Henry Rifle Forums

during the last 70+ years I've come full circle several times on whether a gasoline or diesel powered tow vehicle best met my wants/needs .... one would think that after so long I'd of figured it out .... if you were in the market today, which would you go with and why ?

Depends on how many tons you are pulling. If you can get by with the lower priced gasoline do it. If you need more torque for heavier loads go diesel.

I love gas powered vehicles, but for towing give me a diesel powered truck. Way more torque.

RP

Since I drive without a trailer in tow far more often than when I do tow a trailer, it would be gasoline over diesel for me. The initial cost of a diesel engine powered truck is substantially higher than a gasoline powered truck and also, diesel is more expensive per gallon than gasoline.

About three years ago, I shopped for a 3/4 ton truck and wanted a Ram with a Cummins diesel. After some shopping, I ended up with an F250 with a gas powered engine. Since I have been downsizing tractors, implements and the equipment trailer, the F250 does fine.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

With all the issues Ford and Chevy are having with gas engines that are big enough to pull a lighter load Id still go diesel.

Do the pickup diesel engines last as long as the ones in a semi? My best friend was a truck driver for most of his life and he said with good maintenance and a good driver they could go close to a million miles (that may be an exaggeration, it's been a long time but I remember it was very large number of miles) before needing a complete overhaul.

dave77 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 24, 2025 11:55 pm

Do the pickup diesel engines last as long as the ones in a semi? My best friend was a truck driver for most of his life and he said with good maintenance and a good driver they could go close to a million miles (that may be an exaggeration, it's been a long time but I remember it was very large number of miles) before needing a complete overhaul.

A million miles is about the top although most go between 500 and 700 thousand. Few drivers ever shut them off so there is no cold starting.

I had a 1997 F250 with the 460 ci big block that was marginal when towing a heavy load. Upgraded to a 2011 with the 6.2 and that was a big improvement but still the typical gas engine towing limits. My motorhome (E450 chassis) has the new Ford 7.3 Godzilla engine in it and man what a difference. Motorhome is 12,000 dry and I tow a 5,000 lb Jeep. That motor gets me up and down these western mountains just fine.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Godzilla_engine

Hatchdog wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 25, 2025 8:54 am

I had a 1997 F250 with the 460 ci big block that was marginal when towing a heavy load. Upgraded to a 2011 with the 6.2 and that was a big improvement but still the typical gas engine towing limits. My motorhome (E450 chassis) has the new Ford 7.3 Godzilla engine in it and man what a difference. Motorhome is 12,000 dry and I tow a 5,000 lb Jeep. That motor gets me up and down these western mountains just fine.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Godzilla_engine

How many miles do you have on the 7.3 Hatch?

Ive got a 2006 Dodge 3rd gen 5.9 with 109000 on it. I see quite a few 3rd gens still on the road with more miles than I have. If you use your head and some common sense when towing these engines will last a long time. Flat floor take offs and pedal to the floor when towing on long grades isnt necessary. Why work something wide open all the time. Just because you shoot a 44 mag doesnt mean you need to shoot full house loads all the time. Do that on a older model S&W and see what happens