From diesel to gas...yes/no???

[RB19RR]

Here’s the situation. I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 4x4, with 5.9 diesel, 193,000 miles. Love the truck, but just not comfortable trusting it on long tours. I recently retired in Feb and just completed a two month cross country trip of 9000 miles towing my 20’ Grey Wolf 19rr toy hauler ( 6000 pounds ully loaded)

I simply want a new truck...I drove a 2018 Dodge diesel and was greatly impressed on how civilized diesel trucks have become in 12 years.

But I have lots of concerns with added complexity of particulate filters, extra fluids, computers, etc. And price of a diesel option.

I keep reading how the modern gas engines are competitive with past diesels.

I’m considering a Dodge 2500 with 6.4L gas, 4x4.....

I have zero intention of ever going to a larger trailer.

My question, has anyone gone from diesel to gas with my size trailer and where you satisfied or was it a big, costly, mistake.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

[itat]

I have a Ford F-250 6.2L gasser. It doesn’t have the low end torque of a diesel but it works perfectly fine for what I want it to do. Our trailer is about 7300# and 32’ long. We still both work full time so we do several weekends and a few week long trips. We don’t drive in mountains.

If I were to upgrade to a trailer that’s over 10,000# or camp a lot more frequently, I might be able to justify the $9,000 premium to get a diesel.

[Kaadk]

I've only ever driven gas, and the next truck that's on order is gas, so I can't answer your first question, but I've heard rumours there's big changes in the '19 Rams, so if you're going Ram, you might consider waiting.

[AquaMan]

I went from '06 gas pulling 7k trailer to '11&'13 diesels pulling 14k trailer, and back to gas in MH, so here's my take. The '06 was a 4 speed tranny and I hated the way it pulled. Bought the '11 and pulled the 7k trailer once and immediately bought a bigger camper. The '13 was just a change to a dually. Went back to gas on the MH and was a bit surprised on how well it does for the weight. It doesn't drive me crazy nearly as much as my old gasser pulling a trailer did. There is a lack of power pulling a grade, but I've become accustomed to it. You will notice a difference, but the with the size of your rig, the performance of the newer gassers, and the peace of mind that comes with a newer truck, I think you'll be satisfied.

[Electra glide]

I had a 21RR and a 2005 Chevy Suburban gas. I only had issues in the mountains and had to take hills (Mountains) slow. I first bought a 1999.5 Diesel F250 and pulled that same toy hauler like it was nothing. If it hadn't been for the fact I went with an even bigger camper I would have kept that old diesel. I loved the power it provided but a newer, larger gas engine "may" have done the same thing but I can't really say since I still use diesel.

[Kimber45]

if you are never going to a bigger trailer why get an HD truck? you are only towing 6k pounds. Buy a 1/2 ton truck and get some better gas milage when not towing.

[RB19RR]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

if you are never going to a bigger trailer why get an HD truck? you are only towing 6k pounds. Buy a 1/2 ton truck and get some better gas milage when not towing.

The reasons I'm looking at a 2500 is heavy duty everything for longer life and hauling dirt, stone, etc for garden work. And a truck camper might be in my future for solo, outback trips without wife.

[tomkatb]

The additional cost of a diesel is $8500 or so. Assume you will get something off that, I got about 15%, so I paid less than $7500 for the diesel.

Look up resale of a five year old diesel truck. You will get your money back! Likely 100%j

We get over 20 mpg on the highway at 75 mph not towing. Better at 65, closer to 24.

We get 12 mpg towing a #14,000 fifth wheel.

Milage will not compare well with a gas truck. The new Ram 6.4 gas burns premium.

DEF fluid uses 2.5 gallons per 3500 miles. Not $10

Oil changes and wheel balance are $95 at my dealer. Because they use a lot of oil. Likely an extra $60 a year.

Fuel filter changes are $95 DIY. Every 15,000 miles. $500 at the dealer.

No, you do not need a diesel to tow. But, you will like it better. My cruise control uses the exhaust brake to slow the truck on hills automatically.

DEF $35 + oil changes $60+ $95 fuel filters = $190 per 15,000 miles. 1.27 cents per mile. The gas will cost you more.

My wife loves her daily driver, Ram diesel 2500. We use the block heater in cold weather for instant heat, almost.

[aceinspp]

As mentioned can't vouch for going gas t0 diesel but I just ordered a 2018 2500 Ram. I tow around 9000# tt and have been towing with a 6.0 Chevy gas and it done quite well getting anywhere from 9.5mpg to 8.5 mpg. Don't plan on getting a new HD 2500 as they are at least a year out and will be 2019 late for arrival. Later RJD

[JohnD10]

I have a 2015 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L gasser with the 4.10 rear end.

My 34-foot 5'ver weighs in at 9900 pounds loaded.

I pull in the Rocky Mountains and it is a trailer hauling beast!

I wish I had the engine/exhaust brake that the diesels have, but once you know how to drive the mountains it isn't that big of a deal.

I get around 7 MPG towing and 12-13 not towing.

Before I bought a more aggressive tread pattern for my truck tires I got 2-3 more MPG's.

If gas economy is what anyone here is after, then maybe a Toyota Prius or a Chevy Volt is the answer...not a great big truck!

[vmax]

This subject is the most disputed on this forum.
Gas or diesel truck.
It's really your choice.
You know how a diesel pulls since you've got one. I have both gas and diesel. I tow with my 7.3 Excursion because my Suburban just doesn't have the torque or gas mileage the diesel does, and the suburban stays wound up like a rubber band at 3k rpm to make it's power, it's annoying and 8mpg sucks. 13mpg and 40gal tank in the X means, well it's just better.

[dbledan]

I have a similar weight trailer (6100lbs loaded) and pull with an F150. I have been able to make it work and I am within weights but barely. I no longer fully load the trailer so I can remain that way. I am happy enough until I can afford to go bigger but I have the Gas Vs diesel debate because my daily commute is less than 10 miles.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I have a 2015 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L gasser with the 4.10 rear end.

My 34-foot 5'ver weighs in at 9900 pounds loaded.

I pull in the Rocky Mountains and it is a trailer hauling beast!

I wish I had the engine/exhaust brake that the diesels have, but once you know how to drive the mountains it isn't that big of a deal.

I get around 7 MPG towing and 12-13 not towing.

Before I bought a more aggressive tread pattern for my truck tires I got 2-3 more MPG's.

If gas economy is what anyone here is after, then maybe a Toyota Prius or a Chevy Volt is the answer...not a great big truck!

Have Chevy Volt thank you very much and life time mileage 250mpg 2 tanks gas in 18 months Later RJD

[Ejs4029]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Have Chevy Volt thank you very much and life time mileage 250mpg 2 tanks gas in 18 months Later RJD

And an electric bill

[NMWildcat]

If you are never going to get a bigger trailer, then gas would work just fine. But good luck getting away from emissions and computer complexity in any newer truck

[Orlando bull]

I have a 1/2 ton gas, will be looking to upgrade and make this decision in another year or 2, but, one thing I think about is fueling up.

When we brought our TT home (6 hour trip), we had to stop for gas once on the trip. It was nerve wracking for me to find a spot, not block the entire station, not get blocked in, and maneuver through a ton of other traffic. I would seriously consider the diesel for the reasons other have already mentioned, but, also the dedicate area to fuel up that is tailor made for large rigs.

Right now, we're doing mostly short trips, so, I will very rarely have to fuel up while connected (35 gallon tank), but, if I were going to be on the road a lot, large fuel tank and ease of filling up would factor in.

[CaptnJohn]

12,000# and up I'd never have a gasser. 10,000# and under I can understand why some would go gas. No gravity feed aux tanks available for gas so I'll never consider one for me.

[rlocicero]

We tow our 8000# Flagstaff 829FKSS with our 2014 F150/3.5 ecoboost/maxtow/3.73 rr end about 15000 miles in the last 4 years with absolutely no issues thru flats. mountains etc. I absolutely love the performance.

[Mad Cow]

Fuel economy of diesel over gas is not truly there most of the time. Sure, the mpg is better with diesel, but the cost per mile for fuel may not be much better.

I am in a similar situation as OP. I don’t pull more than 7k worth of TT, but I haul a ton or more of material occasionally or 13k of dump trailer. My 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0 gasser with 4.10 with a 6 spd does a stellar job.

[genehorn]

In my opinion sticking with diesel is the best option.