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Old 10-02-2014, 04:17 PM   #1
6mm
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Gas vs Diesel TV

OK i have just one more question for those who went from a gasser to a diesel tow vehicle.
We tow with a F350 SWR 6.2L 4x4 2013 and think we will upgrade to a diesel rig.
But my question is for those of you who went from a gasser to a diesel rig just how much better did it tow,shift and just general terms on how it felt it improved in terms of just more guts.
When I get in the hilly country my truck shifts and rpms are high to stay at a steady speed,all of which drives me nuts.
So will I be much happier with the diesel??? and how much happier will I be?
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Old 10-02-2014, 05:01 PM   #2
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Can't say how happy you'll be, but the added torque at lower RPM makes a diesel much nicer to use for towing. You'll have to learn new habits, temperature and RPMs are more important in a diesel than gas vehicle.
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Old 10-02-2014, 05:37 PM   #3
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So I guess what I am saying(or asking) is will I say to myself MAN I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS SOONER this diesel is so much better I love it.
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Old 10-02-2014, 05:57 PM   #4
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I almost bought a new F250 gasser but at the last minute bought a Ram 2500 with the Cummins diesel. Glad I did. Love it and it tows like a dream.
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Old 10-02-2014, 06:24 PM   #5
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Well 6mm I can tell you I had a 2001 Holiday Rammbler 36' gass and now I have a Fleetwood Revolution 40' diesel and I wouldn't go back to gas the ride is much better and the back end doesn't sway like the gas one did. I am very happy with the diesel. I have not towed anything with it yet it's still new to me but I will be towing a chysler van very soon. good luck
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Old 10-02-2014, 07:15 PM   #6
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6mm. Yes you will think wow how did I get by with a gasser before. When I had fivers I always had Cummins diesel dodge trucks. That was back when the torque was much less than nowadays. It's really nice just cruising over the hills and never even shifting out of overdrive. It's really the best way to go if you tow frequently or tow a decent amount of weight.

I am partial to ram trucks and cummins engines but all 3 make a good truck nowadays. I think you would be fine with either. Go drive and price all 3 and let us know which way you go. Get the out of pocket price from the dealer to compare with not just the msrp. Different manufacturers have different markup which means more out of pocket.

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Old 10-02-2014, 08:17 PM   #7
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Just look at the torque/rpm curve and you'll know all you need to know. And fuel economy while towing is a fringe benefit.
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Old 10-02-2014, 08:31 PM   #8
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I have a 27' Toy hauler that comes in at 9400# and my old 5.3 gasser would rev almost to redline getting on freeway onramps here in Florida and barely be up to 50-55 mph at the end of the merge lane to a 70 mph zone. A bit dangerous.

My 5.9 Dodge diesel towing the same trailer barely gets above 2500 rpm and I am doing 60-65 at the end of the same merge lanes at the top of the onramps. RPMs stay lower, tons of torque allow the transmission to stay in a higher gear or shift to a higher gear way before any gasser can.

I use my 2500 as a daily driver, and it hardly ever downshifts to a lower gear to accelerate to pass. Ease on the throttle, and it gains speed like a gasser downshifting to pass.

The diesel motor is heavier than a gas motor, and adds stability to the truck. I moved from a 1500 extended cab Z71 GMC 5.3 to the Dodge 2500 Quad cab 5.9 SLT 4x4 diesel. I had upgraded tires already to LT tires (both trucks have the same size, and since I had 2 sets for the GMC, I kept my new LT tires and eventually mounted them on the Dodge) SO - SAME TIRES, GMC had Z71 and tow package, almost as stiff as the 2500 suspension (I don't feel too much difference in the ride), BUT that heavy motor keeps the truck steadier than the 1500 getting passed by semis while towing 27' of trailer. For comparison, the 1500 weighed in at 5600# and the 2500 w/diesel weighs in at 7600#

I won't go back to a gas motor for a truck. Gas is for my bikes and lawnmower.
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Old 10-02-2014, 11:49 PM   #9
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So I guess what I am saying(or asking) is will I say to myself MAN I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS SOONER this diesel is so much better I love it.
I don't want to turn this into a gas vs diesel war as there are plenty of those, but that is exactly what you will say.
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Old 10-03-2014, 04:44 AM   #10
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Yep... It's night and day better towing. Love pulling with my Cummins.
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Old 10-03-2014, 11:04 AM   #11
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Yes, you'll wonder, as I did... Why didn't I do this sooner??? My first long trip towing with the diesel netted about 40% better fuel economy towing, and it downshifted twice under load in the hills in Central Texas coming home. I maintained 65 mph while towing effortlessly. As said before, all 3 of the Big 3 make good trucks. My choice came down to price, Cummins, and looks, so I bought the RAM, after being a Ford-only guy for many years.
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Old 10-03-2014, 12:01 PM   #12
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we towed our 37ft KZ sportsman toy hauler to Tucson from Missouri 2 years ago with a 2008 chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas.. $850 worth of gas later we were there. spent most of the time in 4th gear.. One week after getting to tucson we traded the truck for a 09 F250 super duty, king cab long bed with the 6.4 liter diesel.. Towing home the truck stayed in overdrive with the cruise on most of the way. There is no comparison. We have since traded the whole rig in for a 2004 HR Endevour with the Cummins 8.3 and just love it.. Put 6500 miles on it this year with only minor problems that come with a house on wheels.
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Old 10-03-2014, 02:05 PM   #13
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The difference between a gasser and a diesel is the depth of your pockets.
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Old 10-03-2014, 03:21 PM   #14
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So I guess what I am saying(or asking) is will I say to myself MAN I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS SOONER this diesel is so much better I love it.

I think he's already said it,
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