Going back to gasser based on needs (need advice)

[ognend]

Hello!

We started out with a Duramax diesel, then traded that in for a 2016 Powerstroke. We towed about 13,000lbs of a horse trailer around the country. The Duramax was a 2006, excellent truck. The powerstroke had TSB issues (3 days of warranty work tearing into the engine), then the water pump failed at 15,000 miles, then a sensor at 30,000 miles, now it has a slow leak of antifreeze that the dealer cannot find but every time I go for an oil change, they have to top up the coolant. My battery + terminal on one of them corroded out as well, the mechanism to open/close back seat rusted out, I have to slam my back door behind the driver. It only has 50,000 miles. Because of the general feeling of lemon, I had to spend extra money on a bumper to bumper Ford extended warranty, which will go for another 25,000 miles.

However, six months ago we decided to sell the "big" horse trailer and these days the heaviest I pull/tow is 11,000 lbs (also horse trailer with small living quarters where we sleep, cook etc when traveling). We maybe pull once a month.

We live in a small town with one Ford dealer and I have to wait for the diesel mechanic for two weeks to look at my truck. Oil changes and maintenance are expensive. I could go to nearby larger city, I suppose but that's more aggravation and time spent.

So, I started wondering if I need a diesel at all. I could sell my truck and probably get enough cash (I own it outright) to walk into a dealership and buy outright one of those new 2020/2021 HEMI 6.4L with 8sp transmissions or the new Ford Godzilla 7.3 with the 10sp tranny (even though I lost confidence in Ford) and I feel for my usage I would be just fine. Cheaper maintenance, engines much less complicated, easier to find mechanics, no more hunting for gas stations that carry diesel on the open road, no more emissions equipment, no more turbo issues....

What I am after is advice - based on what I said above - am I right in thinking I don't need a diesel anymore? Even if you disregard all my problems with the powerstroke (probably just bad luck on my side), do I really need it?

Any input appreciated.

[wanderingaimles]

Does your small town have a Ram dealership? Try calling for a service appointment to get an idea of wait times.
Either truck you mentioned can handle that load if properly equipped, especially in flat country like Florida, but do your trips take you into mountain country where you may want the oil burner? If not, or not often, I would look hard at the gasser.

[colliehauler]

Sounds like you could get by just fine with a gasser. It will have less performance towing. If I was you I would take a gasser out for a test drive and see if your happy with it. Only you can decide that.