F250 diesel vs gas

[citgodan]

Hi guys. Wanting to know the pros and cons of a 250 6.7 diesel vs gas option.

any thoughts? wanting a 250 to be my first and last for a while while hauling a jayco 5th wheel with future 5th upgrades in mind. I live in FL but would also consider mountains too.

thanks

[ecksdude]

For towing a 5th wheel, I'd almost be more concerned about 250 vs. 350 payload.

Both diesel and gas will tow what you want. The difference is going to be torque (power), longevity (diesel's live longer), and cost (diesel's are generally much more expensive, both to purchase and operate long term).

If you are ok with a somewhat shorter engine life and less uphill power, a gas engine will do you just fine.

Honestly for me, it would come down to money. If the extra cost is acceptable, I'd pick the diesel truck every time. If finances are tight, the gas engine is more economical.

[need-a-vacation]

Dan,

Just how much does your current 5ver weigh? How much bigger would you anticipate you will go? To the point of needing a dually?

Regardless of the answers to the above questions, I would seriously consider skipping the 250 and only look at 350's as mentioned, especially if you decide to go with the diesel. A lot of people end up running out of payload with a diesel 250/2500 wham towing a moderate 5ver. Going win the gas motor would help, but the additional available payload of the 350 would help the choices when it is time to upgrade.

[Knauby]

Speaking from personal experience, if you are planning to upgrade to a 5'er or if you currently have one and plan to go bigger, make sure you fully understand payload constraints. I encourage you to closely look at the numbers as you may want to consider a 1 ton, I think cost is neglegable between the 2.

Gas vs. diesel, well you are gonna get multiple opinions on this.

Consider these things.

Are you gonna drive it until the wheels fall off = diesel.
Do you have lots of money for maintenance and fuel = diesel.
Is this your daily driver and do you make short trips = gas.

I actually own both a 6.2 F250 (2012) and I just recently traded a 6.7 F250 (2014) in on a new dually 6.7 F350 (2016). I like them both equally but the diesel has caused me more grief in regards to service issues. Several emissions problems that drive you crazy. The engines themselves (6.2 and 6.7) seem solid.

Another consideration is ( if you are buying new) that according to my dealer 2016's are no longer being ordered and in a couple months you will be seeing the all new 2017 trucks. If you like the new body style you may want to wait and if you like the older body style you may want to wait (bigger rebates to clear out the lots!)

Personally I like this current body style and pulled the trigger now.

Good luck and if you buy gas or diesel know you are getting a good truck!

[Paintinfool3]

I just sold my F350 that was a 1995 with the 7.3 powerstroke and when I purchased I went to a F250 with the 6.7 powerstroke I am sure the maintenance on the new one will be more expensive but I personally love the new diesel compared to my old one so far. So much quieter and more power than I can use. But I tow a 39 foot travel trailer with mine and couldn't see doing the F350 in my new one. If I had planned on doing a heavy fifth wheel I might have considered it. Mine is a daily driver and I average a little over 14mpg where with my old one it was around 12 to 13 ... Towing with it and merging onto a busy interstate is where I really love it. I can get up to speed like I wasn't pulling anything compared to my old truck. Just my two cents

[fowl8717]

I have no problems with the set up. The total trailer length is right around 31 feet. The truck pulls the RV five'er without issue I have pulled it in the mountains as well as on level ground. I normally get out around 9 miles per gallon overall. You should get better mileage with the diesel so the difference between the price of diesel and gas should even out based on average mileage. I use the truck for other things than pulling the Jayco so gas is the way to go for me. As others have said, it just depends on what your personal needs are. There are pros and cons to each. I would say if you're going to pull a rig weighing over 13 K, diesel would be the way to go.

[tkhollywood]

I'm in the same boat trying to decide between gas and diesel. Leaning toward the gas though. It's my every day driver which I do a lot of.

[Knauby]

Originally Posted by tkhollywood

I'm in the same boat trying to decide between gas and diesel. Leaning toward the gas though. It's my every day driver which I do a lot of.

If you drive lots of miles diesels are a great daily driver. If you are making short daily trips then I would lean towards gas.

[MIFL19H]

I chose to go with Gas... plenty of power towing my 28BHBE. I would seriously look at getting a F350 for the Payload / Spring upgrade, especially with a 5er. I have found the F250 suspension to be soft and added Air Bags to help with the rear end sag. I could not find any F350's with the options I wanted in a Gas version, if I would of had time to wait I would have ordered one.

As for power I am very happy... it is my daily driver and I put 114 Hwy miles on it each day and have put 21,000 on it in 8 months, averaging 16 MPG running light at around 67 MPH for 50 mins of my 1 Hr trip each way.

Could not justify the extra cost of the Diesel and the higher Maintenance... I do all my own Oil Changes etc so wanted the freedom to still do so economically. I am looking to keep this truck for up to 10 yrs or more and have close to 300,000 miles on it, hopefully the engine makes it, I will do my best to help it make it.

2017 trucks will be a whole different ballgame, I believe there is going to be the 6.2 and a 6.8 (if I am not mistaken) gas engine to choose from.

[tkhollywood]

Originally Posted by Knauby

If you drive lots of miles diesels are a great daily driver. If you are making short daily trips then I would lean towards gas.

That's the problem a lot of 10 mile here and there trios throughout the day.

[canadiankid]

I too chose the gas. If money wasn't a consideration I would've bought a deisel but the deal I got on a year old gasser (new off the lot) was not available in Deisel. The power when towing would be awesome but I wasn't able to justify the extra $$. Plus I have several short trips a day, rarely get out on the way for highway except for hockey in the winter and towing in the summer.

Mifl I'm surprised to hear you felt air bags where necessary, I hooked up my WDH last week and got that all set up and I couldn't notice any sag. That was just eyeballing it tho. Do want to get some measurements cause I was considering adding stable loads I had from my half ton.

[estesbubba]

First off since you have a fiver and looking at future upgrades (which always = bigger) then like others said skip the 250 and get a 350 SRW. For about $600 you get close to 2000 lbs. more in cargo capacity which is a no-brainer.

It's funny the people that always say "I skipped the diesel because of the high maintenance". I had a 2006 Dodge 2500 diesel that had 135,000 miles on it and now own a Ram 3500 SRW diesel. Sure oil changes cost more but my 2006 was 7500 intervals and my 2015 is up to 15,000 intervals. Throw in fuel filters every 15,000 miles and $15 in DEF every 7500 and the rest of the maintenance is no different than gassers.

I use mine as a daily driver and have never needed a manual regen and actually have no clue when mine goes into regens. The exhaust brakes on these newer diesels in just awesome and my brake controller usually stays at 25% all the way down to 15 MPG when I finally need to apply more brakes.

You'll get most of the premium paid for a diesel when you go to resell it. Sure I'm biased towards diesels for towing but I also had a 2003 HEMI towing a light TT so I know both sides.

[citgodan]

Thanks for the reply guys. I mostly will drive under 10 miles daily for work and the 50-200 mile camping trips once a month with a 5th wheel. I currently have the TT with an F150, but am looking to get the HT (27.5 rlts with a 1,525 # pin weight). I had the airbags installed on my F150, but now backing off of that as an option for the new 5th.

I guess I assumed that diesel would be the only option when going through mountains with a trailer/5th wheel.

Sounds like I now will look at gas. thanks!

[tularockstar]

We have just completed a 700 mile round trip to Northern AZ, and LOVED how our Ram 2500 Diesel performed! First of all, diesel fuel prices are either equal to or less than regular gas. Then, we towed our 29.5BHDS up and down several mountain ranges and have to say how impressed we were at both performance and mileage. Our overall average for the whole trip was 12.2 mpg, while had no issues passing up others towing similar size trailers. Needless to say, we're now a believer in the power of diesel!

[bryyce62]

I currently have a '13 6.2L F250 with the same Eagle 27.5 RLTS that you're considering. It is more than enough rig for that 5er. Only thing that I'd stress is to get 4.30 gearset. A little extra low end as compared to the 3.73 that is widely available.

[Redbird7]

I tow with a 350 everyday. I help people like you set up trucks and trailer everyweek. The F250 can handle your trailer and most 5th wheels. Many people upgrade to airbags to handle the bounce and sag. It makes a good improvement. I would stay with the diesel if you plan on pulling. It can handle the trailer better. My fuel mileage with 3.73 gears is 16 hwy and 12 city, average 14 daily pulling different trailers. I would never recommend larger than 4.10 gears, no fuel mileage and no top end speed. That is why many stay away from cab & chassis trucks, geared to low to run high speed on interstate.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by citgodan

Thanks for the reply guys. I mostly will drive under 10 miles daily for work and the 50-200 mile camping trips once a month with a 5th wheel. I currently have the TT with an F150, but am looking to get the HT (27.5 rlts with a 1,525 # pin weight). I had the airbags installed on my F150, but now backing off of that as an option for the new 5th.

I guess I assumed that diesel would be the only option when going through mountains with a trailer/5th wheel.

Sounds like I now will look at gas. thanks!

For what you will be using it for you will be fine with that setup, I've being looking at the some 5'er HT27.5 but I am getting the 2500 hemi 6.4L 4.10 gears.

[17 Oaks]

Been down those roads in life and while I cannot add much more to the already sage advice I will give my insight after driving trucks and pulling/hauling for 50 years.

Back then all our ranch trucks were gas, mostly 6's and low rear end gears. The pull was there and so was the payload, but performance was not there and only recently has been. So my last 3 trucks have been F 350 diesels, now you more capability and performance to boot.

Remember, it don't come cheap, get more pay more!

The real question you have to ask is what are your requirements payload/tow today and in the future.

My current truck will let me enter the freeway without having to turn on my flashers with or with out a load. I pull up to speed when down here in Tx we have 75 and 85 mph limits in many places. I integrate with traffic without some guy honking and passing giving me his one finger salute.

Let your NEEDS drive your truck decision. Being underpowered is not only dangerous but high stress driving.

[citgodan]

Since I know nothing about diesels, please help me to understand what costs are involved in owning one (F250 or F350)??

I get the oil changes are $100 ?!? good with that for 7,500 miles. what is a regen?

Any other costs which I don't know...

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by citgodan

Since I know nothing about diesels, please help me to understand what costs are involved in owning one (F250 or F350)??

I get the oil changes are $100 ?!? good with that for 7,500 miles. what is a regen?

Any other costs which I don't know...

The modern diesel has a soot filter that helps clean the exhaust. When it gets saturated the computer initiates a regen. The engine runs rich (mpg goes south) and DEF (diesel exhaust fluid - mostly water with urea) is injected into the filter to clean it.i use about a gallon per 1000 mi and my 350 has a 5 gallon def tank.
This is my first pickup and first diesel and I love it. Our 5er has 3020 on the pin with GVW 12700 at the last weighing. The 6.7 is an OX and it loves to pull.