Is a dually needed?

[nc redneck]

Regardless of what brand you buy make sure you put in a oversized A/M fuel tank. Or in bed aux fuel tank. I do both on my trucks. It takes a lot of stress out of towing 500 or so plus miles and wondering if my 40 foot 5th wheel can make the needed turns when traveling to get to diesel pump.
None of the 3500 have enough fuel storage for a serious 5th wheeler. I like 85 to 100 gallons with 2 A/M tanks. I can leave NC pull to Orlando FL, drive around for a few days check who has best price on fuel. And fill up when convenient. SC run requires no fuel stops there and back.
The reason why Dodge has a 30K tow rating is because they could not give them aweigh with true tow loads. Anyone who puts 30K on one of these trucks GM, Ford or Dodge is a idiot and a danger to themselves and others on the road.
You may also want to check out Diesel Power magazine. GM and Ford have been the winners for last 15 years. GM with the most. Never a serious contender from Dodge. I do understand the draw of low price for Dodge, you get what you pay for.
Good Luck with your decision. I hope you enjoy the new RV.
Scott

 

[chvfrk98]

This is so true. I'll take the Pepsi challenge with my 11 year old 7.3 F250 with 210k miles over a General Mechanical Catastrophe any ol day. The ONLY issues with Ford have been well addressed in the aftermarket, just like the issues with the Dodge and GM. In the case of the Ford, the 7.3 CPS issue, death wobble, and unit bearings; the 6.0 is a great motor once you invest in deleting the emissions garbage off of it and bulletproof it. The 6.4, same thing; delete the emissions crap and it's a heck of a motor. GM has it's share of problems from injectors and filtration issues in the LB7, overheating issues when hauling with the '03-'05 motors, scorching pistons in the '06-'07 trucks, unit bearings, weak tie rod ends, emissions problems, etc. Dodge, steering suspension issues, weakish automatic transmissions, fuel supply to the VP44, KDP, death wobble, fuel rail issues in the common rails, and like the rest emissions issues.

I've been around diesels for about 15 years now, from repairing them, tuning them, racing them (amateur), etc. I had, in this order, a '01 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison 4x4, '00 Ram 3500 quad cab 4x4 5-speed Cummins, '01 F250 supercab 2wd 7.3 6-speed, '93 Ram D350 club cab 2wd 5-speed 12v Cummins, and my current '03 F250 crew cab FX4 7.3 Auto. All of them have been modified and I drive hard and tow heavy. They ALL have their pluses and minuses. But if you're buying based solely on a comfortable ride, you're searching for the wrong thing. If you're looking for a good ride buy a dad gum car, not a 1 ton truck. If you're looking for something to tow with, find out which truck tows best for your driving style because they all tow differently.

Tell that to my buddy that just had to put a new engine in his 2006 for a stuck lifter. They are seeing alot more of these happening. Only 115K. That's just not right.

Now I have a 12 F350 but I really do miss my duramax when it comes to general ride quality and the transmission. Power is equal but the allison puts it down so much better.

 

[daugen]

you may want to define that some? i'd take a ford diesel 97-2003 over anything offered from ford 2004+

no def on a 7.3, .. etc. not a power monger like some of the new machines.. but it was pretty bulletproof. Carry a spare CPS and a 10mm wrench inthe tool boax and keep driving.

WHOA! I should have put that in sarcastic quotes. I'm only quoting what yet another opinionated person had to say, not saying I believe it, saying most old Ford diesels are bad is ludicrous, so I was kind of poking fun at the statement. Sorry, next time I'll be more obvious.

I've always heard the Duramax had more pull/grunt to it, and some of those comparison tests a year or two back did show it out ahead a little hauling a load. But if the Ford, for example, is a better tow vehicle, has a better integrated anti sway control, whatever that makes the towing easier and more comfortable, I really don't care who accelerates faster. Certainly not in a rush pulling one of these, just want to be able to pull into traffic and gain speed reasonably, and keep reasonable speed on hills.

Yes, it's a heavy fifth wheel, and I had not intended to go this high in weight. And since I found out today there are no models to look at, they are all custom special order, and if I wanted to I could go to North West Kansas, in the utter middle of nowhere, four hours from a major airport and visit the factory.
boy the shine went off that apple. So I'm also looking at a CrossRoads Redwood, which is two tons lighter than the Excel for the same floor plan.
I asked the Redwood salesman where all the weight went out of "his" unit. Actually, the Excel is the porker, not the Redwood being light, it's in the same ton range as the Winnebago Destination. And there is actually one sitting on a lot in West Chester, West of Philadelphia. That sounds like an easier road trip than Kansas.
though I haven't talked to Dorothy in a while.

I can't believe the dealership went to all the bother of telling me oh this is the one you want. No we don't have any. No we don't order for stock. No there aren't any locally you can look at. Oh, we found one in Michigan. But we really think you'll like it.
I bet I would ,and it's not even going to be at the Hershey RV Show coming up. They are bringing a less expensive model; apparently word on the street sells the more costly ones and they are pumping them out as fast as they can. Quality sells.
Maybe keeping my weight down and my cost down a bit might make fine sense long term. Sure does in other things...

 

[nc redneck]

I would make the factory trip in a minute. RVs are not like trucks where build quality is very close. All RVs are built cheap until you get in Newmar , Prevost price range 250K plus. A light 5th wheel is a cheap one, the Florida Super Show is a lot better than Hershey.
You may want to look at KZ recently ( last month ) sold to Dutchman for 52 million. I bet you can still get a well built 5th wheel from them now. In 6 months or so it will be just another Dutchman clone.
Look for a semi custom builder. And don't get sucked in by low price ( like with Dodge and 30K tow rating )
Take your time. its a lot of money for new truck and 5th wheel. IMO
Scott

 

[terryknight]

You may also want to check out Diesel Power magazine. GM and Ford have been the winners for last 15 years. GM with the most. Never a serious contender from Dodge. I do understand the draw of low price for Dodge, you get what you pay for.
Good Luck with your decision. I hope you enjoy the new RV.
Scott

If you are talking about the diesel power challenge (which is how I read it) it's only been going on 9 years. Each of the big three have won 3 times, though one of the fords had a cummins/Allison combo.

And DPC really has nothing to do with anything. The trucks are no your average truck

 

[LA Confederate]

Bingo. DPC has zero reflection on real world towing and usefulness unless you count 1500 hp with piston melting EGTs, lift kits, and big tires useful.

The Ford is a good all around hauler and daily driver, the Cummins is generally rock solid and will always win in off the line torque application, and the Maxi Pad is somewhere in between.

Like I said earlier, they all pull differently because their power curves are all different, have different transmission tuning, different exhaust brake profiles, etc.

 

[Fordman1981]

Regardless of what brand you buy make sure you put in a oversized A/M fuel tank. Or in bed aux fuel tank. I do both on my trucks. It takes a lot of stress out of towing 500 or so plus miles and wondering if my 40 foot 5th wheel can make the needed turns when traveling to get to diesel pump. None of the 3500 have enough fuel storage for a serious 5th wheeler. I like 85 to 100 gallons with 2 A/M tanks. I can leave NC pull to Orlando FL, drive around for a few days check who has best price on fuel. And fill up when convenient. SC run requires no fuel stops there and back. The reason why Dodge has a 30K tow rating is because they could not give them aweigh with true tow loads. Anyone who puts 30K on one of these trucks GM, Ford or Dodge is a idiot and a danger to themselves and others on the road. You may also want to check out Diesel Power magazine. GM and Ford have been the winners for last 15 years. GM with the most. Never a serious contender from Dodge. I do understand the draw of low price for Dodge, you get what you pay for. Good Luck with your decision. I hope you enjoy the new RV. Scott

Hahahaha again. You sir need to quit talking with your brand loyal bull crap.

Daugen again don't listen to garbage like this go drive them all equip them the way you want and the one you like best buy. You will get good service out of any of them. Ram is out selling chevy now and someone has a sore butt.

 

[Soundguy]

Regardless of what brand you buy make sure you put in a oversized A/M fuel tank. Or in bed aux fuel tank. I do both on my trucks. It takes a lot of stress out of towing 500 or so plus miles and wondering if my 40 foot 5th wheel can make the needed turns when traveling to get to diesel pump.

I agree. I have a 50g xfer tank in the bed of my 450... it's quite nice getting to destination without stopping for fuel.

 

[newbury]

I agree. I have a 50g xfer tank in the bed of my 450... it's quite nice getting to destination without stopping for fuel.

I was always concerned about running out of diesel. Since '78 with my first VW diesel I've learned to plan my stops in unknown territory. My '88 E350 7.3 required more fuel but I always made a rule that when it get's to a 1/4 tank fill it up.

But back in '78 there were a LOT fewer diesel stations, in '88 a few more, and now they seem to be prevalent. The bigger problem for me is ease of access for my 45' of truck and trailer. But there are a LOT of truck stops. I'm not sure if it's worth giving up the bedspace for a xfer tank.

I'd say if ordering new get the max you can installed without taking up bed space for a moderate price. I think standard is around 40 gallons, which should give you AT least a 400 mile range towing. But to me permanently sucking up bed space is a lose-lose situation unless your fueling other vehicles. And optional under bed tanks seem to start at about $1,000, or about what 250 gallons of fuel costs. 2 jerry cans from Sportsmans only cost me about $50 and carry 10 gallons The Sportsman's Guide - Hunting & Outdoor Gear, Shooting Supplies, Military Surplus, Survival Gear and More! and they are a lot more useful.

 

[Soundguy]

But back in '78 there were a LOT fewer diesel stations, in '88 a few more, and now they seem to be prevalent. The bigger problem for me is ease of access for my 45' of truck and trailer. But there are a LOT of truck stops. I'm not sure if it's worth giving up the bedspace for a xfer tank.

yep.. alot more stations that offer diesel now.. however.. i've noticed on the large stations where you actually can get in with 50' of truck and trailer.. the diesel pumps are usually on the 2 outter lanes.. and doubled with gas pumps. Probably 99% of the time i pull in to get diesel.. there will be 2 cars getting gas.. and both on the outside gas/diesel lanes.. leaving me stuck while they fill their gasser tank, yak on the phone. text, then leave their car there while they walk in to get lotto tickets, a big gulk and a ho-ho, before they come back out.. take 5 minutes getting in seat belted.. make one more phone call, put on eye makeup, seatbelt, , yada, yada, then look back at you, and put on their reverse lights and shoot you a bird when you can't let them back out of the diesel lane they have been blocking for the last half hour to buy 9g of gas ...

that's why i travel with lots of diesel.. and try to fill up late at night or at dedicated truck stops..

not sure why people go to 10 and 20 pump stations, and ONLY use the 2-4 pumps that serve diesel, and stop there to get gas.. instead of being more polite and using a gas only pump???????