Re: [VACList] Tow vehicle recommendation needed.

["Tom" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The price of diesel fuel in GA, SC and NC is less than 89 Octane gasoline or
the Plus Grade of gasoline.  Premium gasoline of 93 Octane cost more than
diesel fuel.  I'm not happy with that but there is nothing I can personally
do to lower the price - they tell me it's supply and demand that drives the
prices.  OK - but I'm still not happy with a lesser refined product costing
more that a higher refined one but so be it.

To say that your next vehicle will be gasoline powered leads me to believe
that you were not at all happy with your choice of the Dodge Diesel product.
You express no love in your post as others have for their diesel powered
trucks.  I absolutely love my 2001 Ford Excursion 4x4 Powerstroke Diesel
SUV - or truck as I call it. ;)

I can get close to 15 mpg with my diesel engine rig towing our 1995 34'
Airstream Classic Excella that weighs in at close to 9,000# empty or 10,000#
loaded.  There is no gasoline engine in the world that will ever give me
that type of mileage no matter who makes it.

When the price of all fuels went up at the beginning of the recent war on
Iraq I only felt it one time; when I had to refuel the 44 gallon tank once
during that month.  The highest I ever paid for a gallon of diesel fuel
locally was $1.759 which was higher than premium grade gasoline which was
going for $1.719 - again I was told it was "just a supply and demand
situation."  So be it.

Recently I filled up down in St. Mary's, GA (Exit 1 northbound on I-95
coming into GA from FL) for a "mere" $1.239 for their diesel fuel.  I won't
be refilling the tank again for a couple of weeks until my next venture down
the road.

I personally will NEVER own a gasoline powered tow vehicle for our
Airstreams and other trailers - the cost of gasoline would be prohibitive.

If you weren't happy with your Dodge then try the Ford Powerstroke diesel
engines, you won't be sorry.  Ford is the only manufacturer that offers a
diesel engine in any type of SUV except the H2 Hummer which is one of the
worst quality products on the road.  Even at over $50,000 Hummer stands
alone as the worst example of quality control for a vehicle.  And, the H2
Hummer and it's larger cousin can only tow 7300#.  Amazing what you can buy
for $50-100,000 plus that still won't do the job, isn't it?

Tom
WBCCI 5303