Gas vs. Diesel, 1500 vs. 2500

[mwilder]

I need some serious advice and thought this community would be able to offer some.

Before I purchase a new GMC Sierra 2500HD with the 6.0L gas engine and 4.10 axel, please give your qualified experienced advice. Should I get the DuraMax diesel for about $8,000 more? Will a 2500HD gasser be adequate?

I'm towing a Jayco Whitehawk 24 MBH. Dry weight is 5600lbs. Overall capacity is 6800 lbs. Traveling mainly with two people and gear. Most driving will be around midwest, but some trips to Rockies and Smokies, etc.

Thanks much,

--Mike

[TWP723]

Honestly, the gas truck should be more than adequate. The diesel however will allow for upgrades in the future. Your gas mileage will probably be better with the diesel. Less engine wear with the diesel compared to the higher rpm's you'll encounter with the gas engine in the mountains. Diesel hits the wallet, obviously, a little harder. Warranties on diesels are always more money. After the warranty runs out on the diesel, the repairs out-of-pocket will destroy a bank account. Routine maintenance on the diesel is crazy....price out an oil change on a diesel compared to a gas engine. The power of diesel compared to a gas engine is no contest. Resale value with the diesel will be greater. The other 90% of the time you're not towing, you won't need the diesel. Definitely get the 3/4 ton. A lot of variables to consider.

[blujay40]

I have a 2015 GMC Sierra gasser and am pulling a trailer that weighed in (when loaded) around 9000#. During our last trip to Florida from Michigan, I was truly impressed with how well it did.

With that said, be prepared for some downshifting, and you might not set speed records going up some of the more challenging hills, but it did the job admirably. But on the trip down on I-75 (just big hills according to many), I never touched the brake or disabled the cruise. So on the return trip, we went over Monteagle which although isn't a long decent, it is steeper and has more twists in it than anything on I-75. When I slightly rode the brakes at the beginning for a few seconds, the engine grade braking kicked in as expected and we traversed Monteagle without issues. So at this point, unless I am considering on going to a much larger trailer, I will stick with my gasser.

Be warned, there will be those that swear by diesels and will soon chime in about "you can never have too much truck", but it all comes down to what you feel you "need" and with the weights your quoting, I think you would be just fine with the gasser. Also, because of the weight of the diesel, you will have slightly less cargo capacity than you will with the gasser.

But whatever you choose, I think you will be just fine.

[eldermike]

If you look at the year models that most people pull campers with you can see the untold story of how long these trucks stay in one single driveway. In fact most people keep a truck for the length of it's payments, or less and then buy another one. The "long run" is a myth.

So don't forget the trade in, selling value of both of these decisions when considering the total cost of ownership.
If you keep a diesel truck clean and in good shape overall you will get most of your upfront cost difference back in your wallet on the back end of the deal.

[DanNJanice]

Originally Posted by mwilder

I need some serious advice and thought this community would be able to offer some.

Before I purchase a new GMC Sierra 2500HD with the 6.0L gas engine and 4.10 axel, please give your qualified experienced advice. Should I get the DuraMax diesel for about $8,000 more? Will a 2500HD gasser be adequate?

I'm towing a Jayco Whitehawk 24 MBH. Dry weight is 5600lbs. Overall capacity is 6800 lbs. Traveling mainly with two people and gear. Most driving will be around midwest, but some trips to Rockies and Smokies, etc.

Thanks much,

--Mike

For your trailer the 2500 + 4.10 + Gasser should work just fine. No need for a diesel. If you envision a larger trailer or a 5th wheel in your future, then do consider the diesel. Also, if you go diesel, you should consider switching to a 3500 series truck as the heavy diesel engine reduces your payload. I have an F250 diesel and kind of wish I had gone with the F350, not that it matters with my 27RLS trailer. But if I were to upgrade to something like a 12000# 5th wheel I would be over my payload numbers.

[bansai]

You could tow that with a 1500/F150 so you'll be fine with the 2500 in pretty much any configuration you can get.

[drk98]

I prefer a diesel in the HD trucks but the gas engine is plenty for what you are looking at towing. As others have mentioned, the diesel will yield a higher resale value later and gives you a LOT of room to go up in trailer later. Along with diesels come more expensive maintenance though.

I think it really depends on how long you expect to keep the truck and or trailer and how often/where you're going to be towing. If you are only going to tow a weekend or two a month in mostly flat lands with the occasional mountains then the gas is fine. If you are going to tow a lot more than that and more mountain time then I think you'll be happier with a diesel.

[FishAr]

I went diesel in my 2500HD because of fuel economy, I'm getting close to 20 mpg empty.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by DanNJanice

snip..... I have an F250 diesel and kind of wish I had gone with the F350, not that it matters with my 27RLS trailer. But if I were to upgrade to something like a 12000# 5th wheel I would be over my payload numbers.

I'm not familiar with the Ford F250 SRW & F350 SRW..., but with the GM 2500HD SRW & 3500HD SRW the only difference between the two trucks is the 3500HD has one more leaf spring in the rear leaf pack..., everything else is identical. If I should ever need a little more payload capacity I'll just add the additional leaf spring.

Bob

[Ottawasteve]

As others have said, it depends on your long term plans because if your needs tomorrow (larger trailer) requires more pulling power, upgrading the tow vehicle before you want to can be a significant expense.

If your are planning on staying with that size of trailer and are not towing full-time, you might want to look at a properly equipped 1500/150 which should have no problem towing your trailer fully loaded. With a gas 2500 with a 4.10 rear end, you will be giving up at least 30% on your unloaded fuel economy. Spend some time test driving both on different roads and take them to mall parking lots and see what you prefer for a daily driver.

[dalebra]

I upgraded from a 6.0 gasser to the Duramax and have no regrets. Especially with hills, mountains and milage.
But as most have said the 6.0 gasser will do fine for the trailer you have.

[TWP723]

Also, keep in mind, 2WD's and shorter wheelbases increase your payload.

[need-a-vacation]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I'm not familiar with the Ford F250 SRW & F350 SRW..., but with the GM 2500HD SRW & 3500HD SRW the only difference between the two trucks is the 3500HD has one more leaf spring in the rear leaf pack..., everything else is identical. If I should ever need a little more payload capacity I'll just add the additional leaf spring.

Bob

For the diesel trucks this is true, but last I knew for the gas trucks (which may have changed!!!) the 2500HD has the 10.5" axle and the 3500HD has the 11.5" axle. I think those were the axle sizes off the top of my head......

Mike,

As mentioned, depending on how you load the truck and your loaded tw, a properly equipped 1500 would probably be enough truck. BUT, a Hd will definitely be a more stable truck and have the extra payload for the possible future trailer upgrade.

For the 2500 vs 3500, there is very little price difference last time I checked, and a 3500 will have a little more payload.

Good luck deciding!!!

[FishAr]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I'm not familiar with the Ford F250 SRW & F350 SRW..., but with the GM 2500HD SRW & 3500HD SRW the only difference between the two trucks is the 3500HD has one more leaf spring in the rear leaf pack..., everything else is identical. If I should ever need a little more payload capacity I'll just add the additional leaf spring.

Bob

True and I think there is a tire size difference also. I think that 3500 HD srw only come with 18 inch tires, in the 2500HD you can get 18 inch or 20 inch, I have 20 inch.

[MPH9]

I have a 24 ft Jayco white hawk and tow it with a 2016 Ram 1500.
I installed a sway bar also.
The 1500 does well with this trailer


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[canuckowner]

Another truck to consider as a capable gasser is the Ram 3500 with 6.4L Hemi. Properly spec'd it has similar towing capacities (around +15,700lbs with single rear wheels) as a F-350 diesel.

That's definitely one I will consider when time to upgrade as I also prefer gasser mainly because we do so little towing/ short distances and it would mostly be used for short runs for groceries, kids to school, etc. by the DW as her daily driver.

[steelweels]

Mike,I went looking for an HD to tow my 28RBKS and settled on a 2500.When that deal fell through my salesman mentioned that I should look at the 3500. I did some test drives and the ride is the same. An xtra overload spring in the rear is the only difference. GVWR goes from 9500 to 10800 and keep in mind that in MN license plates on pickups over 10000 GVWR is a straight $125.00 per year.we went with the gasser because it fits us better as daily driver.The 6.0 has plenty of juice..good luck

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by Ottawasteve

As others have said, it depends on your long term plans because if your needs tomorrow (larger trailer) requires more pulling power, upgrading the tow vehicle before you want to can be a significant expense.

If your are planning on staying with that size of trailer and are not towing full-time, you might want to look at a properly equipped 1500/150 which should have no problem towing your trailer fully loaded. With a gas 2500 with a 4.10 rear end, you will be giving up at least 30% on your unloaded fuel economy. Spend some time test driving both on different roads and take them to mall parking lots and see what you prefer for a daily driver.

X2 You will be fine with a 1500 unless you plan on upgrading to a larger TT in the next few years. If you go up to the 2500 I would for sure go D. Your truck will last forever and you can tow what ever down the road. A 3500 would for sure be overkill unless you know for sure that you will be going to a large 5'er.

[Rustic Eagle]

FishAr,

Originally Posted by FishAr

True and I think there is a tire size difference also. I think that 3500 HD srw only come with 18 inch tires, in the 2500HD you can get 18 inch or 20 inch, I have 20 inch.

I agree, the 2016 2500HD offered 17" as standard and 18" & 20" as options...., I went with 18" on my 2500HD.

For clarity in my post response to "DanNJanice" F-250/F350 diesel post I should have stated "2500HD/3500HD diesel configured the same" (didn't intend to infer gassers).

Bob

[clubhouse]

Really it's a rather simple decision, if your budget can support it you won't regret a diesel. If not, the gasser would be fine too.

If going diesel, the 3500 SRW should be called considered for the additional payload. I was a bit naive understanding the difference between Duramax 2500
Vs 3500 SRW, my truck works great but there are time when the additional payload would be nice to have.