Anyone pull their rig with a gas engine?

[HDGoose]

Originally Posted by AGoodLife

I'd buy a 2003 Dodge Ram Cummins 3500 dually four door long bed 2WD 6 speed manual.

I almost traded in my 2013 RAM 2500 Diesel 4x4 for a 2017 RAM 2500 4x2. I decided to think about it and over the next 5 weeks needed the 4x4 because of soft ground primitive camping. I'll stick to my 4x4 for now.

[kayakterp]

I'm very happy with my 2015 F-250 6.2 L gasser 4x4 with 8' bed.
Bought it 2 years old with 4,600 miles for only $31k.
It was originally setup to pull a 5er but I only use it for a GVWR of 8,200 lb TT.
Not sure how it would do with that much weight though?

[djfrown]

I tow my 2013 Skyline Koala 26Qi (30') with a 2010 GMC 2500HD with a 6.0L, easily. Have towed all over the Western US and across the Sierras' often. Average about 10 MPG towing and 14 around Las Vegas. Have had the truck since new. I have added shorty headers, a K&N air intake, rear air-bags and self-adjusting front Bilstein's. No towing or mechanical issues and only have had to replace the alternator and tires.

[captsm8s]

We have 2008 F250 with a V10. It gets 9-11 mpg loaded. We did not need to pay extra for diesel motor, maintenance, or gas. We still have it and are still pulling our 32 ft toy hauler loaded. I was a service writer for ford and saw what these could do first hand and it made our decision to go gas easier.

[Lucyc]

We have used gas vehicles for 45 years to tow trailers and 5th wheels. We currently have a 30 foot 5th wheel. We are using a 3/4 ton Chevrolet Silverado. We used Fords before, but they stopped putting the V10 in the 3/4 ton truck. If you go smaller you will have trouble if you drive in the mountains.

[vadertime]

I think when you're approaching 15k lbs, you want diesel. You're going to need the torque and the beefier transmission that comes with diesel.

[Ford 250]

Originally Posted by vetplus40

I am in the process of truck shopping, but I really do not want a diesel. This will be a used truck that will also serve as my daily driver.
The rig is approx. 30 feet in length. The dry weight is almost 10k, and the GVWR is just under 14K. The hitch is rated for 15k as well. I only anticipate moving this rig a few times a year and never for distances that would exceed 500 miles in any one trip. This rig is what I live in while working on the road. Any suggestions and shopping advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I pull a 30 5th wheel, 9200# with a 2013 F250, 6.2 Gas. No problems. Have towed the trailer over 12,000 miles. Got 9.5 on last 4200 mile trip. Never get in a hurry; try to stay in the 60 mph range.

[KD4UPL]

I will also recommend a GM truck with the 8.1L big block. They come with the also excellent Allison transmisson, exactly like the Duramax has. This engine was available from 2001 until 2007. I had one it was almost the equal of my '05 Duramax. I really like that engine. It is smooth, quiet, and powerful. I towed about 12,000 with mine and it did just fine.
If you want a newer truck than an '07 I would jump up to a Ram with the 6.4 Hemi.

[Cruizer41]

Originally Posted by vetplus40

I am in the process of truck shopping, but I really do not want a diesel. This will be a used truck that will also serve as my daily driver.
The rig is approx. 30 feet in length. The dry weight is almost 10k, and the GVWR is just under 14K. The hitch is rated for 15k as well. I only anticipate moving this rig a few times a year and never for distances that would exceed 500 miles in any one trip. This rig is what I live in while working on the road. Any suggestions and shopping advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

My husband and I have a 2009 GMC 6 ltr. gas engine with 4 wheel drive. We pulled a 36.6' Montana Mountaineer 5th wheel from coast to coast, border to border. We have NEVER had a problem. Had better gas mileage than diesel travelers. We did this for 8 years. Stupidly we traded the 5th wheel for a class C motorhome that has NEVER left the driveway. But we still have the GMC pickup. He's called "Big Red"
By the way, that truck pulled that 5th wheel all the way from Washington coastline thru #1 Hwy. Even when a stupid driver in Malibu. CA passed around us then whipped in front of us to get a parking place along the beach! Our truck with the 5th wheel stopped on a dime. People along the beach applauded my husband's quick stop. Oh, by the way, it was raining... We only buy GMC. We used to raise and show horses. We have seen too many horses having to breathe diesel fumes. We only use gasoline engines. I don't want diesel fumes in our home on the road.

[grampachet]

To answer the ops question, yes.
2004 F250 3/4 ton V10 pulling a 35’ Montana 3000RK.
From Vancouver BC to Disneyland,
Portland to Denver, to Albuquerque to Bakersfield to Portland,
Seattle to GNP. and much more.
Over 40,000 miles towing, running strong, stopping good.
Average 8.5 MPG
I am only answering you question, not suggesting anything.
I used to have a Dodge diesel, and am happy that I switched.

[rkbeasley]

There always exceptional people that do things I would never try at this age. See I have learned some things over the years.
You need 3500 truck. Anything less and you will be wanting to trade again. You can google towing capacities and find every truck made.
I would bet you can find a gas listed for the GVWR. I would also bet that in the future you wish you had a diesel. I have a 2017 3500 Ram Diesel and tow a flat nose 5er. My mpg is 10-12 towing at 68 mph, my unloaded hwy mpg is 20-22 at 75 and in town in get 15. My only regret was I could not find a 2 wheel drive with in 500 miles. They just don't sell 2 wheel drive up north.
Good luck

[Sundancer268]

Just stay away from the LB-7 Duramax, they have Injector issues. I have less then 58,000 miles on my 04 and need to replace the injectors, on the Duramax forums this is mentioned as a common issue and I was bit. I bought the truck in 06 with 39,000 miles on it and did not expect to replace $3500,00 worth of parts in this few miles. This is my first and last GM vehicle due to many other issues, the injectors are just the last straw for GM in my book. My 5.9 Cummins in the Motor Home has never had an issue and I will admit at 230 HP it is under powered compared to the Chevy, but I will take dependability over power any day.

[Redapple]

Agree with your assessment on ther LB7. I had one as well. Sold it at 30k. That was right at the introduction of ultra low sulfur diesel and the super clean diesel. In combination with the introduction of the common fuel rail with pressures above 20k, the injectors were getting slaughtered. They did come up with a new design, but by that time there were already tens of thousands of them out there. Then they made it worse by changing changing the head design to fix injector issue in the LLY, and totally messed up the cooling.

[TucsonAZ]

Originally Posted by IC2

That Toyota Tacoma is a "1/2 ton" truck and will not handle the trailer. See this: https://www.toyota.com/tacoma/featur...7594/7544/7582. This says 6400 pounds capacity with a tongue load (TT) load of 640 pounds and a payload of ~1175 pounds. A 15K 5th whee will have a pin weight of 2800-3000 pounds. I can get into brakes, cooling, tires and even Hp and toeque - but you can see where I'm going.

Originally Posted by WYO George

I missed the post about using a Tacoma to pull that 5th wheel.


No

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

He doesn't want to use the Tacoma. He wants to buy another truck just to pull the trailer with.
Lynn

Originally Posted by WYO George

Then why did he specifically say “...I don’t want to trade it for another truck”?

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

Because he wants to buy a second truck to pull his 5'vr with and keep the Tacoma he bought before he bought the 5'vr. His opening comment was: "I'm in the process of truck shopping".
Lynn

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

Well OP didn't say he was going to use the Tacoma to tow with, Just stated his budget is limited as he just bought a Tacoma last year and doesn't want to trade it.

Originally Posted by vetplus40

Thank you for helping clarify that there was never any intent to pull my rig with the Tacoma...

I just found this all funny and basically the internet and forums summed up quickly.



It's amazing how you can ask one thing and state some parameters and people will respond with so many things that don't apply. And heavy forbid using the term "axle flip" ever, that's a sure thread derailed.



For the OP, I TOTALLY understand, I'm not a diesel fanboy and have had them in an F250, F350, Excursion, Dodge 3500, Benz 300D and the list goes on.



I also use a Tacoma TRD crew cab as my daily driver and need a new truck for towing. In part because while in spec on the Tacoma weight wise I don't want to beat the highest resale truck possible up when I can buy a much cheaper truck that's made for hauling to take the beating.



Ironically I also have an F250 with the 4.9L Ford 300, 410s in the rear and that super low granny gear (I start in 2nd for normal city driving) but it's just too old for the type of long driving I am wanting to do.



So I'm in the same boat you are, looking for a $7,500 gasser that will do the job when I already own two trucks lol