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Old 04-10-2014, 08:46 PM   #1
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Tow vehicle question.

My wife and I just purchased a Grey Wolf 23BDH as our first TT. It is just us, so we didn't need anything big to start with. I have a 2013 FX4 F150 with the ecoboost and 3.55's. We towed it from North Alabama to Concord NC to the big NHRA race. I think the dry weight is about 4700 or so pounds(dry) and i say loaded it is 5000. Well the truck done fine towing it, but it got 9 mpg's driving 68 mph the whole way. I am thinking i may need a diesel? 2500? I also have several cars and a car trailer that i tow as well. My question is which is the best? which gets the best mpg's? I hear the Dodge does. My choices would be a Dodge or a Ford. Please no brand loyalty crap. Years are 2011-2013. I am new to the RV/camping world so forgive my stupidity on the matter.

Opinions are greatly appreciated.
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Old 04-10-2014, 08:50 PM   #2
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Old 04-10-2014, 08:56 PM   #3
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300 lbs of user items ?
I dont think so.

Food
Clothes
Bedding
Toiletries
Silver and dining ware
Chairs
Tools
Onboard water
Pets


Average user added items is 1000#
Not including
Wd hitch
Full propane tanks
Dealer installed battery
Any items installed by dealer after shipped from factory


I'd bet scaled your looking closer to 6500 lbs.

Nice looking unit!



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Old 04-10-2014, 08:57 PM   #4
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that's normal mileage for a gas truck towing. Speed is the biggest killer. Slow down below 60 and you will see a little gain. Depends how fast you want to get there. I get 12+MPG towing about 11,000lbs with a 2014 Duramax.
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Old 04-10-2014, 08:58 PM   #5
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You don't NEED a diesel. Your TV seems to be plenty for your TT. But, if you want better mpg a diesel will probably do that for you. Especially on that size TT. But factor in the 50 - 80 per gal increase in fuel costs and have you accomplished anything? Just my opinion . Others will chime in soon.

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Old 04-10-2014, 08:58 PM   #6
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oh yeah the weight part. Like f1100turbo said. You are way underestimating. 300lbs is added before you even put anything in the camper.
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Old 04-10-2014, 08:59 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
300 lbs of user items ?
I dont think so.

Average user added items is 1000#
Not including
Wd hitch
Full propane tanks
Dealer installed battery
Any items installed by dealer after shipped from factory


I'd bet scaled your looking closer to 6500 lbs.

Nice looking unit!



TURBS

Sabre owners united!
Ok thanks! I told you i am a newbie!
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:01 PM   #8
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You don't NEED a diesel. Your TV seems to be plenty for your TT. But, if you want better mpg a diesel will probably do that for you. Especially on that size TT. But factor in the 50 - 80 per gal increase in fuel costs and have you accomplished anything? Just my opinion . Others will chime in soon.

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Yes, i am wondering if it would just be a wash with the extra cost of diesel fuel.
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:01 PM   #9
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You don't NEED a diesel. Your TV seems to be plenty for your TT. But, if you want better mpg a diesel will probably do that for you. Especially on that size TT. But factor in the 50 - 80 per gal increase in fuel costs and have you accomplished anything? Just my opinion . Others will chime in soon.

Sent from David's RAZR M.
diesel is 37 cents more than gas. The gap is quickly narrowing around here.
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:04 PM   #10
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oh yeah the weight part. Like f1100turbo said. You are way underestimating. 300lbs is added before you even put anything in the camper.
12+ mpg's towing what you are towing is pretty darn good!
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:13 PM   #11
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What you save on fuel economy will eventually offset the entry cost and higher fuel price, but it will take a while.

However, there's more to diesels than fuel economy. I'm sure your ecoboost pulls it fine, but a diesel will pull it much better. Plus you'll be stepping up to a 2500 which will have bigger better brakes, heavier suspension. The towing experience will be much better overall. The regular ride experience will suffer a bit as it will ride harsher, but still very nice in my opinion. It is, after all, still a truck.

I'm a Cummins guy but brand loyalty aside the Ford should be fine, just stay away from the 6.0 engines. They're still having issues according to the diesel guys I see.
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:13 PM   #12
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I get 10 - 12 pulling 14,000#
08 duramax diesel.

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Old 04-10-2014, 09:14 PM   #13
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12+ mpg's towing what you are towing is pretty darn good!
sure is. I'm very happy with it. I'm pretty light footed and don't get much above 60. Keep in mind most trailer tires are speed limited at 65.
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:16 PM   #14
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sure is. I'm very happy with it. I'm pretty light footed and don't get much above 60. Keep in mind most trailer tires are speed limited at 65.
Yep, I'm getting 10.5MPG with a 40% mix of stop and go to 60% highway driving at 65ish.

No doubting it, diesels are where it's at.
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:17 PM   #15
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if you use 1/3 less fuel and its only 40 cents per gallon more, you are spending less on fuel period. I was getting 8mpg with my gasser now 12 so that's a 50 percent improvement. Diesel is only 10 percent more cost
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:19 PM   #16
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What you save on fuel economy will eventually offset the entry cost and higher fuel price, but it will take a while.

However, there's more to diesels than fuel economy. I'm sure your ecoboost pulls it fine, but a diesel will pull it much better. Plus you'll be stepping up to a 2500 which will have bigger better brakes, heavier suspension. The towing experience will be much better overall. The regular ride experience will suffer a bit as it will ride harsher, but still very nice in my opinion. It is, after all, still a truck.

I'm a Cummins guy but brand loyalty aside the Ford should be fine, just stay away from the 6.0 engines. They're still having issues according to the diesel guys I see.
Ford made some real steamers thats for sure. That is why i am looking at 11+ f250's. The Dodge catches my eye for sure! Love the Cummins, and the Ram is a great looking truck now! I guess the GM's scare me because of the DIF issues they have had on the models i could afford.
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:25 PM   #17
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Ford made some real steamers thats for sure. That is why i am looking at 11+ f250's. The Dodge catches my eye for sure! Love the Cummins, and the Ram is a great looking truck now! I guess the GM's scare me because of the DIF issues they have had on the models i could afford.
Diff issue's?


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Old 04-10-2014, 09:27 PM   #18
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I spent less on a Duramax 1 ton than what lots of 1/2 tons list for. I'm pretty sure most of the DEF issues were in '11 when it was new. They all use it now. The 6.0 Ford took the EGR route and look how well that turned out. All the Case IH farm equipment I work on uses DEF, John Deere went EGR and there stuff catches itself on fire and burn to the ground. Point is, all makes have had there good and bad years.
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Old 04-10-2014, 09:28 PM   #19
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diesel is 37 cents more than gas. The gap is quickly narrowing around here.
Good. Keep it falling and I might have to look at diesels next time. ; -)

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Old 04-10-2014, 09:30 PM   #20
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I get 10 - 12 pulling 14,000#
08 duramax diesel.

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Same as my father in law. 10,000lb fiver with duramax. He has a good set up.

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