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Old 05-25-2014, 10:00 PM   #1
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diesel vs gasser

What should my next truck be. I currently tow a x23b roughly 5000ib. Would like to go to Yellowstone maybe do a trip to Alaska. Don't know if I would ever update the current trailer to a fifth wheel. Which to go with desiel or gas. I know fords ecoboost has some good specs but what about getting down the mountain. Any thoughts. Did tow my camper once with my buddies desiel it kinda nice to tow a trailer and not feel it back there. Fyi sorry for spelling errors typing on a phone.
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Old 05-26-2014, 05:12 AM   #2
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Initial cost and maintenance are more expensive for a diesel. Fuel economy is generally better with a diesel. I would say that many people who tow with a diesel would say they would never go back to gas. But there are some great gas engines now as well.

For me, I fall into the never go back to gas category. I love the sound, power and economy of a diesel.
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Old 05-26-2014, 06:17 AM   #3
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I have the Ford Ecoboost, tows like a dream. Low end torque like a diesel without the additional expense of a diesel. I got 12mph on my last 3 hour towing trip pulling an x20e which is just a little smaller than your TT. Truck has a ton of get up and go, and hearing the turbos spinning up is pretty cool.

My only concern is coming down off a mountain. Brakes are good on the truck, however would be concerned without having the benefits of compression braking. Luckily for me not an issue here in Ohio.
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Old 05-26-2014, 06:22 AM   #4
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A lot depends on your "non-towing" use. If your daily commute and around town driving is typically only a few miles/minutes, it probably wouldn't be enough to warm a diesel up to proper operating temps. That could cause you some maintenance issues and (potentially) shorten the engine life. If, on the other hand, your daily commute is 20-30 minutes or more, a diesel might be a good choice for you. Also keep in mind that diesels are rarely available in a 150/1500 series truck. You generally have to move up to a 250/2500 series, which also beefs up the frame, tranny, suspension, etc. That may be why you didn't feel the trailer when you towed with your buddy's diesel P.U. If you never plan on "upgrading" to a 5th wheel or a trailer over, say, 8000 lbs., a heavy duty truck is overkill.

I have an F-150 Ecoboost, and I love it. If the legendary "turbo whine" exists, I don't even hear it. (And my hearing is pretty darn good.) The torque and compression are excellent, and the acceleration is flat out amazing! It pulls my Eagle with ease - both up & down hills. Though I've not yet pulled it through the mountains, a buddy's BIL reports passing diesels right & left while towing his through mountains. One thing, though, don't expect the 22/23 mpg Ford advertises. That's a 2x4/Standard Cab without the towing package. 4x4, Crew/Super Crew Cab, and Max Tow Package will add considerable weight to the truck. I get about 17.5 hwy./12.5 city/14-16 combined. Towing my Eagle drops it down to 7.5 - 8.5, but it's 30 feet long and weighs in at around 8K.

If it were me, I'd stick with the F-150 gasser. But that's JMHO . . . FWIW!
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Old 05-26-2014, 06:30 AM   #5
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Any newer gas truck is going to be light years ahead of your 05 truck at 5000lbs no need for a diesel truck
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Old 05-26-2014, 06:46 AM   #6
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Get the diesel. I love pulling to the mountains and not having to worry about the steepness going up or coming down. The Ecoboost is fine for your weight but remember it is basically a minivan motor with a turbo.
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Old 05-26-2014, 07:15 AM   #7
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My drive to work is 25 mins . Just bought my x23b last year. Love it so far that's why I don't know if I would upgrade to a bigger trailer or a 5er. Also right now I wouldn't want to tow anything bigger with the current truck. Just some thoughts. Thanks for the comments so far. Keep them coming.
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Old 05-26-2014, 09:52 AM   #8
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Your 5.4 should do well towing a 5000 lb trailer.. unless you want to go 90 mph.. why change if you dont have to?
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Old 05-26-2014, 05:45 PM   #9
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My 05 f150 is getting up there in miles. Just starting to do some research into what to get. The 5.4 pulls it but merging on to freeway pedal to the floor. I like the idea of going out west and maybe drive to Alaska would be some fun trips. I know I wouldn't want the current truck to tow up or down the mountains I know it can do it but I don't want to worry about it. The diesel I know does an excellent job on hold the trailer back on the way down with out using brakes. I know the ecoboost does a great job going up but don't know what it does on the way down.
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Old 05-26-2014, 06:30 PM   #10
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For Diesel's, I would agree that if most of your non-camping driving is to the store and back, then a Diesel isn't a good choice. Just another plug for the Diesel, I just took a trip to N.J. and averaged 23.5MPG (empty of course) and usually get 12-14 pulling the 5th.
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Old 05-26-2014, 07:05 PM   #11
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Initial cost and maintenance are more expensive for a diesel. Fuel economy is generally better with a diesel. I would say that many people who tow with a diesel would say they would never go back to gas. But there are some great gas engines now as well.

For me, I fall into the never go back to gas category. I love the sound, power and economy of a diesel.
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Old 05-26-2014, 07:36 PM   #12
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I had a 2013 Ram Hemi and now have a 2014 Ram Cummins. I like the sound, torque, mpg, smoothness, and bigger stature of the diesel and wouldnt go back. Does it cost more? Sure does...is fuel more? Sure is! I buy what I want and what I think I might need it for in the near future...if my wants or needs change then I will sell it and get something else....but I do love my Cummins!

One thing you WILL get with a diesel (2500 and 3500 series) is a much more robust truck....with that comes a stiffer ride for sure.
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Old 05-27-2014, 01:09 PM   #13
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We pulled our X23B a couple of years with an 03 Expedition 5.4 and it did an adequate job. Last year I upgraded to an F350 6.7 Diesel and it pulled the X23 like a dream. The upgrade was the route to the 5th that we now have. If you plan to keep the current TT for the foreseeable future or trade to something of a similar weight the F150 ecoboost would probably be an excellent choice. We get 12-13 MPG while towing and around 20 on the highway with no 5th. While the mileage is excellent (the Expe got 9-ish while towing) it will never offset the additional $$ of the diesel - but it's an ox and it loves to pull.
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Old 05-27-2014, 01:51 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by nwminnesota View Post
What should my next truck be. I currently tow a x23b roughly 5000ib. Would like to go to Yellowstone maybe do a trip to Alaska. Don't know if I would ever update the current trailer to a fifth wheel. Which to go with desiel or gas. I know fords ecoboost has some good specs but what about getting down the mountain. Any thoughts. Did tow my camper once with my buddies desiel it kinda nice to tow a trailer and not feel it back there. Fyi sorry for spelling errors typing on a phone.

5000lbs. is fine for a gasser, but much more than that there will be a very noticeable upgrade to a diesel. Plus if you upgrade campers you won't have to upgrade trucks.

We got a diesel a few months before our fifth came in and when I took our old Terry out with the new truck, I couldn't believe the difference. I could still hold speed with the old 1500, but it's much a worlds difference with the diesel.
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Old 05-27-2014, 01:57 PM   #15
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If towing your trailer is the reason you are looking for a new truck a diesel is the only way to go. Claims of equal torque and pulling power/ability from a turbocharged V-6 1/2 ton is funny stuff. While adequate for smaller loads and trailers, they cannot, and never will be able to hold a candle to diesels for towing. I know you said you are not sure if you will upgrade to a heavier RV in the future, but most people seem to do just that. Buy the right truck now and you won't have to worry about it ever again. For the types of trips you are thinking about, I wouldn't consider anything else.
Some good, honest mileage reports from Brownie. Those are the same type of numbers I have heard from a couple of eco-boost owners I know. However, your buddy talking about passing diesels left and right in the mountains...?
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Old 05-27-2014, 05:45 PM   #16
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[QUOTE. However, your buddy talking about passing diesels left and right in the mountains...? [/QUOTE]


I was thinking the same. Put 1200 pounds behind that Ecoboost and see if he can keep up. They have there place but it is not heavy towing.
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Old 05-27-2014, 10:42 PM   #17
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Dodge has a 1/2 ton diesel now, gets decent mileage. I am waiting a year to see if there are any issues that may pop up. I currently pull with a 04 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 quad cab with a Hemi that I bought new. I tow a X213 with a gvw of 5500 lbs and it pulls it really well. My brother in law has a 2012 Ford F150 with the Ecoboost and he loves it too. He said that it did very well pulling a rental 25' TT. However he is disappointed with the fuel mileage he was getting.
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Old 05-28-2014, 05:18 AM   #18
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[QUOTE. However, your buddy talking about passing diesels left and right in the mountains...?

I was thinking the same. Put 1200 pounds behind that Ecoboost and see if he can keep up. They have there place but it is not heavy towing.[/QUOTE]


12000 pounds is what I meant
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Old 05-28-2014, 05:20 AM   #19
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Dodge has a 1/2 ton diesel now, gets decent mileage. I am waiting a year to see if there are any issues that may pop up. I currently pull with a 04 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 quad cab with a Hemi that I bought new. I tow a X213 with a gvw of 5500 lbs and it pulls it really well. My brother in law has a 2012 Ford F150 with the Ecoboost and he loves it too. He said that it did very well pulling a rental 25' TT. However he is disappointed with the fuel mileage he was getting.

I am not being ugly when I say this as the eco-boost is a good idea and they are good trucks. However it basically is a mini van motor with a turbo. The motor is so small that it has to work itself to death to do anything.
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Old 05-28-2014, 06:06 PM   #20
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One important factor that has not been addressed is re-sale value. I'm on my 4th diesel, so I'm in the "I'll never go back to a gasser" category. I always buy used and trade in once I get close to 100,000 miles, traded in February from an 09 to a 12 with identical equipment Chevy Silverado LTZ 3500, in three years with the 09 I put about 55,000 miles on it and lost $4,000 between what I paid and what I got for it in February after 3 years. This was better than I have previously done on my other trades, but not that far off, diesels do not depreciate nearly as quickly as a gas trucks do.

I don't need a diesel, but sure do love it!

Empty around town 14 mpg, highway 19 mpg, towing my X23B 12-12.5

Just my opinion
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