Diesel pickups?

[Lt CHEG]

Thanks for the replies guys.

First, I don't have an RV yet, I'm still learning about them so forgive my ignorance if they don't run light ones on a fifth wheel.

My thinking right now is that I'll look at the RV from two sides. One, get an RV with a truck and two, get a complete one with the engine. I'm thinking about a B or C unit.

The things I like about the diesel are fuel economy and longevity. I was thinking of spending around 20k for the diesel truck and around 15 or so for the RV. Am I totally in the dark here?

It's just the two of us and I was hoping to save on fuel going light on the RV. Also I don't really want to be towing a 40 foot RV around.

Right now I have an old F150 with 180k miles on it (2WD, auto).

Thanks,
Rob

For that kind of money you're looking at older diesel trucks which is cool if you know what you are looking for. In our part of the country older trucks do tend to be rust buckets especially if they've been worked, and chances are that with a diesel in the this area, that it's been worked. With that said with the current diesels of the last 4 or 5 years, you'll get better mileage out of a 1/2 ton truck with a gas engine it seems. I've been test driving some 2010 diesels and they both got significantly less mileage than my 2009 1/2 ton Chevy Crew Cab with 5.3 V8. Moreover I know some other guys that I snowmobile with that have got diesels because they need to haul heavier loads, and I get better mileage than them too. Sometimes they may edge me out when towing snowmobile trailers but usually not by enough to cover the extra cost of diesel fuel, especially in the winter. The 2011 Ford and GM diesels with urea injection may bring back the fuel economy that diesels have traditionally been known for, but as someone who has been looking into upgrading to a heavier diesel truck myself I can tell you that the fuel economy is just not there for any of the newer trucks. I think the best advice that you have received so far was from Diamond Pilot. Look into a half ton gasser and a 7,000 pound bumper pull camper. If it's just two of you then you can easily get a 26 or 28 foot camper with a slider for that weight range and that will offer more than enough room for two people to be comfortable. You'll get better mileage on the truck when empty than a diesel and worse mileage than the diesel when towing, but if you're not towing all the time then you will certainly not make up for the big difference in cost for a diesel. I say this with a heavy heart as I really wanted to be able to justify an upgrade to a diesel 3/4 or 1 ton truck myself, but from the test drives that I've taken with a 2010 Ford 6.4 Power Stroke and a 2010 Dodge Ram Cummins the fuel economy is just no longer there with the diesels.

 

[Rob-D]

For that kind of money you're looking at older diesel trucks which is cool if you know what you are looking for. In our part of the country older trucks do tend to be rust buckets especially if they've been worked, and chances are that with a diesel in the this area, that it's been worked. With that said with the current diesels of the last 4 or 5 years, you'll get better mileage out of a 1/2 ton truck with a gas engine it seems. I've been test driving some 2010 diesels and they both got significantly less mileage than my 2009 1/2 ton Chevy Crew Cab with 5.3 V8. Moreover I know some other guys that I snowmobile with that have got diesels because they need to haul heavier loads, and I get better mileage than them too. Sometimes they may edge me out when towing snowmobile trailers but usually not by enough to cover the extra cost of diesel fuel, especially in the winter. The 2011 Ford and GM diesels with urea injection may bring back the fuel economy that diesels have traditionally been known for, but as someone who has been looking into upgrading to a heavier diesel truck myself I can tell you that the fuel economy is just not there for any of the newer trucks. I think the best advice that you have received so far was from Diamond Pilot. Look into a half ton gasser and a 7,000 pound bumper pull camper. If it's just two of you then you can easily get a 26 or 28 foot camper with a slider for that weight range and that will offer more than enough room for two people to be comfortable. You'll get better mileage on the truck when empty than a diesel and worse mileage than the diesel when towing, but if you're not towing all the time then you will certainly not make up for the big difference in cost for a diesel. I say this with a heavy heart as I really wanted to be able to justify an upgrade to a diesel 3/4 or 1 ton truck myself, but from the test drives that I've taken with a 2010 Ford 6.4 Power Stroke and a 2010 Dodge Ram Cummins the fuel economy is just no longer there with the diesels.

Thanks LT,
This is what I've been hearing too. The mileage just isn't there in the new diesels.
I'm still looking but I like the 'C' motor homes so far.
Rob

 

[LBrown59]

With a diesel truck you can fill up the tank & then come home & siphon what you need into your tractor.

Why not just use the 40 to 50 cent cheaper a gallon red stuff for the tractor?

 

[lostcause]

Thanks LT,
This is what I've been hearing too. The mileage just isn't there in the new diesels.
I'm still looking but I like the 'C' motor homes so far.
Rob

dunno if you've thought about this yet or not, but with a motorhome, you'll find that you will probably want to buy a small(ish) vehicle to tow along behind you. most people i have known that buy a motorhome say they don't need an extra vehicle along with it, but once you fit that big motorhome into a tight spot in a campground and get it all leveled up, you won't want to have to pack up and leave to drive to the closest store for supplies. it's often ends up either motorhome with a small vehicle in tow, or pickup/suv with a trailer/5th wheel in tow.

if you decide on the motorhome route, you will want to look at front wheel dollies/towbar setups and vehicle choices. only a certain few vehicles will tow properly on a towbar setup, and having a front wheel dolly actually creates another pivot point which may make it illegal for you to use certain roads.

 

[Qapla]

Not to cloud the issue, but for 20 years I drove 3/4 ton Dodge vans with gas 318. I was able to tow rather substantial loads with these vehicles.

The advantage for me, of the van was that my tools and other stuff was able to ride inside with me. (The work I did used tools that needed to stay out of the whether)

The other advantage, since all my vans were of the conversion type (raised roof and all) is that you can sleep and eat inside the van.

I had plenty of power. The van could handle the load and I never felt like I was too heavy. I had no problems stopping.

That said, I now drive a 1/2 ton 2007 Titan and pull a tractor on a semi-regular basis. I have good success with this and it handles the load just fine.

 

[Raspy]

Why not just use the 40 to 50 cent cheaper a gallon red stuff for the tractor?

Because it's illegal and the fuel police go around dipping truck tanks on occasion. Not saying it's likely with a pickup or motorhome, but it does happen and the fine more than offsets the benefit. I think it happens most with trucks that have auxiliary tanks and pumps in the back.

I plan to have a tank at my place that will be able to fuel the oil heater, the tractor and, in a pinch, the truck.

 

[flusher]

Hi gang,

I have a great diesel tractor (JD3320, TLB) and now I want a diesel truck to go with it. I'll be towing an RV 3,000 to 4,000 lbs. (fifth wheel) and my trailer for the tractor. (under 5,000 lbs. total for short distances)

I don't want a new truck but I do want 4x4 and probably an auto over a stick for the RV.

Love diesels!

Have at it!

Thanks,
Rob

Get yourself a Ram 2500 or 3500 single rear wheel PU if you really, really want a diesel PU. My neighbor just bought a 2008 Ram 3500 4WD dually (silver, extended cab) with 29000 miles--one sweet ride. Traded her 03 F250 (she was pissed because this was the 4th injector failure on that F250 and it cost her over $1K each time). Financed about $28K.

 

[RayCo]

Because it's illegal and the fuel police go around dipping truck tanks on occasion.

I think he actually was saying to use it in the tractor, but regardless. I've wondered about the police dipping tanks, and under what authority they have access to someone's fuel tank. Of course, I'm just wondering out loud, not trying to steer this into a political conversation or anything.

 

[QRTRHRS]

My ex and I saw a good many miles in a VW camper. We never stayed more than a day or two in one spot and once in awhile, we grabbed a motel for the night. About two weeks in something that small is enough.

Then we bought a "C". Pain in the neck to find parking. Like already said, you need to tow a smaller vehicle to get around. I suggest renting an RV or two before you buy.

Having lived with a 12V Dodge Cummins for over ten years, I have this much to say about used diesels on a budget. The 12V would be my choice but you need to be somewhat capable of doing alot of your own work because there is always something to do though not necessarily on the engine.

Anyone interested in a used diesel with minimal experiance needs to visit the web for a wealth of information.

 

[1950T]

DOT and as long as your not over loaded on the interstate they would have no reason to stop you. ie been running high sulfer off road in mine since i bought it. hauled many a load of hay and straw down from mcconnellsburg pa rolllin the coal down 81 and never been stopped.