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Old 12-31-2019, 10:07 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kdauto View Post
I realize this is an old thread but since it's been revived quite a bit recently I'll add my 2 cents.



I pull a 13 000lb 5th wheel with my 6.0 gas powered truck. I won't win any races going up 7%+ grades but it gets the job done. Have done several cross-country trips, lots of mountain ranges and I keep up with all the big rigs unless they're empty. Steepest hill that was officially measured was 22% and it was a standing start deal. I didn't chance it and went up in 4 lo, it was loose gravel and 2 curves so why chance it?



When you get to 6 speed transmissions and 300+ HP you can pull quite a bit. My truck has the 3.73 gears and would benefit from 4.10 gearing but I'm not spending time and $$ to change it even though I can do it myself.



I feel 13 000 lbs is the upper limit of what I'm confortable weight-wise on my rig. I'm researching the next truck for the "retirement RV". I'm gonna wait and see how the new gassers hold up and maybe GM will slap a 10 speed on their 6.6 gasser.



More importantly than raw power chassis, suspension and braking are important to me. I've seen plenty of 3/4 ton diesel rigs overmatched in all those departments, not a fun ride. I'd rather be slow and safe than fast and unstable.



FYI diesel trucks did not fit my current needs. My gas truck sits here a LOT of the time. It is reliable and cheap to run, also plenty of power for my current needs.


This is great news. I recently purchased a 2011 Forest River Cardinal 3150rl which is spec’d at 12,000lbs. I also purchased a Ford F-350 gasser to pull whatever rv I purchased before I had the rv. I had been asking around to get opinions on how it would be to drive the combo. It seems that “slow and easy” is the way to go. Thank you for your post.
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Old 12-31-2019, 10:08 PM   #30
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2015 GMC Sierra 1500 w/6.2L pulling 2014 crossroad cruiser aire. Scaled at 15,000lbs GCVW. Supposed to be able to make it to 19,000 GCVW. But I won't go that high. just doesn't feel right.

Power is not an issue, just piece of mind.
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Old 01-01-2020, 03:07 PM   #31
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I pull a 2007, Montana RL3400 with a weight of 11,500 dry pounds and 13,500 with a 2010 Ford Super Duty 350, with a 3:75 rear end and 4WD. Engine is a V10.
Box is 8' with an extra cab (small back seat). Don't even know it is there on flats. Steep hills will slow it down to about 45 MPH and and the heavy duty brakes on the 350 are adequate for the down hill trip. If I were going across country I would opt for the diesel engine, but as I only pull to and from a seasonal site once a year, the gasser is fine.
Diesels have tons of power and will far out last a gasser, but they are more expensive to maintain and the bodies tend to rust out at the same rate as gassers so when I weigh that against the gasser, the gasser wins. If a person has a lot of cash, the diesel would be a good choice, but on balance for the majority of us, the gasser will do the job. Keep in mind the tow rating on a fifth wheel hitch is greater than on a bumper pull. My tow limit on a bumper pull is 12,500 pounds. With the fifth wheel it jumps to 15,000.
That is equipped with the camper package which includes a transmission cooler, larger brakes and heavier springs. Other trucks will vary in tow capacity.
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Old 01-01-2020, 03:09 PM   #32
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Gas truck will do what you need it to. It has to be geared right though. I tow heavier then most and my 4500 has the 8.1L in it. I tow 23k with 6k on the pin. Let the trans kick down to peak torque RPM. Steady pressure on the go pedal and climb. I have 4.88 rear gears in my truck. And those that are as heavy as I am are same speed as me. 35k is 35k combined no matter what your driving.
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Old 01-01-2020, 05:52 PM   #33
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5.7

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2017 Ram 1500 5.7L 392 hp 3.92 gears. 8k lbs loaded Grand Design 150 series.
High 12s mpg towing, mid 10s headwinds and/or hills.
Sister in law's combo, loves both. Very few problems out of both.
yes they do perform well mines a 2019 ram 1500 5.7 3.92 towing 8500 lbs chaparral xlite.
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Old 01-01-2020, 07:06 PM   #34
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When you buy a brand new tow vehicle have a private place rust proof it every year. We use crown Rustproofing as it is close to our home. Then every year we put our F250 in the body shop for and dings or signs of rust. The truck is a 1997 F250 4x4 8ft. bed. The truck is 20yrs old and we get asked if we want to sell it. We live in the snowy North. Take care of your vehicle and it will take care of you. I priced a new truck with the same features as we have now and it is around $55,000. Going to drive our truck until I get the last few dollars from the junk yard.
Is it gas or diesel?
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Old 01-02-2020, 07:42 AM   #35
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I pull a 2007, Montana RL3400 with a weight of 11,500 dry pounds and 13,500 with a 2010 Ford Super Duty 350, with a 3:75 rear end and 4WD. Engine is a V10.
Box is 8' with an extra cab (small back seat). Don't even know it is there on flats. Steep hills will slow it down to about 45 MPH and and the heavy duty brakes on the 350 are adequate for the down hill trip. If I were going across country I would opt for the diesel engine, but as I only pull to and from a seasonal site once a year, the gasser is fine.
Diesels have tons of power and will far out last a gasser, but they are more expensive to maintain and the bodies tend to rust out at the same rate as gassers so when I weigh that against the gasser, the gasser wins. If a person has a lot of cash, the diesel would be a good choice, but on balance for the majority of us, the gasser will do the job. Keep in mind the tow rating on a fifth wheel hitch is greater than on a bumper pull. My tow limit on a bumper pull is 12,500 pounds. With the fifth wheel it jumps to 15,000.
That is equipped with the camper package which includes a transmission cooler, larger brakes and heavier springs. Other trucks will vary in tow capacity.

Correction to above: Rear end is a 4:10. The old memory taint what she used to be,
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Old 01-04-2020, 03:18 PM   #36
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2017 ford f250 6.2l pulling 12200 lb loaded fifth wheel pulls great in pa mountains 3.73 gear never over 4000 rpm 7-9 mpg depending on wind or mountains.
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Old 01-05-2020, 06:56 AM   #37
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2017 ford f250 6.2l pulling 12200 lb loaded fifth wheel pulls great in pa mountains 3.73 gear never over 4000 rpm 7-9 mpg depending on wind or mountains.

Do you pull those hills at the same speed as you travel on the flats?
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Old 01-06-2020, 07:05 AM   #38
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Yes 65-70mph on i-80, it is a 4 wheel drive ext cab on i-95 to florida it stays in 6th gear 80 % of the time at speed limit
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Old 01-06-2020, 01:06 PM   #39
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A gas truck will NOT get the job done. Yeah, it'll get you up the hill...with a long line behind you. I had a 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi pulling a 10,750 lb. 5th wheel. I got tired of being "that guy " and traded it in for a 3500 diesel. Should've gotten it in the first place.
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Old 01-06-2020, 01:12 PM   #40
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A gas truck will NOT get the job done. Yeah, it'll get you up the hill...with a long line behind you. I had a 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi pulling a 10,750 lb. 5th wheel. I got tired of being "that guy " and traded it in for a 3500 diesel. Should've gotten it in the first place.
JK
Long line? No passing lanes on them there hills?

I really don't give a crap about those behind me if there's a passing lane. I have been on some mountain passes that semis barely crawled up, slower than 20 MPH in many cases. Life isn't a race to me, I'm done with the pressure to be 1st. If I can make it up and keep speeds with most semis I am good.
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Old 01-06-2020, 01:20 PM   #41
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Originally Posted by Jkjavelin View Post
A gas truck will NOT get the job done. Yeah, it'll get you up the hill...with a long line behind you. I had a 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi pulling a 10,750 lb. 5th wheel. I got tired of being "that guy " and traded it in for a 3500 diesel. Should've gotten it in the first place.
JK
4.10 or 3.73?
I have 4.10's and don't find myself being "That Guy" all that much. In fact many times I'm following "That Guy"
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Old 01-06-2020, 02:08 PM   #42
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It did have the standard 3.73. I've had it on occasion had it drop all the way down to first gear in mountains sometimes. No... Why deal with it?? Not my idea of fun. No problems now.
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