quote:

Originally posted by cANDY nELSON:
Hi fellas, you really know how to convince me!

Well, I posted my question in this forum about which gas tow vehicle I should buy for my new full-timing travel trailer (either the Ford 350 V10 or the GMC 2500/3500) and I'm getting the overwhelming response---- "buy a diesel." So, while they say "the crowd is always wrong", I don't think so this time and so I am really going to consider getting a diesel. I just wonder how much fun driving a diesel around town will be when I am not connected to the trailer.

I have towed with both....they each have advantages and the opposite of course, however the diesel will "pull" better due to higher torque numbers and it probably will be more fuel efficient, however the maintenance costs are higher and as you pointed out , right now the fuel price is higher. We drive he truck without the trailer but it is hard on diesels to make short trips to the store...they prefer to "work"

One thing that doesn't make sense to this blonde----> how can both the GMC 2500 gas model and the same GMC 2500 model in diesel have the exact same maximum towing capacity. You would think the diesel could tow more based on what I am reading on this forum. If they both tow 12,000 max, why get a diesel?


The weight capacities are calculated using brakes/ suspension/frame information, not just engine/transmission capabilities. The companies are pretty careful to ensure that their vehicles can SAFELY tow a certain max weight....and are likely conservative in their figures.


Second, if I buy a 2007 diesel now how does the new low sulfur diesel gas law effect me?


The 2007 model year diesels will require the ULSD that is going to be sold at diesel pumps this fall, however those that are being sold NOW have 2006 MY standards and can use the LSD that we currently can buy. Whether the new fuel will be better (which i believe) or worse is anyone's guess but I don't se it as being a problem per se. HOWEVER, the new standards for the 2007 MY engines will cause many changes and new engine technology and the first year of a new unit is usually not the best to buy.


Third, does getting a diesel only make "cost effective sense" if you are going to hang on to the vehicle for a long time?. (I like to drive something new after 4-5 years)

If you look at a truck as an investment you will always be disappointed....they always go down however diesel trucks tended to hold their value better in the past. If I could predict I would be rich!!

Lastly, is it still a smart decision to get a diesel with the way diesel gas prices are rising? It's 30-40 cents more than regular gas in some places.


It was $.25 t0 $.35 cheaper than gas on my last trip in Northern Ontario (last week) and around here (big oil refineries ) it can fluctuate either way.

I would suggest that you drive both, talk to owners that have had both and then decide what you will be comfortable with. My only real advice is to be realistic as to the towing ratings...note that I have a 2004 F350 diesel and it is near the max load by the time I load the junk in the truck and the 1200-1500 lb pin weight for my under 10,000lb GVW 5th wheel, I am near the 9900lb max allowed by the manufacturer...The truck weighs about 8000 lbs with 2 of us and a tank of fuel...Sales folk will say " You can pull anything" don't believe it! Most "Full Time" type 5th wheels are much too heavy for a standard 350 or 3500 when you calculate the REAL weights (and they are hard to pry out of sales staff that are keen to see your tailights after the sale. Dry weight ratings are pretty much meaningless...if you go by the gross weight you will be close to accurate, and keep in mind that 15% -20% of the gross weight is teh pin weight.
Ian

See ya on the road, Candy