Gasoline or Diesel

[JEBar]

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 ?

[Sir Henry]

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.

[Vaquero]

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

RP

[HenryFan]

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.

[BigAl52]

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.

[dave77]

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.

[Sir Henry]

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.

[Hatchdog]

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

[BigAl52]

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?

[BigAl52]

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