Hi all, this is my first post, so apologies if this is covering existing territory. I know the diesel vs gas question has been explored a lot here, but am curious if anyone has insight into the viability, and possibly specific model recommendations for a used gas 3/4 truck (roughly years 2013-2017 due to safety features) in Colorado hauling a pop-up camper like a Hallmark Cuchara or an equivalent Outfitter weighing in wet at about 2600lbs. From what I've seen, if I were on flat land, I'd go with a gas truck without question, but I have some concern, though no direct experience, about safety and handling in the mountains. Thanks so much for considering my question!

I live in the mountains on west coast with 2500 gas, carrying a Northstar 800. No issues with power, safety, etc.

Hi and welcome! Old rig was a 2500 Silverado 6.0 gas with an Outfitter Apex 8. No issues at all - and why would it? The truck can pull a lot more weight than it can carry. It will rev higher than a diesel and use more fuel, but it will be a lot cheaper to buy and maintain. No worries.

Drove all over Colorado in a gas 3/4 ton Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 truck and a Beaver camper including RMNP...12,000+ feet...without any issues.

The safety and handling will be the same as a diesel. But, gasoline trucks will probably go up the mountains slower. As you probably know, you lose HP with a nonturbo vehicle at altitude. Most passes have lower speed limits than the valleys. So as long as you don’t have an issue with having a lot less HP/acceleration, you should be fine with a gasoline engine.Fast Lane Truck on youtube does tests of hauling in Colorado for a number of vehicles. Their low weight tow tests would show you the difference between gasoline and diesels.

illgild wrote:Hi all, this is my first post, so apologies if this is covering existing territory. I know the diesel vs gas question has been explored a lot here, but am curious if anyone has insight into the viability, and possibly specific model recommendations for a used gas 3/4 truck (roughly years 2013-2017 due to safety features) in Colorado hauling a pop-up camper like a Hallmark Cuchara or an equivalent Outfitter weighing in wet at about 2600lbs. From what I've seen, if I were on flat land, I'd go with a gas truck without question, but I have some concern, though no direct experience, about safety and handling in the mountains. Thanks so much for considering my question!Probably a 3/4 ton truck (whether gas or diesel) would not be a dully?A dually is the safest due to great side-to-side stability on curves and in high cross winds from it's wide rear tire track-width.Also, dually rear tires are safer for another reason - if one of the rear tires should fail while traveling it has a "backup" tire right next to it so you can slow down or stop under good control - or even maybe travel several miles on the one tire left in the dually set where the failed tire is.

Is a Gas 3/4 Truck and Pop-up Camper Safe in Colorado?

pnichols
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2020
illgild wrote:
Hi all, this is my first post, so apologies if this is covering existing territory. I know the diesel vs gas question has been explored a lot here, but am curious if anyone has insight into the viability, and possibly specific model recommendations for a used gas 3/4 truck (roughly years 2013-2017 due to safety features) in Colorado hauling a pop-up camper like a Hallmark Cuchara or an equivalent Outfitter weighing in wet at about 2600lbs. From what I've seen, if I were on flat land, I'd go with a gas truck without question, but I have some concern, though no direct experience, about safety and handling in the mountains. Thanks so much for considering my question!

Probably a 3/4 ton truck (whether gas or diesel) would not be a dully?

A dually is the safest due to great side-to-side stability on curves and in high cross winds from it's wide rear tire track-width.

Also, dually rear tires are safer for another reason - if one of the rear tires should fail while traveling it has a "backup" tire right next to it so you can slow down or stop under good control - or even maybe travel several miles on the one tire left in the dually set where the failed tire is.
jimh406
Explorer III
Sep 05, 2020
The safety and handling will be the same as a diesel. But, gasoline trucks will probably go up the mountains slower. As you probably know, you lose HP with a nonturbo vehicle at altitude. Most passes have lower speed limits than the valleys. So as long as you don’t have an issue with having a lot less HP/acceleration, you should be fine with a gasoline engine.

Fast Lane Truck on youtube does tests of hauling in Colorado for a number of vehicles. Their low weight tow tests would show you the difference between gasoline and diesels.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2020
Drove all over Colorado in a gas 3/4 ton Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 truck and a Beaver camper including RMNP...12,000+ feet...without any issues.
joerg68
Nomad III
Sep 05, 2020
Hi and welcome! Old rig was a 2500 Silverado 6.0 gas with an Outfitter Apex 8. No issues at all - and why would it? The truck can pull a lot more weight than it can carry. It will rev higher than a diesel and use more fuel, but it will be a lot cheaper to buy and maintain. No worries.
autorot8
Explorer
Sep 05, 2020
I live in the mountains on west coast with 2500 gas, carrying a Northstar 800. No issues with power, safety, etc.

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Is a Gas 3/4 Truck and Pop-up Camper Safe in Colorado?

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