Truck Camper Magazine Chooses RAM

deltabravo wrote:
The discussion about torque, downshifting, mountain driving is very good food for thought.

My #2 truck doesn't do camper hauling duties as it's not up to the task for my AF811. It's a 2006 2500HD. I haul the camper in a 2009 3500HD dually.
Both have a Duramax/6 speed Allison.

Here's my additions: I do part time RV transport with the 06. I do the same route every trip (it's a one day trip).
With a diesel truck towing the load, the truck barely breaks a sweat on the minor hills I pull. Most trips I can do 6th gear with cruise control the majority of the trip. This past week I hauled two identical 30' toy haulers and the truck stayed in 5th the entire trip, with cruise control on most of the way.

Hauling a camper is a lot different than towing a trailer with regard to wind resistance, etc. It takes a lot more effort to maintain a given speed, this is where high torque numbers of a diesel are a huge benefit on mountain passes.

I notice a huge difference in driving techniques between the two trucks when one tows and the other hauls the camper. The 09 will get worse fuel economy (it has a DPF and more wind resistance with the AF811) than the 06 does while towing 2-2.5 times the weight of my AF811. The 09 will be in 4th gear on some of the hills I can do 5th in while towing with the 06.

Gas engines have come a long way in the last 5 years, with cylinder deactivation, direct injection, etc. I'd be curious to try a new gas truck with how I use my current trucks to get a seat of the pants comparison.

delta..we have experienced similar. We often travel the same routes up north to the White Mts of NH. We get 15-16 mpg towing our 7000# Airstream and only 13-14 mpg hauling the TC. Wind resistance is a factor in performance/efficiency.

Bill