Gas or diesel

[Jasdms54]

I am ready to purchase a fifth wheel. The one I'm really looking at is 15,500 gvwr. I'm also purchasing a ram 2500. But do I need a diesel or gas. I want to travel states. Mostly west. What are the pro and cons ? For right now, it is part time, but eventually this will be full time. Hopefully about 4 years. Thank you

[Flintstones]

I would go with a diesel one ton, plain and simple.

[packpe89]

Another diesel advantage, filling up at truck stops. With gas, you will be pulling in around all the cars in tight spaces, with diesel, you can go around back to where the big rigs are filling up, plenty of room.!

[IdaD]

Dtank wrote:
However - you do need a diesel one ton - minimum.

I tow about the same (34') with a 1T '05 Dodge CTD, short bed, SRW.
Works just fine for me - Also, I've had a long bed SRW Ferd Diesel.
(Don't need -or want- a long bed -or- a dually).

A friend tows a much heavier (36') Alpenlite with the same set-up, except it's an '04. He's been back & forth from Alaska (from OR) three times (by road each time) - no problems.

I'd pull more with a 2014+ Ram 2500 CTD than I would with a 2004 or 2005 Ram 3500 CTD. More power, factory EB, better transmission, higher tow rating and higher axle ratings. The payload rating may be a bit lower but that's just due to the 10k lb max GVWR on the Class 2 truck so it doesn't really mean anything. Just saying.

[Dtank]

Often "preferences" win!

There are folks who wouldn't tow (what you plan on) with a short bed, or a single rear wheel SRW pickup (gotta be a dually), etc.

So - YOU decide what will work for YOU.

However - you do need a diesel one ton - minimum.

I tow about the same (34') with a 1T '05 Dodge CTD, short bed, SRW.
Works just fine for me - Also, I've had a long bed SRW Ferd Diesel.
(Don't need -or want- a long bed -or- a dually).

A friend tows a much heavier (36') Alpenlite with the same set-up, except it's an '04. He's been back & forth from Alaska (from OR) three times (by road each time) - no problems.

*If* I had an excessively heavy(ier) trailer and felt I *needed* a dually....it would be either a MDT or (singled) HDT, which will tow *anything* you could ever want (or upgrade to).

Either one will "outlive" you, and do most of the other things a pickup will - - for way less money and way more creature comforts, automatic trannys, etc. etc.

A nice used HDT can be had for less than a new pickup, and in most states can be registered as a MH - no special driver's license req'd.

Suggest you visit:
The Escapees MDT and HDT forums, and - since you're in TX -
visit 2L Custom Trucks. He's in TX, and sells lots of MDTs to the horse folks. Sometimes he has some nice pickup & MDT trade-ins.

:C

[valhalla360]

The reason to go diesel is you are pulling heavy and pulling a lot. If you are in the mountains, its also a plus because the gas engine without a turbo will lose a lot of power at 6-10,000ft and with newer trucks you get an exhaust brake with the diesel for going down those hills.

You hit all these points in favor of diesel. 15k trailer is big and you sound like you are going to pull a lot and in the west implies a fair bit of mountain towing.

PS: I would want a 1 ton dually if going that big but check the actual weight ratings. I doubt a 3/4 ton will have enough once fully loaded.

[jimh406]

I would buy a DRW and diesel for full time use going everywhere. Of course, if you plan to stay on the flats, you probably could get by with less.

The difference in range between a diesel and gasoline can be significant, but gasoline is also available at more small stations. Gasoline engines are simpler and cheaper to buy.

I don't know anyone who says they have too little power, but I also don't know anyone who has the emissions issues with gasoline engines either.

[Cummins12V98]

" 15,500 gvwr. I'm also purchasing a ram 2500."

Those two do NOT belong together!

[laknox]

Jasdms54 wrote:
I am ready to purchase a fifth wheel. The one I'm really looking at is 15,500 gvwr. I'm also purchasing a ram 2500. But do I need a diesel or gas. I want to travel states. Mostly west. What are the pro and cons ? For right now, it is part time, but eventually this will be full time. Hopefully about 4 years. Thank you

First off, either change to a 3500 truck or change to a lighter FW. The 2500 is going to be real marginal on payload for a FW of that weight...IMO. First rule of thumb with FWs and trucks, it's not what the truck can TOW, it's what the truck can CARRY, i.e., PAYLOAD. The 3500 won't cost that much more and will give you room to grow if you have any thoughts of going bigger. If you're going to be towing long distances or frequently, go for the diesel. If you're only going to be a weekend warrior, you could get by with a gasser, but you may not like it all that much.

Lyle

[Cedarcityman]

Jasdms54 wrote:
I am ready to purchase a fifth wheel. The one I'm really looking at is 15,500 gvwr. I'm also purchasing a ram 2500. But do I need a diesel or gas. I want to travel states. Mostly west. What are the pro and cons ? For right now, it is part time, but eventually this will be full time. Hopefully about 4 years. Thank you

I bought my first diesel truck recently and couldn't be happier. I had to haul about 3000lbs of cement blocks in the bed of my truck, up a very steep mountain road. I was a little concerned about the steep grade, some places had a 6%-10% grade and switchback curves. The truck did it like a champ. I couldn't be more happy with my choice. BTW I also get over 20 mpg going up and down the same mountain with my DW and two huge dogs.

[troubledwaters]

If you drive a diesel Volkswagen Jetta well you can save a few thousand dollars.
If you drive diesel pickup truck, well you diesel guys may not want to read this.
Diesel Executive Summary
Diesel Analysis

The elements behind the data

Anyone using a Jetta to pull their RV?
Long and short of it in my opinion, a diesel will pull better no doubt about it. But it will cost you a little more, no doubt about that either. Most diesel owners will say it is worth it, I know a few who will say its not worth it (especially in the winter). Your money your choice.

[przao]

Con - the extra cost of the engine

Pros - outweigh the con. I had a 1996 12-valve Cummins that I purchased for $31,000 and recently sold for $13,500 (nearly 20 years later) - pretty good for resale value. I'm currently in a 3500 6.7L Cummins towing a fiver getting 12 mpg on average. I'll never tow with anything other than a diesel.

[jarata1]

that is alot of weight for a 2500

[IdaD]

Diesel for sure.

[Durb]

Currently, where I live diesel is less expensive than gasoline. This hasn't always been the case. More energy per gallon at a lower price. Seems like a no brainer. Diesel buyers will recoup their extra up front costs when they sell. If the buyer plans to keep their truck as a very long term hold then diesel is the way to go. All the towing advantages are an additional plus.

When I purchased my SUV I chose diesel over the gas counterpart. The diesel was actually less money (MSRP) but not by much. The diesel will save me approximately $1,300 per year in fuel costs (at current prices). In 10 years the fuel savings will be about 1/3 the original purchase price of the vehicle. Fuel economy shouldn't be overlooked if you like to put the miles on.