Hey all, new to the forum and new to truck campers.I do not have a camper or a truck yet but have been doing a lot of research and trying to come up with a solution for my specific needs.The biggest debate seems to be Diesel vs Gas in my decision making.First off, the truck camper I am looking at is around 3050lbs DRY with no pop outs. I will also be towing a bass boat which will weigh a maximum of 5000lbs soaking wet. I realize that if cost weren’t a factor, it would probably be a resounding DIESEL due to the overall efficiency aspect of a diesel while towing, however, my research is pointing toward gas for several reasons.The truck I am looking at is a F-350 (SRW) with the 6.2l gas engine, which properly rigged is rated for 4,500lb payload capacity and more than enough towing capacity after that. The reason I am leaning toward this setup is that #1, I really want to stick with a SRW truck versus a dually because it is going to be my primary vehicle too, and the SRW Diesel offerings dont have that kind of payload capacity due to the added weight of the Diesel engine and I need the cushion in payload for added gear. #2 the up front cost of a diesel is a huge factor, with the cost of fuel also being pretty costly, not to mention maintenance. I dont plan on keeping the truck for more than 200k at most, so longevity of a diesel is not a factor for me.Now, the reason I am writing this is because after all my research of the pro’s and cons, I have not been able to find any reports from owners of the 6.2l gas engines on how they perform with a truck camper. All my needs seem to be getting met with the 6.2l but it all comes down to real-life performance.Anyone have experience with this engine? Is gas going to perform ok for my needs, or am I going to be turning around and getting a diesel?Thanks in advance.

Similar camper weight, not towing anything just yet, air bags, stable loads, and Ranchos. Handles like a dream. Driving through hills and mountains with tow mode on feels like you're driving a standard.

6.2 with deep gears will do what you want just fine. Don't buy it because of the additional "payload" it offers. Long discussion and every 4th thread is about the same ___ so you can read up on that.Have had 2 of them. A 2012 and a 2015 model 6.2 F250s both with 3.73s and wouldn't have hesitated to to drop a camper on them and tow a small/med trailer at the same time. (Company rigs, not camper hauler)The engine/drive train combo is as reliable as anything out there IMO.The most similar "load" I hauled/pulled was about 1500-2000lbs in the truck bed and an enclosed high profile trailer weighing about 4klbs. Got the same mileage as towing a 10-14klb flatbed trailer with low profile load. Average about 8mpg towing, 13 empty. The truck you're contemplating will be a great fit for your intended purpose.

Basswest1 wrote: The truck I am looking at is a F-350 (SRW) with the 6.2l gas engine,What axle ratio?

BradW wrote:Basswest1 wrote: The truck I am looking at is a F-350 (SRW) with the 6.2l gas engine,What axle ratio?4.30 is the one that I’m seeing would be best.

The diesel v/s gaser dilemma is very simple when you take pen & paper and do some calculation. In all those years of thousands similar debates, I have seen only 1 member on this forum actually doing so. All others argue for the sake of arguing. Bottom line, it is as simple as "pay me now, or pay me more later". Same with choosing SRW. 3050 lb "dry" camper is probably 3500lb sold with options. Add water, food, beer, clothing and you are at 4500 lb. Boats don't have big tongue weight, but still might add another 2-400 lb on rear axle. You can pay less now for SRW and pay later for suspension and wheels upgrade, but most of members going this route ended up buying dually after-all. Pay less now, to pay more later. Good luck with with your choice.

Gas VS Diesel FORD For Truck Camper | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

deserteagle56
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2019
brholt wrote:
My experience and thoughts. Still feel the same with many more miles:

Heavy truck camper and Ford 6.2 L

Your experience with the rolling hills, and the tranny constantly shifting on them, brought back memories! I hated that! Especially after I had to have my tranny rebuilt and was told by the shop that if I was driving in an area where the tranny was constantly shifting, to pull it down into a lower gear and leave it there. And it reminded me why I stay with my old diesel. Up hill or down hill, once at speed it doesn't need to shift again.
brholt
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2019
My experience and thoughts. Still feel the same with many more miles:

Heavy truck camper and Ford 6.2 L
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Feb 16, 2019
No doubt the 6.2 ....4.30 option will handle a 4k lb TC and pull a bazz boat.

However the thing about that 4500 lb payload sticker is its a gvwr based payload which has to be spread over the trucks front and rear axles.
The problem is a TC and a trailers tongue weight will be carried on the trucks rear axle.
Gas or diesel F350 srw rear axle can weigh in the 3200-3400 lb range. Now add that 4500 lb payload = 7700-7900 lbs. The f350srw may have a 6340 or 6780 or 7230 rawr depending on 17" or higher capacity 18"-20" tires. Now the trucks rear tires/wheels or rear spring pack is overloaded.
Lots of F350 srw truck camper owners go with higher rated wheels/tires and air bags or some type of rear suspension help.

Depending on cab selections and wheelbase and the trailer the trucks front axle may or may not carry any payload weight.
Stay tuned as other TC owners with one ton SRW trucks may have the same combo and offer their suggestions or help with suspension mods. Many are very informed on how to safely mod a truck for that purpose.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2019
K_and_I wrote:
I know this is just one person's experience, but I don't think you have to worry about the 6.2 engine. Flatbed Ed is a transporter and frequent contributor to Fort Truck Enthusiasts Forums.

Clicky

This is another rare experience, like that Ford van, who run for almost 1.3 million miles on gasoline engine.
Vehicles who put lot of miles annually tend to last much longer, than average grocery getters and it is quite hard to make comparison.
Question is how much longer they would run on diesel engines?
Lastly the fuel price difference on 400,000 miles makes nice college fund.
K_and_I
Explorer
Feb 16, 2019
I know this is just one person's experience, but I don't think you have to worry about the 6.2 engine. Flatbed Ed is a transporter and frequent contributor to Fort Truck Enthusiasts Forums.

Clicky
rickjo
Explorer
Feb 16, 2019
Kayteg1 wrote:
30 years ago gas prices in California was 89 cents for Regular and 69 cents for diesel
Even 20 years ago I was filling up 120 gallons into my DP and did not max my CC. :C
This is the right price proportion cost-wise, but we live in country who is speculation-driven.
I still think that once semis become electric, the diesel becomes the cheapest fuel again.

40 years ago, my co=worker in San Diego filled his diesel Oldsmobile (yes I know, what was GM thinking in those days?) in Tijuana for 15 cents per. My opinion is that removing sulfur from diesel during refining adds to some of the cost differential. Then, too, they still burn fuel oil for heat in many east coast states. They can almost charge what they want when folks have to heat their residence and it tightens the supply of diesel and fuel oil.

It is the new normal. Electric semis are a ways off yet. If you think replacement battery packs are expensive for Prius', etc., imagine the size and cost of a pack that can haul a semi 600+ miles per day. More likely UPS and FEDEX trucks will become electric first. Batteries are undergoing incremental improvements, but there is no magic breakthrough that will make batteries light, efficient and instantly rechargeable.

There in lies another problem: ultra fast recharging. We are used to loading energy in our fuel tanks in mere minutes. IF one could recharge a battery pack in similar time frames, the average power plant, whatever its energy source, could only charge 2 or 3 vehicles simultaneously with nothing left over for the rest of the grid. Practicalities like this will ultimately cost the greenies their utopian vision. But be sure to burn the fuel remotely so LA can escape from the smog.

Rick
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2019
30 years ago gas prices in California was 89 cents for Regular and 69 cents for diesel
Even 20 years ago I was filling up 120 gallons into my DP and did not max my CC. :C
This is the right price proportion cost-wise, but we live in country who is speculation-driven.
I still think that once semis become electric, the diesel becomes the cheapest fuel again.
rickjo
Explorer
Feb 15, 2019
Kayteg1 wrote:
New Mexico is exception with high diesel prices, since diesel is about 10% higher in most of the country.
Still comparing NM $2 for gas at 9 mpg it cost you $22 for 100 miles.
$2.7 for diesel at 13 mpg (my records) the cost is $20.7
For Las Vegas it is $29 for gas or $21.5 for diesel fuel.
Can't beat pen and paper.
That is still subjective as driving long distance I usually fill B20 at truck stops and then it is cheaper than Regular.
Takes some homework to find low priced diesel as brand name truck stops add price of showers and overnight parking to fuel prices, but my favorite truck fueling station on I-5/198 in California had B20 for $2.83, when cheapest Regular in the area was $3.50
Last week prices.

Everything is an exception. Nationwide gas prices are nowhere near $3.50 per gallon for Regular gas that you pay in CA. AAA gas prices ( gas prices nationwide and by state) show different data than your personal experience provides. For example, NM average gas is $2.12 and diesel is $2.85. CA average gas is $3.27 and diesel is $3.76.

Personally, my mileage dropped from 10 to 9, old diesel to new gas (my records). I don't believe the new Ford diesel would get anywhere near 13 with my HEAVY rig. From what I gather on other forums, maybe 11 on a good day. When traveling, I use gas buddy for some choice on where to fill up. That is enough homework for me when venturing into uncharted territory. Visiting the grandkids allows the absolute cheapest fuel stops on the way. I've done it over a hundred times.

So 100 miles in NM theoretically costs me $23.55. At 11 MPG estimate and for current diesel prices, it would be $25.90.

CA numbers would be $36.33 vs $34.18. Noteworthy. I moved from CA 40 years ago for a reason, but at the time, fuel prices were not a consideration. Enough said.

Rick
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2019
New Mexico is exception with high diesel prices, since diesel is about 10% higher in most of the country.
Still comparing NM $2 for gas at 9 mpg it cost you $22 for 100 miles.
$2.7 for diesel at 13 mpg (my records) the cost is $20.7
For Las Vegas it is $29 for gas or $21.5 for diesel fuel.
Can't beat pen and paper.
That is still subjective as driving long distance I usually fill B20 at truck stops and then it is cheaper than Regular.
Takes some homework to find low priced diesel as brand name truck stops add price of showers and overnight parking to fuel prices, but my favorite truck fueling station on I-5/198 in California had B20 for $2.83, when cheapest Regular in the area was $3.50
Last week prices.
rickjo
Explorer
Feb 15, 2019
I recently "upgraded" my truck to the 6.2 l for the bed capacity. So here is my opinion which you didn't find elsewhere.

The engine is a solid performer. It matches the HP of the 6.0 diesel that I left behind, albeit at higher RPMs. Torque is less. I toured all over Colorado in September with no regrets. My camper weighs about 5500 lbs loaded.

The gas mileage is beneath the current diesel mileage according to other's reports. I get around 9 with camper and 13 without. Given the current premium price of diesel over gas (38% higher in my town), the mileage just does not bother me. I have the 3.73 rear end and so my 5th gear is about the same as the 4.30 rear end in 6th. That is a bonus IMHO when I drive without the camper. About 1/2 of my current 4000 miles is without the camper. It is winter after all.

Hope this opinion is helpful. That is all it is. An opinion.

Rick