350/3500 trucks, engine weight gas vs diesel

I would think extra weight on front axle can only increase rock climbing abilities?
I don't do rock climbing, but couple weeks ago we went to beach campground.
With some access roads having dust on them, even SUVs would regularly got stuck.
But there was 1 guy who was making fortune pulling everybody out, including big 5-ers and DP.
He drove Dodge diesel dually and had mud tires.

My biggest issue off-roading is the size of the truck. To long for some of the super sharp narrow hairpins here in the mountains and just can’t quite see well enough on some of the narrow shelf roads only other real issue is sometimes the length going up and over steep uphill section going into a steep downhill can high center. The engine weight has never been an issue for me

I never really off roaded that hard with my TC on my 2005 Chevy dually. I do take the truck off road to off the grid cabin sites for work. It's usually loaded up to about 10,000 or more pounds with tools, supplies, equipment, etc.
I have no trouble going up steep hills in low range, thru the mud, or over rocks with it.

Extra weight is pretty much always a disadvantage off-road.

^This.
But, the overall size and type of vehicle will be more limiting than just a heavier engine.
The diesel will go anywhere the gasser will with a camper on it.
Unless you’re planning on finding the limits of traction, length , clearance or overhang.

My Cummins with manual trans 3500 is a way better off roader than my 6.2 gasohol F-350 6spd auto.

Not answering your question but if you live in the West a diesel is to be considered.... Power for going uphill & exhaust brake for coming downhill sure is nice..... If you live in the East I’d go with a big gasser....

IMO if you have to ask, it sounds like you probably won't be doing any hardcore off roading? In which case the difference between the 2 would be nil.

Thanks for the comments so far. I do have another truck - Tundra reg cab, swb that is about as good an offroad truck as I need.


I'm trying to decide if the extra weight of the motor is going to be too big of a penalty since the rig is already going to be compromised by length. The truck will be exclusively used to haul the camper(sometimes towing a boat), and get to some out of the way spots in a crowded world. Steep, rocky roads and wet, greasy low spots out on the desert(spring) are the typical obstacles. Perhaps some beach camping is hopefully in the future. Trips would be usually less than 200 miles one way; 1 or 2 nights and then home.

If you have a load in the back the extra weight of the diesel will be beneficial because you will still have more weight on the rear axle than the front . If you are empty you will have more weight on the front axle than the rear and that will work against you . That being said there is not enough difference between gas and diesel traction to make that the deciding factor .