. (Experience there, I love Dodges). The diesel doesn’t make the body any better, or the ball joints more reliable or the interior last Longer, or the paint not peel.

[Cummins12V98]

troubledwaters wrote:
Of course its worth more, because it cost more to start with. You can make the same comparison between a XL and a Lariat, guess what, the Lariat is worth more; because it cost more to begin with. So is there some meaningful point you are trying to make?

EASE of selling. Reality my truck is worth at minimum 7k more than the same gasser.

Actually the options don't add up to that much. The Sport package only added $350 of value and about the same for the LOW mileage.

[troubledwaters]

Of course its worth more, because it cost more to start with. You can make the same comparison between a XL and a Lariat, guess what, the Lariat is worth more; because it cost more to begin with. So is there some meaningful point you are trying to make?

[Cummins12V98]

How about this comparison. People always say buy 4x4 simply for the resale value. I say the same comparing Gas to Diesel.

I paid 15k last Summer for a 2001 RAM Sport 2500 4x4 SRW LB with 123k original owner miles in great condition. What would that same truck be worth with a Gas engine?

NADA clean retail with Diesel option $12,325, clean retail gas engine $7,250.

But the fact is the RAM Diesels get an additional premium price.