Gas or Diesel

With you driving it around a lot, you might do better with a diesel. When we bought the 2010 F250 Supercrew we had, we bought a V10 gasser. Reason being that it was about $5000 or more cheaper, Diesel gas costs more, and some other routine maintenance was more (but intervals were longer). We didn't drive it much. Camping and then a little here and there. There was not enough reason for us to justify the added cost. If budget is an issue, which was for use, get out the calculator. Crucnh the numbers. Find out the gas mileage of the gasser and the diesel. Make two columns (gas/diesel). Figure out the cost per mile. Figure out how many miles you drive in a year. Figure out the yearly cost per mile...Take the price difference between a gasser and diesel and divide it in the numbers for an average time. 5 years, 7 years, 10 years ( or however long you will have the truck).

You just gotta play with the numbers. As far as pulling, then a diesel will probably give you better power on pulling. Diesel engines generally last longer also, if that matters to you.

HERE are over 400 pages directed at your very question from a "Sticky" in the Tow Vehicle forum.

I have towed with both and can say my personal preference is diesel. Night and day difference from the gassers I used.

If the gasser is doing the job, you don't need a diesel. Especially if you are happy with the current truck and would only trade it because you 'think you might need a diesel.' You'd never recoup the money lost on trade with the small diesel fuel (diesel gas??? LOL) savlings.

However, if money is of no concern and you just want a more powerful tug, then by all means get a diesel. And by the way, if you have some extra bucks you just want to get rid of, I'll help you out... ;)

rexlion wrote:
If the gasser is doing the job, you don't need a diesel. Especially if you are happy with the current truck and would only trade it because you 'think you might need a diesel.' You'd never recoup the money lost on trade with the small diesel fuel (diesel gas??? LOL) savlings.

However, if money is of no concern and you just want a more powerful tug, then by all means get a diesel. And by the way, if you have some extra bucks you just want to get rid of, I'll help you out... ;)

X2
However, you sound more like you want a change rather than need a new vehicle. That's entirely your decision.

For as little as you're towing, I would say no to the diesel. For a daily commuter gas engines are a better choice in my opinion. Where the diesel really shines is in towing, especially if you tow the mountains a fair bit. While you hear a lot about diesel torque for pulling the hills, you don't hear as much about the engine brake on newer diesels which is just as sweet in my opinion. I find I can control my speed on downhills with the engine brake alone on my diesel where I would be in 2nd gear constantly hitting the brakes to keep from over revving the engine with the gasser.

Back to the commuting thing, I find that this time of year when it's really cold outside I'm just getting the diesel truck up to normal operating temp by the time I get to work, which is not particularly good for the emissions system. I use the truck almost exclusively for towing, hauling etc and use a gasser to commute.

For your listed 12 days of pulling a year, gas would be your better option. 35 ft TT is a long TT, so yes, a long wheel base truck would be better suited!

My gasser serves me just fine. The diesel will have a little more low end torque. My wife doesn't like the way a diesel smells, which holds a lot of weight in my decision making process... and personally I don't like riding down the road behind one either. Jmho

Short hauls are not good for diesel engines they never get to operating temps, they're not grocery getters unless wallyworld is 30 miles away.

Gas or diesel is fine as long as it can handle the weight. If you really know the camper is back there, as in needing to reduce speeds or wind making a mess of your travels you may want more truck. If it is powered by a gas or diesel does not really matter for the miles you put on.