crappie_fisherman
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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Retdep wrote:
We have pretty well decided on the 5th wheel (our 1st and hopelfully last one). GVW of trailer is 13,500 lbs.
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We will most likely be "1/2 timers".
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Have I missed anything in what to consider? I'm trying not to sound like I'm dithering over this, just want to be sure I've not overlooked the obvious.
Retdep,
I'm going to ignore all the gas vs diesel reasons...BTW...I pull a 9000# TT with a 4.30 geared V10 and have been thru the Rockies with her more than once...so I KNOW the V10 is one strong and capable motor...
But the part I will focus on is the GVWR of your intended 5'r. For a trailer that big and heavy for someone intending to 1/2 time...the diesel simply makes the most sense as the right tool for YOUR application.
Many folks are tugging 9000# TT's like I am with a diesel and don't even travel to the places I do (many do though)...but it is my strong opinion that a 9000# trailer can be pulled ANYWHERE in this country with EASE behind a V10...now step up the weight by 50% and you need to step up the torque also IMO...a V10 has 457ft-lbs of torque to the 6.4L PSD at 650ft-lbs so it is simply the RIGHT tool for YOUR application.
Being you are going to 1/2 time...I'd assume some altitude is in your future...there is no comparing a normally aspirated engine (gas or diesel) to a turbo or supercharged motor (gas or diesel) at altitude...the turbo or supercharged motor will NOT lose power at altitude...
Go diesel for the load you are looking at would be my advice...now if you were looking at a 9000-10,000# trailer...my answer would be different because I know the power the V10 has to offer...
Hope that helped.
Good luck with your decision.
Joe.
DH, DW, 2 DD's
2005 Excursion V10 w/4.30's
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summutt2002
Mountains of Utah-7000'
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Joined: 02/08/2002
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I just made the switch from a '99 K2500 Suburban 4X4 to my sig rig. I expect the Ex to last my lifetime for sure.
Diesel now is (roughly) 10-15% more expensive and my mpg has improved 50-80%. That's not too tough a math problem.
I got my Ex at a killer price with on 33K on the odometer. I think somebody kept it in the garage for a few years. After the mice abodes were removed and subsequent wiring harnesses replaced, it runs like new.
Maintenance may be a little higher, but I immediately went to a synthetic to cut down maintenance intervals a bit. Tho I did this with the Burb as well. Amsoil in the Burb and I did 20K mile intervals, still running great at 180K when I sold it. I'm trying Royal Purple in the Ex...8-10K intervals planned.
Great wife, 3.1 dogs and no money..LIFE IS GOOD
'01 Excursion Ltd 7.3L PSD pulling a '06 Prowler 260RLS, Equal-i-zer, Prodigy
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surveyorjp
Missouri
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Joined: 09/05/2005
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88beast wrote:my 2 cents ford diesel is junk go witha dodge 3500 with the cummins then get that lifetime warrenty thing they were doing
and chevy diesel is still a "new" area they havnt worked out all the bugs
ford has not worked out bugs wither unless you can find a 7.3 psd but they rnt made new anymore
OP, in my humble opinion, you should probably disregard most of this post. Lots if inaccurate info (and I am the biggest Dodge and Cummins fan around here!).
First of all as has been already pointed out, the Dodge Lifetime Powertrain warranty does not include the Cummins (go figure ).
Secondly, the Duramax is likely the most proven diesel engine on the market now because the 6.7 Liter Cummins is a very new engine. However I haven't read much bad press about it other than a few Check Engine light issues due to the new emissions and DPF garbage.
I guess about the only thing I can agree with from this post is the fact that the new Ford is also a relatively unproven engine. Again, though I haven't read alot of negatives about it yet other than poor fuel mileage.
OP, I would say I agree with Crappie Fisherman, that given your load a diesel would be your best choice. However for most folks with small to midsize trailers under 10,000 lbs, diesel engines are unnecessary. They cost too much upfront, and the fuel costs too much also. Not to mention the fact that diesel engine fuel economy isn't what it used to be. The heyday of relatively cheap diesel fuel, and great diesel fuel economy over gassers has passed. Now it isn't uncommon for a gasser to get high teens mpgs on the highway empty and around 10 mpg towing trailers within their capacity. A recent pickuptruck.com test showed that the Ford v10 and Ford 6.4L PSD performed very similarly and the fuel mileage difference wasn't as great as one would expect.
Diesels have their place, and they especially shine when towing heavy loads. But gassers are now gaining popularity with the recreational towers with small to midsize trailers and rightly so.
2005 Surveyor SV-291 Tows smooth as silk!
1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 4x4 5.9L V8 low miles, It ain't pretty, but it's paid for!
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Vulcanmars
Naples, FL
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Joined: 10/18/2004
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1. Too much bull pucky in these post in general.
2. For the weight you expect to pull: A diesel would be the better choice.
3. You need to consider how many miles will you will drive each year.
4. IMHO all the current light duty diesels are crap, plagued with emission issues.
5. I've been a diesel mechanic for 25 years: Look at what I use……
* This post was
edited 09/06/08 10:40am by Vulcanmars *
Mars
06 Rage'n FA3005
04 V10 F250 SDCC 4X4
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