Who's towing their fifth wheel with a gas truck?

[JpalmerCass]

Note that people with Ford V-10 powered Class A motorcoaches are traveling all over the place with total weights (including toads) of up to 30,000 pounds. Gear down.

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by JpalmerCass

Note that people with Ford V-10 powered Class A motorcoaches are traveling all over the place with total weights (including toads) of up to 30,000 pounds. Gear down.

I've thought the same thing as well.
On the other the same gas vs diesel debates are on the MH sites.

[rskeans]

I towed a 14000 lb 5ver with a Ford V10 for years. When pulling a grade on the Interstate I would just go into 2nd and wind it up. I could do 55. Thinking of the Cajon Pass in So Cal.

However, if on a mountain road where you have to slow down for curves, etc, I could never get on the torque curve in 1st gear! I could floor it and nothing happened. I'd be lucky if I could get it up to 10mph. Came close to just dropping it into 4wd granny. That was Plan B if necessary. The other problem was having to fill up every 200 miles.

I really liked my V10, but it does have limitations as described.

I traded it in for a RAM Cummins. Night and Day. No limitations. If one can afford getting into a Diesel, do it. Oh, one other drawback with a gasser. No downhill compression braking. It was a 'white knuckle' experience on long down grades. I had to shift into 2nd and gently apply the trailer brakes to keep it under-control.

[bbsguru]

OK, I upgraded my 5er from 27' to 37'.
After pulling it home with my 2500HD gas truck, I was quickly convinced that it wasn't enough truck any more. Just upgraded to a F350 Diesel dually, and it's night and day, as someone else pointed out.

I haven't had it in real mountain country yet, but the first thing I noticed is that even the modest grades around here no longer cause a downshift. I was happy to learn that the 40% improvement in mileage more than makes up for the higher fuel cost.

[consolenut]

Originally Posted by rskeans

I towed a 14000 lb 5ver with a Ford V10 for years. When pulling a grade on the Interstate I would just go into 2nd and wind it up. I could do 55. Thinking of the Cajon Pass in So Cal.

However, if on a mountain road where you have to slow down for curves, etc, I could never get on the torque curve in 1st gear! I could floor it and nothing happened. I'd be lucky if I could get it up to 10mph. Came close to just dropping it into 4wd granny. That was Plan B if necessary. The other problem was having to fill up every 200 miles.

I really liked my V10, but it does have limitations as described.

I traded it in for a RAM Cummins. Night and Day. No limitations. If one can afford getting into a Diesel, do it. Oh, one other drawback with a gasser. No downhill compression braking. It was a 'white knuckle' experience on long down grades. I had to shift into 2nd and gently apply the trailer brakes to keep it under-control.

some of that is true. Unless your has engine has an Allison automatic behind it. Hit the button on the dash it downshifts like you had a stick shift. Woooo mule is in effect. It will hold the load downhill easily just like an exhaust brake.

[ThePowells]

Originally Posted by southernlady

It's not so much about GO as it is about WHOA esp on the downside of climbing up the mountains.

I am pulling a 41 foot Solitude at 18K with a 2004 GMC 3500 SLT. It has a 8.1 Vortec and hasn't had a problem. I spent about $1300 for everything in the brake system (other than master cylinder and steel lines) at OEM quality or better because I hate doing a DMV349 because somebody can't stop in time.

[bruxus47]

I want to thank everyone who responded,* on this post. I'm probably going 1ton just to safely cover the pin wt. Of 10 to 12k. We had a 33ft v10 c class pulling a 4k pd. Toad & it screamed up the blue Mtns. at 45mph. Currently 40DP. Even though we are only 6k km. Towing per year , I think I'll suffer the extra diesel maintenance costs.*

Happy New Year & safe travels .

👍❤🇨🇦🤗😎🐕🐩🐩

[430Flyer]

Originally Posted by DAN99

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

Dan...Good to hear the above. I have a new 6.2l F-250 with 4.30:1 gears on order. I added the Camper pkg, not for a slide in camper, but for the extra springs front & rear + a rear stabilizer bar. I will pull an 11K GVWR fiver, & 2500 pin (all well within the truck, axel, & hitch ratings) but will usually be around 10K lbs.
I wanted nothing to do with an oil burner & will happily keep that $8K in my wallet, not have to buy more expensive fuel & fill the DEF tank with overpriced cow urine. Yea... a diesel will get better mpg, but not when the extra maintenance and fluid costs are considered.

Is my truck going to slow down going up a grade? Sure... but I'm OK with that. Margaritas are on me at the campground!!

[bruxus47]

I really appreciate the comments . I'm buying used so don't have the $8k hit , , however diesel repair costs are exorbitant. Do you think you can get 300 to 350 mi. before filling gas on a tank ? Pulling into stations to fill up with 30 ft behind isn't the most fun. Scotch on the rocks for me. LOL

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by bruxus47

I really appreciate the comments . I'm buying used so don't have the $8k hit , , however diesel repair costs are exorbitant. Do you think you can get 300 to 350 mi. before filling gas on a tank ? Pulling into stations to fill up with 30 ft behind isn't the most fun. Scotch on the rocks for me. LOL

I wait anywhere from 750 to 1100 km before refilling, and yeah, it is a gasser.

[TECH 1]

We pull 33ft 5th wheel with 2011 Ford 6.2 with 4.30 gear. Total truck and trailer is 18 to 19000 lbs. We are snowbirds so pull from Canada to Arizona/California every year and through British Columbia mountains in summer. Yes slower than diesel up steep grades, but I never floor board it, just run about 4500 rpm max at 50mph. Could go faster as has lots of power above 4500 but why, just to get to top a minute sooner. Get average of 8.5 mpg. Never found gas stations to be a problem.

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by bruxus47

I really appreciate the comments . I'm buying used so don't have the $8k hit , , however diesel repair costs are exorbitant. Do you think you can get 300 to 350 mi. before filling gas on a tank ? Pulling into stations to fill up with 30 ft behind isn't the most fun. Scotch on the rocks for me. LOL

32 gal tank
8.5 mpg average

32x8.5=272 miles

No

[consolenut]

upgrade to bigger fuel tanks get more range. pulling in with 30ft is a piece of cake lol. try 40ft thats when fun begins or 45ft in my case. just make sure you pull in to a gas pump on the end. and your making a left turn going forward on exit. right turns are always wider

[kdauto]

For bruxus,

Obviously the additional 40 gallon tank/toolbox combo allows us this super long range. It has saved our butts many times in remote areas and helped others in need as well. It paid for itself when used in conuction with the Gas Buddy app.