Diesel Towing Experience - Page 2

**JohnB** · 10-23-2007, 08:36 PM

Fellow Diesel Towing Campers

I’m now looking into a potential new to me TV. I’m needing a 21,000# GCWR and I’m looking in the GM line. Which means the Duramax or the 8.1 gasser with the 4.10 rear end in the PU. Both will get me there. And both would be used.

I’m not after the diesel verses gas saga as both have there pro’c and con’s and both can get me to where I need to end up.

What I’m after is some in site on my preconceived notions about finding diesel fuel while traveling for camping. How complex is it?

I picked up the tip about the larger fuel tank. A good one. Never would of thought of that so that is one aide to the problem.

Any others?

As was said, I too have more issues find a “gas” station that I can pull into with the camper and get back out of. And my problem just got 4 feet longer…. The truck stops are all on diesel and have room to get in and out. Not so on the gas stations. But even though I have the issue, I can find the gas station.

Any thoughts to help me learn from your travels greatly appreciated.

Thanks

John

**Tweety** · 10-24-2007, 05:05 AM

I guess the true experts on this are eman, since they take back roads alot. There really is no problem at all on highways. We have the Sierra D/A, and the tank is so large that we can go 600 miles without refilling. (although we're towing a QUE) With that range it's pretty easy to find diesel if you just start looking at 1/4 tank. Our experience with this is from our trip up to Maine, and going down I81 & on the PA Tpk. If you're on a road that truckers use, there's going to be diesel. The thing we LOVE about this truck is the transmission. It truely does hold the speed at whatever you break to while going down a mountain. (again...with a QUE in tow

**PTHutch** · 10-24-2007, 06:10 AM

Hi John,

I too had the worry about finding diesel stations before I bought our D/A. So far I’ve never had a problem. We start looking for fuel at ½ tank. I talked with Pat (aka emam) at the PA M&G about this and he said they never had a problem either. But they had traveled primarily in the east. I’m curious to see if this is still the case now that they’re traveling out west.

Most stations with diesel also cater to the truckers so there’s typically no problem pulling in with a trailer in tow. When I was doing the same research you’re doing I was talking to every diesel truck owner I saw and one of these individuals told me that he felt there would never be a shortage of diesel, because they would ground the truckers, but there always could be a shortage of gas, like there was back in the 70’s. This made sense to me.

In GM, the long bed (like Pam & Steve have) has a 36 gallon tank. It’s the short beds that have the smaller 26 gallon tank. So if you find a long bed that you like, you don’t have to consider a larger replacement tank.

We have the short bed (i.e., 26 gallon tank

). So I also purchased 2 – 5 gallon diesel (i.e., yellow) fuel cans that I can carry in the truck bed. I got these specifically for when we take a trip out west. I can carry them as some extra security. Plus I plan to get a larger replacement fuel tank installed before heading out west.

I agree with Pam, the ALISON transmission on the D/A is phenomenal. To me that’s more worth the $ than the DURAMAX. I bought the D/A for the DURAMAX but now I’m glade I have it because of the ALISON

.

Hope this helps a little and good luck. I hope you find the perfect truck to go with that perfect Sunline

.
Hutch

kanyonkitty · 10-24-2007, 07:37 AM

OK, I"m the odd one posting for now, I have a "FORD PSD" A heavy one, 8,400 lb with 3 people and full fuel(26 gal). GVWR 11,4000 lbs.
I have traveled out west a good bit, and for piece of mind with my "small" tank, I have 3 yellow diesel containers that hold 5 gal each. I do NOT lift the containers to add the fuel to the truck, I have one of those cheap 3 dollar hand pumps (like you use to fill a kerosene heater) and a piece of "clear" hose added to the siphon hose so that I can leave the container in the bed of the truck and add the fuel to the truck. It only takes 2 or 3 hand pumps to get the flow started. I "seldom" think I need the extra supply, so adding a permanent extra tank is not being considered. This last trip out west, 6300 miles, I averaged 11.74 mpg, and most was towing. I'd like to know how othere folks are getting the MPG's they say the are getting. But, my truck is a beast, 18" wheels, off road pkg, camper pkg, 4x4. I really don't think getting diesel is a major problem traveling, like Hutch said, start looking for fuel at 1/2 tank. Which comes faster with the smaller tanks. Would I go back to towing with a gasser, NOPE !!!!!!

Just a girls opinion

Kitty

**Tweety** · 10-24-2007, 07:49 AM

Kitty, You TOO can get 16 mpg if you were towing a QUE. Wanna trade

?

**Sunline Fan** · 10-24-2007, 07:53 AM

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nickster60 · 10-24-2007, 08:05 AM

I think diesel is more available everyday. In the south you will alway find diesel fuel. There are lots of trucks in the south and also the west so there is alway diesel fuel. I have been in Florida for about 15 years I originally lived in the northeast. The northeast is a car culture in the south and the west it is a truck culture. Out west it seems everybody in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho drives a truck.

**JohnB** · 10-24-2007, 07:03 PM

Thanks Folks on your diesel finding experiences. It helps.

John

HappyCampers · 10-24-2007, 08:15 PM

I've been driving a diesel pick-up for about 4.5 years and I've never had an issue finding fuel when I need it. The closest I came was when we went to NH to aquire the F-304. I was towing the T-295 up as a trade, and while blindly following the Garmin Street Pilot I inadvertantly ended up on Connecticut Route 15. Anyone from this area already knows where I'm going with this one. I drove for over 50 miles on a restricted parkway designed for cars only. When I finally found some diesel (still had a quarter tank) I had a heck of a time getting the rig into the station. When I prepayed for my fuel I was informed that I may be in serious trouble for driving on this road, and lucky I hadn't made the trailer a convertible. Thank goodness I was only a few miles from the exit for 95.

John,
You may want to reconsider getting the 4:10 rear gears. I had 3:55 gears in my 2500 Ram and it towed the 12,000 lb. fiver pretty well. It was a little sluggish in the Pocono mountains, but never dropped below 55 mph. My new truck is a 3500 Ram Cummins H.O. with 3:73 rears. More power than I know what to do with. The truck pulls like crazy no matter what the terrain is. With the 3:73 gears your getting more power at the rear without totally killing your fuel mileage. If you do decide on the 8.1 gasser go with the 4:10's, but if you go with any diesel 3:73's should be more than enough. I've driven the diesel offerings from all of the big three and I have to admit that I was really impressed with the Chevy because of the Allison, but the Cummins is the most trusted engine of the group. Ford already scrapped the 6.0, don't know why they ever switched from the awesome 7.3 (which is the 444DT used in International trucks and busses). Dodge is having issues with the new 6.7 and its new 6 speed tranny, I surely have no complaint about my 5.9 and the 48RE tranny. I do business with a seafood company in the Baltimore area and the owner bought 4 new chevys with the D/A combo. Bullet proof trannys but he had major problems with the Isuzu made Duramax. We have 2 Isuzu trucks mixed in our fleet of International 466DTs and the Cat powered Chevys at work and I have far more problems with the Isuzus than the others, although the Cats really start to go down hill shortly after 125,000 miles believe it or not. If I can help at all feel free to ask me anything about the different diesels. Being a fleet supervisor I get around quite a bit. Lowell

**Tweety** · 10-25-2007, 05:09 AM

One thing I really like about the GMC engine is that it doesn't smell like a diesel. I can stand behind the truck and direct Steve to back up right to the hitch ball and not be bothered by that yucky diesel fume smell. Probably the new emissions equipment. Please don't think I want to start a "brand war." Just something to take note of if you're smell sensitive like I am. Also, being new to diesel, the one thing we find annoying is that we can't pay at the pump.

donreitz · 10-25-2007, 05:50 AM

For peace of mind we attempt to learn where diesel stations are located before we travel. All the major truckstop chains (Flying J, TCA and so on) have their locations mapped out on their web sites so you can easily plan ahead when you stop on the interstates. Of course, truckstops aren't the only choice, but you'll have a much easier time negotiating the pumps at a truckstop than elsewhere, plus you're less likely to get clipped on the price of fuel (although that's not always the case).

For traveling the backroads out West, we use automotive.com's gas station location feature (just Google "Arizona diesel fuel prices" or something similar and you'll find it and others) to give us an idea of what towns have diesel. The big fuel tank helps here because it gives us a wider search range. We keep our tank topped off when in the boondocks and never have had a problem reaching the next station with plenty of fuel to spare. I'm not sure we could have said that with the stock 26 gallon tank, though.
Don

**PTHutch** · 10-25-2007, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanyonkitty

I have one of those cheap 3 dollar hand pumps (like you use to fill a kerosene heater) and a piece of "clear" hose added to the siphon hose so that I can leave the container in the bed of the truck and add the fuel to the truck.

Kitty,

That's a great idea. I would like to get one of the pumps. Can you give me a better idea of what you have and where you got it.

Thanks
Hutch

kanyonkitty · 10-25-2007, 02:30 PM

Here ya go Hutch,

Went outside, found camera (left it in truck

) set up the can and pump so I could take a decent picture. I purchased the pump at my small local hometown hardware store (It was summer time), by now you could probably find one in Wally World, Lowes or Home Depot. Hope this helps:

Kitty

**PTHutch** · 10-25-2007, 02:58 PM

Kitty,

Thanks, now I know exactly what to look for. Pictures are great

Hutch

kanyonkitty · 10-25-2007, 03:38 PM

Your quite welcome Hutch. The length of additional hose needed may differ from mine, so judge accordingly.

For a "girlie" fix, it works for me

Kitty

emam · 11-18-2007, 09:32 PM

WOW, this is quite the little thread going here. It took me for ever to get through it all.

Kitty I like your set-up. We keep two of those same fuel cans in the bed of the truck for emergencies, and have only needed to use them twice in just over 20,000 miles in the past 11 months. One time was because Cindy had been driving the truck and left her wallet at home, so she couldnt stop to fill up, the other time was when we were in Arkansas and the map showed a town, but it ended up being a ghost town.

After that time, we now do what everyone else has said they do. If we see were near or under a half tank, and we're heading out on the road, we top off the tank. There hasnt been too many times where we havent been able to find Diesel, and believe it or not, traveling the back roads only makes finding it easier. We have more trouble finding it in the cityies then in the smaller towns. Most of the small towns are farm based, so you have a variety of diesel to choose from. Off-road, #2, or Bio-Diesel....it goes on and on, but you know what I mean.

As for owning a diesel over gas. There is no comparision. Just the other day, we were driving up a 7% grade and I had some idiot behind me who kept pulling over into the oncoming lane flashing his brights at me like he wanted me to go faster. I was going the speed limit (45) but I was trying to keep my RPM's low to save some fuel. I finally got pissed and put the pedal down, leaving him in a cloud of smoke and coming over the top of the hill like a bat out of hell!! With a gas motor, that wouldnt have been possible.

Like Kitty said, I dont know if I've ever even used all of my motor yet. I do know that I couldnt imagine towing without the engine brake option Ford has. I know GM has one and I dont keep up what their names are, I just know it is a life saver!!

Another thing I've noticed is our fuel mileage is improving as the miles get higher. Something that everyone tells me will happen, but I'm just starting to notice. I guess a diesel motor isnt even broken in till it turns 20,000 miles.

So as for the Gas VS. Diesel, debate, there really isnt one. Diesel is the way to go. Will we stop traveling as the fuel prices go higher? No, the memories we're making are way more valuable than the price of a barrel of crude. We can sit at home and complain, or be onthe road having fun. Either way, we're going to end up dead broke and happy.

**Sunline Fan** · 11-18-2007, 09:50 PM

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emam · 11-18-2007, 10:00 PM

It will when your gas motor has to be rebuilt at 80,000 miles, and our diesels are still under warranty and working flawlessly at 100,000.

One of my buddies in Michigan in the excavating industry has a work truck (diesel) that has 500,000 miles on it that he drives daily. We all joke with him that he needs to call Ford so they can do some kind of commercial on him. Really he's just cheap, because the body looks like the thing has 700,000 miles on it. But it starts up and runs every single day with not one worry and has been for many years now.

**Sunline Fan** · 11-18-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emam

It will when your gas motor has to be rebuilt at 80,000 miles, and our diesels are still under warranty and working flawlessly at 100,000.

One of my buddies in Michigan in the excavating industry has a work truck (diesel) that has 500,000 miles on it that he drives daily. We all joke with him that he needs to call Ford so they can do some kind of commercial on him. Really he's just cheap, because the body looks like the thing has 700,000 miles on it. But it starts up and runs every single day with not one worry and has been for many years now.

That's amazing, 500,000 miles. Is it a pick-up size diesel or a full size OTR diesel?

Jon

emam · 11-18-2007, 10:32 PM

Ford F20 with the 7L diesel motor, before they came out with the 7.3L Powerstroke. I think it's a 7L, maybe a 6.9L or somwhere around that number.

It looks like it's on its death bed, but he has never touched the motor except for changing the oil, yet he'll tell you that he has replaced everything else on the truck 2 or 3 times in its life