Gas vs Diesel for Towing a Fifth Wheel!!!

Taylor90 wrote:
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?

I love the old gas versus diesel debate. Almost as good as religion or politics.

I traded in my 2012 F250 CCSB 6.2L gasser with 3.73 differential for a 2017 F350 CCLB DRW 6.7L turbo diesel with 4.10 differential. I really liked that F250, it was very comfortable and dead reliable. I think the 6.2L gas engine is amazing. I never saw any ill effects resulting from operating in the upper rpm range. In fact, if anything, I flirted with disaster by forcing the engine to lug. I just really hate the sound of high rpm's, regardless of what my mind knows.
The biggest drawback was fuel mileage - or lack thereof. Pulling, I got 8 or 9 mpg. If I was really careful, I might get 10 occasionally.
Unloaded, the best I ever got was 13 mpg.

The F350 is a torque monster. I recently pulled a fifth wheel from Indiana to southern Utah. Going through the mountains was a non-event. I don't remember the truck ever dropping out of sixth gear.
Loaded mileage runs between 10 and 13 mpg while unloaded can be as high as 20 mpg.

One thing I really dislike about diesel trucks is refueling. Diesel pumps have got to be the nastiest places you can park your truck and walk around in. Diesel fuel gets on everything and leaks everywhere. I have yet to see a diesel pump without a black, oily puddle around it. I keep a box of nitrile gloves under the back seat and always put one on when refueling. Also, DEF is highly corrosive, so you want to be very careful about pumping or pouring it.

Today's diesel engine has to run on ultra low Sulphur diesel. This means there is not a heck of a lot of lubricity inherent in the fuel, which things like the high pressure fuel pump rely upon. The introduction of any appreciable quantity of water will wash away the fuel and cause the fuel pump to self destruct, resulting in high dollar repairs. This is only a potential downside. If you keep your filters up to date and check the fuel/water separator regularly, it is a non-issue. But you do need to stay on top of maintenance. No corner cutting allowed.

Unless you are towing the heaviest of fifth wheels, my truck would likely be overkill for your needs - it has two batteries, two alternators, two replaceable fuel filters and two independent liquid cooling systems with four thermostats. As well as a turbo charger. Not to mention six tires!
The gas engine equipped F350 SRW could have two batteries and two alternators, but otherwise is much less demanding maintenance wise.

Many folks like to point out that they can go 70 mph up the mountain. Personally, I drive 55 mph everywhere I go. Occasionally I will go 60, and rarely have I gone 65. Fuel consumption is very speed dependent.

So, there are pros and cons to either choice, and neither is the "best" for every person. I suggest selecting the camper you want, then buy your truck based on the next size up camper.