truck

Have you noticed the diff in price of diesel vs gas lately? Around her it's about $1.00 per gal.

Price a reman engine for each. Not sure on a gasser but my 7.3 is about $10K for reman long block. Yes they have a reputation for running much longer unless a catastrophic event takes place. That said I will add that I am not one to trade trucks every 2/3 yrs. I look @ long term.

Like I said I love my truck but If I did not need it I wouldn't own one. If & when I quit camping I will sell it. Have never seen anyone run oil 15K between changes unless they are not sending it to a lab. Blackstone suggested I only run mine 5K with the towing in extreme heat here in Az. $100.00 for me to do it @ home.

Here it is in a nutshell - not considering purchase cost, or maintenance costs, or any other usage differences between the two types of engines:

It boils down to whether or not you want an engine that shifts "a little" (diesel engine) or "more" (gas engine) when pulling your Fleetwood. To some owners this difference, seemingly subtle, may be important. Other than at high altitudes (since most modern light truck diesel engines are turbo-charged, while many modern light truck gas engines are not), there are light truck gas engines now being offered that come close in "performance feel" to light truck diesel engines.

Horsepower is what provides the work energy and horsepower is horsepower .... whether it comes from a gas engine or a diesel engine. The only "torque" that counts is the torgue the finally gets applied to the drive axle(s). Since a diesel engine of any given horsepower produces high(er) torque on it's crankshaft, it can spin at lower RPMs and a vehicle using it can have taller overall gearing ratios and hence needs less transmission gear changing to keep the proper torque applied to the drive axle(s). Since a gas engine of any given horsepower produces low(er) torque on it's crankshaft, it must spin at higher RPMs and a vehicle using it must have lower overall gearing ratios and hence needs more transmission gear changing to keep the proper torque applied to the drive axle(s).

The choice as to which power plant to use is as simple - or as complicated - as that.

Gas, one-ton, SRW
You will still know it is back there.

I'm not sure I understand why people are saying a diesel truck has higher operating costs? it certain has much higher purchase cost (more on that).. but the far better fuel economy more than offsets the higher cost of fuel. The oil changes are less frequent when you have 3 gallons of oil in the sump. 15k mile oil changes vs 5k mile oil changes.

The lifespan of the engine with a 350k mile life expectancy is where you offset the initial purchase cost..

So where's the extra operating costs?

Diesel only makes sense if it is needed. What terrain do you tow in? Is the tow vehicle dedicated tow rig or daily driven etc. If I did not need a diesel to tow in the mtns or if it were a daily driver I would not own one. Operating costs are much more than a gasser. My truck is only for towing and I tow in the mtns about 90% of the time so the added torque & exhaust braking makes it worthwhile for me.

rayroof10 wrote:
it pulls it ok but can tell it is back there, l am looking to buy a 3/4 or 1 ton.

You'll still know it's back there, no matter what you get. When people say that to me I just agree with them.

I'd get a new F150 (2012 or newer) with the long bed, max trailer tow and heavy duty payload packages.

You also need to look at how many miles a year you tow that trailer.

If you're not towing very far, or very often, it could make a big difference in the numbers.

Ray, as stated it is your choice. The now a day gassers sport up to and slightly over 400 ponies. They stay hungry.

I switched from an old 99 powerstroke to a F250 6.2 and will never look back towing my 11.5K fifth wheel.

With that light a load I think your decision should be based on your needs, your budget, and what turns your crank.

good luck

Would the truck be a daily driver also ?

Did you buy that 96 F150 new ?