best towing set up, Diesel/gas, dually?

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by TT/A1233
Another added benefit of diesels is the fact they're emissions test exempt.

Maybe in your state!

Arizona requires emission testing of diesel cars and trucks.

 

[turbov6joe]

Jason,
Another question to ask yourself when making a choice on a diesel is: How many over-the-road big trucks or HEAVY construction equipment do you hear about having an inline motor versus a "V" style configuration? There is a GOOD reason for this, hence why I like the Cummins.

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by turbov6joe
Jason,
Another question to ask yourself when making a choice on a diesel is: How many over-the-road big trucks or HEAVY construction equipment do you hear about having an inline motor versus a "V" style configuration? There is a GOOD reason for this, hence why I like the Cummins.

You're kidding right? You need to get out and about more often. Take a look under some modern hoods.

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by Nick Micale
Maybe in your state!

Arizona requires emission testing of diesel cars and trucks.

Gotta love AZ

 

[jcr81481]

at least 90% of commercial tractors have inline motors weather it be a Peterbilt, kenworth Freightliner,Western Star, Volvo, Mack, International or a Sterling they all run Cummins Cat or Detroit motors

 

[postal]

We looked at an '00 F350 crew cab long bed 4x4 tonight. It has leather interior and al that stuff and 28k miles on it. This does have the power stroke and an automatic in it. They offererd us a really decent deal on it also. Decent deal or not big trucks like that are $$$$$'s. I'm going to try to run a car fax on it tomorrow. If that all checks out good we MAY have a winner.

Jason

 

[turbov6joe]

No Dave I'm not kidding. Go to ANY big truck dealer/lot and start popping hoods, I'll bet you a steak dinner you would be able to count on 1 hand how many of those rigs have a "V" style block. Now as far as "modern" trucks that's a different story all together, I've not looked at any of those lately. However, if history repeats itself like it usually does, the "modern" trucks will go back to inline before it's over. As a side note, my neighbor is the fleet/service manager for Trans Am trucking in Olathe, KS. They have literly hundredes and hundreds of rigs out on the roads nationwide. He was telling me that EVERY old and new truck they have is an inline motor, and they have all different brands running.....maybe you should get out more often?

 

[TurboJunky]

Originally posted by postal
We looked at an '00 F350 crew cab long bed 4x4 tonight. It has leather interior and al that stuff and 28k miles on it. This does have the power stroke and an automatic in it. They offererd us a really decent deal on it also. Decent deal or not big trucks like that are $$$$$'s. I'm going to try to run a car fax on it tomorrow. If that all checks out good we MAY have a winner.

Jason

Whoa...long bed. That'll be a handful negotiating through parking lots. Personally I opted for a short bed for that very reason.

 

[turbov6joe]

I also went with the short bed as the Dodge's are lacking the solid front axle like the Furds.....they turn so much more tight! Some time in the 2000 year or so Furd went to the solid axle on both the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks...nice. I had a 1995 3/4 powerjoke extended cab long bed that took a city mile to turn around. The new Dodges are not quite that bad but bad none the less.

 

[jcr81481]

come on guys its not that hard to negotiating a long bed through tight parking lots

 

[postal]

Well it looks like we're bringing home our new truck tomorrow.

2000 F350 Crew cab, long bed, 4x4, dually with the 7.3 power stroke and an automatic trans. The truck is gold and black and it has the lariot package with tan leather interior. It has 29k miles on it so it should be good for a long time yet. I hope this truck works out good for us.

Thanks for all the inputs: Jason

 

[S2V6RACER]

Originally posted by turbov6joe
No Dave I'm not kidding. Go to ANY big truck dealer/lot and start popping hoods, I'll bet you a steak dinner you would be able to count on 1 hand how many of those rigs have a "V" style block. Now as far as "modern" trucks that's a different story all together, I've not looked at any of those lately. However, if history repeats itself like it usually does, the "modern" trucks will go back to inline before it's over. As a side note, my neighbor is the fleet/service manager for Trans Am trucking in Olathe, KS. They have literly hundredes and hundreds of rigs out on the roads nationwide. He was telling me that EVERY old and new truck they have is an inline motor, and they have all different brands running.....maybe you should get out more often?

I'll bet you a steak dinner you will not see this happen. I really think Ford, GM are not dumping all this $$ in V8 configurations because it will not work. The big rigs make more power and have the ROOM to fit a inline motor.

Now Dodge, they can't make thier own Diesel and have to go with Ford's Cummins.

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by postal
Well it looks like we're bringing home our new truck tomorrow.

2000 F350 Crew cab, long bed, 4x4, dually with the 7.3 power stroke and an automatic trans. The truck is gold and black and it has the lariot package with tan leather interior. It has 29k miles on it so it should be good for a long time yet. I hope this truck works out good for us.

Thanks for all the inputs: Jason

4x4, crew cab, long bed, dually!!!! OMG!!! The longest pickup in the world!!!
That'll be one towin' monster for sure!!! 2000 is the newer generation 7.3 Power Stroke, so you'll like your truck. Especially when you get it "chipped"

 

[EightSecV6]

I have owned a 95 Ford Crew Cab Dually 2wd with a Powerstroke and 4.10 gears, it would get 20-21 MPG on the road and about 11MPG towing my 10,000 trailer, running 70mph, That was my first dually and I have to say I will never tow with anything else, much more stable in my opinion loaded or not, you can take a turn FAST and the rear will not slide, you have double the surface on the road. It was terrible in the snow as the rear tires are not lined up with the fronts and it has to cut 6 paths. I owned an 01 CC Dually 4x4 with 4.10's, it got 17mpg and 8 towing the same trailer, it was slow and I felt it didnt have near the power of my 95 non intercooled version. I just sold my 99 Chevy crew cab dually 2wd 454 with 4.56 gears, this thing would tow FAST, it was a runner! Got 9 mpg on the road and 6 mpg towing, it rode the best out of them all and sounded mean too!
I tow on long trips with my motorhome, it is a 36 foot Sportscoach with a 8.3 Cummins inline 6 with Allison trans, it weighs 28,000# without the trailer gets 9mpg unloaded and 8 towing, it will tow at 75mph with ease, I hope it lasts a couple hundred thousand miles, looks like a nightmare to change! I just bought an 04 Crew Cab Dually 4x2 Powerstroke with 3.73s, this truck is a screamer, the verdict is out on the mileage, I am still on the first tank but it will smoke a 7.3!

 

[Turbo Prick]

I still have my 95 ext cab Long bed Ford F350 dually, and reciently put some wheels on it. It seems down south, alot of people are doing the 22.5 and 24" alcoa conversions.

I have a downpipe, exhaust, chip, and big open filter. It 2wd, 4.10 gears, and I get 12-13 towing, and about 20 city mpg.

I love it, tows great, as far as maintainence, yes, a fuel filter/oil change isnt cheap, but if you tow alot, you save the money in MPG vs a gas motor. I have only done a water pump, and put new glow plugs in it, thats it for maintainence and I just hit 180k miles. I would hate to tow with a gas 454.

Heres a pic with the 22.5 wheels.

 

[ViciousV6]

Originally posted by turbov6joe
I also went with the short bed as the Dodge's are lacking the solid front axle like the Furds.....they turn so much more tight! Some time in the 2000 year or so Furd went to the solid axle on both the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks...nice. I had a 1995 3/4 powerjoke extended cab long bed that took a city mile to turn around. The new Dodges are not quite that bad but bad none the less.

When did Dodge switch from the solid front axle?

 

[TurboJunky]

Long Trip

Well, I just returned from vacation after pulling my 5th wheel for the first time. So here my numbers and stats;

Truck - 2003 Chevy Silverado crew cab short box 4x4 Duramax/Allison (non-dually). Engine just broke in at 17,000 miles.
Tailer - 2004 Fleetwood Wilderness high-profile 5th wheel @ 12,000 lbs. with a 13'6" height.

The engine/transmission combination is awesome. Plenty of power even uphills. Pulling from Michigan to Wisconsin I experienced 35-40mph sustained head/crosswinds with gusts hitting 50mph. The truck was extremely stable and I drove comfortably with one hand on the wheel. I felt the buffeting from wind gusts but the truck didn't deviate from straight travel whatsoever. It was as stable as stable can be. Gas mileage suffered due to the severe head/crosswinds and I got 9.8mpg heading out. Coming back I had a fair tailwind and received 11.8mpg. Both directions I maintained speeds of 65-70mph. On some moderate uphill grades with a strong headwind the truck would kick out of 5th gear (OD) into 4th for the climb, usually until the cruise speed was attained again. Tailwind climbs would mostly avoid the downshifts.

All in all the Chevy D/A did a supurb job. The cheapest I found diesel fuel was $1.51 and the most expensive I had to purchase was $1.75.

 

[Raven]

Originally posted by ViciousV6
When did Dodge switch from the solid front axle?

They didn't for the Heavy Duty's (2500's and 3500's) - it's still a solid front axle.

The 1500's do have IFS so maybe that's what he's referring to.

 

[Vector]

A few years ago, a good friend of mine bought a Suburban. He had planned on doing a lot of heavy towing and investigated the matter and this is what he told me:
Diesel's do have more torque, but not a lot much more than gasoline engines;
Gas engines have notably more horse-power;
Given the choice between a little more torque or much more hp he choose hp;
Diesel's to get better milage;
Diesel's cost much more to buy;
For the savings of gas milage to start to be realized, you need to go at least 120,000 miles - and that is a long way to go before realizing any milage savings of diesel;
Repair cost of diesel is notably more than repair costs for a gasoline engine.

 

[ViciousV6]

Originally posted by Raven
They didn't for the Heavy Duty's (2500's and 3500's) - it's still a solid front axle.

The 1500's do have IFS so maybe that's what he's referring to.

Ok, just checking. Thought I was going blind, for a minute!

A few years ago, a good friend of mine bought a Suburban. He had planned on doing a lot of heavy towing and investigated the matter and this is what he told me:
Diesel's do have more torque, but not a lot much more than gasoline engines;
Gas engines have notably more horse-power;
Given the choice between a little more torque or much more hp he choose hp;
Diesel's to get better milage;
Diesel's cost much more to buy;
For the savings of gas milage to start to be realized, you need to go at least 120,000 miles - and that is a long way to go before realizing any milage savings of diesel;
Repair cost of diesel is notably more than repair costs for a gasoline engine.

Diesel motors have greatly improved over the years. You have your horsepower and torque statements backwards.
Diesels have a lot more torque. I haven't seen any factory gas truck motor offering 600lb*ft of torque, lately. Your average gas motor has a little more horsepower. The other key point to remember is how low in the RPM band the diesel has all of it's power. That's the biggest advantage over a gas motor. When you're pulling heavy loads, especially while having to stop and go, low-end torque will save your life.
Most new diesels are rated at 320-350hp, as much as most gas motors. Sure, there are some big gas truck motors that are pushing 400hp, but they're big litre motors that need spare gas tanks to make a decent trip. The closet a gas motor comes to a diesel, that I have seen, is the GM 8.0 Litre. I think it's rated 400+hp and 400+lb*ft, but the gas mileage is horrid.
With the price of gas going up, and most states seeing stable diesel prices, the fuel savings will become more evident. It is true that you need to keep the diesel for a while to see the fuel savings make up for the initial investment, but that's ignoring the other advantages of the diesel: they pull better, they pull more, and they last forever. When you start to realize those fuel savings at your 120,000 mark, that diesel motor is just getting broken in!