Towing

My 2004 6-cyl F-150 pulled a 19ft Antigua from TN to Alaska and back, New England and back (twice), Louisiana and back, and Florida and back plus short trips and a 24ft Passport Ultralite to Calif and back and is still going strong at 160,000 miles. I never felt like it was really straining in the mountains and did not have any mechanical problems until last year(busted intake gasket) and minor transmission problem this year. Average 9-10 mpg towing. That being said, I am looking for replacement TV and will probably get 8 cyl, or 6 cyl with Eco boost or Hemi. Since I want something I can carry my kayaks on and have more passenger room, I am looking at Expedition, Yukon or Durango, etc.

gcloss wrote:
I would say part of your decision could be based on your plans. Short trips you could get away with the Ram with the Hemi. Long trips I'd opt for the diesel.

My camping trips recently changed from short 150 mile one-way trips to 325 to 425 mile one-way trips. Just did my second trip this year with my Ram 2500 gasser for 436 miles one-way. It wasn't a bad experience, I just wish I had a diesel.

Next year I have two 900+ mile trips planned.

I'll bet you're not wishing for the added maintenance costs.

I talked myself into a diesel because everywhere we go we have to cross the Rockies. I used to fry my back side towing with my old Ford with the 7000# package and get past by just about everything else on the road.

The Ram Cummins saves me all of about 45 minutes to get through the Rockies, after the Rockies the Ford did just as good as the Ram.

Ram Cummins takes twice the oil for a change, gets no better fuel mileage and diesel now costs more than gas. Just about every maintenance item for the Cummins runs 50% more than the Ford and that is getting the fleet price at Cummins. (Just lucky I smile at the parts manager, she's another red head.)

If only the 2014 version of the Ram 2500 with the bigger Hemi and 4 link rear suspension would have been around when I bought the Cummins.

3/4 ton trucks for 2010 are capable of towing nearly any TT. Tow ratings are 9500+ pounds and enough payload to support the tongue weight, bed full ot camping stuff, and a family. If you have visions of 5th wheel in the future, I highly recommend a SRW 1-ton for the extra payload/spring rates ex specially if you want a diesel.

In 2010, Ford used a 6.4L diesel engine. The last 7.x liter engine for used was 2003 7.3L. Are you comparing a early 2000's Ford diesel to a 2010 Ram gasser?

There is a lot to compare. I think it boils down to: are you making long trips, do you drive the truck daily vs let it sit when not towing.
Would it be better to lease the truck to avoid maintenance costs. Here is an article, point by point. I have no opinion, but I'm sure there is a reason most semi's, busses and large trucks use diesel.

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/tech/163_0210_diesel_vs_gas/viewall.html

Unless you have a heavy trailer and it sounds like you don't, I think gas is the better choice. We upgraded from an F150 to F250 with a V10 last year and thought about a diesel at first but that idea didn't last long. A diesel is more expensive to buy and is more expensive to maintain over time. More to go wrong and when you hear about various diesel engine problems with different makes and models, gas seems like a better option. Diesel engines *can* be noisy and is annoying in a CG.

Diesel fuel can be harder to find while gas is everywhere. Lower fuel cost for diesel is a big plus though.

We absolutely love the V10 in our F250. Plenty of power and torque and it's very smooth. Gas mileage on short local trips isn't the best, but when towing, mileage is in the same range as everything else. The V10 was only available to 2010.

I've heard that Ford is planning to offer a Cummins diesel in the future. I'm sure it won't be cheap.

One thing I might add is that if you are wondering about getting a 4x4, I wouldn't unless you really need it. They are higher off the ground and the weight of the extra drivetrain components takes away available payload capacity.

We tow a Cougar 245 RKS with a 2010 Hemi 2500 Laramie. The trailer is usually pretty full of supplies and water, so it probably weighs 8500-9000 lbs. The truck does O.K. We average 8.3 mpg towing, and run about 62 mph most of the time. The Ram can run up RPMs of you want it to, but we slow a bit on the hills. No, it's not a diesel, but it's acceptable to us.
So, are you from Truckee?

This is the wife... Hi folks and thanks for the input. This is my issue. While I realize a diesel is supposed to be a better tow, it's also a lot more expensive in the way of gas. We have planned a few short trips for the rest of this year to ease our way into the lifestyle and be sure we are able to tow well with the Durango we already own. However, we would love to plan some much longer trips in the near future. Living in TN, there are routes we would be taking that will take us over some pretty steep passes. What would the suggestion be if we specifically did not want diesel?

I thought the correct answer was always, it's gotta be a diesel & it's gotta be a Dually.

I would say part of your decision could be based on your plans. Short trips you could get away with the Ram with the Hemi. Long trips I'd opt for the diesel.

My camping trips recently changed from short 150 mile one-way trips to 325 to 425 mile one-way trips. Just did my second trip this year with my Ram 2500 gasser for 436 miles one-way. It wasn't a bad experience, I just wish I had a diesel.

Next year I have two 900+ mile trips planned.

Wow, Tow Vehicle threads are like oil threads and are very personal. I always want some overkill with my TV's. I am very happy with my GMC 2500 and it goes anywhere anytime. Just get something that is a bit more than needed. They are all good and it isn't like back in the 90's. All the 2500/3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks have come a long way and they are all good.