3/4 ton diesel vs. gas

A1ARealtorRick wrote:

pitch wrote:

schlep1967 wrote:
You know that hill you go up now at 2000 RPM in your diesel? It will be at 5500 RPM in the gasser. If you like to hear a screaming motor, get the gasser. If you like the easy rolling diesel, pay for the repairs and drive it for another 10 years.
A friend of mine just pulled his 35 foot trailer with a diesel for the first time last week. His first comment when he arrived at the campground was, it didn't even work coming up the hill. This is a man that has always modded his exhaust to get the loud V-8 sound. He said "No more screaming motor and stopping for fuel every 150 miles."

What the F? That so called "screaming" motor is working at its designed parameters. Only the uninformed would refer to a working symphony of parts working as designed as screaming.

I'm sure by "screaming" he means the deafening noise, not that the engine isn't doing what it's supposed to. Call me 'uninformed' if you like, but noise is noise -- and it's not a pleasant sound.

I haven't driven a 7.3 but every time that I have updated vehicles I have noticed a significant drop in engine noise, especially at higher speed. The assumption about load noise from a high revving engine probably isn't more true than the assumption that diesels clatter and wake up the whole campground when you come in late at night.

My experience has been that a gas burner burns about 20% more fuel than diesel. Some of the new trucks come with a 48 gallon fuel tank which should be plenty for anyone's bladder to fill up before the tank gives out. Even with my old 460 loaded to the hilt I could go over 300 miles between fuel stops with the two 18 gallon tanks which was always adequate.

My main concern for the op is that the truck in his sig is a Chevy and if he stays with Chevy he will probably have to use premium gas and that would be a huge roadblock for me.

pitch wrote:

schlep1967 wrote:
You know that hill you go up now at 2000 RPM in your diesel? It will be at 5500 RPM in the gasser. If you like to hear a screaming motor, get the gasser. If you like the easy rolling diesel, pay for the repairs and drive it for another 10 years.
A friend of mine just pulled his 35 foot trailer with a diesel for the first time last week. His first comment when he arrived at the campground was, it didn't even work coming up the hill. This is a man that has always modded his exhaust to get the loud V-8 sound. He said "No more screaming motor and stopping for fuel every 150 miles."

What the F? That so called "screaming" motor is working at its designed parameters. Only the uninformed would refer to a working symphony of parts working as designed as screaming.

I'm sure by "screaming" he means the deafening noise, not that the engine isn't doing what it's supposed to. Call me 'uninformed' if you like, but noise is noise -- and it's not a pleasant sound.

Just went through this decision. I was looking at a 2020 6.4 and a 2020 Cummins. The gas had more bells and whistles than the diesel and rode really nice. Price was a little cheaper too, both are used vehicles. Did a lot of research about pulling our 10k trailer with something (four wheeler or golfcart) always in the bed. The diesel just made more sense. I've pulled with a Ford V10 and their 6.2. The V10 was a great engine, just thirsty. 6.2 even with 4.30's in it is way underpowered. The Cummins powered truck does have fewer bells and whistles, but runs good and pulls like a dream.

Yes, a diesel is a superior tow vehicle but more complex and expensive to repair. If you travel extensively and especially if you do a fair amount of mountain towing the diesel is for you. If you just make a couple of trips a year and aren't battling your way through mountainous terrain that often then a gasoline engine is just fine.

IdaD wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
I'd say it's up around 12-15k where you can start to justify needing it.

Heavy duty gas trucks are turds, that's really all I need to conclude to justify a diesel. They're just better from a performance standpoint.

What must one conclude to justify needing $20-30k in comfort and appearance upgrades over a base model?

Describe in detail YOUR experience towing with a modern (2015+) gas-powered 2500 or larger truck. Be specific.

jamesu wrote:
Because of quite expensive repairs on my diesel (see signature) it has got me thinking. I am half way contemplating trading for a 3/4 ton gasser. My diesel tows very well, so I am wondering: would a 3/4 gasser’s towing performance be comparable to my Duramax, or would it be more like a “beefed up” version of the 1/2 ton gasser I used to tow with years ago? On trips I am towing 8500-9000 lbs.

APT wrote:
Comparable, no, but more than good enough as long as you accept a little higher engine speeds.

The first reply hit the nail on the head, the right gas engine will do the job, just not at the same comfort level as the diesel.
I think the cut off for a gas TV is really around 12,000# beyond that you suffer from poor mileage, and slower speeds.
I moved from a 2001 Ram CTD, 5 speed and 3.55’s, I now tow with the 2016 in my signature. I can honestly say that I hardly notice our near 13,000# 5er when towing.
As to cost of maintenance yes newer diesels do cost a bit more, $110 for fuel filters every 15k, but I can also go 15k on an oil change, is that two or three times for gas?
I changed the 2001 every 10k miles, I had to replace the tappet cover gasket at 300,000 miles and the gallery was clean!

schlep1967 wrote:
You know that hill you go up now at 2000 RPM in your diesel? It will be at 5500 RPM in the gasser.

LOL. And if it's a diesel, for every mile you drive, the tooth fairy will put $10 in your bank account.

"You know that hill you go up now at 2000 RPM in your diesel? It will be at 5500 RPM in the gasser."

Too sensational! Properly sized gas engine pulling an appropriate weight at a safe speed will be fine.

jdc1 wrote:
Math. A $1,000 repair each year is like making 2 new truck payments. My truck is 21 years old. I just paid $150 in minor repairs (old cracked hoses). Where would I be able to buy another truck for $150?

Math. $1000 doesn’t go far if you’re not doing your own work.
Math, if the OP is having emissions issues (likely his frustration), $1000 is just a start.
Math, sitting on the side of the road in BFE is $1000 just to get somewhere to start spending more $1000s to fix it, depending on the problems.

Jamesu, if it’s a long bed crew cab, low miles, well kept, I might be interested in it if you’re dumping it for a new truck.