Hey all, last weekend I towed our 28ft. Prowler trailor out to Havasu for spring break. It weighs about 6500lbs. dry fo appx 7500lbs. when all our stuff is in it. I have an 03 4.7L and it tows fine for when we go out camping not too far from home, however, this was a 280mile trip one way, and the 4.7L couldn't handle the long grades into AZ while towing. Sometimes getting down to as low as 35-40mph. This was just rediculous! Although I love my truck, it gets terrible mileage (took 1/2 tank to travel 190 miles when towing = appx. 16gal) and doesn't have the power to pull grades. I have thought about the Hemi, but I have heard so many good things about the diesel trucks, and how once people buy the diesel they'll never go back to a gasser again. So here's my question:

I tow a big camping trailor (Thinking about upgrading it to a 5th wheel for more accommodation) and a big boat regularly, what's a better truck for me? I'm trying to take into consideration fuel consumption and prices. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

Don't do it, run like the wind, CTD is like CRACK you can't get enough of it.

Towing your going to love it and get around 14.5 to 15 mpg on the flat lands, but you never know that's trailer is back there, when I got mine I was pulling a enclosed 16ft loaded with around 6000 pounds of material 5 days a week, one day I didn't need the trailer for a small repair job so left it at home, I stopped to get breakfast in one of the normal places, when I came out with my order I had to stop and laugh at myself, I was parked sidewards across lanes like I would have had to do with the trailer.

There a little more maintenance to do , but the big plus is when you push the skinny peddle down your going to be moving fast, even bonestock, I would have got it quicker if I knew I could have a stock hot rodtruck and still get 16.5 mpgaround town while making Vette drivers wonder why your still beside them.

But yes get a CTD and you never go back.

 

Ill second the previous post.
The only time Im reminded I have a trailer on my truck, is when I look in the rear view mirror.

CTD THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

 

Handymanherb said everything that I could possibly add.

It's an addiction I tell ya.....it's the pipe.....you'll be jonesin' for it!

No matter what speed you are traveling at 30, 50, 70......step on the skinny pedal and you just get this....................PUSH. It's like having somebody behind you with a bulldozer jsut shoving you along.

 

Another good reason for those trips to Lake Havasu. You ever been pulling 30 mph up one of those long grades through that desert when its 110F outside in the shade and your hemi starts getting hot so you have to turn the AC off to help it stay cool and the wife is looking at you with daggers in her eyes? Well you won't ever have to turn the AC off in a diesel turn that sucker up on full blast keep the wife happy and pass all the poor gassers sluggishly trailering their toys

 

That's why I traded my 5.9 gasser in for the CTD! 8mpg at 75mph feels a whole lot better !!

 

"Dude Is my trailer still back there?" and has anyone even broke like 220 on a CTD. I had around 7000 pound trailer and about 100degrees and it was just a click higher than it normally runs.

 

I agree with everything that Herb has said except for the maintenance thing.

You'll still be doing your oil changes, however you'll be doing them less often. Fuel and air filters will be maintained at the same intervals on both a a gasser and a diesel, however the big difference is the electrical. You won't have the plugs, wires, cap, ect to maintain on a diesel like you would on a gasser. In my opinion diesels are a win win all the way around, especially when you factor inthat you should get well over 300K out of a diesel.

Oh yeah, did I mention that chicks LOOOOOOOVE desels ????

 

Mayfair is dead on!

On the the Chevy's and Ford's, the maintenance is MUCH higher than a gasser. But on the CTD's, you maint cost will actually be less than a comparable gas engine.

Oh yeah, and chicks dig diesels.......you just gotta show up a pull a few old stumps outta the yard and then you're the man. For a day or two at least.

 

Oh man you guys are getting me way too excited. I think I might have to go take a look at them today... You guys might be getting me into trouble! haha.. Thanks for all the input, and keep adding if there's anything else to say.

Another question, for those of you that have the new 6.7L CTD, how does it compare to the 5.9L CTD?? Thanks