andes2

Hello: I am a new member and first time posting a thread. Let me begin by saying I currently do not own a diesel truck, but I am shopping for a new 3/4 ton and large 5th wheel and I am considering joining the diesel family.
The advice I am looking for mostly concerns winter driving and amount of driving that I do. This truck would be our 2nd vehicle and one that I would use to drive to work, which is only 15-20 mins away. Most of the time it would be used for city driving and it is possible that it could be sitting in the garage for 2-3 day stretches. I live in Saskatchewan and winters can get pretty cold here. So the advice I am looking for is wether my driving habits are suitable for a diesel or should I just stick with a gas guzzler?

STate

You wont find to many members here that would give advice to buy a gasser. We've all been bitten by the diesel bug and I know that I will never go back to a gas truck. The pros far outweigh the cons on diesel vs. gas. That being said... How big of a 5th wheel are you looking at? How often will you be towing it? and what is your driving style? It is important that you consider these questions before buying a new diesel or whatever you end up with. If your a wanting a 30'-40' 5th wheel I think you may want to consider a one ton truck, possibly even a dual rear wheel. But you also need to consider if you are willing to drive a big truck as a daily driver. These dodge trucks with the Cummins motor are excellent in stock form, but if you like to soop up your vehicles there are more things to be considered. The new 6.7l from what Ive read on this site, is a beast, but the drawback is the emissions controls and as a result of the emisions, lower fuel mileage. I personally believe the 5.9l is the best motor ever built and if you dont mind buying used, can be found for a decent price. I dont know if the truck sitting for 2-3 day stretches should be a factor in what you purchase, however, some members my feel differently, hopefully they will chime in and give you some more advice.

STate

Again, if the truck you buy will remain in stock form, I believe an automatic transmission would suit your needs, However if you plan on making any power modifications I suggest a manual trans. Plus I have read on this site that often times a manual trans is better suited for towing.

andes2

Thanks for the info....the trailer we are looking at buying is about 30 ft and will weigh around 7500 - 7800 lbs when loaded. I am currently looking for the 5.9 engine. I do not race or plan to mod the truck except for maybe adding an edge w/att for towing and monitoring capabilities. I have been told that infrequent small trip driving is not good for the engine...especially in winter. This is where I need help to decide which way to go.

STate

Honestly, I think the Cummins engine is the last thing you need to worry about. There built like brick you know whats. They are built to run, and thats what they do, but short trips shouldnt effect the performance or reliability. I dont think.

Price_Dog

You won't be disappointed with your Cummins truck. Drive it a couple times a week (I try to drive mine at least once a week) and the engine will outlast the body of the truck. The 5.9 engine is the best thing the Dodge trucks have going for them, hands down. With an engine block heater (standard) you won't have to worry about cold starts. Keep some additive in the fuel to help prevent gelling of fuel (or part inside if possible) and you'll be good to go.

Thomas

andes2

Thanks for responding. Another question I have is that I will be parking downtown when I work without being able to plug in. Will I have to periodically start it and let it run? If so, at what temp and for how long?

Jeff in TD

How cold are you talking about? Synthetic oil can be run at lighter viscosity that can improve cold weather starting...

I've never found a temp that my truck wouldn't start when not plugged in, but you can tell it is rough on it, and it doesn't get all that cold here.

Short runs in the winter are less than optimal for the engine whether it is gas or diesel. Condensation can build up inside the crank case. As long as you got it up to operating temp and held it there for 30 minutes or so once a week, I think you'd be OK.

7800 pounds seems kind of light for a 30' fifth wheel. My 30' toyhauler has a gross weight rating of 12000. It puts around 2100 pounds of that on the hitch. Add the weight of camping gear, people, plus the weight of the hitch and I think I'd be well over the rated capacity of a 3/4 ton.

I had a single rear wheel one ton, but am looking at bigger trailers so I got a dually. Even with just the 30' trailer, the dually is notably more stable.

Anyway, how often do you plan on towing, and how many miles do you figure you will put on towing, and daily driving?

andes2

Temps usually range from -20 - -30C ( -4 - -22F) for most of the winter but can dip to -35C (-31F) and below during Jan & Feb, but usually not for long periods of time.

the GVWR on this trailer is around 10,000 lbs, but normally it never gets that high. I am estimating that when packed for camping it will run 7500-7800 or possibly over 8000 lbs if I run with a full 45 Gal water tank, but usually I don't.

For mileage towing we like to travel to northern Saskatchewan or into the States for our main vacation and have plans to take a trip to the west coast soon. My wife is also trying to convince me to drive to the East Coast, but I'm not sold on that yet.

Jeff in TD

So the truck would have to be able to start at -31f without being plugged in? I've never attempted that, so I don't know how it would go.

I talked with a guy with a gas Ford V-10. He claimed he got around 15 empty if it was all highway driving, which when you figure in how much more expensive diesel fuel is (here anyway) compared to Regular gas, seems pretty reasonable. Towing, though, gas trucks might get 6 or so where my truck might get 11 or 12 with a similar trailer...

06RAM2500

Diesels weren't exactly built for short trips, especially in the winter.

andes2

I just spoke to someone in our head office who told me about webasto BlueHeat engine heater...12V combustion heater...he said he ran it for years and had no trouble starting it after it sat all day in vacant lot. They are expensive but worth it. I am now waiting to get a call back from the local dealer on the cost. If it's close to reasonable then I'll be driving a 5.9 very soon.

TonyB

In AZ winters, Overnight might be as low as ~30F (-1C). Never a problem starting with or without the block heater plugged in.

BTW...Search is your best friend!

Some quotes from this thread:
Bottom line: cold weather, short runs and diesels get along just fine, with a few caveats;
1) 5W40 oil in the winter, probably OK in the summer, if the ambient temps are not too high, depending upon what your owners manual calls for.
2) Plugging in or aux heater is nice, but not mandatory
3) Exhaust brake
3A) VERY nice for towing, particularly for larger loads like your 5th wheel
3B) When coolant temp is <180F, at idle, the EB will close to raise exhaust temps to warm up the engine faster. Example: My '06 warms up in ~15 minutes of idling at 40-50F ambient.
4) No glow plugs on these trucks; grid heaters to warm up the incoming air, until the engine is above some temp, or you go over 22mph (IIRC).
5) IF you want the auto with the exhaust brake, stay with an '06 or early '07. '07.5 was the introduction of the 6.7L
6) Short runs - Try a little longer route to force the engine to warm up completely
7) You can install a cold front - blocks air to radiator & intercooler. At 30F ambient temps, my truck needs ~10 miles to fully warm up. That's 3 miles short of my drive to work. Ran 2 winters like that with no issues.

HTH

Tony

Nuttymopar

I have only owned single rear wheels but I hear that duallies can be a bear to drive without any load during the winter months. I'm sure it might all come down to the type of tire one is using also, not sure.

In Vermont, it gets down to -20 or below for a week at least in the middle of the winter and have never had a problem starting truck from sitting outside for 8 hour shift at work. Cold Weather front does help also in regards to warming up faster and they usually have battery blankets also.

I'd say, go with the diesel.

andes2

Thanks for the info. I am 90% decided on the diesel. Thanks again