Robert Henriksen

Oh, I can share one story about tow vehicles. Met a guy in town recently, retired engineer who's retirement hobby is SRF racing, National/Pro level. He bought a 2002 Ford F350 diesel, and put 75k miles on it in one year. Traded it in on a 2003 F350 diesel crew cab, dually, etc, and pulls a big two-car/office space/etc trailer. He says the new 6.0 diesel is much better than the older one: much quieter, stronger. He's very happy w. the new truck.

Bryan Watts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Robert Henriksen:
<strong>The Chevy, from what I've heard, is still a traditional -- that is, noisy -- diesel.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">On the contrary, in my experience the new Chevy is the least noisy of all. I've driven one of each. Chevy has never had a good diesel in the past. The new truck has changed that. Most opinions I've heard and read are that the new Chevy diesel is the best offering (motor wise) on the market. The Dodge is still the loudest of them all.

Bryan Watts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Robert Henriksen:
<strong>Anyone know if you can get a Ford or Dodge in the new diesel *with* the four-wheel steering?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Ford and Dodge? Chevy/GMC is the company who is currently offering Quadrasteer 4-wheel steering. And it's only offered on the 1500 series, so it's not available with the Diesel unfortunately.

I have the "biggest" truck you can get with the 4-wheel steering...it's a Chevy 1500HD, which has the big suspension components, the big 6.0 liter V8, and a full crew cab. It'll turn on the same radius as a Camery or 3-door Saturn...I can get into tighter spots than most small SUV's in a full size crew cab pickup!

Stuttgart

i don't know about the others, but the dodge cummins diesel is a lot quieter than the older ones. 555lb-ft ain't too shabby either. Of course im a little partial to the dodges due to the fact that i sell them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

As for the original question, definitely go with an anti sway device, they make all the difference in the world.

M758

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Robert Henriksen:
<strong>From everything I've ever read, the diesel seems to be the better fit to any kind of towing application than a v-10 gas engine. the V-10 has lots of power, but diesels last longer than a gas motor, get better mileage, and 500+ lb/ft of torque.

My one tow experience was my 993 on a steel open trailer with an F250 7 liter diesel. Was very easy for a first timer. While the V-10 probably would have been the same, its lower mileage has me wondering where the upside of the V-10 is...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">It was avalibe used. We got the truck used. I would have liked a Diesel too, but a 99 V10 in great shape with 40k on it for great price was too good pass-up (about 1/3 the cost of a new diesel similarly equiped). I figured it would take alot of gas to make up the cost difference.
Remember also that the Gas is still easier to find than diesel at the pump. (Especialy in town)

As for mileage. It primailly used for towing so 90% of is miles are tow miles. Figure at about 5k per year.

So while a diesel would have been better, we don't lose much on the V10 for our situation.

Bottomline is a 350 / 3500 series Diesel is the towing king (short of big trucks), but many not suit the needs of everyone.

JBH

Anybody who owns a garage full of Porsches, a tow vehicle, trailer, and a full set of spares should not be too worried about gas price or fuel economy. Your only concern should be torque and range - the diesel wins on both counts.

PMS993

Don't forget, that dual rear end is extremely stable at towing speeds. A strong engine is nice to have but a stable rear end is even better. something about keeping you straight when being passed...

M758

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by JBH:
<strong>Anybody who owns a garage full of Porsches, a tow vehicle, trailer, and a full set of spares should not be too worried about gas price or fuel economy. Your only concern should be torque and range - the diesel wins on both counts.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Yeah, but it is not hard to own a number of Porsches and still not be able to trade all of them in for ONE new Boxster.

Ed Newman

I tow alot for both work and PCA with my Diesel excursion and it is simply a joy. The heavier truck with the diesel power makes it easy. I can pull my 996 on a steel trailer up any hill at 90 mph. You don't even know its there. I routinely trailer 15k+ lbs with it (hope Ford and the DOT are not listening) very smoothly. I can only rave about it. The F series is the way to go. The only thing I can say I wish it had is the 4 wheel steering from the Denali. Also keep in mind that other items like the balance of the trailer and brake setup make a big difference. A good piezo electronic brake controller with digital readout make towing very easy and is worth the extra $100.

PMS993

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Ed Newman:
<strong>I tow alot for both work and PCA with my Diesel excursion and it is simply a joy.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I have the same vehicle as a back-up tow vehicle and the only knock is that there was no load leveling system like the Suburbans have. I subsequently had an aftermarket air system installed to correct this. Otherwise, great vehicle!

Brandon Hull

I tow w/a 4000lb 200hp eurovan, so certainly fall into the "ultra-light" towing class. My one contribution to the question posed by the initial post is that trailer sway, I believe, is largely a function of tongue weight, with the other factors being relative weights of tow vehicle and trailer and, lastly, dually vs. single rear wheels. I have experienced frightening trailer sway towing a Case backhoe behind a large dumptruck, where the backhoe was chained too far back on the trailer. Conversely, I have never had any sway with the eurovan towing a trailex/911, where tongue weight is ~450lbs, about 13% of total towed weight. With dual axle brakes, and patience on long hills, I think a light tow vehicle works surprisingly well.
Brandon H
911SC G #77

Rick964

Brandon,
What is the Eurovan rated at for towing capacity? I have a Chyrsler Town & Country that is rated for 3800#. If I tow my 964 I will be right at the limit and I am trying to decide if that will be too stressful for the van over the hills or just to too uncomfortable for me as the driver.

Brandon Hull

The eurovan is rated for 4500lb w. a braked trailer. I figure I am at about 3700 with 911sc+tires+toolbox+trailex. Engine is 205HP, ~200 torque. Tires are 205/16. It isn't the best scenario imaginable, but I simply don't have the space for a big, little used truck. Interestingly I just returned from two weeks in the UK w a lot of driving: There are very few light trucks w/trailers over there, instead you'll see Audi Wagons (excuse me estate cars) w/full car trailers and campers behind them.

Brandon

Dbltime

This thread is so old I have changed trucks twice!

I drove a new Ford F-250 and a 2500 Dodge Ram. DDecided on the Dodge, quad cab, 4wd, HO Cummins diesel, leather, laramie model with (get this) 6 speed manual! I now have 15000 miles on it and the truck is great. This is my daily driver as well. If I had it to do over again I would get a 3:70 ish rear instead of my 4:10. I carry 35 gallons of fuel, 500 mile range, 350 towing leaving a couple of gallons in reserve. The long trips to Roebling or Sebring are more comfortable than the Benz.