Gas or diesel

[Carrier]

Originally Posted by MEHoffman

Did you make a decision here and I missed it? I will tell you we just made a ~900 mile trip towing our Windjammer 3008W with the Tundra and averaged around 7.5 mpg. That meant I needed to find gas every 150 miles max. Personally I am watching for a deal on a diesel.

We came so close a couple of weeks ago. Dealer let us take a new loaded Lariat Super Duty out for a day pulling our trailer and it was sick the way it handled my trailer. We decided to wait till next year and see just how much we actually go anywhere farther than a couple of hours. Having issues with this 3008 and until they get fixed not going far.

[B and B]

Travelling right now in Michigan. Gas is $3.18 a gallon and Diesel is 3.69 a gallon. I don't see any savings on operating costs here at all. Not to mention the campground late night arrivals 2 and 3 sites over rattling and clanking for the last hour while the setup at 11:30 at night. Not saying I won't own a diesel but there has to be a need for such.

[goduc]

Thing is with diesels is, if you don't need one don't get one. Pretty simple. Buying something that has added costs just for the sake of having it doesn't make any sense.

[RKR]

Lol , the dead thread revivers...


Sent from my high tech gadget

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by MEHoffman

Did you make a decision here and I missed it? I will tell you we just made a ~900 mile trip towing our Windjammer 3008W with the Tundra and averaged around 7.5 mpg. That meant I needed to find gas every 150 miles max. Personally I am watching for a deal on a diesel.

I get a solid 10 mpg with my tundra pulling rockwood 8282. Never over 65mph and it holds true for trips through Rockies, smokies and Ozarks. Got 8-9 mph pulling a wildcat fiver that was heavier and higher.
Have you figured gas cost for your 900 mile trip? Then make same computation at diesel fuel cost and with additional mpgs of about 12-13 mpgs. Then add the cost of the diesel engine. The cost of def. Higher maintenance costs, etc. If the tundra is handling the TT well, you might improve mpgs by slowing some. TT tires are not rated for high speeds anyway. Good luck.

[M&K Hoffman]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

I get a solid 10 mpg with my tundra pulling rockwood 8282. Never over 65mph and it holds true for trips through Rockies, smokies and Ozarks. Got 8-9 mph pulling a wildcat fiver that was heavier and higher.
Have you figured gas cost for your 900 mile trip? Then make same computation at diesel fuel cost and with additional mpgs of about 12-13 mpgs. Then add the cost of the diesel engine. The cost of def. Higher maintenance costs, etc. If the tundra is handling the TT well, you might improve mpgs by slowing some. TT tires are not rated for high speeds anyway. Good luck.

Number one, the only way I exceeded 65 was going downhill! Maintaining 55 or more has the RPM at 3000 most of the time.

Number two, I do not plan to calculate cost difference. What I really hated was having to look for gas all the time. A couple times when I got off the interstate I found a station where there was no way anyone towing a 34' trailer was going to get to the pumps, so back on the highway and drive to the next exit hoping!!

My other option is: 46 gallon replacement tank

BTW I only figured MPG for tanks that all the driving was with the trailer.

[5er_tom]

Love my Diesel, but as stated, it is not for everyday driving. It is either in the garage or towing. It is just to costly to use for running around town.
I get right at 12MPG while towing.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Charles Firth]

WOW, the debate goes on. Gotta love it great points on both sides. I should be a politician I keep waffling back and forth between gas and diesel. I need to update my tow vehicle, lots of great info. Lots of things to think about included the added cost. Someone on the diesel vs gas site actually did a computation comparing the two, and diesel was the best over the long haul . For someone like me who keeps a vehicle usually over 10 years it may be the best way to go.

Chuck "still in Va "

[Iwannacamp]

As gassers state about theirs....

I have no intention of being ""without"" a diesel of some sort. Been driving one over 15 years now...just as with 4X4 and have no intention to be without that or better. Right now it's my only vehicle and "trip computer" says 20.7...very little highway @6500#. Show me a gasser to beat that.



Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[schrederman]

Just back from a trip that we take several times per year. My F-150, towing the same trailer, got 8.5 to 9.5 mpg... Now, with the trailer loaded heavier, because I'm not so concerned, we got 13.9 going and 14.2 coming back. The F-150 wound itself up to 4400 rpm maintaining 65 mph on hills. The diesel seldom downshifts. My daily driver mileage with the F-150 was about 17 mpg, usually. My daily driver mileage is about 19 with the new Ram...

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by MEHoffman

Number one, the only way I exceeded 65 was going downhill! Maintaining 55 or more has the RPM at 3000 most of the time.

Number two, I do not plan to calculate cost difference. What I really hated was having to look for gas all the time. A couple times when I got off the interstate I found a station where there was no way anyone towing a 34' trailer was going to get to the pumps, so back on the highway and drive to the next exit hoping!!

My other option is: 46 gallon replacement tank

BTW I only figured MPG for tanks that all the driving was with the trailer.

Yep. You may need a diesel, if Rpms hang around 3000 all the time. I'm familiar with the tight gas stations. Not fun. Good luck in your search for solutions.

[rockfordroo]

My daily driver mileage with the F-150 was about 17 mpg, usually. My daily driver mileage is about 19 with the new Ram...

Mileage difference is about 11%, so with gas at $3.12, you better be getting diesel at less than $3.48.

[Big Paul]

Anyone pulling a camper not real worried about fuel milage. I do like diesel torque better myself diesel $3.49 North Louisiana now. $3.27 South Ms.

[camper1999]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Mileage difference is about 11%, so with gas at $3.12, you better be getting diesel at less than $3.48.

Towing is were the big savings is. 50% better for me towing more weight.

[rockfordroo]

Towing is were the big savings is. 50% better for me towing more weight.

So I hope you tow a LOT more than you don't.

[camper1999]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

So I hope you tow a LOT more than you don't.

Yes sir

[M&K Hoffman]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

So I hope you tow a LOT more than you don't.

It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

[jevanb]

[Brian41]

I have both a 2001 Chevy 3500 crew dually 8.1 Allison trans 4x4 with 46,000 miles and a 2015 GMC Denali HD crew dually diesel Allison 4x4 with 3500 miles and hands down towing or not milage is double on the diesel but the power difference is even a better reason. I bought the 2015 the day after I towed my new to me 5th wheel toy hauler home as I was going on a trip with the RV later that week and knew I would hate myself all the through PA with the gas truck. I still feel more comfortable with the 2001 but its been a 14 year love of the truck.......I think its time to let it go and be faithful to the new big guy.

DIESEL HAS MY VOTE

[jevanb]

Nice black truck. If you put 46k in the next 14 years it will still be worth more during resell then the same year gasser