I have a 21K hitch on my truck and am pulling about 19K with the diesel. I did need a hefty truck (when is runs) that can tow the weight. Also, I got the diesel because when you get into the higher elevations the diesel does not loose torque as a gas engine would.(If it doesn't break down.) I knew that a diesel would be more to maintain but I did not expect 1000 fold over a gas engine.