Gas vs Diesel for Towing a Fifth Wheel!!!
I have some issues picking a suitable towing vehicle to haul a travel trailer. Gas vs diesel for towing a fifth wheel? Which one is better? Any suggestion?
Forum Discussion
IMHO, there are a number of differences between gassers and diesels. Just like heated seats and 4WD, each person has to weigh the differences in THEIR situation. Do you NEED heated seats when you could just throw down an extra cushion? Buy what suits you.
5th wheel and camper towing is about more than weight. Frontal square footage and wind resistance are also big factors.
When we looked at upgrading our TV, we considered gas vs diesel and decided it didn't make sense to buy new for our needs.
I'm about $20k into a nice 2002 7.3L Ford Excursion in very good condition (rust free) with just a few minor issues (new seat leather likely later this year for about $1k), and I've already rebuilt the front end and performed most of the 200k service interval items, which we accepted as part of the initial costs, but now good for another 200k miles.
In that cost we have also been able to increase the output and decrease the stress by about 30-50%. Dialing in the last part of it now.
Will our next truck be a gasser or a diesel? Who knows. Just like OP, we'll evaluate it at that time, look at the differences and then decide what is best for us.
I think people who respond to threads like this try to include "Why we are happy with our choice of diesel or gas" - likely more helpful than simply stating the differences that often deteriorates into an academic exercise of "who is smarter about engines" LOL.
The opinions I respect most are those who approach it from the position of "This is my opinion and here are the facts and reasons why," rather than "I know best and anyone who doesn't agree is an idiot" ;)
Longevity, comfort, solid reputation, DIY-maintenance capabilities, superb towing capabilities, stress free travel, pride of "self-built and modified," LEV rating without all the expensive EPA garbage, loads of interior passenger and cargo space, and low initial and ongoing costs are key reasons we purchased our diesel a few years ago.
Cheers!
5th wheel and camper towing is about more than weight. Frontal square footage and wind resistance are also big factors.
When we looked at upgrading our TV, we considered gas vs diesel and decided it didn't make sense to buy new for our needs.
I'm about $20k into a nice 2002 7.3L Ford Excursion in very good condition (rust free) with just a few minor issues (new seat leather likely later this year for about $1k), and I've already rebuilt the front end and performed most of the 200k service interval items, which we accepted as part of the initial costs, but now good for another 200k miles.
In that cost we have also been able to increase the output and decrease the stress by about 30-50%. Dialing in the last part of it now.
Will our next truck be a gasser or a diesel? Who knows. Just like OP, we'll evaluate it at that time, look at the differences and then decide what is best for us.
I think people who respond to threads like this try to include "Why we are happy with our choice of diesel or gas" - likely more helpful than simply stating the differences that often deteriorates into an academic exercise of "who is smarter about engines" LOL.
The opinions I respect most are those who approach it from the position of "This is my opinion and here are the facts and reasons why," rather than "I know best and anyone who doesn't agree is an idiot" ;)
Longevity, comfort, solid reputation, DIY-maintenance capabilities, superb towing capabilities, stress free travel, pride of "self-built and modified," LEV rating without all the expensive EPA garbage, loads of interior passenger and cargo space, and low initial and ongoing costs are key reasons we purchased our diesel a few years ago.
Cheers!
