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New User
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| I am in the mnarket for a new tow vehicle. Currently pulling a 3 horse GN ~ 4500lbs with a ford f250 5.4l v8. Should I go diesel? Suggestions. This will be a tow only vehicle not a daily drive. I haul ~ 3 times per month. |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
 
| With that size of trailer you should be fine with about any 3/4 ton truck. I use diesel and I love the way it pulls but for 3 times a month pulling you could save a big chunk of money by going with gas. Diesel stinks. Diesel is harder to find in some locals. Diesel costs more to buy. Diesel cost more when you change the oil. The up sides to diesel are the added power, they get a LITTLE better gas mileage and the power is smoother and easier to control (if that makes sense). |
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New User
Posts: 4
| Thanks for the reply. my current 3/4 ton does a good job, but hills are rough. I was looking for something with more power, but I hear you on the diesel. Thanks again. |
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Regular
Posts: 67
Location: Alberta | Originally written by AQHA 123 on 2009-04-27 7:18 PM
With that size of trailer you should be fine with about any 3/4 ton truck. I use diesel and I love the way it pulls but for 3 times a month pulling you could save a big chunk of money by going with gas. Diesel stinks. Diesel is harder to find in some locals. Diesel costs more to buy. Diesel cost more when you change the oil. The up sides to diesel are the added power, they get a LITTLE better gas mileage and the power is smoother and easier to control (if that makes sense). One other thing to remember is residual cost. Diesels hold their value much better. Currently a 2 year old diesel vs gas is 30-40% difference. |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
| If you want power then diesel is the way to go. The first time we pulled a big trailer with my truck we were driving from Wyoming to Montana. My wife was driving and we were going up a long steep hill. She had NOT wanted a diesel because of the smell. When we were going up that hill she kept looking down at the speedo and shaking her head, "I can't believe this, its like we are not even pulling a trailer!" After that trip she and I were both sold on diesels. You dont really notice how strong the motors are until you pull heavy and steep. The power is also smoother, you dont get the jerking that you get with gas. |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | Originally written by amakris on 2009-04-27 7:38 PM
I am in the mnarket for a new tow vehicle. Currently pulling a 3 horse GN ~ 4500lbs with a ford f250 5.4l v8. Should I go diesel? Suggestions. This will be a tow only vehicle not a daily drive. I haul ~ 3 times per month. Buy a DIESEL! Let me know what you are looking for as far as new or used, Dodge, Ford, GM and I can give you somethings to look for and check out. HTB |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri | I had a F250CC 5.4l and then got a 3h 8ft LQ. Got rid of truck. It was ok on the flat land but wasn't good in mountain pulling. So I went with a f250 diesel, don't know the trailer is back there.....will never go back to a gas engine..... |
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Veteran
Posts: 114
Location: Home of the WNFR at Christmas | Here is a money saving and idea that works, GEARS, I am betting that your tuck has something like 3.73s or higher in it take it to a good shop and have some 4.56ish gears thrown in and you will be amazed at the difference in how the truck pulls and runs up hill.
For a 2wd gear swap I bet you will be under 700.00 and it will pull like a new truck.
The other thing is don't be afraid to put your foot in it while pulling, lots of people are afraid to let little motors spin to 4500 or 5000 RPM with a load on, just mash that pedal and let the engine run. The modular small block ford is a good little engine and if you make it work it will go all day long. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Here's some previous info: http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/thread-view.asp?threadid=11465&posts=22 |
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Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | A body can buy a lot of fuel for the cost difference between Gasoline and diesel engines. Sure a diesel engine might last longer. It turns less and is built heavier. But the truck will still fall apart around the engine. Years ago the price of diesel fuel was less than Gas. The the Gov't got involved. Between taxes and EPA requirements, diesel fuel costs more now. For your pulling I would chose gasoline with proper rear axle gears. Like 4.10 or better. As previous posters have alluded to, you must drive the engine. The gasoline engine is throttled or choked to control the engine speed. The driver has to open the throttle to allow more air & fuel for hill climbing. OR ... You could just set the cruise control... The only situation where diesel engines make a difference is high altitudes. Like Denver .... A normal breathing gas engine just can't get enough air. Then, a turbo diesel really shines. |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | Only downfall of re-gearing a gas truck to pull right, is when you are not hauling, is your fuel mileage. So the by the time you spend the money on gears and the extra gas you are buying, you can still save money by buying the diesel!
Sure the diesel is going to cost more up front but do some research on used trucks with same type mileage and equipment and see for yourself the difference in the gas and diesel. The diesel truck is worth MORE money! |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
| Plus diesels sound cool.  |
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Regular
Posts: 83
| I tow a 2H Sundowner GN 4' shortwall with a 2009 3/4 ton Chevy gas 6.0 6 speed. Love it. Hauled on the interstate, up and down hills, not mountains. I had a 99 diesel F350 7.3 liter diesel previously. A one ton diesel truck on my size horse trailer is an overkill. Diesel engine might last forever, but not the rest of the truck. I have a 4.10 gear ration. 13 mpg empty, 10 mpg towing trailer. Plenty of power, lots of gears, and mileage isn't much worse than NEW diesel truck. |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Originally written by amakris on 2009-04-27 8:38 PM
I am in the mnarket for a new tow vehicle. Currently pulling a 3 horse GN ~ 4500lbs with a ford f250 5.4l v8. Should I go diesel? Suggestions. This will be a tow only vehicle not a daily drive. I haul ~ 3 times per month. Keep what you got and save that money...... You'll need it when and if you ever retire. |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
| There was a time that diesel was cheaper to run. Those days are long gone. My diesel ( 2008 duramax) drinks fuel like crazy. I dont know what Im getting but I would guess about 13. Don't get me wrong, I will never go back to gas as I love the power of the diesel, but DANG this thing is thirsty. Speaking of power, my fear is that with all the gas regulations that are coming out us horse people are going to be in a fix. We NEED the pulling power, and the fuel efficient vehicles they are designing may not have what we are use to.  |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | Originally written by retento on 2009-04-28 3:04 PM
Originally written by amakris on 2009-04-27 8:38 PM
I am in the mnarket for a new tow vehicle. Currently pulling a 3 horse GN ~ 4500lbs with a ford f250 5.4l v8. Should I go diesel? Suggestions. This will be a tow only vehicle not a daily drive. I haul ~ 3 times per month. Keep what you got and save that money...... You'll need it when and if you ever retire.
After reading and reading and reading this post 20 times, I have to agree with retento! I think since you are not using it as a daily driver I would maybe add a intake system and maybe some exhaust work to help you out while towing or just everyday driving. |
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Veteran
Posts: 114
Location: Home of the WNFR at Christmas | The new DPF diesels really do drink the fuel due to the burnoff / DPF regens.
And of course all of us diesel guys all think we get 20 MPG loaded and more unloaded.
I am running a diesel now just do to the fact the truck came at the right price and time but I did have a 4.56 geared 8.1 L / Allison Chevy and when I would mash the the pedal I could make quite a few diesel guys feel bad up long grades, no EGT worries and with the chip and big injectors it would go, and with 16K on the back at 80+ would get 7 MPG, my diesel will get 9 or so at the same speed so the ROI will take a long time, close to 100K towing miles.
Big gears, a chip, intake and maybe injectors will find you quite a bit of HP/TQ and save you money
tr0y |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Danielsville Georgia | Folks on the Ford sites rave about the Ford V10 gas.Thousands less then the diesel and puts out near same torque.Chips and replacement injectors are cool BUT the repair bills when blown up are not.The reason the manufactures deny warranty claims so fast on modified diesel trucks even slightly modded is THEY say that that's the majority of engine failures in diesel trucks.(except Ford 6.0s)I believe them.Almost EVERY post/thread on broken diesel engines are trucks with mods time after time,year after year.Old saying ' you play YOU pay".As far as fuel mileage complaints in late model diesels over prior years is yes some is due to new emissions but realize that late model diesels are also 100 PLUS horsepower MORE then 2002 and back.Takes fuel to make horsepower and torque. |
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New User
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Location: Jonesboro, Ar 72401 | If you are going to add gears, injectors, intake, chip, and so on to a gas burner to get the same pulling power as a diesel why not just buy the diesel. Don't forget they run cooler in the summer when pulling steep hills and you can usually run them more miles between servicing than gas burners. My guess is if you offer someone a gas burner with 100,000 miles and a diesel with the same they will probably take the diesel. 2006 Ford 6.0 SD CC 2003 Sidekick 6-hrs Qtr barrel horses |
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Regular
Posts: 54
Location: Ohio | After having had a 2000 F250 with 7.3 L Powerstroke and a 2005 F350 with 6.0 Power Stroke, I went with a V10 in my 2008 F350. I am very pleased so far. The one and only trip I have taken my Sundowner LQ with this truck was not a complete disappointment as I feared when I made the switch to the gasser. The truck handled it fine....I just had to get used to the higher RPMs and mashing the skinny pedal on the big hills. I only hit one hill on route 32 between Cincinnati and Jackson, Ohio where I got down below 60 MPH at the top. And the speed limit on the road is only 55 or 60 if that tells you anything. |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | Originally written by tr0y on 2009-04-28 11:35 PM
The new DPF diesels really do drink the fuel due to the burnoff / DPF regens. And of course all of us diesel guys all think we get 20 MPG loaded and more unloaded. I am running a diesel now just do to the fact the truck came at the right price and time but I did have a 4.56 geared 8.1 L / Allison Chevy and when I would mash the the pedal I could make quite a few diesel guys feel bad up long grades, no EGT worries and with the chip and big injectors it would go, and with 16K on the back at 80+ would get 7 MPG, my diesel will get 9 or so at the same speed so the ROI will take a long time, close to 100K towing miles. Big gears, a chip, intake and maybe injectors will find you quite a bit of HP/TQ and save you money tr0y Friday around lunch time I will not have to worry about the DPF any longer on my 07 Dodge! Mine is falling off and somehow I am getting a boost of power, lower EGT and better fuel mileage as well! |
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Veteran
Posts: 241
| ]What is the DPF you guys are talking about? Can they be removed???
Edited by AQHA 123 2009-05-01 11:42 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Originally written by AQHA 123 on 2009-05-01 12:40 PM
]What is the DPF you guys are talking about? Can they be removed??? http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/glossary/g/dpf.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_particulate_filter http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/success/self_clean_diesel_part_filter.pdf http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7436036751278456712 |
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Member
Posts: 46
Location: Prior Lake, MN | I really like my 2004 2500HD Duramax Diesel. I currently pull a trailer with a empty weight of 7000 lbs and most of the time, I cannot tell that trailer is back there. I love the Allison transmission with the tow mode. The ability to downshift to a stop by touching the break works very well for me. I can stop very smoothly, so the choice for me is more than gas vs. diesel. Drive a couple of trucks and keep talking to people you know that haul where you haul. Another thing to keep in mind is if you ever want to change trailers in the future and what truck you might need for that.
Edited by CrazyAgain 2009-05-01 1:34 PM
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Tow Vehicle
