Age old question. Gas or diesel

[mljohns]

Hello all,

First of let me say new to the forum and enjoy what I'm seeing so far.

I am in the current debate of getting a new tow vehicle for my camper. I have a 2019 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 323BHDSCK with a maximum weight of 9000lbs, 7500lb dry weight. 950lb tongue weight. It is a 37' long pull behind camper. My current tow vehicle (2008 Nissan Armada) is pulling the camper fine but I don't feel comfortable with it and am looking for something bigger. I have a budget of about 15 to 20k to find a new vehicle. I'm trying to decide on either a 6.2 gasser or a 6.0 power stroke F250. I can't afford a 6.7 and I don't trust a 6.4. This vehicle will be a daily driver of 15 to 30 miles a day round trip to and from work and maybe the occasional groceries outside of towing. For the most part I keep my camping trips local (here in TN) but I do want to start adventuring out and getting some miles on the trip. I have a trip to Disney coming up next year and would like to find a confident vehicle. I'm in no rush at this moment however I do want to go ahead and make a decision so I can start looking. I tow once maybe twice a month as a "weekend warrior." Thanks everyone in advance for the inputs.

[5picker]

Welcome to the forums.

You have asked THE MOST hotly contested question on many a forum.

You will get OPINIONS from both sides and each side will tell you theirs is the best.

I hope you have a LOT of time to wade through it all.

BTW.. if you search gas vs diesel you will already have weeks worth of prior posts to read.

I won't get into the gas vs diesel debate but rather advise you concentrate on buying a truck that meets your WEIGHT requirements.

Best of luck with your decision.

[ChrisRR]

For that price a diesel is going to be hard. The 6.0 is a great motor once it’s bullet proofed but a ticking time bomb until that’s been done. Also trucks that old will have high mileage and probably be starting to need lots of expensive repairs. I would go gas if that was my budget and trailer weights.

[007matman]

I'm driving a '07 (last year for the 6.0 and the least number of issues). F350 CC LWB Dually. I DD the truck about 50 miles/day to work and back.

Paid about 17,500 for the truck last year w/128k on the clock. Immediately had to turn around and have the Oil cooler replaced, which led to the full deal bulletproofing since they were in there. The truck has 168k now. We've hauled our camper out west to Arizona and up north to SoDak, Iowa, etc three times, and all over the SE down to Florida, etc.

I absolutely love the truck. You couldn't get me to sell it if you tried.

Here's a pic from last year.

[Iwannacamp]

I have nothing to add.... I drive a dang Dodge... you wouldn't listen anyway

[D W]

.....

[rmn72]

I have had both gas and diesel and I much prefer diesel. Although the up front costs may be higher, I think you will save in the long run. I had a 98 Dodge 2500 gasser but it only had 58,000 miles when I bought it. My mileage was never great (12-13 mpg in town) but it dropped to around 5mpg when pulling my 12,000 lb 5th wheel. Plus it was constantly shifting try to handle it. I got the chance to get a 1999 F350 CC LWB dually that I could trade even for. It had 218,000 miles on it but was in really good shape. I still get 13-14 mpg as a daily driver but I only drop to about 11 mpg when towing. I have put some money in it over the last three and 1/2 years on maintenance issues but it beats the heck out of a big truck payment.

[The Evil Twin]

The only thing I can recommend is to look at the 7.3 diesels over the 6.0 if you go oil burner. 2012+ 6.7 would push your budget.

[rmn72]

We just had our 1st major expense with our 1999 7.3. The transmission died after 259,000 miles. Although we could not tell if there had been any work done on it, it was the original tranny. We bought one online that was built for towing and had it installed locally. It came with a 3 year unlimited mileage parts and labor warranty and the total for installation and the transmission was approx $2400. Yep it hurt but not it really wasn't,too much than a couple of truck payments. Don't be afraid of a 7.3 JUST because of the mileage. If taken care of, a 7.3 will almost run forever. They are not the fastest and DEFINITELY not the quietest but they are strong.

[gastan]

I just bought an '07 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax in June. Paid just under $19k for it. Had 127K miles on it. It has a few cosmetic issues - heck, it's 12 years old - but nothing major. No big dents or scratches - - minor dings and paint scrapes. Interior is excellent. I did have to have the transfer case rebuilt but that was only about $700. It runs strong and smooth and has power like you can't believe. The nice thing about the LBZ diesel is that it isn't loaded down with all the emissions control cr*p, which is a lot of what goes bad on older diesels. It has only EGR, which is easy to deal with.

My advice (worth .001 cents) is, don't be afraid of an older diesel. Research, research, research the different engines/years to see what the strong and weak points of each is and start looking. I expect my '07, with normal maintenance, to last for at least another 10-12-15 years. By then I'll be pushing 90 and probably not doing much pulling anyway.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

The only thing I can recommend is to look at the 7.3 diesels over the 6.0 if you go oil burner. 2012+ 6.7 would push your budget.

IMHO.. Properly done, a Bulletproofed 6.0's just as strong as a 7.3 and it's a heck of a lot more fun. It'll last just as long.

The biggest issues that are out there for the 6.0.. they are all easily addressed with a few changes.

Head Bolts - Ford didn't put enough of them in there. ARP studs remides that.
HPOP - redesign in '05 ( most will rebuild/replace during a bulletproof)
Oil Cooler. Coolant Bypass filter and a new cooler. Change every 50-60k
FICM -not as much of an issue for the newer trucks.
Blue Spring Upgrade for the Fuel Pump/Filter assembly
EGR Cooler: Delete/replace with one from Bulletproof Diesel.

That's the high points.. there are other things they do with this type of work.

If you're buying one that was already done you need receipts.without it it's not worth as much as one with them (arguably as much as one that hasn't been Bulletproofed). Personally, I'd rather find a clean one that hasn't been abused and then do the Bulletproof myself from a shop I know and trust.

[jd4010]

Having owned a 6.0 and now a 6.7, I will have to say that the 6.0 is a much easier engine to wrench on your own. Mine was a 2004 and sadly despite METICULOUS maintenance, it ate injectors like it was candy. Left me on the side of the road with a 5er behind it too many times from a broken injector tip resulting in a hydrolocked motor. It utilizes a HEUI injector system so good oil is key as is maintenance. You don't have to go thru all the expenses of bullet proofing but replacing the Ford Gold coolant with Zerex EC-1 will go a long way and high quality oil with additives will help with injector stiction.

I did all my own work (well when not stranded along I-95) and there is plenty of room to do the work unlike my new 6.7 where even if it wasn't under warranty, I probably wouldn't touch the thing.

The 6.0 had plenty of power to haul our 5er. The 5R110 transmission is a good one for sure.

If you go the route of a 6.0, go with the later years like the 2006/2007 when all the bugs were worked out.

Lastly regardless of model, diesel maintenance is expensive compared to gas. I used always tell people to have a piggy bank for maintenance and repairs.....it happens.

[The Evil Twin]

Originally Posted by 007matman

IMHO.. Properly done, a Bulletproofed 6.0's just as strong as a 7.3 and it's a heck of a lot more fun. It'll last just as long.

The biggest issues that are out there for the 6.0.. they are all easily addressed with a few changes.

Head Bolts - Ford didn't put enough of them in there. ARP studs remides that.
HPOP - redesign in '05 ( most will rebuild/replace during a bulletproof)
Oil Cooler. Coolant Bypass filter and a new cooler. Change every 50-60k
FICM -not as much of an issue for the newer trucks.
Blue Spring Upgrade for the Fuel Pump/Filter assembly
EGR Cooler: Delete/replace with one from Bulletproof Diesel.

That's the high points.. there are other things they do with this type of work.

If you're buying one that was already done you need receipts.without it it's not worth as much as one with them (arguably as much as one that hasn't been Bulletproofed). Personally, I'd rather find a clean one that hasn't been abused and then do the Bulletproof myself from a shop I know and trust.

True, the 7.3 is not a fun driver but it is a tractor. I just never advise a non-oil head to go 6.0. You definitely gotta know what you are looking at with them. If you don't it is a crap shoot.

[mljohns]

I can find an 05 to 07 6.0 with 125 to 150k on it for around 15 to 17 here in TN. I'm not opposed to Chevy or Dodge I just like the way Fords look a little better.

[mljohns]

Originally Posted by D W

.....

I know. I'm sorry to put you through this again. Just thought I'd ask as I've never owned a diesel.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by mljohns

I know. I'm sorry to put you through this again. Just thought I'd ask as I've never owned a diesel.

There are tons of gas vs diesel threads here.

[Hersbird]

If you buy a 6.0 Ford it will be your first and probably last... not because it will last but it will drive you right out of the diesel game. Also commuting with a 3/4 or one ton anything especially something under $20,000 is going to stink and the added cost of fuel will probably pay for a 2nd car to commute with.
If you do want a nice ride in a 2500 and a good price point the 2500 Suburbans are good. Here is a 2009 in you neck of the woods for under $10,000 (currently) and only 43000 miles on it...
https://publicsurplus.com/sms/all,tn...ew?auc=2439554

[The Evil Twin]

i

Originally Posted by bikendan

There are tons of gas vs diesel threads here.

If every forum removed every new duplicate thread then forums would be ghost towns. Think if we removed threads on plumbing leaks, winterizing, tires and GVWR how little interaction we would have.

[mljohns]

So from what I'm gathering I should find a gasser? With my weights a 6.2 shouldn't have any problems.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

If every forum removed every new duplicate thread then forums would be ghost towns. Think if we removed threads on plumbing leaks, winterizing, tires and GVWR how little interaction we would have.

True... but... new forum users should also be schooled to search and read and ask questions based on what they don't understand.