Opening a can of worms

[Ringer]

I have a 2015 duramax 3500 GMC and it towed my 14k fiver for 1400 miles last month and didn't really know it was back there. Right now diesel is 80 cents less than gas here and my mileage without the trailer is over 16mpg on average and I drive it like a molested monkey. It is my daily driver and I just like big trucks.

 

[DKRITTER]

I was thinking about this and I still think: It Depends, is the best answer.

From my perspective based on having a few tow behind trailers and a fair amount of weight in the bed. 3 Super Duties, all pulling larger trailers and all my daily drivers. The first 2 were F250's one with a 6.0 and the other with a 6.7. The 6.0 was lets say temperamental the 6.7 was great. I enjoyed the trucks and pulling with a diesel was easy. Next truck was a F350 LB pulling a 40ish' Cedar Creek the F350 didn't care the CC was back there, excellent towing. On the other hand whipping into a parking place in a LB F350 was out of the question. Living in DFW with a LB was a PIA.
4 years ago I sold the F350 and the 5th wheel for a Dutch Star and a F150. What a difference running around town in a half ton was a joy. Hooking it to a MH with a bed, fridge and potty is wonderful. I traded recently for a Ram 1500.

In the end I am near the limits of a half ton in bed weight so I think I'll be going back to a 3/4 ton and since I'm not pulling anything it will most likely be gas. If I was pulling all the time it would be a diesel.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

The truck I’m now driving has had no problems at all. Just that with 107,000 miles I don’t want to wait until I start having issues.

As for daily driving it’s the only vehicle we have. We stay in a park 10 days to 2 weeks with normal shopping / touring then drive, towing the fiver, about 300 miles to the next park.

Retired full timers neither work.

We full time as well. Moving day is considered work!

Darrell

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Interesting topic. Doing some research on the topic, most articles claim that "for towing" a diesel pickup is the better choice. That said, my experience with diesel vehicles 300,000 miles and 15 years, diesels like to run. They are not well suited for short trips like a short commute or to the store and back, especially in the winter.

An example of my research Is a Diesel or Gas Truck Better for Towing?

Hope you did more homework! The article has to many flaws to give it any weight! Clearly not written by someone with a technical background.

 

[GTS225]

The truck I’m now driving has had no problems at all. Just that with 107,000 miles I don’t want to wait until I start having issues.

As for daily driving it’s the only vehicle we have. We stay in a park 10 days to 2 weeks with normal shopping / touring then drive, towing the fiver, about 300 miles to the next park.

Retired full timers neither work.

Russell; I see it's an F250. By chance, is it a Triton 3-valve engine? If so, then perhaps it is time to start looking for a different pulling truck.
The Triton 3-valve engines are known for having problems with the cam phasers, and yours, (if applicable), is approaching the mileage limits where they start having issues. My '04, with a 5.4, did quite well, but at 170K, it's time for me to do something. I'll pull off a highway, and at the stop sign at the top of the ramp, she'll rattle like a diesel for a bit. That's the cam phasers slowly dieing on me. (Yes, I'm on the lookout for a 3/4T Dodge or Ford.)

In your case, I'd say it's a toss-up which direction to go. You're probably pretty close to a 50/50 mix of towing/not towing driving, so I suspect it would balance out in the end. I think I'll change my position, (for your circumstances), to a 3/4 ton diesel, unless you see a larger/heavier load in your future.

Just my non-professional opine.....Roger

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Russell; I see it's an F250. By chance, is it a Triton 3-valve engine? If so, then perhaps it is time to start looking for a different pulling truck.
The Triton 3-valve engines are known for having problems with the cam phasers, and yours, (if applicable), is approaching the mileage limits where they start having issues. My '04, with a 5.4, did quite well, but at 170K, it's time for me to do something. I'll pull off a highway, and at the stop sign at the top of the ramp, she'll rattle like a diesel for a bit. That's the cam phasers slowly dieing on me. (Yes, I'm on the lookout for a 3/4T Dodge or Ford.)

In your case, I'd say it's a toss-up which direction to go. You're probably pretty close to a 50/50 mix of towing/not towing driving, so I suspect it would balance out in the end. I think I'll change my position, (for your circumstances), to a 3/4 ton diesel, unless you see a larger/heavier load in your future.

Just my non-professional opine.....Roger

Yah I keep being told gas mileage is bad! (Obvious I said gas). However my gas mileage is reflective of all mileage I put on the RAM. When it is 50/50 driving, average is about 20mpg, right now I haven't towed in about 8 months and 21.1 is what the trip meter displays. For the record 109k is the mileage that that meter average registers for. My estimation is 50/50 from first day the truck went private owner. I will/am planning to run the truck into the ground! The way it runs I'm thinking 300k

 

[Russellvh]

Not sure about the Triton 3-valve engine. It’s a 6.2. Gas burner. No problems when stopping etc.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Regarding quality of posts on Diesel vs Gas pickups for towing , Unfortunately this is the quality of the average article available on the topic. you can complain all you want about technical quality or take the general theme of the article. You are welcome to do your own research as well. You will find articles supporting both sides of this debate. Depending on your usage of the vehicle outside of towing will be the deciding factors.