Need new tow vehicle advice

[Leathergypsy]

ok. wasnt sure....lol! uh, yeah maybe the reading is inaccurate. not sure. pretty nice to look at those numbers though....lol!

[RubenZ]

What you can do is a manual calculation, fill up the TANK all the way to top to where you can see the level, then drive, and on your next fill up, fill it up to the same spot and see how much gallons you had to fill up and also keep track of distance you traveled between both fill ups.

[blake2727]

We switched all of our company trucks over to dodges with the cummins. So far we have not had one bit of trouble. Also since 08 or 09 dodge has been putting a Aisin transmission in the trucks with the cummins and it has a 180,000 mile warrantee on it. I know this post is about 2500 trucks and I don't know what the rear axel weight rating on these are but I do know that ,unless they changed it within the last year are so, in a 3500 a chevrolet rear axel is rated for about 1,000 lbs. less than dodge and ford. Ford has not really proven itself to me since the 7.3 so I would stay away for now. Chevrolet gets rave reviews by a lot of people so I wouldn't be scared to own one. As I said before i'm not sure on the rear axel rating for the 2500's but on a 3500 Dodge would be my clear choice because of up front price, proven reliability, and towing capacity (that 1,000lbs difference is a lot, unless its changed within the past year or so).

[crocus]

"I check it all the time while im traveling. Thats what it reads....."
==========================================
Obviously your computer is wrong.
Check it out when you fill up, do the calculations by hand, then report back. Unless, of course, you really don't want to know your actual mileage? LOL

[lbrjet]

My F250 with the 5.4L does everything I ask of it without complaints. I wouldn't change trucks period. The 6.2L would be even stronger, but mine is plenty strong enough hauling my 8K 34 foot trailer. The torque shift transmission is the real deal mated to this motor. You can't really compare the 5.4 in the F150 vs. F250 because the transmissions are so different.

Hauling a 10K TT with a F150? That's plain nuts. If they ever put a full floating axle on the F150 then it's a little less nuts.

[Leathergypsy]

Funny crocus! Yeah I'll check it out. Thanx. Must of hit a sour note with some people, judging by some reactions....I apologize for that.....Have a great day and Happy Camping to everyone!

[Chewy]

I wasn't trying to bash any of them. They all are good engines. I just am saying that IF you do have to tear into them the Duramax and Ford diesels take a lot of time to get into them. Recently helped replace injectors on an '01 Duramax...22 hours...with a diesel mechanic. Not saying the cummins is a piece of cake, just easier and less crowded in engine bay...

[kablair]

I bought an F-250 diesel about 2 years ago. I won't go into the pros/cons of any of the brands.

However, this is the first diesel vehicle I've owned and I can not imagine ever going back to a gasoline engine. As strange as it may seem, there is a definite 'feel' difference to a diesel engine that is very comforting when you're towing; and even when you're not towing.

[crocus]

"Must of hit a sour note with some people, judging by some reactions...."
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Not at all, Leathergypsy. We just know better than to accept it on faith!
I wish it was possible, then I wouldn't be driving a diesel!

Even the new Ecoboost engine with that obscene amount of power can't come close to what you claimed.

[RubenZ]

Originally Posted by blake2727

. As I said before i'm not sure on the rear axel rating for the 2500's but on a 3500 Dodge would be my clear choice because of up front price, proven reliability, and towing capacity (that 1,000lbs difference is a lot, unless its changed within the past year or so).

Dodge and GM use the same rear axle on their diesel trucks

[KAB449]

I have my F250 6.7 Turbo Diesel since October 2010 and have 13,000 Miles on it. It is flat out the best truck I have ever owned (10 total). Towing mileage at 65 mph and hilly terrain is 12 mpg and 14 mpg at 55 and flat terrain. 17 to 20 mpg not towing. DEF is no big expense. 800 ft lbs of torque makes you forget that a 10000 lb trailer is back there.

[jd-ford-hd]

Choose FORD..!! The only truck maker not operating on our tax dollars....!

[blake2727]

jd-ford-hd,
I totally agree with you on that one. I drive an f150 myself and have made that statement myself. I am just going from experience with our company and we have had the best luck with the dodge diesels ever since ford switched from the 7.3.
As far as the rear axel ratings, I don't know what they are now and never did know what they were on a 2500, I just know that a couple of years ago chevy 3500's were 1,000lbs less than dodge and ford. I know if you go to the chevy web site and look at the vehicle comparison that they post for chevy, dodge, and ford, they even show dodge with a 1,000lbs and ford with an 800lbs higher gross vehicle capacity. I don't know what the rear axel rating is though.

[Chewy]

7.3 was a great Ford Diesel!!! Can't argue
Ford and tax dollar avoidance at all, that is a good point!

[crocus]

6.7 L Ford
Just be aware that some of them are starting to blow up. Something to do with over-fueling one cylinder, washing it down, and destroying the block.

[g0tr00t]

When I bought my truck, I had a choice between Gas and Diesel (used from the same location). I test drove both. then I looked around my local gas stations and finally I went and talked to my mechanic about both trucks and repair costs.

After doing all 3, I ended up with a a GMC Sierra gas 8.1L

[whj77372]

I would like some info on the problems with the 6.7? Both the GM and Ford must use the DEF now, but Dodge will use it next year to meet the EPA rules, read this in Trailer Life. While i have not had the new 250 very long, it sure seems solid and I don't know that I am towing a 30 FW back there!

[The_Stuff]

Originally Posted by g0tr00t

After doing all 3, I ended up with a a GMC Sierra gas 8.1L

494 cubic inches of gas guzzling raw power

[g0tr00t]

Originally Posted by The_Stuff

494 cubic inches of gas guzzling raw power

Its not too bad, I get about 5 gallons per mile

Actually, highway towing is about 7 @65, not towing highway is about 11.5, city is about 8 to 9.

I am just a weekend warrior, so that was a HUGE reason not to go with diesel, plus the nearest station to my house is about a 20 minute drive...odd...

[jeeplj8]

For most people - the difference in fuel and maintenance costs (higher with diesel) vs. the longevity (again higher with diesel) are a wash at best. For a lot of heavy towing, then diesel will always win.

As for the Big 3...if you are looking brand new then you will see very little difference in power, MPG or price per option. They are too close to call. As for maintenance costs and warranty claims, the Dodge is the winner. I wish I had one, but used they are too expensive so I bought a Ford. The Cummins engine is the best diesel engine available in a sub Class-6 truck period. The transmission are a toss up, an Allison will wear out just as soon as an Aisin with similar power (the difference most people build the Cummins for more power and blow the tranny.) Personally, I would rather have the Mercedes 6 speed available with the Cummins, it is rated for 40K lbs.

Ford has had real troubles with diesel engines ever since they dropped the 7.3. They went to International to build a better engine, and got what they paid for. Not one of the Big 3 can make a decent diesel engine. Chevy went to Isuzu and Dodge to Cummins.

For the weight you are talking, and given the higher maintenance costs of diesel, I would look at the Ford Eco-Boost engine. That really is the direction I think most makers will go, ie turbo and direct injection. Basically what makes diesel engines so much more efficient, but in a gas engine.