Anybody towing with a late model gasser?

[daily_double]

I just had to shell out a little over 10K to fix the high pressure fuel pump on my 2012 Ford diesel. 37k miles on it and the dealer said "sorry" ford won't pay. After some discussion on this subject he said that about all you can do is buy your fuel at a truck stop (flying J ,Pilot etc) and hope you don't get any bad fuel. I'm about ready to try to find a gasser that will tow a 13k # fifth wheel up over the mountains . Is there any such thing made now?

[kzspree320]

Almost everything in life requires some compromises. I am one of those seriously considering switching to a gasser from my current 2008 Ram with 6.7 Cummins. Don't get me wrong, I like my current truck and it tows great, but it is now out of warranty. Even though it only 6 years old, I don't know that I want to own a diesel with EPA emissions******out of warranty.

While about 30% of the total miles are towing my 12K fifth wheel, about 95% of the trips are short trips around town. I do take it out for at least a 50 mile trip every couple of weeks. I loved towing with it in Colorado, but since I live in a flat state (LA), that is an extremely small percentage of use.

For the 95% of short trips, the gasser would be better. For most of my towing trips in fairly flat land, the gasser would be OK. My main concern is will I want to pull my hair out the 5% of the time I'm pulling in mountains?? My wife says think long and hard about it, since she knows I can be impatient at times.

I am retired. That means I have more free time and it also means a $10k repair would hurt. I know the thing that makes the most sense for me is a new gasser for the 95% of the time and more patience the other 5% when towing in the mountains. At 10K miles per year, a gasser should serve me well for the remainder of my camping life.

As a retired CPA, I also understand costs and know that a one size fits all solution does not work. If I was working and driving 30K miles a year, the easy answer would be diesel. For me, my head says gasser, but my heart still loves to pull with diesel. Only time will tell if my head will eventually win out.

[gmw_photos]

In 2006 we brought home the F350 dually powerstroke. Coincidentally, at the same time my buddy bought a F250 with a V10 gas. We both pull gooseneck horse trailers that are very similar in size and weight when loaded with four horses ( between approx 12K to 14K pounds ).
If I knew then what I know now, we too would have bought a gasser. His gas powered truck pulls the load just fine.

[sacmarata]

ib516 wrote:
I should really make you belly laugh then. I spent $58k on a new gasser :B

Keep in mind, as awesome as I'm sure your old 1998 12V is, you still have to ride around in that 16 year old noisy rattle trap of a truck to enjoy that great free power.

Maybe I'm just getting old 🙂 But I like my 8.4" touch screen, power sunroof, power back window, leather heated and cooled front seats, heated back seats, heated steering wheel, back up camera, quiet interior, automatic climate control, navigation with voice turn by turn, factory fifth wheel prep, 6 speed auto transmission with tow/haul mode, satellite radio that finds my favorite songs for me, bluetooth phone connectivity, and 410 hp. :B

I haven't minded what you consider to be a rattle trap for the past 324K miles and I've been driving it since '94.

The fact that you can afford to spend $58K on a truck is awesome, but I doubt the majority of buyers out there can afford so much truck, myself included. So, I'll live without a lot of the amenities and wear gloves in the winter and use my smart phone for GPS 🙂

I have to admit, the 10 way heated and power seats in my Chevy gasser make me overlook the horrible mileage sometimes on commutes and it gets the nod on really brisk winter days 🙂

As far as the ford V10 goes, I don't think it's offered in modern 3/4 ton trucks, so to get one you have to go back in time. I'f I'm gonna go back in time I'll stick with the 12V or older 24V Cummins and keep my fuel mileage. Heck even the dreaded 6.0 Power Stroke is pretty good once bullet proofed and got decent mileage.

This is simply my opinion, but Ford has really hurt the image of Diesels. First with the 6.0 (which is mostly fine if left alone) and now with stories like the OP has.

I would be scared to death to plunk down a bunch of cash on any newer diesel technology. A bullet proofed PS 6.0 would be nice I think or any Cummins 2003 or older. I'm sure theres plenty of other reliable diesels out there but those are the two I personally think I would like.

As far as gas goes, I just can't see recommending any gasser over a GOOD diesel and I especially like the inline 6 with low RPM torque that most Cummins have. I'm not a brand basher and not even a gas basher (I have 2 gas trucks and own Ford, Chevy and Dodge.) I simply know what their applications are and when I use the 6.0 Chevy with 10 way power and heated seats, Onstar, 4 full doors and rear heat control over 7K lbs I'm kicking myself the whole time for my 20 year old rattle trap Cummins.

[carringb]

sacmarata wrote:


The OP said he's going to be hauling 13klbs. Do you REALLY want to recommend a gas truck to him?

Why wouldn't I recommend one? I pull 15-18,000 pounds with my V10. It does great, and has been super reliable. There's even guys on this forum who have switched from diesel (newer than yours) to a gas motor, and are happy with the change.

[ib516]

sacmarata wrote:
I own both. A 6.0 gasser and a 5.9 diesel. With less displacement and cheaper mods the diesel so outperforms the gasser that it's laughable. Whats more laughable is that someone will go out and spend $40,000 to buy a gas truck to compete with a 4 speed 20 year old diesel with free mods. If the diesel had a shorter rear end it would lights out, but I use it as a daily driver in the winter and like the taller gearing and fuel mileage.

I should really make you belly laugh then. I spent $58k on a new gasser :B

Keep in mind, as awesome as I'm sure your old 1998 12V is, you still have to ride around in that 16 year old noisy rattle trap of a truck to enjoy that great free power.

Maybe I'm just getting old 🙂 But I like my 8.4" touch screen, power sunroof, power back window, leather heated and cooled front seats, heated back seats, heated steering wheel, back up camera, quiet interior, automatic climate control, navigation with voice turn by turn, factory fifth wheel prep, 6 speed auto transmission with tow/haul mode, satellite radio that finds my favorite songs for me, bluetooth phone connectivity, and 410 hp. :B

I have had two Cummins diesels and really enjoyed both of them as well. I added aftermarket injectors and a box to the 2002, and a programmer and exhaust to the 07, both 5.9Ls.

But now I am very much enjoying the 6.4L Hemi, it hauls my RV just as well as the 07 Cummins did, it just uses more fuel doing it. It's a far better truck than either of the older ones, just because of how far Ram has come in recent years, powertrain choice notwithstanding.

The main thing I'm looking forward to is winter. I could never get much heat out of the Cummins diesels on my short commute. I froze my butt off in those trucks when it was -30* or colder, which where I live, is (too) often.

To each their own!

[Mr_Beebo]

The diesel posts are for another thread.
To answer the OP, yes, there are gas motors in the 3/4 & 1 ton market that will more than ably pull 13k thru elevation. 6 speed transmissions make a huge difference as well as 4.10 gearing. To 2nd the post above from Fishbreath, the gas motors wind out when they need to; that is where they make their power. Doesn't bother me a bit and it shouldn't, as that is what they are made to do. I can pull 9k at 60mph running about 1900 rpm or I can run at 3k in tow/haul and it sounds sweet and smooth as powdered sugar.

[sacmarata]

Mr.Beebo wrote:

sacmarata wrote:


Interview 100 cattle farmers and ask the same thing.

The preponderance of evidence will show that guys who depend on their rig to make them money use diesels.
It's not a p!$$!ng contest, it's just how things are.

So far you've convinced yourself.

My neighbor not 2000 yards from my front door transports his cattle with his Dodge Ram gas motor and does fine with it.
My concrete sub contractor has 5 vehicles in his fleet-4 big block Chevies and one Duramax. He's paying to have the headgasket and injectors replaced on the Dmax and then he is selling it.
I make my living hauling tractors, skid steers, vehicles, scrap iron and assorted heavy equipment. That is every week. I'll pull a camper a half dozen times a year. You have heard from folks here first hand who use gas motors in the 3/4 and 1 tons and enjoy it. First hand accounts.
God bless the diesel owners, but it would appear the numerous posters who own gas trucks do not share in the reality of your world.

EXACTLY what I was talking about. The exceptions suddenly become the rule.
It's not a mentality thing. It's not the reality of MY world...it's simply reality that the transportation industry use diesel instead of gas for a reason and the University of Michigan study illustrates why.

Of course theres folks that can speak up and give examples of being perfectly happy with their gas and folks who have switched from diesel to gas...I don't live under a rock. Those stories are out there just like the OPs story of a $10,000 diesel repair are out there...BUT THOSE ARE THE EXCEPTIONS.

When someone is asking for advice on what to do why in the world would anyone take the exception to the norm and recommend it to someone who is genuinly wanting to know "what works best?"

The OP said he's going to be hauling 13klbs. Do you REALLY want to recommend a gas truck to him?

[Kampfirekid]

I was watching this post for answers it begged... ANYBODY TOWING WITH A LATE MODEL GASSER?

Stop the sissy cat fight and give the OP the answers he asked. Diesel owning gas hating posters need not apply.

Some of us are considering a gasser for towing a whopping 12x a year, and with the current fuel costs, maintenance costs, potential repair bills, and possible warranty denials, a gasser will do fine.

How about getting this back on topic?

[The_Texan]

sacmarata wrote:
I'm an analyst as well in the transportation industry; with emphasis on weight and dimensions and member of a 10 state organization of Transportation officials and it doesn't mean squat in this debate.

The only debate is you, my friend, you fail to see that you are convincing NO ONE. Those of us who use trucks for a living are fast learning that the diesel is becoming less and less a requirement for heavy trucking. If you recommend the diesel as the only option to your industry, then you are doing them a huge dis-service. Even the Hot Shot expediters in the oil fields are seeing the light and changing to HD gas trucks.

[sacmarata]

Lantley wrote:


Here is a story from Forbes (an authoritative site in academic terms) that really gets into the issue

Forbes

I'll take the University of Michigan Research Institute's data.
You being an analyst doesn't offer instant credibility. I'm an analyst as well in the transportation industry; with emphasis on weight and dimensions and member of a 10 state organization of Transportation officials and it doesn't mean squat in this debate.

[Mr_Beebo]

double post

[Mr_Beebo]

Interview 100 cattle farmers and ask the same thing.

The preponderance of evidence will show that guys who depend on their rig to make them money use diesels.

It's not a p!$$!ng contest, it's just how things are.

So far you've convinced yourself.

My neighbor not 2000 yards from my front door transports his cattle with his Dodge Ram gas motor and does fine with it.
My concrete sub contractor has 5 vehicles in his fleet-4 big block Chevies and one Duramax. He's paying to have the headgasket and injectors replaced on the Dmax and then he is selling it.
I make my living hauling tractors, skid steers, vehicles, scrap iron and assorted heavy equipment. That is every week. I'll pull a camper a half dozen times a year. You have heard from folks here first hand who use gas motors in the 3/4 and 1 tons and enjoy it. First hand accounts.
God bless the diesel owners, but it would appear the numerous posters who own gas trucks do not share in the reality of your world.

[Fishbreath]

To the OP

In 2012 I got rid of a 6.0 Ford Diesel and purchased a 6.0 GMC Gas 3500 4.10.
I pull an approximate 9000 lb toy hauler. I use it to tow up the Donner Summit in the Sierras. No, it is not as quick as the diesel, but it does get me there, EVERY TIME! No more tow trucks, no more $4000 repair bills, no more week-long stays in a motel waiting for parts.(Please. Don't bash me about "Bullet-proofing" or maintenance. It was over-maintained and none of my issues were bullet-proof related.)
It does take some getting used to, hearing the gas engine in the upper RPM band, but it sure does get the job done.
Any future campers, trailers or fifth wheels will be sized to be towed with the gas engine.
But that is just me
Good luck

Bill

[sacmarata]

Mr.Beebo wrote:
I'm sorry to hear sacmarata owns a 6.0 gas truck that won't get out of it's own way. I can pull 10k+ of whatever with my 2500 gasser at whatever speed I choose and it doesn't take me long to get to that speed either.
In some regards his arguments sound like the old "mine is better than yours because..." I used to hear in the high school parking lot 30 years ago. My area of the world is full of 6.0 gms pulling horse/cattle trucks, grain wagons etc, with the driver's window down, one arm out the window and one on the wheel. I think the magnifying glass is getting a little too big on this topic.

so, I quote a University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute published article and it's a school yard p!$$!ing match to you?

In my part of the world the guys hanging their arms out of their gasser hauling 7,000lbs+ regularly, change their trucks like they change their socks.

My point isn't that mine is better than yours. My point is mine is better than mine. I own both. A 6.0 gasser and a 5.9 diesel. With less displacement and cheaper mods the diesel so outperforms the gasser that it's laughable. Whats more laughable is that someone will go out and spend $40,000 to buy a gas truck to compete with a 4 speed 20 year old diesel with free mods. If the diesel had a shorter rear end it would lights out, but I use it as a daily driver in the winter and like the taller gearing and fuel mileage.

[Dave_H_M]

OK it is time to get this sorted out once and for all. :h

If someone knows of the where abouts of one of those old weathered barns that has not been painted for eons, lets all meet there.

Us guys can go behind that barn and see who can make the highest mark on the old siding.

Yes sir we just have to have a real live pizzing contest to settle this, same as when I was a kid. :B