[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-Apr-01 AT 05:13 PM (EST)[/font][p]Hello, this is my first post, I have never owned a truck, but would like to tow a 5th wheel...from lurking at truck and RV sites, it seems that 99% of folks (or not?) have a diesel tow vehicle because the truck would mostly be used in non-towing situations...if I were going to be a full-timer, I'd never even consider gas...except for commercial use, we seldom see a diesel truck here in northern Wisconsin next to Lake Superior...also, my wife has read some RV articles that say a diesel pickup is so loud when towing that you can't speak to each other without shouting. Actually the salesman at 3 local dealerships I've spoken with, encourage me to buy the gas engine. When I've responded that I've read on the internet that your gas engine is basically "one step from the graveyard" about 60,000 miles, I expected them to deny it, but 2 salesmen said that they agreed with that. However, the service manager at one of these dealerships disagreed and said that if you "babied" the gas engine and were willing to go up steep hills and mountains slow, you'd get a l00,000 miles plus. Needless to say, I'm receiving lots of conflicting advice, and would appreciate the feedback of you folks. Thanks.

 

I messed up my post a bit (no truck, don't post much, either). I meant to say that it seems most RV people have a diesel truck. Because I would not be pulling all that much, and would be using the truck most of the time in non-towing general, everyday situations, I'd like to stay away from a diesel, if possible.

 

Hi Ken, I don't see a problem with towing with a gas engine. I would assume you would get a "bigger" engine in your truck. I am thinking you are looking to buy at least a 3/4 ton for the job. This of course depends on the weight/size of your fifth wheel. With proper care, your truck should be fine.

Wayne

 

Save your money and get a gas engine. You didn't say how heavy your RV would be...if it's over 5,000 lbs. get a F250 as a minimum with a tow package and a 460, or if it's newer get the V-10. With regular maintenance you should be able to go at least 100K miles before rebuild of the engine.


Deen Hylton
Ford F250 460 C-6, K&N, Headers, Dual Exh.,Comp. Cams,Shift Kit
Pioneer CD w/Bose Speakers.
Other Passion: Blown 77 Corvette (Sorry Guys/Gals)
How I can afford to Drive the above: 93 GEO Metro

 

I almost never listen to Dealer Salesmen. Especially when one tried to convince me to buy a Ranger with a V6, "It will tow your 6,000 pound trailer no problem". I think it was rated at 5,000 at best. I bought an F250 460gas 4x4 Supercab used at some other dealer and haven't had any regrets. My trailer was quickly traded for one weighing 8,000 dry so that surely would have killed the Ranger.

Anyway. I have probably put 20,000 trailer miles at least on my F250 which was used when I got it. It now has over 65,000 on it. I have no idea what the original owners did with it but it had 36,000 when I got it and I think it was used as a heavy work truck.

Now I can't speak for sure that my truck will die when it gets 65,000 miles of trailering on it, but everything seems to be in excellent condition, the truck pulls the trailer with no problem including dragging it through steep hills from Washington to California, thru blazing(105+) heat and freezing snow.

Most trailer magazines recommend a 3/4 ton truck(F250) for the majority of towing. If you plan to tow alot and heavy they say you might go with a full 1 ton. Usually they recommend gas engines due to cost of ownership.

Trailer Magazine had an article a year or so back comparing gas versus diesel. For the average user, ie you are not living on the road, a gas truck will usually be a better choice since it is a lot cheaper when new and requires little additional maintenance until you hit the major tuneups at 100K plus. A diesel truck has all the same mechanical maintenace as a gas truck except you must change oil more often(acid in the blowby). The diesel is a lot more expensive to buy.

The diesel did have the advantage of better mileage, but not always lower per gallon cost since diesel ain't cheap any more, you just use less of it. The diesel engine according to the magazine and a professional diesel mechanic relative of mine will need a rebuild at about the same mileage as a gas engine(assuming you get a big enough gas engine). I was terribly disappointed to hear that since that was my fantasy, "if I bought a diesel, it would last forever". Yes it will, but it will require about the same maintenance as a gas truck. An argument can be said about when a rebuild is required but I have never heard a bad thing about the 460 engine under heavy use. V10, I don't know.

The diesel will usually have better low end torque which is good for going up hills, but not much high end HP which is good for cruising speed, but then who cruises with a trailer at 80mph?

Supposedly the new Powerstrokes are quieter than the old engines but not from what owners have said and from sitting at stop lights. I have not sat in a Powerstroke so I can't say either way, but I will say my gas truck during cruise is quieter than my full size Chevy SS at cruise. I have sat in the older Ford diesel(92?) and it was LOUD.

If I had lots of money and was buying new and planned to keep it for 10 years at least, I would probably go with a diesel, just because and also since the mileage is probably about 70% better. A gas engine truck with the same chassis etc and the big engine will work fine for most owners who aren't in business or living on the road. I do not know what the new V10 engine history is like so who knows how well those stand up.

I fully expect that my F250 460 gas will last me well past 20 years of my ownership. With the miles I put on now(5K/year) I don't expect to need a rebuild for at least 15 more years or somewhere around 100K-150K, but I suspect not even then.

IMHO the tranny is more likely to break during towing, and the gas and diesel use pretty much the same hardware from what I vaguely recall.

So, FWIW, not an expert, but I have read about most of the above and with my 65,000 mile truck experience, this is what I thought.

Jim Henderson

 

I tow a 32 foot trailer with my E350, 460. When I got the van it had 190,000 miles on it, with no obvious signs of a rebuild. It did not have a trailer hitch on it when I bought it so I doubt that any of those miles were towing miles. But even with all those miles, the 460 pulls the trailer no problem. AND I got a ticket last year for going 80 mph with the trailer (flat land deserted (exccept me and the CHP) desert highway). I like the gas engines better. Then I again, I have to stop for gas while my friends with deisels are still moving along.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 13-Apr-01 AT 10:52 PM (EST)[/font][p]The bigger ? is how many miles a year are you planning on towing? Less than 5000? The 5.4 will do just fine. More than that consider the V10. A interesting point is that the 5.4 will outperform the V10 in every way (acceleration, mpg) except pulling very heavy loads all the time, the 5.4 will get several miles to the gallon better in everyday use. Pulling full time I would go the oil burner route. Again the big question is how many miles you plan on pulling what weight? Each truck fits a nitch. I know guys that pull 5 wheels with 1/2 tons and do quite well. Look at the truck and what you want to pull.

98 F250LD 4X4

 

I drove one of the new V10's and it definitely is no replacement for the 460. If you are getting a newer truck go with the deisel or 5.4L. If you think the 5.4L can't handle the load why mess around with the V10?

 

I never drove a truck with the 460 so I can't compare it versus the 6.8L. My last truck was a 99 F150 4x2 5.4L. That truck kicked ##### in terms of speed off the line but when it comes to towing my V10 takes the cake.

Rip

 

How do I get around the issue of noise and smoke from the diesel. Problem is my wife's attitude toward diesels. We know a couple who towed for l0 or 11 years having 3 different diesel trucks....bragged them up and were positive when they owned them...this winter moved into a diesel pusher motor home...then admitted that "there was so much noise in the trucks when we were towing, we couldn't talk to each other or listen to the radio." This was the "kiss of death" for my wife who didn't like the ideas of a diesel in the first place.
Would be interested in hearing from others about the issue of noise in diesel pick-ups while towing. Thanks.

 

Ken, try posting in the "Diesel" section...those guys/gals are fairly good at defending their position why they spent the additional $5,000 up front and why they continue to spend the additional money each time they change their oil/filters...


Deen Hylton
Ford F250 460 C-6, K&N, Headers, Dual Exh.,Comp. Cams,Shift Kit
Pioneer CD w/Bose Speakers.
Other Passion: Blown 77 Corvette (Sorry Guys/Gals)
How I can afford to Drive the above: 93 GEO Metro

 

Thanks, Deen. Good idea, I'm about to do that.

 

Look take this in mind. Your hual an 5th wheel, Usually 5th wheels wight lets say 6,000 or more pounds. You need a truck F150 will do fine as long as you want to go down to a truck place and have them put air bags / blatters to help the suspention you fill the bags up when towing empty them when not $245$ in californa to get them and installed. You don't need to spend all that money on a 3/4 ton. Your looking for a engine 460 not a good idea, when you said you want to hual your trailer I think you ment that and did not want to be at the gas station every 80 miles. 460 way to big the only reason you need a 460 or more is for the bigger loads and people who are rich. The 5.4 ltr trinton is great it will do you fine it has like what 260 hp and they always have more tourq. I have a 5.8lt winsor in my bronco I hual a 6,500 pound trailer witht he engine easy not even a strugle. Get a Manuel to help you hual instead of it chooseing the gear you do. Breakes Heat up use gears to slow you down. You can always go up in power and get the same mpg but when you get to the 460 or the v10 that is just crazy. If you will need that much power get the diesel so much better in every way. Better gas mileage, cheaper gas, longer life, less matience, more power, and no they are not loud if you take car of them. The only time Your going to have to yell is when You have a 25,000 pound trailer and your stuckin first gear flying up the hill and black smoke coming out of the pipe. You think there loud huh well you know its amazing how much quiter they are with on time changed oil. I am a diesel man but yet I still like gas for somethings. Gas engines can last a long time just takes a little money and love.

If you have anymore questions just say I am here to help I will tell the truth and not bluff you with my oponions

chris

 

it should go 100,000 miles with out rebuild such stupid people on here they go longer