Diesel or Gas

[Franky55]

is it really worth buying a diesel truck wich are more expensive than gas one with the price of diesel that is more expensive than regular gasoline. I'll curry a fifthwheel with it for long ride. I will do around 16 000km or 9 950 miles for the round trip every winter time. I'll have hill not only flat road. I know on a hill the truck using gas are slower and need a lot of power compare diesel. What do you think about that.

[Rhagfo]

Lot a variables!
What size and weight is the 5er?
What is your comfort level listening to your engine really rev.
What are the other uses for the TV?


We tow a 12,500# 5er with a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW diesel, looking at larger 5ers.

[tuffr2]

The new gasoline engines are better than the old gasoline engines. At least the GM 6.6 gas engine is more powerful than old 6.0 gas engine. Fords 7.3 will be better than their old 6.8. GM improved the cooling on their engine. In a few weeks we will see the new Ford gas engine. For the Ford you will also get a 10 speed transmission. This is a big wildcard. Not sure how this will change the gas truck.

This being said the diesel engines are getting more powerful also. The cost of diesel is made up when you sell it. Initial cost is $10,000 more but at trade in you will get a chunk of that $$$ back.

A gas engine will be more refined then the diesel engine with a much simpler emission system.

In a nutshell, gas engines are better but diesel is still preferred to tow heavier weight. I would now say if towing over 12,000lbs you will want diesel.

[tuffr2]

If you are trying to decide on a truck good luck. 2011 was a good year for trucks. 2017 was also a good year. Now 2020 looks like a great year for trucks. You can use Google to see the generations of engines. Example - you can Google 'generations of Ford Power Stroke' you will get a summary of changes.

All in all it is getting more and more difficult to make a mistake on trucks as all 3, Ram, Ford, GM are making the best trucks in the history of the world.

[Bob_C]

If you can get 15.4 miles towing across this country with a gasser, good luck!......Old diesel Ram does pulling 11,000.......and get 24 empty....

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

If you can get 15.4 miles towing across this country with a gasser, good luck!......Old diesel Ram does pulling 11,000.......and get 24 empty....

We should put it to the test on Mythbusters.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by Franky55

is it really worth buying a diesel truck wich are more expensive than gas one with the price of diesel that is more expensive than regular gasoline. I'll curry a fifthwheel with it for long ride. I will do around 16 000km or 9 950 miles for the round trip every winter time. I'll have hill not only flat road. I know on a hill the truck using gas are slower and need a lot of power compare diesel. What do you think about that.

There was a super long discussion on this a few months back. If you scroll down the forum a bit you'll see it, same title too. I haul 13k lbs with my gas dually and wouldn't get a diesel for this weight.

[Bob_C]

Meaning?

[kdauto]

All I'm saying is any diesel truck I've seen hauling a 10 000 lb+ 5th wheel all seem to get 9 to 11 MPG tops. Lots of people use some fuzzy math and get weird numbers. So much wind resistance on a 12' + 5th wheel or even some tall travel trailers that high MPG ratings are unheard of, I don't care what the tow vehicle is.

Most gassers seem to get 1.5 to 2MPG less on average,same road, same load.

[jjackrash]

Diesel is worth it to me, personally. I prefer driving a Duramax-equipped truck, loaded or unloaded. I'm not driving my truck commercially, so I don't feel the need to figure out actual costs over time versus gas. Even assuming the cost is more over time, the driving experience is worth it to me.

[Dieselguy4]

I would go with the diesel. A gas pickup will do ok but you will not be happy going up or down hills. Towing with these new diesel pickups is amazing. I can set the cruise control at 65 mph with my exhaust brake in auto and have a very relaxed experience. Not with a gas engine it will shift gears on every hill and you of coarse do not have a exhaust brake. I tow a 13k ln 5th wheel with my 2017 ford F350 diesel and my 8k lb enclosed car trailer with my 2006 Dodge 3500 diesel. Had a 2006 hemi 1500. Pulled my car trailer with it once. Went back to my diesel. The fast lane truck ran a new 2020 Chevy with a 6.6 gas up the Ike guantlet with a 16k trailer and slowed down to 25 mph at one point. Had 10 brake applications going down hill. The 2020 Duramax with a 16k lb trailer had 2 brake applications going down hill and didn't drop below 55 mph going up the ike. All three Ford, Ram and GM make great trucks. If you want a relaxing tow experience go with the diesel.

[jimcumminsw]

Both of my vehicles are diesel engines, my wife's 2011, VW Jetta and my 2008, Dodge Mega cab with the 6.7L Cummins in it.

I did pull a couple of times with a gas engine truck and I said never again. Why? It is almost impossible to get tow vehicle, equipped with a gas engine and trailer into a service station to fill up on the road. With my diesel truck I can fill-up in the truck lanes and I am willing to pay the extra cents for the convenience and no headaches when towing. Plus I can tow up a mountain road and not worry about the engine racing around 3,000 RPM's as I tow up a 6 to 7% slop. I am doing 55MPH and under 2,000 RPM's in 5th gear.

[NevadaNick]

Dollar wise the gas truck is probably the best bet. I bought a dsl pickup because thats what i wanted.

[grindstone01]

Originally Posted by NevadaNick

Dollar wise the gas truck is probably the best bet. I bought a dsl pickup because thats what i wanted.

I agree with that.
Another benefit of diesel is the exhaust brake and that I can carry a 100 gal aux tank in the truck bed, so getting fuel during most trips is not needed. I would not carry a 100 gal of gas around in a truck bed!!