I didn't read all 8 pages of this thread.
But, to the OP. I hope not .
The diesels may cost more in the beginning but, if you are going to tow a lot the extra torque will be worth it. As for them being "Problematic" in the history of diesel engines there have been some that have been. (but , for that reason there have been some bad gas engines too) The 2015 F-350 that my brother owns has been trouble free so far. First time it was in the shop was this week. The right hand electric mirror would not longer fold down.
As for big gas engines. Why do you need them my 2011 F-150 with the 5 liter (302 CI ) engine makes 360 hp and 380 foot pounds of torque. That is more then a 400 CI engine used to make back in the day. With the 6 speed transmission and 3.25 gears it (according to what I could find out on line) will go through the quarter mile at 15.1 seconds and 93 mph. That is as fast as a Mustang or Camero from a few years ago. It seems to get around 15-16 mpg in normal driving.
Why would would you want to go back to big inefficient gas guzzlers ?
As for the EPA well,,, people have short memories. No one remembers when the Smog was so bad in LA that Johnny Carson used to make jokes about it every night.No one remembers Acid Rain. No one remembers Love Canal. And, the many, many, more problems we used to have.
