Yanking around a 40' toy hauler, with gas engine

Caper11

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Wow, that's not to bad. Our '15 f350 dually, with 4:33 gears and 35's averages around 20l/100 just driving down the highway, averaging 110 to 120 km/hr.
Pulling a 40' Raptor at the same speeds, we average around 36l/100kms. I know a gas engine wouldn't be able to maintain that speed- but I'm sure I have a problem with that.

I likeely would though if I was forced into doing it :)

My '11 f350 had 3:32 gears, and 37" tires. I never pulled the toyhauler with it, but did take a FWA 4255 JDw/loader on a gooseneck up to Edmonton. I averaged 52L/100 on that trip- but had no issue with the cruise on at 120km/hr...:cool:


First world problems....

You have something wrong with your truck. A diesel should be in the low teens and not get 20l/100km just going down the highway empty, unless yah didnt reprogram the speedo to compensate for the 35's.

My 08 3500 chev service truck is getting 19.5l/100 and It has idle time on it. I reset the lie o meter 5 days ago.


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pistoncontracting

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You have something wrong with your truck. A diesel should be in the low teens and not get 20l/100km just going down the highway empty, unless yah didnt reprogram the speedo to compensate for the 35's.

My truck with 3:32 gears, mileage wise, was better then the truck with 4:33 gears. (as it should) This truck with 4:33 gears seems pretty consistent with others with the same gears.

My thoughts with the 4:33 gears was to put 37's on, because you could feel the bigger tires with the 3:32 gears. Even the dmax with 3:73's and 37's, felt a 'little sluggish' once in awhile.


A cummins is out of the question though- for a multitude of reasons.
 

52weekbreak

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Pulled a much smaller (33 foot) fifth wheel with a gas one ton. Handled the load well and had adequate power until I hit a hill. Finally sold it because all it was being used for was towing and just couldn't stand a max range of 300 kms on 130 L tank. Found a GC low mileage diesel and now have a 600 km range on 120 L when towing at 110 to 120 Kmh. Speed is the same up a hill as on the flat and engine brake is fantastic. Wouldn't want to use a diesel for short trips as they take too long to warm up in winter.

So back to what the main use for the vehicle is (towing only or combination driving). Mine is about 80% towing so I talked myself into a diesel and have enjoyed every minute.
 

Caper11

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My truck with 3:32 gears, mileage wise, was better then the truck with 4:33 gears. (as it should) This truck with 4:33 gears seems pretty consistent with others with the same gears.

My thoughts with the 4:33 gears was to put 37's on, because you could feel the bigger tires with the 3:32 gears. Even the dmax with 3:73's and 37's, felt a 'little sluggish' once in awhile.


A cummins is out of the question though- for a multitude of reasons.

What would those reasons be I wonder?


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higher n you

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I don't really want to turn this into a bash thread. IMO, the only Cummins worth owning doesn't come in a truck that would comfortably fit the family.

Each to their own :beer:

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I bet to differ.....fam fits in there quite comfortably! Lol
 

the_real_wild1

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Mine isn't on. I just hit the remote start. I have to be in the truck to turn on the brake.
 

medler

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After having a gas 3/4 ton and now a diesel 3/4 ton... I will never go back to a gas truck. The pulling power , the fuel millage , exhaust braking and just overall ease of driving is second to none. I find it much more relaxing set the cruise let the truck do the work
 

52weekbreak

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After having a gas 3/4 ton and now a diesel 3/4 ton... I will never go back to a gas truck. The pulling power , the fuel millage , exhaust braking and just overall ease of driving is second to none. I find it much more relaxing set the cruise let the truck do the work

I'm with you all the way but the savings buying a gasser and relatively cheaper repair bill than a diesel is attractive if you aren't hauling all the time. Can't imagine pulling that much weight with a gasser but I think the biggest issue is wind resistance. Once you deal with that, the rest follows along...till you hit a hill anyway.
 

Cdnfireman

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The only real advantage to the diesel is on a hill or into a headwind. Flat tracking the gaspot will pull every bit as well assuming you've spec'ed the truck properly for towing service. The diesel will get better mileage for sure, but that's expected because of the differences in the latent fuel energy. Once the load is moving it takes the same amount of power to move it down the road regardless of what is pulling it.
The diesel will seem to pull it "easier" but the gas engine will pull it as well, it just needs to rev higher to do it. We've become spoiled with the high HP diesels in the last few years, but a properly equipped gas truck will do the job as well, unless you have the need to pull a 18K fifth wheel at 80mph uphill.
Lots of people have done payback studies on gas vs. Diesel and depending on amount of towing done, they usually show a 75 to 125k mile break even point, all things considered.
 

skegpro

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The only real advantage to the diesel is on a hill or into a headwind. Flat tracking the gaspot will pull every bit as well assuming you've spec'ed the truck properly for towing service. The diesel will get better mileage for sure, but that's expected because of the differences in the latent fuel energy. Once the load is moving it takes the same amount of power to move it down the road regardless of what is pulling it.
The diesel will seem to pull it "easier" but the gas engine will pull it as well, it just needs to rev higher to do it. We've become spoiled with the high HP diesels in the last few years, but a properly equipped gas truck will do the job as well, unless you have the need to pull a 18K fifth wheel at 80mph uphill.
Lots of people have done payback studies on gas vs. Diesel and depending on amount of towing done, they usually show a 75 to 125k mile break even point, all things considered.
The only thing comparable between the two is the amount of space they take up in the garage.

The differences are apparent soon as you start towing.

But however you have to justify your gas jobby to yourself.......
 

the_real_wild1

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I have said it a few times. I don't have to tow to justify the diesel. My daily drive is enough to pay for it in fuel savings.
 

DRD

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Towed the same tool trailer with a Ford 6.2 and a 6.7 with comparable F-350's, the diesel is so much more better it's laughable to compare the two


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Cdnfireman

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The only thing comparable between the two is the amount of space they take up in the garage.

The differences are apparent soon as you start towing.

But however you have to justify your gas jobby to yourself.......

I actually have a diesel that I tow with so its not a matter of justifying anything. I just don't agree that only a diesel will do the job. Too many people are too clueless to Understand that a diesel isn't the answer to everything. A lot of people tow their trailer for two weeks a year but have to have a diesel because it's "easier" to tow with one. How is it easier? Is it more difficult to push the gas pedal on a gas truck?
For average drivers who tow for vacations only the savings in annual operating costs alone will pay for the difference in fuel used while towing, let alone the $10k more the diesel truck cost. If you're a snowbird rv'er , use your truck for work or drive a lot of miles, then different story.
If you find towing hard or stressful with anything but a 450hp diesel, you probably shouldn't be on the road.
 
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