Sorry, but I've got to disagree. A big block, Hemi or V10 would get 10MPG
or less pulling loads that the Cummins does, at 20MPG. When you hook a
heavy load to a gasser, economy goes down the tubes, quickly.
The Cummins doesn't even notice a load that in most cases would make a
gasser strain.
-- -Jon jonsdak@midmaine.com http://jonsdakota.tripod.com 1996 Dodge Dakota Sport 4X4, 3.9L V6, 42RE, 3.92:1 8.25 axle, "BackRack" Headache Rack, Dodge Motorsports decals, steering wheel cover, and front license plate, diamond-plate bedrail covers, Lund VentVisors, Lund BugShield, Jensen MP-3310 CD/MP3 Receiver, Pioneer TS-G1347's in front, TS-A5713's in rear, Bulldog RS-82 Remote Starter<raymond.irons@gm.com> wrote in message news:OFBA85862A.F64D9B74-ON85256CCD.003AC6E3@mail.gm.com... > > > <snip> My Dad is going to buy a new truck to replace his trusty '91 F-150. > He's > gonna buy one as well as a large 5th wheel travel trailer to do some > traveling (he's a retired CHP Officer) Anyways, we're looking at about > 10-13k > lbs trailer weight, but he's looking at the new Ford Power Stroke. I'm > trying > to get him into a Ram 3500 single rear wheel, he does not want a dually or > a > crew cab, just a extra cab. He's really set on that new Ford/IH diesel, but > what can I tell him to sway him at Dodge? > > Ed, > My Dad is a retired rural letter carrier and he has had several 5th > wheel travel trailers. His first tow vehicle was a 69 Dodge with a 318. His > trailer was really too big for the 318 to pull safely. He wanted another > Dodge to replace it in 79 but by then Dodge had quit making the big block > motors and the largest engine you could get in a truck was the 360. So he > went to Ford to get the 460. He owned 2 Fords, one 79 F250 Supeer Cab and a > 89 F350 Crew Cab dually. In 95, he traded the Ford in on a Dodge Ram 3500 > Club Cab dually with the V-10 and he couldn't be happier. He and I had the > opportunity to take a road trip in December and we got on the subject of > truck and towing. Dad just turned 78 and he said he is getting too old to > tow his big 5th wheel around so he is selling his trailer. He told me he > read an article, I think in the magazine Trailer Life, that in order for > any diesel engine truck to break even for the additional initial and > operating costs you'd have to drive the truck over 180K miles. RIght now > with fuel costing what it does, its probably more mileage than that. The > diesels just do not get that much better gas mileage, in most places fuel > actually costs more then regular unleaded gas, you have a greatly different > maintenance schedule, there are more filters to change, it takes more oil > to fill the crankcase, there is a whole list of things you could go into. > Tell your Dad to do some more research and look at getting the Ram 2500 > Quad with the Hemi or the V-10. If he is dead set against the Quad cab, > tell him to start looking around for a used Ram Club Cab with the V-10. I'm > sure there are quite a few around in good shape that could be bought for a > reasonable amount. > > HTH, > > Ray Irons > Dover, DE > >
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