dfranks
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Re: Diesel vs gas......................
I towed my 9k'r through 10% grades up and down. twisty ,windy 2 lane road, on Friday. There were corners on grades with max posted speed limits of 35mph. Some places it was impossible to get a run at the hill due to either coming out of a corner or going into one ,at grade. I enjoyed the experience with my EB and 6 speed cummins, we were able to maintain the speed limit (up or down grades). I am not sure, that the gassers would enjoy this drive pulling with any sort of heavy weight. What I have read here so far, is that gas trucks tow better on long interstate grades,( when up to speed of course). I agree. That situation does not apply where I live and camp. In our campground the majority of rigs are diesel.164Views0likes0CommentsRe: Diesel vs gas......................
Hannibal wrote: dfranks wrote: Hannibal wrote: Absolutely! The Hemi runs 4200rpm 60mph in 2nd gear multiplying torque X 1.67 up the grades. The Cummins with all it's torque is rpm limited to 3k~rpm. That's too bad. Is that, 60 mph towing? Or empty. Honestly, my 05 Hemi wouldnt get to 4200rpm towing my 9k trailer(in 2nd) up a 6-8% grade. It just didn't have the torque. God help me if I had to slow down for a corner pulling a grade like that. You know what I'm talking about. Heading east out of Revelstoke, just before Rogers pass for example. That one will show you the pucker factor going up or down... Of course it's 60mph towing. I'm not aware of any 8% grades on interstate highways around the southeast. On state roads where the grades can be higher, yes it slowed us down to a crawl. With both the Cummins and the Hemi. The Hemi still towed faster with 100 more horsepower. Uhhm yeah, maybe. But, up here in the mountains, non interstate , 2 lane only hwys with twisty roads 6% grades. The diesel will out shine the gas in these conditions . Throw in the EB and you wouldn't even consider gas. Where, you live I can appreciate you , not needing a medium duty pickup truck.292Views0likes0CommentsRe: Diesel vs gas......................
Hannibal wrote: Absolutely! The Hemi runs 4200rpm 60mph in 2nd gear multiplying torque X 1.67 up the grades. The Cummins with all it's torque is rpm limited to 3k~rpm. That's too bad. Is that, 60 mph towing? Or empty. Honestly, my 05 Hemi wouldnt get to 4200rpm towing my 9k trailer(in 2nd) up a 6-8% grade. It just didn't have the torque. God help me if I had to slow down for a corner pulling a grade like that. You know what I'm talking about. Heading east out of Revelstoke, just before Rogers pass for example. That one will show you the pucker factor going up or down...292Views0likes0CommentsRe: Diesel vs gas......................
My FIL, used to be a salesman for a grocery wholesale company up here in Canada. He did this for better than 10 years. His vehicle for travelling his route to some pretty remote places all through northern Manitoba, Sask, and AB. was an mid 80's Ford escort with a Mitsubishi non turbo diesel. He said he retired the car with more than 400k miles on it without any major service. He said he also averaged close to 50mpg HWY imperial in the summer and a little less in the winter. BTW he said they only took it out of service due to rust and the inside of the car was getting pretty run down.362Views0likes0CommentsRe: Diesel vs gas......................
larry_kruzan wrote: I am driving a 1 year old 2009 E350 w/V10 4.10 gears, has 20k miles on it and pulling a 8800lb Jayco 320RLDS. I will be replacing the van next year after it hits 40k or 50k miles. Mostly I trade because I'm in a power wheelchair (350lbs wheelchair) and can't walk away from a broken van. I did brake down once with a old van and since tow trucks would not tow the van with me in the van – State Police had to carry me to a squad car, then drive me to the service center. no fun. If I have to buy a new one every year to feel comfortable with it, I will. I have no idea what Ford will offer in its lineup for vans next year but I was told that a diesel may not even be an option. The v10 does a good job with towing but some of the benefits of a diesel are attractive. Now no flames please.:( All that said, I really would like to stop losing so much money on trades by keeping the van longer. So would buying a van with a diesel give me the confidence due to its durability. And will I gain enough longevity to offset it’s $7000 cost uptick. Current fuel costs are pretty much equal so that’s no issue. My vans with the wheelchair conversion are running $67,000 so adding another $7000 to the price is a bite since retirement is fast approaching. I want to spend more money on RVing less on vans. What do you think? I have to tell you that if I was in the market for a diesel van I would seriousely look at the Sprinter. Best overall mileage of the 3. Cheapest to maintain, and the best rated van on the market. I think it is a Mercedes powered diesel. I think the pricing starts at under 40K. I have a few of our suppliers that own them and they have noting but good to say about them. http://www.dodge.com/en/2009/sprinter/low_cost/fuel_economy/ no affiliation, just an opinion254Views0likes0Comments
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