Diesel vs gas for truck campers?
Have posted a few questios phere on the truck camper forum asking for help in down sizing to a TC and thanks for the help so far, I have been going over the weights of the TC's that we have looked at...
Forum Discussion
Load capacities can vary greatly between trucks to say nothing of brands. It all comes down to how you CAREFULLY select the model and options. I know Ford tries to keep the load capacity between a gas/diesel engined model within a couple hundred pounds of each other. With most of the big variance being between models, ie: standard, extended or crew cabs and SRW to DRW.
Interesting fact, my 07 Ford SRW has the same 11,400lb GVWR as your 07 Chevy DRW. Though I believe your truck is slightly lighter and thus has an edge on load capacity.
Safest bet is to go to the manufacturers website and study what various configurations spec out to and then order that exact combo from a dealer.
Keep in mind some of the largest TCs really need a 450 or 550.
Personally I enjoy the effortless power (while retaining decent mpg) my diesel gives us. With my camper loaded (puts me close to GVWR) I have pulled the grades on the I70 in CO at 70nph with throttle to spare.
A gas engine would make the grade, just not at the same speed/gear I can. This is due to the power loss a naturally aspirated engine (such as a gasser or non-turbo diesel) experiences at elevation (3 percent per 1K). If you are doing mostly flat land travel or only using camper a few weeks out of the year a gasser isn't as much of a disadvantage.
Interesting fact, my 07 Ford SRW has the same 11,400lb GVWR as your 07 Chevy DRW. Though I believe your truck is slightly lighter and thus has an edge on load capacity.
Safest bet is to go to the manufacturers website and study what various configurations spec out to and then order that exact combo from a dealer.
Keep in mind some of the largest TCs really need a 450 or 550.
Personally I enjoy the effortless power (while retaining decent mpg) my diesel gives us. With my camper loaded (puts me close to GVWR) I have pulled the grades on the I70 in CO at 70nph with throttle to spare.
A gas engine would make the grade, just not at the same speed/gear I can. This is due to the power loss a naturally aspirated engine (such as a gasser or non-turbo diesel) experiences at elevation (3 percent per 1K). If you are doing mostly flat land travel or only using camper a few weeks out of the year a gasser isn't as much of a disadvantage.
