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Thomasjb40 · 02-02-2015, 08:57 PM

I'm going to be pulling a 39 ft. Keystone Raptor toy hauler. I have limited funds. Approximately $ 10,000.00 to be exact. Which will narrow my choices considerably. So I have narrowed it down to two types of vehicles. I have a big family, so I will need a one ton extended cab. First question is do I need adually? I've heard someone mention tire walk. Second; is my truck choices are a Dodge 3500 5.9 Cummins diesel or a.Ford F350 7.3 super duty. Which will handle the RV better and get better gas mileage. And last, have I missed anything?

r___r · 02-02-2015, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomasjb40

I'm going to be pulling a 39 ft. Keystone Raptor toy hauler. I have limited funds. Approximately $ 10,000.00 to be exact. Which will narrow my choices considerably. So I have narrowed it down to two types of vehicles. I have a big family, so I will need a one ton extended cab. First question is do I need adually? I've heard someone mention tire walk. Second; is my truck choices are a Dodge 3500 5.9 Cummins diesel or a.Ford F350 7.3 super duty. Which will handle the RV better and get better gas mileage. And last, have I missed anything?

Welcome to the forum.

Big family...look at crew cabs. Lots of legroom in the back seat area is a plus if you ever have adults riding back there, growing long-legged kids, or if you or your wife have to ride back there for a while.

39ft toyhauler with toys, luggage, food, drinks, etc. is probably gonna be heavy. A dually is more stable than an SRW.

My F350 7.3 empty gets 13 city / 16 hwy. Towing it's about 12 with mostly hwy/some city driving mix.

Cummins is a fantastic diesel motor, but, I don't know the mpg's for it. I'm sure someone will chime in with the numbers.

Note: Found this in the unanswered section. You might get a lot more replies in the towing section than just the toyhaulers section.

Good Luck,

Rich

Jake74 · 02-03-2015, 08:06 PM

I tow my triple axle raptor toyhauler with a 2001 dodge 4x4 dually. It has 5.9 cummins and 6 speed manual trans. It just rolled over 527,000 miles and still running strong. Don't be afraid of a high milage dodge as long as it's been well maintained and kept clean. Dodge auto transmissions are weak so look for a manual trans. I get 10.8 mpg running 70mph and 19-20mpg not towing.

Pete1985 · 02-05-2015, 04:09 PM

2013 Duramax GMC 3500 4x4 Dually DIESEL 6.6L V8 TURBO
2014 Raptor 42ft Toy Hauler And that's that.

qchair62 · 02-15-2015, 12:03 AM

2004.5 Dodge 2500 single cab long bed pulling a 33' toyhauler. Cummins 5.9. Best diesel ever put in pickups. As for the automatics being weak, I actually would say it is the Cummins is just to much torque for them. I have the 48re hooked to the 325 "600" 5.9. If you go around stomping on it or not keeping the fluids changed you will kill it. The main problem are the torque converters. If mine ever dies I will put a billet converter and a upgrade the valve body and clutches, but my truck has 130k on it and it drives/shifts just fine under load or not. I consistently get 19-20 mpg unloaded, and anywhere from 10-16 towing, depending on terrain. I do drive 65 though. I never dog out other brands, but I wouldn't trade my cummins for any other engine.

jenandjon · 02-15-2015, 05:47 AM

First of all you say you have a big family. Forget about the extended cab. You should consider a crew cab if you want anyone to be comfortable in the back seat. If I am not comfortable sitting someplace I do not expect my kids to sit there. Especially on a long trip. Kids get bigger and you can forget about putting a car seat back there. I had one it sucked.
Secondly you wont get much for 10 grand in a diesel. Dodge has the cummins. It will run forever but dodge has front end problems. Make sure that's all good.
The ford is a ford. I will never own one again Ive had nothing but problems with fords. I have a 07 Chevy Duramax crew cab for my personal vehicle and love it. Also have 2 dodge cummins farm trucks. A 09 regular cab and a 97 extended cab and really like them also except the 97 has the steering problem I mentioned above.

shiggs68 · 02-15-2015, 05:57 AM

Truck capabilities change depending on year/manufacture/model/options. The point is there is No correct answer to your question without some constraints on the variables mentioned.

My own opinion, would be a dually as it will be much more stable with a trailer of your size. The other issue is your dollar limit, that will be very difficult.

micalo · 02-15-2015, 06:21 AM

A few weeks ago some car tv show (french) put dodge ford and gm all 2500, 250 diesel at work for test.
The one that came on top was GM due to its motor and tranny combination, allisson tranny is by far the best pulling up to 12000 pounds, dodge came second due to its not as good a tranny but is best when towing heavier load do to its better rigidity and air suspension that keeps the tuck at a better level and as better steering due to this, and ford came third due to its very week torsion resistance and motor and tranny combo.. When put to the torsion test they could not open the bed door at all.

Big-Foot · 02-21-2015, 06:02 AM

All of this is my own personal opinion, and like some of the others - a Crew Cab would be better and so would a DRW (Dually)...
Nothing wrong with either engine.. The 7.3 was the best Ford had until they came out with the new 6.7 in 2011. Both mfgrs have their achilles heals and warts. The Ford has always had a nicer and stronger chassis until the most recent years 2014+. The bodies of the older trucks are what will separate the two (Dodge from Ford). If you live in the rust belt, you'll be right at home with the Dodge as they will always win the race when it comes to returning itself to the mother Earth..
My advice to you is to consider the safety and well-being of your family first. A strong, capable, solid truck will ensure you are going to arrive at your destination.
Make sure that you are well within the towing capacity of the truck you buy.
Good luck!

ralphie · 02-21-2015, 04:46 PM

Don't know your 39' weight, but any truck with the older 7.3 motor, although a great motor, probably doesn't have the overall capacity to pull that large of a trailer, and the real weakness will be the transmission. I think you'd probably be better of with any Cummins over the 7.3, but you're going to have to look very closely at all your numbers.

meseahunt · 02-25-2015, 01:19 PM

IMO, not knocking ford but they just have NEVER perfected their diesel.... i would go w/the cummins (older generation) 3500 non-dually (its a waste) as the tow cap is almost the same, unless u have a bunch of other equipt that u tow?? good luck

SLL · 02-27-2015, 07:54 PM

The Duramaz diesel does not know its own strength. It will pull the world with ease. I had one and the engine and 6 speed Automatic is rated for 28,000 lbs. I now pull with a 6 litre gas Chevy with a 4:10 rear gear. It pulls the 8000 lb fifth wheel OK but it is no diesel. On the freeway I tow in 5th. gear. I drive it like a truck drive in the mountains and really like the engine breaking system. I don't have to touch my breaks coming down the mountain. Going up hill I may use 3rd and 4th gear but with my old diesel I could go over the mountain too fast at times. When towing BIG things, Diesel is GREAT with no effort. Gas you will gear down with the rest of them in the mountains. Flat land towing with the 6 liter is fine but the 3:73 rear gear is meant for the torque minded diesel. With Gas, order a 4:10. SLL

Big-Foot · 02-28-2015, 06:13 AM

Welcome to the forum SLL..

The OP is looking at trucks that are 10-12 years old. All these trucks were not the trucks they are today by a very wide margin.. They are all related by name only to their ancestors..

shiggs68 · 03-01-2015, 05:20 AM

Mark Polk at RV Education 101 just published a good article on the problems and mis-leading information about the truck manufactures towing information.