BertP
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 11/07/2003
View Profile
|
Thaks for the explaination, Pete. I am going to keep an eye out for those engines now that I know that they exist.
I did not receive anything from you recently. I will send you a PM.
Bert
|
Rogerg
WESTERN N.Y. U.S.A.
New Member
Joined: 01/23/2004
View Profile
|
Here is a question for everyone. I don't know if this is the place for it. Has anyone gone back to gas after owning a diesel?
Rogerg
">
|
TEAM LEADER
OCEANSIDE, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/06/2004
View Profile
 Offline
|
I can pass all the gassers going through the mountains on the way to
the river and get a better spot. lol
I used to tow with a gas motor. Less stress on the diesel. My family
can also listen to the radio when climbing hills instead of high rpms, air sucking intakes and the modified exhuast rumbles.
03 Duramax Crewcab, 4x4, BullyDog Programmer, 4" Magnaflow exhaust, Air Lift air bags.
05 31'LE Weekend Warrior 5th Wheel
Watercraft: Kawi 750 and a Kawi 1200STXR
dirt: Crf 50, Cr125, Cr250, Suzuki Ozark, Yamaha Blaster,
Suzuki Samurai.
|
PSDExcursion
Millstone NJ
Senior Member
Joined: 08/17/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
Quote:Here is a question for everyone. I don't know if this is the place for it. Has anyone gone back to gas after owning a diesel?
Rogerg
If there is one I have not seen it in this forum. I traded my 7.3 PSD for a 6.0 PSD.![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
2002 Chevy Express 3500 8.1 155" WB passenger van
41 Ft 2003 Thor Citation 41-ZBSR TT w/ Hensley Arrow
|
sack1
Kent, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/16/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Once again boyz, what size "gasser" are you comparing to? I'd bet you are doing nothing but comparing small blocks and older BBs when you make statements like that.
I'm not saying the 8.1 will out pull any of the diesels, it doesn't have to. I can maintain good speed up mountain passes without ringing its neck and I get only a few less mpg doing it with our load.
I have plenty of power to spare.
'03 Chevy 2500HD 4x4, LT, Ext. cab, LB
8.1/Allison, 4.10
'03 32' 2955 Montana 5er
XM Radio/OnStar
Valley Hitch
Honda EU1000i
1984 VF700F Interceptor
|
|
|
MinnesotaYoung
Minneapolis, MN, USA
New Member
Joined: 09/19/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I tow a 24ft Jayco Talon Toy Hauler. I've made some modifications to the interior to fit 2 full size and 2 youth sized ATV's in it.
I started pulling my toy hauler with a Durango, 5.9Liter and 3.93:1 axles. It had enough power but the wheelbase made it one scary rig to drive. Because of the wheelbase, I wasn't comfortable towing over 65mph. Towing my trailer in flat Minnesota with the 5.9 Liter gas I got about 7 miles per gallon.
When I went to get a bigger truck, I really wanted the Crew Cab Chevy K2500HD with the 8.1 Liter. All I could find were the 6.0 Liter gas or the 6.6 Liter Duramax Deisels. I asked a number of different dealers why and the answer was always the same. "If you really need the power of the 8.1 Liter, then you really need the efficiency of the Duramax."
I was reluctant to get a deisel because I drive only 8 miles to work every day and I was worried about the impact that would have on the longevity of the engine. I was also worried about starting it when the thermometer hits -20 degrees F.
I was finally convinced when I learned that the Deisel engine comes standard with a 100,000 mile warranty which I'd have to pay a lot of money to get on the gas engine. I got the deisel and I love it! I've had it for two years next week and I haven't had one problem with it (I do make sure to plug it in overnight the winter).
I tow the same trailer with an extra ATV in the bed of the truck (total 5 ATV's) plus 100 gallons of water. No problem towing at over 70 mph through Mountain states. With the higher speed and the heavier load I get 12mpg. Almost double the mileage. This weekend I put on over 500 miles with just a small utility trailer (no camper). I averaged 20.7 mpg with the Deisel, I would've averaged about 16 with the Durango.
On the maiden voyage with the new duramax I left one full hour later than my father-in-law who was towing a similar load with a Dodge 5.2 Liter gas. When I passed him on the freeway he decided that deisel was the way to go. He got a Cummings by our next trip and hasn't looked back since.
|
justJeff
Ocean Shores, Washington
Full Member
Joined: 09/05/2004
View Profile
|
This is actually an easy one. The only bad choice between diesel and gas is to not choose at all. Like most things in life, all we can do is whatever research we feel comfortable with, and based on our own unique circumstances, make a choice and live with it. This topic seems to create a bit of anomosity among folks. The reality is that we're talking about tow vehicles because we've chosen to join the RV community, and to spend time recreating with our friends and familes in a very healthy way. To get analysis paralysis and not make a decision for fear of making a bad choice would keep you from countless hours of enjoyment. It's like the guy that saves his whole life for the perfect fishing boat, only to die before he can afford it. The worst action is no action.
People can get really rude with each other over this, and some of it doesn't seem so good natured. I prefer diesel, but if you own a gas rig I'd rather applaud you for doing something and getting out there as opposed to berating you for making a different decision than I did. There are too many factors to consider to think we ever completely understand another persons decision about this. Would one of you diesel guys want to make a gas guy that bought a gas rig because he couldn't afford the diesel feel bad about what he bought? Would a gas guy want to make a diesel fan feel bad, not knowing that he bought the diesel because his father was a big fan of diesels and always talked them up?
We're lucky that there are so many good choices to be had with regard to a tow vehicle today. We can move loads that not long ago wouldn't have been possible except with a large commercial truck. We can travel safer and more comfortably. We're lucky that RV'ers are generally such a helpful group of folks, willing to help you out when you need a hand. Maybe the guy that held the flashlight for you at 3am while you made a repair has a different powerplant in his tow vehicle. It doesn't matter though, you're both out there for very similar reasons. It really shouldn't matter if he used synthetic oil or dead dino's, or what type of fuel he's burning, or what type or year of RV he has. I see folks all the time in rigs that cost astronomical sums of money, I don't think they're having any more fun that my family and I though. Heck, some of them are pushing 100 and probably saved for years to buy that thing, while younger folks are out doing it. Doesn't matter.
It's a shame that we all tend to impose our own views on others, and criticize others for coming to different conclusions. I don't care if you pull a hill faster than I do and suck my headlights out as you go past. Just bring me a beer when I'm at the campsite putting my headlights back in.
|
Lord-Dogbert
Fontana, Ca.
Full Member
Joined: 09/17/2004
View Profile
|
I've got a 2003 GMC 2500HD with the 8.1l gas and Allison 5 speed, nothing is modified or chipped. We just went through the Cajon pass in California for the first time and had no problem passing even cars up. I ran at 60-65 the whole way and almost had to go far left to the #1 lane to pass some slow cars up. We stopped at a Flying J's near Victorville for a rest and was approached by a trucker who asked what the h@ll I had under the hood.
The trailer weighed a little under 11,000 #'s. My average economy was 7.2 mpg.
When I ordered my truck my friend at the dealer gave me the options between gas and diesel. The diesel right off the top cost an additional $5K and gas in my area is actually .20 cents cheaper on average now because of some reformulation to the diesel mixture for California. With all of this in mind and my driving/towing needs diesel would never give me an ROI within the period of time that I would keep the truck. I change trucks every three years or so when I see something new I like. For now my current truck will suffice until the 2006 quadra steer 2500HD comes out. I'll reappraise the diesel/gas issue again when I order that truck.
2007.5 Chevy 3500HD crew cab dually with LMM 6.6l Diesel and Allison Trans. Integrated brake controller, 60 gallon aux tank in the bed.
2007 38' Skyline TrailRider Toy Hauler with 2 A/C's, 5.5kw Onan generator, dual slides.
|
PSDExcursion
Millstone NJ
Senior Member
Joined: 08/17/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
Quote:Once again boyz, what size "gasser" are you comparing to? I'd bet you are doing nothing but comparing small blocks and older BBs when you make statements like that.
Dodge has the most powerfull gas engine in any pickup with the 500HP 525TQ V10 in the 1/2 ton but would never put it into a 3/4 or 1 ton because it would only get about 5mpg towing a large 5th wheel TT. The most powerfull gas engine in the 2005 3/4 or heavier trucks is the 355HP 455TQ Ford 6.8 V10 but most get the 6.0 PSD to tow 5th wheel TT's for much more torque and up to 7,000 lb higher GCWR with 30% better fuel mileage. Unless you already drive a diesel you just won't get it.
|
lacofdfireman
Saint George, UT
Senior Member
Joined: 01/17/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I tow with a V-10 with 3.73 gears. I would trade my truck in in a second for a Diesel. I hate the V-10 but am stuck for now.
2007 Forest River Georgetown 350 DS SE Bunk Model Class A V10
2013 Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 ADV Bike
MotoJug Motorcycle Hydration System
|
|
|
