Thinking of going 3/4

[Too Tall]

When you drive a diesel without a load, you may think what's the big deal about diesels. But when you put a load on them it becomes very obvious why they are so Superior. The torque.

[goduc]

Originally Posted by Too Tall

When you drive a diesel without a load, you may think what's the big deal about diesels. But when you put a load on them it becomes very obvious why they are so Superior. The torque.

That^ and the exhaust brake. No more wondering about whether your brakes will get hot or if the trailer brakes are enough. With a diesel you'll smile going uphill and down hill.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Too Tall

I agree. But, for most people that own a diesel it's not about cost. it's about the trip and the pleasure of the drive. Whether or not I'll recoup my investment in the end is the least of my worries.

I never even gave recouping the cost a thought, I knew from the outset it would cost.

It is a price I am willing to pay, to play.

[aceinspp]

Basically it comes down to each his own. I'm a gas guy and happy then you diesel guys are happy. Funny but all these threads on folks that post about buying and get talked into buy bigger and more money . Nice to spend other folks dough Later RJD

[Phenom]

I think everyone makes their own decisions. I like these forums because I can hear both sides of the equation from a broad demographic vs just talking with my own friends or family who I know would all be biased towards not even camping but finding a hotel and driving a sedan.

[todtc318]

My Wildcat Maxx is around 6700# unloaded. Currently, it's around 9000# with our "stuff"...tools, food, clothing, etc, etc. I was pulling it with a 2015 Ford 2.7L Ecoboost F150 but very soon learned that even with a WDH I was at the max performance and weight...and this was without fresh water, fluid in the holding tanks, etc. Just recently bought a 2016 F250 6.7L diesel. Absolutely no comparison with regards to pulling power, mileage while towing, reduced bounce and sway, cooling and other such safety concerns. Plus, I'm not maxxing out the tow vehicle every mile. Others may not agree of course, but the comfort in knowing I'm nowhere near max in any area (tongue weight, towing capacity, load, etc) has made our trips much more relaxing and, in my opinion, safe.

[davel1971]

As far as I figure it. It never cost you more to have a diesel. Buy trucks. One gas, one diesel. Put 100,000 miles in each and see what they are worth. The extra 8,000 you spend on the diesel, that truck is worth at least that much more than the gas model. Hold their value SO much better. Let alone the fact you save a lot with the higher fuel mileage.

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by Phenom

Today I happened across a '14 2500HD 2WD LT with a dmax in my price range. Marked way down and GM certified with 27K on the clock. I drove it about 40 miles. Averaged 20mpg highway and surface roads. Definitely too much truck for my trailer but it sure was nice. I could see that thing making towing a whole new experience. It's tempting with 25 months bumper to bumper between the two warranties and 24 months of scheduled oil changes.

Originally Posted by davel1971

don't be afraid to go with "too much truck". The trailers always seem to grow faster than you first anticipate.

Totally agree on that statement. You can buy q folding ramp for your dog and enjoy the ease and comfort of a solid tow vehicle. I promise you that you will never look back on that purchase.

I have 2 friends that got talked into a 32ft fiver when they had their 5.7 Tundra. They could never drive it in 6th gear and never got 200 miles to a full tank towing, not to mention the stress of towing it....

She bought my 2010 Dodge 3500 dually from me. Reason? It matched her fiver paint scheme to a T! Her husband though it may be too much truck but let me tell you, the very first tow they made, they called me and were in absolute heaven with it. She told me she it was a dream to tow and she was relaxed the entire time and she got almost double the tow mileage. She still has that truck and will not trade it for anything!

She calls it her Big "B". I'm sure you know what B stands for. Lol.

[Phenom]

The truck I was really interested fell through. I waffled for 24hrs and it was gone. Now I have a problem though. I dove a Duramax. Even empty I really liked that engine, and ride. Are these engines(LML's) really the time bombs the inter web makes them out to be. I'm looking used. New ones are beyond what I'm comfortable spending on a vehicle. What I like is the range I get from a diesel, the quiet engine at highway speed, and resale. I know the maintenance downfalls, but worry about the emissions horror stories. Just read one story of a guy with a $4000 repair bill for some emissions nonsense.

[RollingDownTheHighway]

Originally Posted by Phenom

The truck I was really interested fell through. I waffled for 24hrs and it was gone. Now I have a problem though. I dove a Duramax. Even empty I really liked that engine, and ride. Are these engines(LML's) really the time bombs the inter web makes them out to be. I'm looking used. New ones are beyond what I'm comfortable spending on a vehicle. What I like is the range I get from a diesel, the quiet engine at highway speed, and resale. I know the maintenance downfalls, but worry about the emissions horror stories. Just read one story of a guy with a $4000 repair bill for some emissions nonsense.

I traded in my '14 Chevy 1500 for a GMC 2500 6.6L Duramax and love it. I'm taken it for a test tow this week. As for ride, yes they are nice and have power even empty. As for emissions, check your state on the requirements, I know in my state (CT) anything over a GVWR 10,001 does not need to go through emissions. As for the "time bombs", I've seen some issues with the new diesels but I don't know anyone personally with issues, and I know alot of diesel owners. I know some guys are deleting the DEF stuff and that will cause you emissions issues and some other issues if not done correctly.

I bought a new one (2016), so any repairs or issues are covered under warranty for me, and I don't plan on deleting the DEF stuff anytime soon if at all.

[BandJCarm]

I'm on my 2nd LML Duramax, and it's the best engine I ever rode with. But I don't have a lot of years experience, no.

Here's a suggestion. Go here:
Chevy and GMC Duramax Diesel Forum
and read and search for people with problems. See if any of them have the LML engine or not.

When I buy something big, I go to the Users Group websites and hang around for a while. When I got the 5er, I went to Keystone and others and read about them from actual users. Then I read here too. That's what swayed me to FR. Try that for the diesels........all 3 of the Big Boys have a Forum. Go read about them.

Just a thought.

[ryand]

Based on your question you had...hands down 3/4 wins in any configuration over a 1/2 ton towing 7-8K. There is not a comparison to stability, stopping power, weight and payload. The mill under your hood is up to you, either way you will have a better towing experience with the heavier truck.

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by Phenom

The truck I was really interested fell through. I waffled for 24hrs and it was gone. Now I have a problem though. I dove a Duramax. Even empty I really liked that engine, and ride. Are these engines(LML's) really the time bombs the inter web makes them out to be. I'm looking used. New ones are beyond what I'm comfortable spending on a vehicle. What I like is the range I get from a diesel, the quiet engine at highway speed, and resale. I know the maintenance downfalls, but worry about the emissions horror stories. Just read one story of a guy with a $4000 repair bill for some emissions nonsense.

Not at all. They are talking about the CP4 high pressure fuel pump. If you try to put a 200+ horse tune thru it and beat the crap out of it, you may have an issue. Of course, that was the early version but they quickly upgraded them. You usually only see that on the 11s and some 12s.

The emissions stuff is easily deleted. I got a tuner from Motor Ops and the turbo back exhaust and thats it. The tuner shuts the system off and the exhaust swap is easy and cheap. You dont fix that crap, just get rid of it.

Tuner is $799 and the exhaust was $379.

After the delete I got 2-4 more mpgs across the board.

Out of all my diesels I've owned, I love the Duramax the best.

Try for a 13 or newer if possible.

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by bagged123

I traded in my '14 Chevy 1500 for a GMC 2500 6.6L Duramax and love it. I'm taken it for a test tow this week. As for ride, yes they are nice and have power even empty. As for emissions, check your state on the requirements, I know in my state (CT) anything over a GVWR 10,001 does not need to go through emissions. As for the "time bombs", I've seen some issues with the new diesels but I don't know anyone personally with issues, and I know alot of diesel owners. I know some guys are deleting the DEF stuff and that will cause you emissions issues and some other issues if not done correctly.

I bought a new one (2016), so any repairs or issues are covered under warranty for me, and I don't plan on deleting the DEF stuff anytime soon if at all.

I have a 2014 and the only time I had to take it for warranty issues was for the Def sensors. After that I deleted it. I even took it back to my dealer for a mysterious rattle and they said nothing about the delete and turned out the rattle was a loose bolt from when the shop did the exhaust swap.

[Phenom]

So, 3/4 it is. Found a used 2500HD. No frills. LT model with 27K on the clock at a good price. As an added bonus it has the Duramax. I'll officially have too much truck for my trailer. I hope the trailer will be ok. The Tundra is an awesome truck, but I think for towing now, this will be more enjoyable. Didn't need the Duramax, but it was there, so what is one to do.

If anyone needs an '07 Tundra in nearly perfect condition with 57K on the clock shoot me a pm. I'll even leave the Timbens and Tow mirrors in place.

[aceinspp]

Great you found the truck and more than you need . Hope the price was right. What year is it? Later RJD

[Phenom]

2014. Price was good. Similar to to the used 15 gasser prices, but those all had more miles on them.

[aceinspp]

Great. Not bad for mileage down side is the dumb def. Later RJD

[Phenom]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Great. Not bad for mileage down side is the dumb def. Later RJD

I agree. Been studying all that stuff at an obsessive level. I'll keep everything stock till the power train and emissions warranty runs out. Then, I'll mod it for reliability. Don't care for more power/noise/annoying black smoke. Just want reliability so I'll mod as appropriate.

[ryand]

Can't really go wrong with any of the big 3 late model 3/4 ton especially with the oil burner. In my opinion the Ram had the Gas engine covered but I am biased Towing will be night and day over the Toyota. You are in for a much more stable and predictable towing experience.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums