Choosing Gasoline or Diesel Powered?

It is good reading, and I know torque is important for driveability, but the point I often make is that an 8.1 has 400 ft lbs of torque (455 peak) from about 1500 rpm to 4000 rpm. Put a 2:1 gear reducer at tailshaft of engine and you have minimum of 800 ft lbs from 750 rpm to 2000 rpm. Now you have a power plant that mimics the C-7,with max torque of 920 ft lbs. I know fat torque curves make for easy driving and minimum shifting, but I still look at horsepower if you want to judge hill climbing ability, acceleration, etc. Everyone says it's torque that gets you up the hill, but I say it is horsepower and proper gearing. I have a 36' unit and tow and am at maximum total weight of 26000#. I have been all over the US and Canada and have never had a problem. I have gotten down to 35 mph at altitude on steep grades a couple of times, but I didn't see any diesels whipping up these grades either. I also will be the first to say that if I went any larger, I would get a diesel (at least 370 horsepower) for many of the reasons you mention. But I think there are a lot of folks out there who drive diesels who would be better off with gassers and vice versa. You make many good points in your post--great reading.