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.

[Super_Dave]

Entry level 5ers and high end 5ers both work for camping. One might just be a little nicer and a little easier. I think that is what we are really arguing about with TV power.

[rhagfo]

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.

[Dave_H_M]

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.

[irishtom29]

This might not apply but note that scads of people are satisfactorily driving all over the place in Ford V-10 gas Class A motorcoaches with GVWRs up to 26,000 pounds and GCWRs of 30,000.

[wowens79]

Rwake901 wrote:
Thanks for everyone’s advice. This kind of went the way I thought it might. lol Everyone with a diesel says go with a diesel and everyone who pulls with a gas engine says they work just fine. I went to GM’s website and called them on the phone and they said you can tow a 5th wheel up to 14200 pounds with the 6.0 liter gas engine. After shopping around I’ve found that I can buy a new gas truck for the same amount of money that a 3 year old diesel will cost with 50,000 miles on it. That’s a hard pill to swallow for me anyway. I haven’t made up my mind yet maybe I’ll find a better deal before I buy. Thanks again for the advice.

I've got the 6.0, and it as been great for 225k miles, but I tow 8k lbs. I don't think you will be happy at 10k lbs +. Maybe the new 6.6, or the 6.4, but I think the 7.0 is under powered for that weight.

Mine coming up a 7% grade yesterday, I was at 5000 RPMs, doing 45mph, and that was all she would do pulling 8k lbs.

[jerem0621]

this is a hard question for me, I love gas engines. I love the simplicity of them. They are fun to drive and they sound great.

I had a V10 F350 and it was a great motor. With 4:56 gears I would tow your weight with my old dually.

I would be inclined to wait until the specs are released on the 7.3 Godzilla.

A newer diesel answers all questions though.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Lantley]

Rwake901 wrote:
Thanks for everyone’s advice. This kind of went the way I thought it might. lol Everyone with a diesel says go with a diesel and everyone who pulls with a gas engine says they work just fine. I went to GM’s website and called them on the phone and they said you can tow a 5th wheel up to 14200 pounds with the 6.0 liter gas engine. After shopping around I’ve found that I can buy a new gas truck for the same amount of money that a 3 year old diesel will cost with 50,000 miles on it. That’s a hard pill to swallow for me anyway. I haven’t made up my mind yet maybe I’ll find a better deal before I buy. Thanks again for the advice.

Consider how many of those now towing with a diesel, used to tow with a gasser? Of that group how many wish they could go back to gas?
There are a few die hard gasser guys that would never tow with a diesel.
But there are many more gasser guys that decided to try a diesel and saw the night vs. day difference and never looked back.
I will reiterate the only advantage the gasser has on the diesel when it comes to towing 16K is the original sale price. All of factors favor the diesel including resale.

[MFL]

While I have to say the GM 6.0 is a great engine, and the later model GMs very capable, the Ford 6.2 is stronger, especially with the 4.30 gears. With a new F350, you still get the HD better transmission in the gas or diesel version, and the 6.2 will work, up to 15K actual loaded weight.
I agree with above, a 16,500 lb toyhauler is too much to expect from the gassers.

I would suggest if gas is what you want, get the F350 with 4.30 gears. If diesel is your choice, a late model Ram 3500, would be my choice, if going used diesel.

Jerry

[rhagfo]

Rwake901 wrote:
Thanks for everyone’s advice. This kind of went the way I thought it might. lol Everyone with a diesel says go with a diesel and everyone who pulls with a gas engine says they work just fine. I went to GM’s website and called them on the phone and they said you can tow a 5th wheel up to 14200 pounds with the 6.0 liter gas engine. After shopping around I’ve found that I can buy a new gas truck for the same amount of money that a 3 year old diesel will cost with 50,000 miles on it. That’s a hard pill to swallow for me anyway. I haven’t made up my mind yet maybe I’ll find a better deal before I buy. Thanks again for the advice.

Yep, it will within specs (just barely), or get a diesel where you are at half to two thirds of towing capacity, which will be more relaxing to tow with?
Even beyond specs they (diesels) do “Fine” I was towing 12,500#+ with a 2001 Ram 2500 with 3.55 gears and a five speed manual. Manual stated 16,000# GCVWR, I was at 20,500# GCVWR with a small chip and slightly larger injectors. Never dropped below
4th climbing hills.

[rhagfo]

La Gasser wrote:
I tow a 41' Toy Hauler that scales at 16,500 with a 2013 Ford F350 Dually with a 6.2 gas engine and 4.30 gears without any problems. Truck & trailer scale at 24,500. I've towed a 14,500 lb gooseneck horse trailer with this truck and also with a 2006 F250 with the 6.0 diesel, which was not the best diesel engine ever made. Both towed my trailers with no problems. A buddy has a Ram Dually with the Cummins diesel towing a 39' toy hauler that weighs 15,000 lbs. He gets 10 mpg and I get 7 mpg towing. Diesel engines cost approx $9,000 plus more than a gas engine, diesel fuel is averaging about $.75/gallon more than gas, and the diesel has higher maintenance costs. It's hard to justify a diesel with those figures unless you are towing heavy almost everyday. Gas engines & transmissions have come a long way and are getting better every year. Anxious to see what the new Ford 7.3 and GM 6.6 will do. In the end it's a personal preference, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a gas engine again - just spec it out with the correct rear end and towing package. Do your own research as most salesman are clueless when it comes to spec out a tow vehicle. Dont settle for what's on the dealer lots, order a correctly spec'd vehicle if you have to.

Love post like this I tow 16,000# with a 6.2 gas Without any problems. Well not sure what exactly that means. LA is a very flat not much of a statement, what happens in hills. What is your definition of “Without anyProblems” holding 55 on the Interstate, holding 55 on a hill, needing to lock out sixth gear. What may no problem for you may be unacceptable to others.
Looking at specs you are right at the extreme end of the 6.2 towing capacity, yes it moves, but it is working hard.

[Rwake901]

Thanks for everyone’s advice. This kind of went the way I thought it might. lol Everyone with a diesel says go with a diesel and everyone who pulls with a gas engine says they work just fine. I went to GM’s website and called them on the phone and they said you can tow a 5th wheel up to 14200 pounds with the 6.0 liter gas engine. After shopping around I’ve found that I can buy a new gas truck for the same amount of money that a 3 year old diesel will cost with 50,000 miles on it. That’s a hard pill to swallow for me. I haven’t made up my mind yet maybe I’ll find a better deal before I buy. Thanks again for the advice.

[MFL]

I normally tow 63-65, but yes, I also get in a hurry sometimes, and bump up another 5 mph. That extra five mph makes a big difference, especially in a head or side wind. Oh well...no matter, I went into this RVing, knowing it is going to be costly, just like most of the things I enjoy!

Jerry

[larry_barnhart]

I hope you were driving not towing.

chevman

[Cummins12V98]

MFL wrote:
"Two possibilities of that, solo at 104mph or towing into a head wind of 40mph at 75 mph."

Yup...solo at 104, seems we both have great memory function!:)

Actually, my barely over 7 mpg, and combined wt guess, was double tow, including my bike trailer, with 2 bikes (short 1K lbs).

Jerry

The day we left Rolling Retreats after ordering our current DRV. We were Westbound on 40 bucking a headwind of 40mph. We were in a BIG hurry to get to AZ for some warmer weather as it was the second week of January.

Notice less than 200 miles on a 35gallon tank.

[wowens79]

Fisher Bill wrote:
Here's a thought, hows many miles are the Gasser's getting on their engines? my 6.6 Duramax has 200K and I'm told it's just broke in.

Do the newer gas engines last as long as the diesel engines these days?

My Chevy 6.0 has 225k on it and it has been a great motor. Only time it let me down was at 195k and the fuel pump went out 4 miles from the campground. $500 it was good to go. If that Dmax has the cp4 fuel pump, when it goes it will be $10k to repair.

The OPs weight I’d think would be a bit much for the 6.0. I’m at 8k lbs and it struggles in the mountains. I think the Ram 6.4, or the new gassers Chevy and ford have coming would probably handle it.