3/4 ton advice

[scrbiii]

My 3/4 ton Avalanche does a great job pulling our Salem travel trailer which is similar in length to yours. With the 8.1 liter engine and 4l85e transmission, it is also my daily driver...I am a diesel mechanic, and deal with the EPA systems on a daily basis, therefore I prefer the simplicity, and quiet of the big gas engine. Diesel repairs can get very expensive in a big hurry- regardless of the brand.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by BigH

Where did you get the ratio information? 6th being 1 to 1 sounds promising but they need to do something with the first three ratios...leaving them the same as the existing slush box would be a huge bummer. I don't know about a game changer but hopefully it allows the 6.4 to actually perform like it should via some usable gear ratios.

Both Ford and Chevy are introducing new gas motors soon...interesting changes in the HD market.

I got the Ratio information off the Cummins forum with a link, Ill try and dig it up later this morning again. Yes very Exciting times for the HD market!

I didnt see anything about 1-3.. But presumably they should tighten up, they would almost have too. Seeing the existing truck that can do about 70 MPH in 2nd gear would have no need of an 8 speed transmission at all! I'm sure they tightened up. Considering that I think 4th is 1:1 now with the current 6 speed, that could mean that 6th is running about equivalent to the existing 4th, which means 1-4 should be a good bit lower.

Having owned one of these trucks new for 17K miles I cant see there being much more of an overdrive ratio need than the current 6th, Its almost perfect, maybe still a tad to tall.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

I'm not a big fan of the rotary dial gear shift which they say will now come in the new HD Later RJD

I agree with this, seems when it was introduced in the 1500, it had some teething pains.

[davebigmac]

Years ago, in 2005, I went from a 2003 GMC 1500HD (4x4 Crewcab) with 6L gas towing a 1978(!) Prowler TT to a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 (4x4 Quadcab) with 5.9L Cummins to tow a 2003 Coachmen 30TBS (with garage) - TT length 32'. New truck was one of my best ever moves.



In 2017, and after 435,000 km, sold the Dodge and bought a 2016 Ram 2500 (4x4 Crewcab) with 6.7L Cummins. New truck tows way better than the old 5.9 that was chipped (to 360 hp), had Banks monster exhaust, cold air intake etc.


New trucks with skid control, integrated brake controller, integrated backup camera, exhaust brake (with Diesel), 370+HP/800 ft/lb torque etc., are amazing machines. Interestingly, fuel consumption is on par with my 260 hp 2003 Dodge.



Regarding towing your 35' TT, in 2013, went to a ProPride hitch (similar to Hensely) to tow the Coachmen. Enough white knuckle driving! Huge and frankly a nearly unbelievable improvement in towing stability and control. Expensive yes, but worth every penny. I suggest to everyone with a long TT, if you can afford it, get one! You will not regret it. Good luck with your TV search.

[Major Oz]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

1. If you're not pulling 10k pounds or more the diesel isn't needed.

2. The overall lifetime cost of a gasser is cheaper.

3. And, the gasser will have a higher payload compared to an identical, diesel powered truck.

Those were my reason.

And those are the reasons that COUNT.


Don't have one now, but had SUPERB performance with the 5.7 Hemi.......in a 2007 ASPEN. Got 11-12mpg pulling a 7800 lb. TT all over, including the Rockies.


Almost got (still might) get one in a 2500 ram.

[DASchell]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I owned my 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L Magnum V8 gasser for 18 years...

Had 165,000 miles on it... mostly all original.

And it is still rolling around Rochester, New York to this day...

Those 96's are hard to break. I bought mine used (2500 with the V10) with 95,000 miles pulled boat, 5th wheel used it as a daily driver until I bought my 2015 RAM last year. It had 198000 miles on it. Replaced radiator, battery, oil changes, brakes & rotors are the only mechanical things I ever did to it. The Front ball joints were giving out so I decided to get rid of it at 22 years old

[67L48]

1. If you're not pulling 10k pounds or more the diesel isn't needed.

The Continental Divide strongly objects to that statement. He will pull his buddies Eisenhower Tunnel and Monarch Pass into the discussion, too. 6-8% grades over 10,000' are brutally taxing on normally aspirated engines.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by Major Oz

Don't have one now, but had SUPERB performance with the 5.7 Hemi.......in a 2007 ASPEN. Got 11-12mpg pulling a 7800 lb. TT all over, including the Rockies.


Almost got (still might) get one in a 2500 ram.

Don't, youll be disappointed. This is coming from a Previous 6.4 2500 Owner.
Several folks on the Ram forum got some great deals on the 5.7 2500 over the better selling 6.4, and soon regretted it.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by 67L48

The Continental Divide strongly objects to that statement. He will pull his buddies Eisenhower Tunnel and Monarch Pass into the discussion, too. 6-8% grades over 10,000' are brutally taxing on normally aspirated engines.

The 6.2L in the video below seemed to pull Ike's Gauntlet at speed with an 8,000+ lbs trailer behind it. How fast do you need to go?

I know, I know.....diesels last longer, the 6.2 will blow up after that, diesels have more torque, the drivers pack bigger cahones......blah, blah, blah.

For the once in ever 5 years that my truck, (currently parked at 492 ft above sea level) may see 10,000+ feet above sea level and towing my 7,500lbs trailer, the 6.2 is just fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upXsZIoR2VU

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

Don't, youll be disappointed. This is coming from a Previous 6.4 2500 Owner.
Several folks on the Ram forum got some great deals on the 5.7 2500 over the better selling 6.4, and soon regretted it.

I agree. For a 3/4 or 1 ton, the Chevy 6.0, Ford 6.2 and Ram 6.4 would be the way to go for a gasser.

The 5.7 is an awesome engine but, as with every engine, it does have it's limits.

[Major Malfunction]

Had a Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi with 3.92 gears. Pulled a 35' Coachman Apex 300Bhs. About 7000 lbs loaded. 800lb tongue. Truck pulled it great in a straight line. Had to add airbags and an Equalizer hitch to get "good" stability. I was all proud of myself and thought it was an excellent setup. Nevermind the fact I was at 100% payload once I loaded everything up and hitched.

I say "good" because it is all relative to the experience. I only ever pulled that trailer with that truck. A lot of you say "I'm pulling XXXX lbs with my half-ton and it's fine". But realistically, you haven't pulled it with something "better" to see exactly what "fine" means relative to something "better". I was one of those guys! I thought my setup was great, etc.

I then got a Ram 2500 diesel. After the first short trip pulling my trailer and it was SOOOOOO obvious the difference between "fine" and I had no idea what I was missing. And then after a 7500 mile round trip across the country for 3 weeks, it was pretty obvious there was no way I would have made it through the Rockies at the pace I did pulling that much weight with a gas engine. Also, I averaged about 14 mpg with my diesel. With my Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi I used to average in the low 9s.

I'm not saying everybody needs to run out and get a bigger tow vehicle. We are hard core and travelling long distance with our trailer is common. Me and my wife took turns pulling our trailer driving straight through to Amarillo, TX all the way from Philadelphia in 33 hours! What I'm saying is that if you have the opportunity AND the means to get a bigger tow vehicle, do it. If you are going to take long trips with it, get a bigger tow vehicle. You will thank yourself after the first trip. I guarantee it

[67L48]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

The 6.2L in the video below seemed to pull Ike's Gauntlet at speed with an 8,000+ lbs trailer behind it. How fast do you need to go? [...]

I didn't mean to suggest that you couldn't get up and down those hills in a gas engine. Those guys who run the tests routinely talk about the diesel pulling better, smoother, and more confidently than comparably equipped gassers. Remember, the road runs in both directions ... getting down the other side is also tricky business and the diesel helps you there, too.

Lots of people go up and down with gas. I'd rather do it in a diesel. More comfortable on the way up, safer on the way down.

Good luck.

[timfromma]

Fueling up my gas truck while towing my trailer was such a PITA. I wasted so much time and energy searching for fuel pumps I could navigate through giving myself and ulcer in the process. Even if gas and diesel engines were absolutely equal in a regards to power and engine longevity, I would still pay the extra for the diesel simply for the ease of fueling.

[LI Guy]

Originally Posted by Teetime

Wondering why you are set on a gasser?

When we upgraded everything this past year, we went diesel. This was mainly to make fueling easier. You have a TT similar in length to yours, and finding RV friendly gas pumps can be difficult. Now I just pull in with the big boys and don't worry about fuel stops.

As far as pulling, with the 3/4, and towing about 7500 lbs all loaded up, with an e2 WDH, it's an easy pull. We're only about 2/3 of our total capacity, and the diesel just rolls. No sway and a stress proof drive.

Don't the "big boys" supply gasoline?

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Fueling up my gas truck while towing my trailer was such a PITA. I wasted so much time and energy searching for fuel pumps I could navigate through giving myself and ulcer in the process. Even if gas and diesel engines were absolutely equal in a regards to power and engine longevity, I would still pay the extra for the diesel simply for the ease of fueling.

It really isn't that big of a deal getting gas with a trailer hitched up...

At least it can be done without having to go inside and standing in line for 20 minutes waiting to pay.

[timfromma]

Perhaps out where you live but over here on the east coast, large gas lanes like the one in your photo are few and far between.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Perhaps out where you live but over here on the east coast, large gas lanes like the one in your photo are few and far between.

Where there is a will there is a way. I've never had to worry about filling my gasser with tt attached you can in most station pick the far right pump and still make it. Later RJD

[timfromma]

Back to my original point that it's a PITA that I gladly paid a premium to be rid of.

[ronheater70]

Only trip to WV I can pick an outside lane when I had my gasser but it was the only pump I could get too, so I had to wait for it to clear. But it was pretty easy. Going to the beach was not tooooo bad, but again they had one outside pump I could comftorably get too, so if it was occupied I would wait. Don't know what to expect with the Diesel yet, but I do know that I can actually Get to my destination in WV without NEEDING to stop for gas, Barely. So I can unhook at the campground and run around later and fill it back up for the return trip home.
In short, I never had any real issues getting fueled up with the gasser, I just used the time while inline to run in and grab some snacks or something. I expect to do the same with the diesel.

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by scrbiii

My 3/4 ton Avalanche does a great job pulling our Salem travel trailer which is similar in length to yours. With the 8.1 liter engine and 4l85e transmission, it is also my daily driver...I am a diesel mechanic, and deal with the EPA systems on a daily basis, therefore I prefer the simplicity, and quiet of the big gas engine. Diesel repairs can get very expensive in a big hurry- regardless of the brand.

Great looking TT! And nice choice of TT!