|
|
06-20-2019, 06:25 PM
|
#1
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Green Valley
Posts: 174
M.O.C. #13151
|
Time for a New Truck: Gas or Diesel?
Hi everyone,
I have a 2011 Chevy HD 3500 Dually Duramax/Allison with about 130K on it and probably travel anywhere from 7-11,000 a year Rv-ing. I haven't been completely happy with the Chevy (DEF recall, water pump recall, a bad transmission control module and now a "Service Trailer Brake System" module issue). My wife is a proponent of a gas truck - brand unknown and I think maybe doing away with the dually but still do a one-ton diesel.
We have a FB3921 at 42' and can't imagine towing that with a gas engine and no exhaust brake like on a dually. How many of you do a gas tower? Is the trailer as heavy as the one I have? And diesel towers: What are your thoughts?
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 06:30 PM
|
#2
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
|
Montana 2013 3402 Big Sky.F-350 LB,CC, Dually diesel. Pulled a 06 Montana 3400 with a Ford,LB,CC, Dually V-10 for our first road trip west when we returned we traded for the F-350 diesel.
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 06:37 PM
|
#3
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sharpsburg
Posts: 203
M.O.C. #20974
|
Don’t do it. Diesel is the only way to pull these beasts
__________________
2023 GMC 2500 HD AT4
2018 High Country 340BH
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 06:54 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,049
M.O.C. #5329
|
Diesel. The new ones have a tow/ haul mode which helps with long descents. I just ordered a Ford F350, which has 400 horsepower and 900 lb/ft of torque. I may be a little,off on the numbers, but I don’t know of a gasser with that much.
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 06:56 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,670
M.O.C. #2283
|
If you were only pulling a thousand miles a year a gasoline engine would be fine but 7 to 11,000 miles don’t even think about a gasoline engine. You would probably stop on your first trip and swap for a Diesel.
Lynwood
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 07:17 PM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
|
agree, diesel is a far better choice, for that many miles.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 07:21 PM
|
#7
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Granger TX
Posts: 2,595
M.O.C. #21044
|
Diesel!
I have the same unit -3921FB. I can not imagine towing this thing with a gas engine. I will admit that I have not ever tried one of the new big ford or Chevy late model gas one-tons - but I had a 97 Chevy 3500 with a 5.7 (350) and it barely had enough go juice to pull my 30’ Alpenlite which I think was 12,000 lbs or so. Traded it in for an 03 Chevy 2500 duramax. I understand your frustration with the Chevy and it’s issues. My DW put her foot down on the 03 at 265k miles and said I’m not going to travel anymore unless we get a new truck because this one breaks everytime we go on a trip. We spent more time in mechanic shop lounge than on vacation.
Anyway - there is no such thing as the perfect tow vehicle or the perfect RV. They all have problems. Someone here will have better real life experience than me but I can’t imagine a gas truck capable of towing a 3921FB. My previous RV was a 11,000 lbs Laredo travel trailer. My then 2014 Chevy 3500 SRW long bed handled it like a champ. The 2014 adequately handled the 3921FB for a year...then we decided to move up to a dually and the difference is stunning. It’s a totally different feel. Stick with a dually if you can!
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 07:29 PM
|
#8
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,670
M.O.C. #2283
|
If Ford would make 6L Ecoboost truck I would be the first in line to get one. It could have 600 HP+ and 800 TK+. Until that happens I’ll stick with the diesel.
Lynwood
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 07:51 PM
|
#9
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 786
M.O.C. #18384
|
The 2020 ford will have a new 7.3 liter gas engine available. Power figures have not been released as of yet but is suspose to slot in between the current gas offering at something like 385 hp and 430 pounds of torque and the diesel at about 450 hp and 935 pounds of torque. If you are serious about going gas I would hold off until at least the power figures are released for the 7.3. I think that if they can get the torque in the 650 to 700 ft pound range it would be a very viable option. By the way it will not be turbocharged. One less system to give you problems.
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 07:54 PM
|
#10
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
|
Another vote for diesel and one more thing to think about. With the tongue weight of your rig you will probably find that even if the truck says on the door your fine when you weigh each wheel you may find that you can't buy tires to handle the weight. You can guess how I know.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
|
|
|
06-20-2019, 08:01 PM
|
#11
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Knoxville
Posts: 51
M.O.C. #24025
|
You will never regret anything more than getting a gas truck for that load.
__________________
Walt and Vicki Forester
2015 Ram 3500 Dually G56 ViAir/Hellwig Onboard Air/Springs BD 2Low Kit RDS 95 Gal Tank/Combo American Force 19.5 Falken Bi 850 225/70 19.5
2018 3730FL
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 02:07 AM
|
#12
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Lakewood
Posts: 394
M.O.C. #24110
|
You're a brave man with gas you want pass to many gas station they do have gas 6.4L gas and you probably want have too many problem, up hills and in the mountains it will scream like a pig but if you don't mind the high rpm go for it.
__________________
2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2022 GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
AirLift 5000 Airbag Ultimate
Retired Army MSG
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 04:57 AM
|
#13
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Fulton
Posts: 456
M.O.C. #20688
|
X2 Diesel & Dually!
__________________
Wayne & Malinda
2018 Montana 3731FL
MORryde IS/DiscBrakes
2017 F450 DRW KR 4x4
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 04:57 AM
|
#14
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Trinidad, TX
Posts: 506
M.O.C. #20746
|
If you want a gas engine, get a small trailer. Otherwise, diesel all the way.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4X4 Dually Cummins Aisin CC LB / B&W Companion hitch
50 Gallon Transfer Flow in bed tank w/ Trax 3
2018 Montana 3121RL
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 06:23 AM
|
#15
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Aztec
Posts: 77
M.O.C. #23272
|
I have a 96 Dodge dually v10, and a 2002 Ford 7.3l with full banks towing upgrade.
There is no comparison between the 2.
488 ci of gas motor doesn't come close to the fuel economy, power, and torque of the diesel.
Get the diesel !!
__________________
2016 Keystone Montana HM 374FL High Country (TRADED)
NOW
2017 Grand Design 376th
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 06:55 AM
|
#16
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,898
M.O.C. #9561
|
diesel...of course.
If you wanted to try another Chevy, I'd wait until the 2020s come out and order one. That is if you can pay the $70K....
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 07:49 AM
|
#17
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Winchester
Posts: 903
M.O.C. #19514
|
Diesel, without a doubt. We've had both, so we know. Two advantages to diesel that often is not mentioned are:
1. you can fuel up where the trucks fuel up. They fit, you fit. No more trying to squeeze into regular gas stations and risking damaging your rig.
2. The hill descent thing. Great for going down the mountain (after the powerful engine has gotten you up there).
__________________
2017 High Country 305RL
2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 08:20 AM
|
#18
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,669
M.O.C. #9969
|
I guess it proves there's a Lemon in everything. Had an 2011 Silverado 3500HD Dually Duramax/Allison that I put 115,000 miles on, with 90% of that towing heavy. No recalls and only issues were an EGR Cooler and the two Nox sensors. Still had the OEM Brake pads when traded.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 09:02 AM
|
#19
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sun City
Posts: 408
M.O.C. #23256
|
Diesel. I absolutely love the exhaust brake on our Ram 3500. Coming down long 6% & 7% grades from Flagstaff and I never had to use the regular brakes. I would not want to do that road with a gasser!
__________________
Dave in AZ
2008 Montana 3400RL
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel Dually
|
|
|
06-21-2019, 09:59 AM
|
#20
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
|
The thought of 5-6 mpg and 3000 rpm for less power would be hard to justify.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|