Gasoline for me.

NOBLNG · 05-24-2016, 09:45 PM

I have a 26' keystone cougar 5th wheel that I have been pulling with a 2006 Chevy 2500HD with the 6.0 gas engine. I also do a lot of short drives (I live 8 minutes from work) city driving, and no mountains around here. Therefore I don't think a diesel is for me. I am looking for a new 2016 gas-powered rig. Who here hauls without a diesel and does one of the big three outperform the others? My past experience is GM only and I am a little disillusioned with them, as I have had the engine and trans rebuilt on the '06 along with other minor issues.
Thanks for any opinions.

**wingnut60** · 05-25-2016, 08:08 AM

There has been a lot of improvements in the GM lineup in the past 10 years--don't go down and test-drive one with your checkbook along...

The biggest problem with the gas engine for towing is the need for rpms to access the horsepower, and making sure you get the right differential gears for towing.

I would start with the GM line, then check the others until you get a clear idea of what you need/want. Going to be somewhat hard to find a Ford 250 with a gas engine to try, I would think, unless in a work truck edition--around DFW area, almost all 250/350 trucks are diesels. Ram sells a lot of the hemis, and GM also moves a lot of gas trucks.

Enjoy the search...

Joe

RML850 · 05-29-2016, 03:54 PM

I just traded my 2011 Chevy 3500 (big red) diesel on a new Chev 2500 gas. You definitely need to get the 4:10 rear end to get decent towing. I live in Florida so diesel was an overkill for my rig. I only drive 5000 miles year so longevity of a diesel is not a factor and I figured it would take 100K miles in better diesel mpg to make up for extra $10K diesel price. I tow 9360# Wildcat and while I miss the power of the diesel and ride of the long bed quad cab, the new quad cab Chevy 2500 standard bed had no problems towing my rig. Be sure to check available payload of the truck as posted in door jam ( on the tire pressure decal). Chevy specs claim over 3000# payload but my truck with 20" tires and running board had factory posted payload of 2675#. Wet weight with Hitch, passengers and tools was 7380#. I ran my truck and trailer across cat scales and all weights were ideal with 20% pin weight. My reason for trading diesel was my warranty expiration. My diesel with 40K miles had to visit the dealer at least 3 times a year for check engine lights, mostly for diesel exhaust fluid system. 2011 was first year of DEF and had many issues. Usually took 3-4 days per visit. I think GM has fixed most issues in later models but like you, diesel doesn't make sense for smaller rigs.

NOBLNG · 05-29-2016, 06:31 PM

Yes, My 2006 has the 4:11 gears and a factory locker in the rear (2wd) and has no problem pulling my 5vr on the flats. I do notice it a bit on a long uphill stretch. If need be I would drop it down a gear to keep the rpm up and take my time. There are quite a few f-250's here with gas engines. I just have not found a super-cab, long box, 2wd yet, though I just started to look.

RML850 · 05-29-2016, 08:22 PM

Thats a hard combination to find in stock. Be aware that the new truck bed rail heights are much higher than older models - 58" with 4Wd. With my last truck I had to raise my trailer shackles 2" with track2 system to get close to level.

I found the best way to compare these trucks is to watch the u-tube video of truck pull offs where they load them to max rated payload and trailer specs, then compare performance going up a mountain on a hot day. I was leaning toward ford until I saw how much it squat loaded at max payload.

NOBLNG · 05-29-2016, 10:25 PM

My Silverado sits pretty high, and although I didn't have a tape measure with me, the boxes seemed to be about the same level on my chest. I imagine a 2wd would sit a bit lower yet? I definitely do not want to raise my trailer. Do you have a link to those videos?

RML850 · 05-30-2016, 12:59 AM

I looked at hundreds of videos, I think it FLtrucks.com that does many of the comparisons. Their extreme test is running Ike's Guantlet in Colorado. They pull full trailer up steep grade to above 10,000. There is also a good twist test where they compare flex in frames by driving one side over a ramp.

RML850 · 05-30-2016, 09:09 AM

Oh, one last thing to know when shopping for new tow vehicle. Chevy HD trucks do not come with standard tow mirrors. Ford and Ram do. Dealer upgrade cost around $1800 due to multi functions (heated, turn indicators, folding) and about 4 hr install. In fact, the duramax model has sensors in passenger mirrors so after market not an option. I started for the door so dealer agreed to upgrade mirror no cost.

NOBLNG · 03-13-2017, 07:00 PM

Well I put this off for too darn long and am now looking at 2017's. Today I drove an F250 Supercab, with the 6.2 gas engine and 3:73 axle ratio. I also drove a 2500HD with the 6.0 gas engine and 4:10 axle ratio. The GMC rode nicer and seems a little plusher inside. The Ford sure felt like it had a lot more get up and go though. This could partly be due to the exhaust note of the Ford giving me that impression. both have way more bells and whistles than I want, but unless I factory order one, I will have to take what I can get. Any one own one of these trucks?

richard717 · 03-14-2017, 03:27 PM

I have the 2013 F 250. I pull 12500lbs when I pull(10mpg). The second trip I made was over 100 miles across the flat part of Mich. and the truck kept up to speed at 65 in fifth gear(never pull in 6th). I use manual shift and you need to shift down at the hill early to keep speed and rpm's up. The noise level in Ford was much less then Chev for me when rolling down road. Florida was only place for 2wd when I was looking. Got 4wd now, and will help out later(3 years) if I need to sell. I like the Ford. I am a Ford guy, so this is how I think.

NOBLNG · 03-27-2017, 08:59 PM

Well I wound up getting a 2017 F250 4x4 Supercab, 6-1/2' box with the 6.2 gas engine. I bought a BW RVK3300 companion hitch (non-slider) that fits into the factory puck system (love it!). I have 6" clearance over the bed rails and the nose will not hit the cab when turning. The truck pulls nicely, it will shift down from 5th to 4th on a moderate incline and to 3rd on a steeper hill (pulling in "D" with 6th locked out). The BW hitch is very well built and there was no clunking or chucking at all on it's maiden voyage.
P.S. I am rapidly getting used to these bells and whistles.

**wingnut60** · 03-27-2017, 09:22 PM

Never knew what you were missing!
Sounds like a really nice combination--gassers and trans to back them have really improved the last few years.
Someone is even trying to bring back some of the 450+cube engines for towing.

dmascheck · 10-23-2017, 01:28 PM

I test drove a Chevy 2500 Diesel High Country vs diesel Ford 250 Ford Platinum and King Ranch.

I really liked the King Ranch interior, but things that counted Chevy won the battle!

Drove the Platinum and King Ranch first. First thing was the steering was stiffer than the High Country as well as the ride was stiffer in the Ford. I use the truck 90% time without a trailer so a rougher ride was not for me. Lastly the performance, when I put the hammer down on the two Fords there is a lag in pickup by maybe two second or more. The High Country was instant. Also for me, we have a Surburban so the controls are familiar.

One note I wanted a full length truck for my fifth wheel. You Could find plenty in Fords. Chevy was a harder find.

After having mine for two months I love the performance, plus the fuel mileage is way better than gas and pulling a gooseneck with hay is a treat!

I’m 67, plan on this being my last vehicle, so going diesel plus the fantastic torque was a no brainer!

I know Dodge has the Cummins, but the company I retired from had plenty of gas Dodge 3/4 ton trucks. At around 100,000 miles we had too many problems and they Road like a damn wagon!

Archie954 · 10-23-2017, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RML850

Oh, one last thing to know when shopping for new tow vehicle. Chevy HD trucks do not come with standard tow mirrors. Ford and Ram do. Dealer upgrade cost around $1800 due to multi functions (heated, turn indicators, folding) and about 4 hr install. In fact, the duramax model has sensors in passenger mirrors so after market not an option. I started for the door so dealer agreed to upgrade mirror no cost.

My 2016 2500 HD gas came with the Black trailering mirrors W/pwr glass,man fold/ext,heat,turn signal,led rr guidance lamps, led amber lights, and i/s rearview auto-dim. $310.00 option

dmascheck · 10-24-2017, 05:57 AM

My new High Country diesel Came with trailer mirrors. I like hw they can swing in with a switch for going through a car wash, but when I test drove a Ford King Ranch, I really liked the way theirs would extend with an inside switch. My High Country does not. You have to get out and manually pull them out. Seems crazy for spending so much money on a top of the line truck!

**wingnut60** · 10-25-2017, 04:33 PM

Well, Ford started that little convenience with the 2008s...prior to that, had to pull my mirrors out also.

dmascheck · 10-26-2017, 06:26 AM

Wish Chevy would add it to their list. I love my High Country. the engine is awesome and the ride and steering is far better than the King Ranch. I know they also have the little step ladder in the tail gate, but it's useless for me!

**wingnut60** · 10-26-2017, 12:22 PM

I do find the step notches in the GM bumpers pretty handy, and much easier to use when just wanting to get into the bed without lowering the tailgate.