I know the diesel fans mean well for the most part, but what's always bothered me about these debates is that often times, nobody bothers to ask
* how often they'll be towing
* how far they'll be towing
* if (and/or how) they plan to use their truck as a daily driver
My next truck is going to be a HD Gas engine. Why? Because I'll use it 85% of the time when I'm NOT TOWING, and when I do tow, it'll be weekend warrior trips with my family. I can get a brand new HD 1-ton Gasser very well equipped for under $40K. It'll get 15MPG empty, tow virtually anything I want it to, and cost me $10-$15K less than a comparable diesel engine.
Sorry for the rant, but for some of us, the right tow vehicle involves more than raw pulling power.