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Old 05-18-2015, 08:44 AM   #21
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I've been on the road for 13 months and have towed my 9k pound 5'er for about 15,000 miles during that time. When not towing, I have driven another 14,000 miles exploring the area in which I was camped.

Two of the main reasons I chose a gas engine over a diesel: 1) if my truck broke down in some small town somewhere, I figured the odds were better to find a gas mechanic instead of a diesel mechanic,,, 2) gasoline is sold at every gas station, diesel is not.

In terms of power: My truck is rated to tow about 12k pounds and my RV, at max cargo, weighs about 9k pounds. In the simple terms that I understand, that gives me about a 3k (25%) cushion. I have towed it over all of the eastern mountain ranges from Georgia to Maine and am currently criss-crossing the Rockies. I have never had a problem crossing a mountain pass. Yes, she shifts into lower gear to climb, but the power is still there to safely do whatever needs to be done.

I have been very happy with my choices.
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Old 05-18-2015, 08:49 AM   #22
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Had a 04 6.0 gas chevy and the first time it went to 2nd gear towing a 7k lb TT I said no more. The next weekend we pulled the TT with a brand new duramax. Only towed with the gas motor 1 time.
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Old 05-18-2015, 12:23 PM   #23
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" I am not in this for a gas v diesel debate."Yet you ask why Diesel v gas?? Going up a hill pulling a 7500lb tralier with a gasser.
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Old 05-18-2015, 12:25 PM   #24
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no brainer for me.

I got tired of seeing my 04' f350 sit all winter and only get moved for our 1 weekend a month trip during camping season. I know it was time for change to a truck I could drive alot for work and not drown me in gas. Had a montana fiver, really didn't want to trade it, but loved the 26bdh, so found a camper I loved and half as light. Now for the truck, and that can start another debate, but went with the tundra limited. Now I have a truck which Gets driven 2-3 times a week and not once a month. As far as differences mpg wise from my diesel, i Gained 6-8 mpg NOT towing and just 2-3 mpg gained WITH the camper. And gas is cheaper, and maintenance is lower also than a diesel.

Good luck with your decision.
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Old 05-18-2015, 12:28 PM   #25
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I chose a diesel for the power and increased fuel efficiency. I pull a 16k 5th wheel and need the power. Also, large aux fuel tanks are made for diesel and not gas. I think that it is not legal to put gas into the aluminum aux tanks that fit in the bed. Having that extra 60 gal tank saves stops when towing.
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Old 05-18-2015, 12:31 PM   #26
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I chose a diesel for the power and increased fuel efficiency. I pull a 16k 5th wheel and need the power. Also, large aux fuel tanks are made for diesel and not gas. I think that it is not legal to put gas into the aluminum aux tanks that fit in the bed. Having that extra 60 gal tank saves stops when towing.
I had a 100 tank and could drive from MI to Tampa and back on that 126 gals. Or 1500 miles pulling the 12.5k camper
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Old 05-18-2015, 12:34 PM   #27
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We had just bought a new TT to tow with our Expedition EL and wasn't in the running for anything else until the DW spotted the Cedar Creek 38FL. It was a no brainer at that time because neither of us wanted to buy a truck to pull a 5er. Several months later she inadvertently re-arranged the front end of our aged minivan and wrote it of. Thankfully there was no serious injury to either her or the guy who's truck she used to stop. That left us needing a second vehicle. Looking around I managed to find a good priced, low km F350DRW with an 8' bed. The only negative was that it wasn't a crew cab, only the extended. But it was loaded with heated leather seats and as there is normally only the two of us we went ahead and bought that. Towed the TT for a season with it instead of the expedition and then took the plunge and bought the Cedar Creek 38FL that she so liked. The F350 is easy enough for me to change the oil and rotate the tires plus it has lots of grunt to tow the 5er.
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Old 05-18-2015, 12:45 PM   #28
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I hade a 2500hd with gas and it was great I made some adjustments and was pushing 500hp on it. But I wanted to up grade to a dully for my 5er. It's large at 41 foot and I wanted more stability and towing.
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Old 05-18-2015, 01:02 PM   #29
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I was able to tow the same 9000 lb 5th wheel 200 miles in the morning with a 5.7 L half ton and 200 miles that afternoon with a 6.7 L 2500 diesel. With the diesel I had to make a panic stop from highway speed. The stop was made without incident. I'm not certain it would have gone so well with a gas truck weighing about 2000 lbs. less. To me, it's worth the extra cost to drive a heavy truck with lots of torque. We tow 8,000 to 10,000 miles each year, lots of those miles at high elevations where it's comforting to have the extra torque. On the downside, my diesel has cost more in maintenance than any vehicle I've owned in over 50 years of driving.
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Old 05-18-2015, 01:03 PM   #30
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Agree with all the positives of the diesel with the addition of the ease of refueling. Use of the pull-thru, truck stop lanes makes refueling very simple and easy. It eliminates the worry about whether my rig will fit, or have enough turn radius, etc., at the passenger car (gasoline) side of the station. The truck drivers have always been very friendly and helpful, as well.
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Old 05-18-2015, 02:09 PM   #31
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Thank you all for the responses.. All good stuff!

Mike.T- No this is not a gas v diesel debate.. Believe me! I am sure many here can find 100 threads on a REAL fight.. As I had said, I am not arguing the increased strength and positives of the diesel over gas. I am merely looking for what made people decide the extra cost over the gas. IE: miles spent towing each year, general driving and maintenance.

So far it is over overwhelmingly diesel, but a support for those who have the gasser, which I am not really surprised since there true colors shine when put to work.
I have not heard many address the maintenance increases. I do my own oil so other than being 4 gallons (LOL) instead of 6qts is fine... Do you need to replace your fuel filters every 10,000 and so on? I am used to the oil every 5,000 to 10,000 and KN air filter cleaning once every 30,000.

With the diesel I know DEF comes into play, does the vehicle get some good distance on 2.5 gallons of DEF or is it best to keep a few gallons in the rig?
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Old 05-18-2015, 02:39 PM   #32
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HP sells trucks, Torque moves the load.
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Old 05-18-2015, 02:52 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike.t View Post
Going up a hill pulling a 7500lb tralier with a gasser.
That is simply not an issue with an Ecoboost "gasser", so maybe the question should be normally aspirated v turbo instead . . .
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Old 05-18-2015, 02:55 PM   #34
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Diesels make their torque at lower rpm. Much better for towing and better milage. No contest.
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Old 05-18-2015, 03:12 PM   #35
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Here were my reasons for picking diesel.

1. Twice the fuel mileage than what I had been getting with my Dodge 2500 with the gas V10. That means fewer fuel stops on long trips.

2. Incredible torque and horsepower for towing.

3. With a diesel I can fuel up at the truck pumps and not have to worry about maneuvering room or whether the canopy over the pumps is high enough to fit under. BTW, that’s reason enough for having a diesel.

I never want to go back to a gas engine for towing fifth wheels.
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Old 05-18-2015, 03:28 PM   #36
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Diesels make their torque at lower rpm. Much better for towing and better milage. No contest.
Yet, another myth when compared to the Ecoboost.
Click image for larger version

Name:	ecoboost.jpg
Views:	192
Size:	170.3 KB
ID:	77339


I am not in any way a diesel hater (except those that plume black smoke), but not everyone needs a diesel.
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Old 05-18-2015, 03:31 PM   #37
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I do not like them either... Or the ones with the stacks... Not sure why but they bug me! LOL
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Old 05-18-2015, 03:32 PM   #38
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When I pulled Vail pass with my 05 2500HD gasser with 295rst...screaming up the pass, that's when I decided to get diesel.
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Old 05-18-2015, 03:33 PM   #39
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Originally Posted by Oakman View Post
Here were my reasons for picking diesel.

1. Twice the fuel mileage than what I had been getting with my Dodge 2500 with the gas V10. That means fewer fuel stops on long trips.

2. Incredible torque and horsepower for towing.

3. With a diesel I can fuel up at the truck pumps and not have to worry about maneuvering room or whether the canopy over the pumps is high enough to fit under. BTW, that’s reason enough for having a diesel.

I never want to go back to a gas engine for towing fifth wheels.
OOPS.....
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Old 05-18-2015, 03:38 PM   #40
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Yet, another myth when compared to the Ecoboost.
Attachment 77339


I am not in any way a diesel hater (except those that plume black smoke), but not everyone needs a diesel.
I believe that chart is a comparison of a GAS V8 vs. the Ecoboost.
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