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05-06-2011, 03:48 AM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fordyce,AR
Posts: 13
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Is the 6.0 V8 with a 2500HD Chev/GMC truck adequate to pull a 30' fifth wheel? What about a Ford V 10? I currently have an 8.1 V-8 and really want a diesel but it is too expensive.
Hope I got all this right as am writing for my hubby who knows about this stuff.
Betsy Meador
Fordyce, AR
__________________
John and Betsy Meador
Fordyce, AR
29 RK Cruiser
Fans of Pitkin, CO
Sailing enthusiasts (35 ft Tartan)
Campers for 50 years
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05-06-2011, 04:24 AM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,510
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Unless you are buying used you cannot get the Ford V10 anymore. If you have a 3/4 ton now with the 8.1 why would you want to go with the 6.0 v8? I use to own a Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 and although it was a great motor the 8.1 or the Ford v10 would be much better options for towing. Back to your question, yes the 6.0 Chevy would pull your 29RK just fine if that is what you are asking.
__________________
17 Chevy 3500 DRW 4X4
16 Mobile Suites 36RSSB4
2 Mini Dachshunds
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05-06-2011, 04:46 AM
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#3
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
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I towed my 30SK with a 6.0 2001 2500HD for two years without any major issues. It slowed on mountain roads and work hard on the steeper grades but was able to tow in overdrive most of the time. I got 10-11 MPG. The new diesel tows much better and the mileage is better-12-13MPG but diesel fuel is more expensive.
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05-06-2011, 12:36 PM
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#4
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: League City, TX
Posts: 265
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Bite the bullet and go for the diesel, even if it is 3 -4 years old; most will get 300k before any major overhaul. We tried to get by with a 2010 Toyota Tundra 5.8 v-8 but just was not satisifed with performance. Went with a 2008 Dodge Cummins 6.7 and love it.
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05-06-2011, 12:40 PM
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#5
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Flushing MI
Posts: 114
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I have the 8.1 and have no problem pulling the fiver. I agree with with Hunter why would you want less.
__________________
Larry & Karen
'05 28CK
'03 Silverado 8.1 Allison Trans
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05-06-2011, 09:28 PM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,415
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I would of thought you would of known the Tundra is a 5.7 not 5.8. You did tow with it right. For a mile or 2 a gallon I will stick to my gasser.
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05-07-2011, 12:45 AM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SE Wi.
Posts: 704
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I drive a diesel for my daily driver. Highway mileage during the summer keeping it between 60-65mph is about 18.5. When towing at 60 on flats I will see 14mpg. With diesel costing less than gas right now I feel I'm putting money in the bank saving for when the pendulum swings the other way, along with having the assurance of not bogging down on hills.
If you plan on keeping your trunk for at least 200k miles then diesel is the way to go.
Reg Unleaded $4.37 per gal Diesel $4.05 per gallon.
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05-07-2011, 06:59 AM
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#8
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,415
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In upstate NY gas is 4.19 and diesel is 4.49 a gal. I get 10 towing and 17 empty on highway at 65. I don't put 10,000 miles a year on my truck and half of that is towing. I can see diesel for you but I have bought gas from NY to fl this winter and diesel was always higher in price.
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05-07-2011, 02:08 PM
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#9
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: League City, TX
Posts: 265
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cwit,
you are correct, 5.7 not 5.8 (typo), nothing against the Tundra; I loved the truck. But towing about 9,000# at 8 MPG on a good day (and it struggled on hills) I didn't have confidence that it would handle the Rockies without problems. Decided to go with a diesel after observing that the vast majority of tow vehicles at any given campground are 3/4 ton diesels. A few months later we upgraded to a CF335SS Cruiser (about 11k loaded) andget 12 MPG towing a heavierrig(50% better milage) and 21 solo. So for us...the diesel was the right choice and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a replacement tow vehicle.
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05-08-2011, 11:50 PM
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#10
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 336
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I have an '05 2500HD with the 6.0 motor and pull a 30CK. As much asI would like to have a diesel I cannot justify the cost for no more than I pull the trailer. We stay with a 100 miles of home on most trips and it is mostly flat ground. I have no issue's with the performance of my truck. Daily driving MPG is around 12 in town, 15 on the highway. Pulling the camper is somewhere around 8. I really don't pay alot of attention to the mileage when towing, if you want to pull a trailer your not going to get tree hugger mileage.
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05-09-2011, 06:17 AM
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#11
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location:
Posts: 42
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i had an 2004 f150. I got 13 mpg by itself and 9 - 10 towing. I bought my 05 2500 diesel several years and got a heck of a deal on it about 7K under blue book. I now average 14mpg towing and 18 not towing. I can get 20+ on the highway. It is worth the extra .20 cents it cost me per gallon for the better mileage and power.
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05-19-2011, 02:46 AM
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#12
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coupeville, WA
Posts: 355
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We're looking into getting a diesel to replace our Triton V10 F250. We currently have a two wheel drive which can make getting our boat up the boat launch difficult at times.<div siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62ec2f0" sourceindex="5"><br siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62f32f0" sourceindex="6"><div siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62f8230" sourceindex="14">My questions are:<div siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62f8230" sourceindex="5">1. For pulling an CF30SK should we step up to a F350 for any reason the F250 seems to be just fine?<div siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62f8230" sourceindex="5"><br siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62f31e0" sourceindex="10"><div siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62f8230" sourceindex="5">2. What is gas mileage penalty for going to 4WD?<div siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62f8230" sourceindex="5"><br siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62ec710" sourceindex="13"><div siber__q92dpb7seovvtbh5__vptr="62f8230" sourceindex="5">3. Is there any problem with the height of a F350 4WD or even a F250 4WD and our 5er? We have a difficult time as it is where we park our trailer for the winter with the bed rails coming very close to hitting the trailer when we back in over a hump. I'd think a higher truck would be worse.
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05-19-2011, 04:58 AM
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#13
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 336
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You will have to look and measure the newer trucks for height. I would measure your current year of truck to get a starting point. Then visit some dealerships with new and used trucks that you are interested in and measure them to compare. It seems like the last 3 years or so that they have really gotten taller.
A 250 should pull that trailer with no problem. If you think you might go to a longer trailer in the future than consider the 350. As far as gas mileage I believe2 or3 miles per gallon might be lost going to 4WD but as I have said in other posts, when you pulla trailer of that sizeyou arethrowing thegas mileage factor out the window. You will gain some by going to diesel butwith the newer diesels and the EPA regulations it's not going to be anything special.
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05-19-2011, 07:12 AM
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#14
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fordyce,AR
Posts: 13
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Thanks to all who responded. We took the advice from you and those on RV forum that said keep the truck. Put new tires on it yesterday for this year's trip to Colorado and will plan to get a diesel next year prior to our planned long trip to Alaska. Sure I will be asking lots of questions before that one!!!
__________________
John and Betsy Meador
Fordyce, AR
29 RK Cruiser
Fans of Pitkin, CO
Sailing enthusiasts (35 ft Tartan)
Campers for 50 years
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05-19-2011, 10:29 AM
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#15
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
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Kenny, I have the 2500HD D/A and it tows great, more than enough power and brakes. I would not hesitate to go to a little bigger unit and keep the same truck. My experience is the gas difference of two versus 4 wheel drive is only 1-1.5 MPG. You can set the hitch in the new truck a bit higher (if it is adjustable) to give you more rail clearance but the drawback might be 1) towing on a mild front high angle and 2) possibly more wind resistance cutting back on mileage.
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12-04-2011, 11:49 AM
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#16
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: CT
Posts: 81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sirsea
cwit,I have to jump in here as I've had the cummins and now a 5.7 Hemi and I'll tell you this Hemi will tow 11k up a hill at 100 plus with no problem. I'm amazed. I get 12 towing nice 8-10 pushing hard and 21 solo.
you are correct, 5.7 not 5.8 (typo), nothing against the Tundra; I loved the truck. But towing about 9,000# at 8 MPG on a good day (and it struggled on hills) I didn't have confidence that it would handle the Rockies without problems. Decided to go with a diesel after observing that the vast majority of tow vehicles at any given campground are 3/4 ton diesels. A few months later we upgraded to a CF335SS Cruiser (about 11k loaded) andget 12 MPG towing a heavierrig(50% better milage) and 21 solo. So for us...the diesel was the right choice and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a replacement tow vehicle.
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