replace truck with.......?

[3_dog_nights]

I'm trying to trade my 5th wheel & Chevy 3500, for a class A, but doesn't look like it's going to happen. Can't find the bells and whistles to keep "her" happy, at a price point that keeps me happy.

Plan B - replace the truck. That's the biggest problem she has, she doesn't trust a 12 year old truck enough to allow me to travel where I want to go, out west, up into mountains etc.

So what do I get as a replacement? I want gas this time. I know I need a duelly. Trailer comes in at 15,000lb's travel weight.

[4x4ord]

If money is an issue, my vote is to buy a slightly used diesel (2015 or newer) before purchasing a new gas powered truck for a 15000 lb trailer. I just sold my 2016 F350 Platinum with 30k miles in mint condition for $20k less than what a new loaded Platinum sells for.

[normal_dave]

Consider an older model, higher quality class A like this:
1999 Foretravel U295

Often low miles, well cared for, unbelievably optioned. Maybe the interior fabrics look a little dated, but that can be changed.
Look at how these things were built new:
1995 U295 specs

Point is, even with age, I'd be tempted to pick one of these over a brand new gasser A in terms of quality and options.

[bucky]

Make a deal with the wife. She can pick the truck when you can pick the furniture and the appliances.
If she happens to be a trust fund baby and you are broke all bets are off. Then it's your job to sell her on the truck you want. 🙂

[ACZL]

If your heart and mind is set on a gasser, go for it. But as the majority of folks have said, you'll be happier & better off with a diesel---myself incl w/ that assertion.

Let me have you look at it another way. We bought a '15 F350 CC, 6.7 PSD, 4x4, srw, sb in Dec '14 thinking this will be truck enough for now/future.. At that time we had a Cedar Creek Silverback that weighed 10, 800 dry, 12,800 fully loaded w/ 1k to spare. Combo was great together. Last year we upgraded to new 5er (in sig). While over on truck, I wasn't worried about it. HOWEVER, never really gave the tires much thought., But based on weights from CAT scale, towing it didn't bother me here locally. Locally as in within state or within 500 miles from home and 70-80 degree temps. Enter our summer vaykay trip this year. Dead of summer and off to FL. NOW the tire question comes into play----heat not only from rotation, but ambient temp AND from blacktop temps. Again, not concerned about the truck, but others may differ-- that's ok. I just had this nagging gut feeling inside about the tire equation. Long story short, today we are picking up a '17 F350, cc,4x4, 6.7 PSD dually. Didn't/don't want to, didn't want a truck w/ "training wheels" (as my son calls them), but now I don't have to worry about tires being a problem.

I knew when we bought the new coach we'd be over as I knew there is a "fudge" factor built into trucks and just never took tires into account.

My point is that while a gasser may get you by / job done, if you're going to be doing a fair amount to towing, long distance, hills/mtns or in my case-- going from warm to VER WARM climate and tires are weak link, you will be much better off in the long run w/ a diesel from any of the 3.

[Grit_dog]

Can't find fuel, isn't a case for a gasser. That's not really a thing. I'll echo the other sentiments, in that you won't be happy with a gas truck and that weight and terrain.
How many miles on the Dmax? 06?

[LIKE2BUILD]

3 dog nights wrote:
OK guys, I understand the draw of the diesel. Mileage- I get 8-9 now when pulling. I'm already stopping every 2-3 hours for fuel. My reasoning for gas is money and availability. Can't tell you how many times I've found myself looking and unable to find diesel. .

I towed with a GM 6.0L for 10 years. Reliable as can be and handled my TT extremely well. Now I’m towing a 16K 5er with my ‘14 Cummins Ram and it tows fantastic. I couldn’t even think of trying to pull that load with my old GM. That’s no knock on the gas motor or Chevy, just saying it would not be the tool for this job.

I’ve gone across a scale to get weights but I can tell you my 2500 handles the 5er just fine I have a set of Timbrend and itrides great. You could splurge a little and get the factory air ride but I think the coils are just fine too.

Takeaway....I just don’t think the current gas engine offerings from any of the manufacturers will handle that load well in hills and mountains.

KJ

[FireGuard]

A 12 year old diesel truck is not worn out.
Put a few $$ into your truck if it needs it and motor on.

[blofgren]

rhagfo wrote:

camp-n-family wrote:
Really don’t think you’ll be happy with a gasser dually and 15k, especially if you want to be out west in the mountains. What do you have against another diesel?

X3
Towing 15K in central VA. and the Appalachian mts will not be fun at all!!

X4. I would highly recommend a Ram/Cummins combo. I don’t think you’ll be impressed with a gas truck after having a Duramax, but ultimately it’s up to you. 🙂

[3_dog_nights]

OK guys, I understand the draw of the diesel. Mileage- I get 8-9 now when pulling. I'm already stopping every 2-3 hours for fuel. My reasoning for gas is money and availability. Can't tell you how many times I've found myself looking and unable to find diesel. Experience won't let me stop at any old gas station that sells it.
Plus the money difference. I foresee the Fluberment increasing taxes on diesel more and more, since it doesn't effect the average voter. If I can find a gasser that will do the job, I think I'll be happier in the long run.

[rjstractor]

3 dog nights wrote:
So what do I get as a replacement? I want gas this time. I know I need a duelly. Trailer comes in at 15,000lb's travel weight.

I'm big an advocate of gas engines as anyone. My last HD pickup was gas and it performed great for what I did with it. The fire department I work for recently replaced our diesel ambulances with new Ford V10 gas powered models, and they are superior in every way (except gas mileage, of course).

Having said all that, for a 15K fiver you really need a diesel! Otherwise your DW who is concerned with the reliability of your 12 year old truck will be concerned with the engine screaming as you struggle up hills and stopping every 2-3 hours to get gas.

[Me_Again]

3 dog nights wrote:
That's a given! But what truck/motor etc? do I shop for?

A diesel Ford, GM or RAM with Aisin and rear air suspension. Try all three and let her decide. Make sure that all three have the rear dually tires at 35 lbs inflation to compare ride.

Actual with that weight and no plan for a heavier trailer a SRW 350/3500 will handle that trailer without a problem. And yes you should get a diesel again. With the SRW trucks have the rear tires at 40-45 for the test drives.

[rhagfo]

camp-n-family wrote:
Really don’t think you’ll be happy with a gasser dually and 15k, especially if you want to be out west in the mountains. What do you have against another diesel?

X3
Towing 15K in central VA. and the Appalachian mts will not be fun at all!!

[camp-n-family]

Really don’t think you’ll be happy with a gasser dually and 15k, especially if you want to be out west in the mountains. What do you have against another diesel?

[Lwiddis]

I’ll take all your extra carbon.

[azrving]

donn0128 wrote:
Your joking right?
Theremis really only one gas motor even remotely capable of working with a 15K fiver. V10 Ford.
Ram and GM simply do not have any that you will be happy with.
But expect 6-7 MPG doing it. Diesel would be a much better choice. And frankly I dont understand your distaste for diesels. New diesels are just so good and reliable ots foolish not to give them a serious look.

It's just that $10K price increase. I'm double towing 16,500 and the CTD loves it. Keeps the carbon out. That's also with 3:42 gears" LOL