Thread: Tow truck talk

Bigass van with a deisel. The ultimate trackday vehicle.

Thanks guys!
seamus, jeeps are COOL! I have 2 old 350 4bolt main small blocks sitting around...

Any one have any mpg numbers on newer diesels?

From what I have seen, pretty much any gas truck driven 75 with a utility trailer is gonna get about 8MPG. COrrect me if I'm wrong BWhip but both your F150 and F350 get about 8 with your 6x12' trailer.

When Purpdust and I drove a 2006 GMC LBZ Diesel (bone stock) down to SLC we averaged about 11MPG. (mind you this is with Purp's 8x20 trailer) You'd have to drive a hell of a lot of miles for the diesel to pay for itself... also, diesel isn't as readily available in the USA and often costs more than premium gas.

However

The nicest thing about the diesel was the power. Even through the Cascades in Montana that thing almost never shifted down out of 6th, just rumbled along, smooth and quiet and you could barely tell the trailer was there. So if you can afford to spend the extra dough for running a diesel (don't forget maintenance is pricier too) then I think it's justified based on the luxury of power, all other cost arguments notwithstanding.

I get about 10 mpg with my F150 when towing my 7x14 enclosed trailer (dual axle). I'd love an F250 diesel instead, but it's too much truck since my truck is also my daily driver. The F150 is a crew cab. I just got it this past June and so far I really like it. Gas mileage is about 14 around town, to work, etc. I don't know highway mpg, because when I do long highway trips, I usually have the trailer!

Although the Stabbin' Cabin is an old POS, it is by FAR the most convenient bike transport vehicle I have ever used. The bike and all needed sundries all fit right inside, no need to worry about the trailer, etc.

If cost were no object I'd have a long wheelbase high-roof Sprinter van.

Don't they have them in the States? They're getting increasingly common here. People who own them seem to love them.

Originally Posted by seamus

edit: just googled Sprinter Van and it shows as Dodge Sprinter Van. The ones I drove were made by Mercedes. The ones in the pics look exactly like it but are rebadged as Dodge.

That's exactly what they are. With a little MB 5-cyl diesel.

FedEx uses them around here quite a bit. Even UPS has a few. My dad was thinking about getting one before he got his E350, but they were too expensive.

Originally Posted by G-ForceJunkie

How long do you keep your vehicles? The cost of new diesel versus what your excursion will probaly buy a hell of a lot of gas. Unless you keep your vehicles well past 100K miles, your probaly better off running the Excursion untill you wans to sell it because its old or worn out. Then decide how long your going to keep the new vehicle to make the diesel/gas decision. I dont know about where you live, but diesel is is the same price as gas around here, so your Your 12 mpg in the excursion vs say an average of 15 in the diesel (which I think is pretty average, I have seen 17-18mph highway, 13 mpg towing as typical on modern diesels) your going to have to be around 75k miles before the extra cost of the diesel motor even brakes even.

This is all good advice.
Before I got the Excursion I made endless calculations regarding cost of diesel fuel vs gasoline, maint cost comparisons, lentgh of ownership, resale values, and added purchase price.
I ended up deciding that gas was the way to go for me now. And I was probably right overall. I am back to leaning towards keeping it, and making some mods. Free up the exhaust some, new intake, and some kind of chip with a custom tune.
And some new shocks, this thing has the worst ride of just about anything on 4 wheels!
I do have to say that even though the tow rating is not that much different from an oil burner, it sure doesn't do as well as the old powersrtoke when pulling a trailer!

Originally Posted by Leelover

This is all good advice.
Before I got the Excursion I made endless calculations regarding cost of diesel fuel vs gasoline, maint cost comparisons, lentgh of ownership, resale values, and added purchase price.
I ended up deciding that gas was the way to go for me now. And I was probably right overall. I am back to leaning towards keeping it, and making some mods. Free up the exhaust some, new intake, and some kind of chip with a custom tune.
And some new shocks, this thing has the worst ride of just about anything on 4 wheels!
I do have to say that even though the tow rating is not that much different from an oil burner, it sure doesn't do as well as the old powersrtoke when pulling a trailer!

I don't know dude. That sounds like putting off the inevitable. Some mods into a truck that isn't what you really want, will still be a truck that you don't really want. *If* you can swing it, just get the darn diesel. They're so damn cool.

HD

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

I don't know dude. That sounds like putting off the inevitable. Some mods into a truck that isn't what you really want, will still be a truck that you don't really want. *If* you can swing it, just get the darn diesel. They're so damn cool.

HD

Ahah! Finally someone who understands that what I really want is justification!
Thanks HD!

Originally Posted by Leelover

Ahah! Finally someone who understands that what I really want is justification!
Thanks HD!

Hey, if there's one thing I'm good at it's spending other people's money.

HD

Get a Yukon Valdez and wave at all the SUV bashers as you pass by...

Originally Posted by G-ForceJunkie

You guys make good points, but he was not complaining about towing power, spee, handling, unhappy with current ride, simply the $$$ that went in the fuel tank. $$$ out of his pocket willnot be solved by spending $50+k on a new diesel.

Yea but I was reading between the lines. When you look there what reads is

Help me! I want a diesel b/c they are so damn cool. Help me rationalize this to God (wife), Corps (Family), and country (neighborhood). I reaeaalllllyyy want a diesel!

See? It's there. Look again. Closer this time.

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

Yea but I was reading between the lines. When you look there what reads is




See? It's there. Look again. Closer this time.

OMG! HD that is amazing!
Exactly what I meant!
I am going to be real careful what I write in front of you from now on!