Hello, I just wanted some feedback on your opinions. I have a /6 pick up and love it. I'm also building a 71 Duster/6 for my son (it beats WRX's or turbo Mitsu's-not speed but surely for nostalgic purposes, originality in this day and age and ease of maintenance and reliabilty) I figure I'd bring the lad up right! I have had my share of Hemi's etc... not that I could afford them anymore anyway.
Anyway we had to sell our 5.9 Durango and travel trailer for financial reasons. It was a nice vehicle to travel in however the mpg were not impressive- 15mpg around town, 7-9mpg towing the trailer (5000lbs, 30 feet long).
I'm thinking of building a crew cab for towing a travel trailer - about 3500-4500lbs maybe about 26 feet. I was originally going to install a Cummins but it would also be my daily driver and I'm not too sure about the practicality of a diesel for short hauls plus a whole lot more cost to do so. So downsizing the travel trailer and alot of wishful thinking what do you all think of pulling it with a slant? We take long trips when we goby the way.
I was doing some research on crew cabs and found that the slants were used not only in these but in larger commercial trucks, perhaps the transmission is the critical point here because the engines can obviously handle it. I was entertaining a 5 speed and mild work with the /6 engine (I have 3 sitting on the garage floor)- more torque etc..
My goal would be economy (mpg) and pulling comfortable.
Thanks much, Dale

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1964 Dodge Polara 2dr HT /6 3spd man.

What do you think your total final weight will be? How much will you be towing. I honestly do not think the mileage will be any better than your Durango if your vehicle is big, or if you are towing much.

Sam

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360 at least IMO. Slant will suck gas bad pulling lots of weight+crappy aero? 360! Maybe a 408 360 based low RPM torque monster or a "freebie"

318 based 402.

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's

93 D350 Cummins THD Maxfuel 35mpg parts to hit 400hp+ Suncoast Cat2 A518, converter DDP Stage III injectors 62/64 HX35, 3 piece manifold, 4" Diamond Eye, Gear Venders OD. Stage I street/tow PDD head on order.

The total of the trailer weight will probably be about 4-4500lbs. The length about 26 feet. I was thinking of a 5 speed and EFI. On the highway in my truck (87 Carb-no feed back, auto) I can get 18mpg. If I could get around 12mpg towing I would be happy.
The disappointment in the Durango was because it was much more expensive and newer and still produced those results. I deffinately will NOT use a 360 to pull again. I love the small blocks (I've had many-273, 318, 360 LA & Magnum) but I don't think they're are great for pulling. I had a 79 C class with a 440 - that had all the power needed and I got 10mpg in Colorado.
The alternative would be a Cummins Diesel. I know hands down the mpg will be better towing, but as stated I don't know how practical it would be as a driver.
Thanks, Dale

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1964 Dodge Polara 2dr HT /6 3spd man.

There are tens of thousands of Cummins deisels in daily driver service. I see no drawback to that. They are expensive and heavy but for towing, hard to beat.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

The only thing I hate about driving my Ford Powerstroke in the winter is the huge fogging of smoke and stumbling when it gets down below the 0 mark. Even with the block heater plugged in then it still stumbles around for awhile before I can get anywhere. And it takes foreeeeeeeeeever to get an heat into that big motor.

Other than that I love it more than anything .

How about an exhaust brake?
That will get it up to temp a lot faster...