Diesel ?

[dilgerc]

K so if a guy was going to consider upgrading from a gasser to a diesel because someday there may be another upgrade from a tt to a fiver, what should be the major considerations? Is the long bed the best rout to go or the short with a extension on the pinbox? Rear end ratio? I really think I like the ford 6.7 power stroke better than the dodge and Chevy but am open to your opinions. Please help!

[donn]

Figure out first and foremost how much trailer/fiver you want. Once you have that down pat, then consider a truck. As far as trucks are concerned, lots of people love their Fords as with Dodge and Chevrolet/GMC. In reality any of then will do a good job as long as it is properly matched to the trailer. IMHO if you strap yourself to one brand you may be missing out on a better product.
Again, once you have the trailer down pat then decide on the truck. You may end up picking a trailer that can be towed satisfactorily with a SRW and you have bought a dually. Or visa versa. Remember with a fifth wheel approx 20% of the actual loaded ready to travel weight will be carried directly over the rear axle. So picking a truck first could end up as a very expensive mistake.

[amxpress]

With many of today's fifth wheel front cap designs, you don't need a long bed. Bed length is a personal choice. I have a short bed and I have plenty of clearance with my 2013 Columbus. If you get a short bed, you might consider a slider hitch as they are handy. It is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Get a TV with the tow package option. 3.73 or 4.10 is a good towing differential ratio.
As for which brand TV, that also is a personal choice. I like the Cummins Turbo Diesel, but that's me. If I had to do it over, I would have gotten a 1 Ton dually, though I am satisfied with my 2500 RAM. A 3/4 Ton does limit your fifth wheel choices.

[onthelake]

I agree, pic the TT first or at leat get close to what you think you'll end up with.

Are you looking for a new truck or open to used?

[dilgerc]

Prob new. I just , in a way, regret buying the 6.0 gasser. Will take a huge hickey if I trade tho. I know that a fiver is in the future tho and am thinking although I'll take a loss, it won't ever be worth as much as it is now as a trade in. Thats just one thought tho!

[JFM-jr]

Best mod for towing with a gasser is gears i'm assuming it's a bowtie?

[dilgerc]

Yes with 373 if I remember correctly

[onthelake]

You won't regret going diesel, especially if you are hauling long distances. The difference in torque alone is worth it.

A change in gears & a tuner for 6.0 are a good combination, as long as the truck is within its tow rating.

[dilgerc]

Ok so I took the plunge and went with the ford diesel lariat f250 fx4 with the 355 rear end. Thanks for all the advice.

[Great Horned Owl]

I would go with the long bed. Not only do you avoid interference problems, but the longer wheelbase tows more smoothly. If you do decide on a short bed, a sliding hitch might be a better option than a pin box extension. The extension applies extra torque to the frame of the 5er. Some have been known to crack. Before you do it, check with the manufacturer to see if it will void the warrantee.

The new Ford, Chevy, and Dodge diesel engines are all pretty robust. However, IMO, the Allison transmission in the Chevy is far and away the best of the three. I like the Cummins engine best, but the transmission in the the Dodge is a real weakness.

Joel

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Great Horned Owl

The new Ford, Chevy, and Dodge diesel engines are all pretty robust. However, IMO, the Allison transmission in the Chevy is far and away the best of the three. I like the Cummins engine best, but the transmission in the the Dodge is a real weakness. Joel

IMO, while the Dodge diesel is more robust than the Chevy Duramax, the god awful racket it makes compared to the purr of the Duramax and the New Ford diesels put it out of the running.

No argument, I love the Allison transmission and it was worth the premium. The spin-on tranny filter was worth it alone.

[rkswyo]

Herk you must be talking about the older Cummins being noisy because my 2008 is very quiet. Most the time it is hard to tell it is a diesel. My 2000 Cummins was very noisy. When they went to the common rail injection they quieted right down.

[jrlehr]

Just my 2 cents
With you thinking of upgrading down the road, I would suggest getting a diesel or even a dually diesel. The reason is, when you go looking for a 5th wheel, you can then look at any floor plan knowing you have plenty of truck to pull it. You will see lot's of great floor plans in 5th wheels. Then you can smile knowing you have the truck to pull it.

[dilgerc]

Well I took the plunge and went with the Ford 250 super duty. Diesel with 355 rear end, 4xwd. I think I'm gonna like it. Actually I know I'm gonna like it, it 10 times the other trick I had. Lol

[B47]

Originally Posted by rkswyo

Herk you must be talking about the older Cummins being noisy because my 2008 is very quiet. Most the time it is hard to tell it is a diesel. My 2000 Cummins was very noisy. When they went to the common rail injection they quieted right down.

rkswyo -

I have to agree with you on the noise iseue. We have a 2012 3/4 ton Ram with the Cummins 6.7L and it is certainly not as noisy as the older ones. We love it and not having to mess with glow plugs and DEF is icing on the cake.

[Taranwanderer]

X2 on the Cummins and noise issue on current vs older trucks. I recently traded my 2001 2500 Ram CTD for a 2011 2500 Ram CTD. They both have the same name and numbers on the side, but they are two totally different trucks. . The 6.7 is stronger, quieter, and thirstier than the 5.9 was, but it is way more of a pleasure to tow the TT with this one. Good luck with whatever you decide on!

[B47]

Originally Posted by herk7769

IMO, while the Dodge diesel is more robust than the Chevy Duramax, the god awful racket it makes compared to the purr of the Duramax and the New Ford diesels put it out of the running.

No argument, I love the Allison transmission and it was worth the premium. The spin-on tranny filter was worth it alone.

herk - take a break and go down to your local Dodge/Ram dealer and listen to one of the new Cummins diesel - you might be surprised.

[mike06081969]

My fifth wheel weighs nearly 15K loaded and I pull it with an F250 shortbed with a slider hitch and Firestone Ride Rite airbags. It has the 6.4 Powerstroke. I have had no problems whatsoever pulling the 5er with it, but I wish the fuel economy were a little better. I have friends who pull their trailers with the Chevy Duramax/Allison and they are pleased with how they pull and get better fuel economy to boot. I would've bought a Chevy or GMC when I got the Ford, but they are scarce as hen's teeth used.

[whj77372]

If you are going to pull a fiver a lot, the longbed, diesel is the way to go. Those of us who tow with a longbed and have towed with a short bed will tell you the same.
Problem, even in Texas, the capital of pickups, almost 1/2 of all registrations are pickups, they are hard to find. Many pickup buyers want 4WD and there are lots of them. The DEF is NO problem, it takes about 2 and 1/2 gals per 5,000 miles and costs about $10.99. No exhaust smell and no noise. After you visit the Dodge dealer and listen to the diesel go to Chev and Ford and listen to their diesels.

F250, 2011, CC, longbed, diesel, RWD
V-Cross 275 5er, loaded 9,950 lbs

[Road-King]

Originally Posted by whj77372

After you visit the Dodge dealer and listen to the diesel go to Chev and Ford and listen to their diesels.

Then go back and buy the Dodge...