zogg wrote:
There is absolutely no doubt that a diesel makes for a better towing experience, even for a lighter trailer....they just work super!!!
My buddy and I had to got to Arizona to tow his 13,000# 5th wheel back to Illinois. His F250 6.0 diesel was phenomenal towing the unit, and got a solid 11.5 mpg for the entire 1500 miles.
I had a Cummins a few years ago and loved the towing capability.
However....there is a lot of extra cost to a diesel. My buddy's F250 had to be head studded at 80,000 miles, and needed new injectors....cost was almost $8000.
A neighbor had his turbos go bad on his 6.4 L Ford diesel....almost $10,000 with all of the associated repairs, and he was just out of warranty when it happened, so fairly low miles.
A new diesel truck will cost $8-$10k more for the engine....and fuel seemed to be about $.60/gallon higher most places we went. Used diesels have the potential of super high cost repairs.
If I was on the road all the time, I would certainly go for another diesel. BUT, I tow 5-6 short trips a year, and maybe one long trip over 1000 miles. I get 7.5 to 9 mpg, and I struggle a little up some of the steep hills, but I cannot justify the cost and maintenance of a diesel....and the DEF fluid (just one more thing to take care of).
My nephew has a super cool Cummins 4x4 with a big lift kit and has never towed a thing....he just loves diesels!! Not at issue.
Some folks LOVE them, some folks NEED them, and some folks have to decide if the hassle and expense is worth the cost. I personally do not have a need for a diesel, don't want to spend the money to own one, and don't was to pay extra for the fuel costs.
Good luck whatever you decide.
First to the OP!
You really don't need a diesel to pull that trailer, if you want to get a newer truck buy a F150 EcoBoost, with a Max tow, AND Max Payload if you can find one. It will tow that TT with ease.
To Zogg, you can't use the two worst diesels ever pandered on the TV public as general cost for repairs.
The Ford 6.0 and 6.4 were the least reliable diesels engines ever put in a pickup truck. I don't know of a 6.0 owner that hasn't had a $4,000 to $15,000 repair bill. I don't believe that are all bad, but sure seems that way.
If you look at the repair cost for both DuraMax and Cummins they are much lower. Diesel is only 8 cents more than regular here in Oregon.
If you go from 8 mpg to 12 mpg that is 50% better mileage at 3.73 for reg, and $3.81 for diesel the difference is 8 cents 2% difference in cost!
I will not say that buying and using a diesel truck will be less costly in the long run, but the cost difference is far less that most gas lovers are led to believe!!
I bought used, 234,000 miles used! now at 271,000 and still pulling an 11,000# fiver STRONG, 11 to 12 mpg pulling in hills, 12 to 14 city driving, and 20 mph empty on the open road.