Gas vs. Diesel, 1500 vs. 2500

[bdreinv]

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

Your diesel will be worth a whole lot more than the gas when you go to sell.I have a 2006 Ram 3500 4:11 rear end, it allows me to tow in over drive. But I lose about 2 miles per gallon not towing and driving around town. And I would for sure by a two wheel drive instead of 4.

[jasum]

Not only are you going to pay a lot more for a diesel, your oil challenges etc. Will cost more.

Also diesel fuel is MORE expensive.........than gas.

[bansai]

Originally Posted by jasum

Not only are you going to pay a lot more for a diesel, your oil challenges etc. Will cost more.

Also diesel fuel is MORE expensive.........than gas.

And because their are fewer diesel pumps as well, it can (will) make fueling up more challenging at some point. I'm still considering diesel for my next TV, but I keep reminding myself why I sold my last one.

[spoon059]

For such a small and light trailer, you are probably fine with a gas half ton. If you like to haul a lot of stuff, or if you tow often then I would recommend the 3/4 ton. All the parts of the 3/4 ton are stronger and designed to work all the time. Extensive towing on a half ton will cause greater wear, while the 3/4 ton is designed to constantly tow.

Diesel vs gas is quite often a personal decision. Based upon your trailer, there is zero NEED for a diesel. It will take a long time to realize a cost savings from increased towing mileage. The 6.0 gas engine makes plenty of power, my FIL tows a 9000 lbs trailer with his without a hiccup, but the fuel mileage is 7 or 8. I tow a similar trailer, slightly heavier with my Cummins and get 11-12.

If money is no concern, a diesel 3/4 ton would be great... but it sure isn't neccessary.

[Crabman]

It seems the dreaded and sometimes heated gas vs diesel discussion is remaining civil. Bravo.

Buy diesel if

You really really really need it and/or,
You really really really want it.

[schrederman]

My oil changes cost more, but not twice as much, and I do them half as often. I found a deal on fuel filters, and it costs about $50- every 15K miles to change them both. I do it all myself, and it's not hard... none of it. I don't spend more maintaining my CTD than my F-150, and feel a lot safer, and better towing. As an added advantage, I get 13 mpg towing with the diesel as opposed to 8.5 to 10 with the gas 5.0. But the real reason I went to a bigger truck was safety. I went diesel because of the towing power, but you have to decide if it's worth $7K more to you. If you don't upgrade to a larger trailer, a 1/2-ton gasser will do OK. If you tow a lot, a 3/4 diesel or even a 1-ton would be better... in my opinion. Safe travels...

[norty1]

It will do the job for this trailer. I would buy a truck for the next trailer you will have.

[Bobx2]

If it fits your budget, buy a diesel. If not, the gasser will do the job. A diesel just does everything better when it comes to pulling almost any size camper. And, as diesel owners know, it does not cost much more to maintain a diesel than it does a gas powered truck. Common urban myth.... Definitely don't go smaller than a 3/4 ton. Have fun shopping.

[Big1]

OP, So what's the verdict, now that you have the pro's and con's?

[davidki]

The Key statement here is How Long Will You Keep The Trailer! Do you think that in the next 5 years you will want to go much bigger? Here is my story!
I have a 2007 GMC 2500 hd with trailer tow package, sierra crew cab SWD with the 6.0 gas, we only use the truck for towing the TT, or our horse trailer with the occasional trips to town to pick things up, right now, we only have about 10,000 miles on it. When we bought our TT, Jayco Jayflight 26RKS (6500lbs, 8500 max) I started to think that I needed a Diesel so, I went out and looked at new trucks, wow have prices gone up, I stated to look at other expenses and it started to really add up, including our insurance, service costs and added diesel costs (including DEF if we went new). I was at the Jayco dealer the next week and talked to one of the techs, he looked at our truck and said, hook up the truck, turn on tow haul mode and leave it there until you unhook... and he was right... the truck pulls the TT like it isn't even there but yes, on hills the RPMS really crank up, but I watch the temps and the needle doesn't even move. As for Gas Mileage. Overall I get 10.4 mpg no matter what I do, I don't worry about the millage when we tow, I just figure it's getting worse... but really, how much more is another 2 or 3mpg, Not really much when you get right down to it. We have been paying under $2.00 a gallon for gas, I'd bet diesel is 30% more which negates the extra MPG for me. Only thing I wish I had purchased a 4wd when we bought the truck but the Ltd slip seems to work ok and the payload is a little higher than the 4wd.

So, if your not looking at really increasing the TT any time soon to a much larger one I guess I'd just say I am really happy with our gasser. Hope this helps.

[Big1]

Yeah, we are planning on getting a 5'er in about 3 or 4 years down the road but my truck can do what we get, my payload is 3,300 lbs and my towing is 15,650.

[davidki]

Big1, well, that is one heck of a truck you have... I didn't realize they were up to that towing capability.. When I bought my truck I only went with 373 gears because we were only towing our horse trailer very little.. we didn't have a TT, but even with the TT we have I don't even know it is behind me other than up steep hills and the RPMs, but it seems to be built for it... I'm really happy with what we have right now!

[DownTheHighway]

If you do decided to get the Duramax and plan on upgrading to a bigger trailer in the future, just get the 3500 duramax. The '16 2500 can't tow very many 5'ers out there due to their payload.

A gasser will do the job to tow your current TT, but look ahead. I traded my 1500 gasser 1500 to a GMC Duramax to tow my TT and I don't even know it's there going up and down the hills in NE. As for fuel, I'm spending about the same as I did with my gasser, I get better MPG while towing with the duramax as well

[mwilder]

Originally Posted by Big1

OP, So what's the verdict, now that you have the pro's and con's?

Dear Pros,
I want to THANK YOU all for your experienced and balanced advice. As Crabman said, this topic can be devisive, but everyone gave their input in a civil manner and it REALLY helped!
So, I ended up purchasing a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD with the 6.0L gas and 4.10 rear end. It's a lot of truck, but fits in the garage(!) and my wife can drive it too. She wanted the diesel, I wanted the 1500, so with everything considered, the 2500 gasser should do the job. GMC's incentives were hard to ignore as well.

Thanks again for your quick and helpful responses! Enjoy your Jaycos and the great outdoors.

[TWP723]

Congrats! Great decision. I don't think you'll be disappointed in the least.


Camp on!

[need-a-vacation]

Congrats!!!!

[Rustic Eagle]

Mike,

Originally Posted by mwilder

snip.......
So, I ended up purchasing a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD with the 6.0L gas and 4.10 rear end. It's a lot of truck, but fits in the garage(!) and my wife can drive it too. ........snip

Great choice, and the 2500HD 6.0L drivetrain will serve you well.

I had an '02' 2500HD 6.0L for 14 years and went with a new 2016 2500HD 6.0L this past spring. Diesel had been my initial consideration for the last couple of years, but at the end of the day the gasser would meet my present and future towing needs.

My Eagle TT weighs in at 8,500lbs (1,300lb tongue weight) and the 2500HD 6.0L drivetrain performs just fine.

Take the time to re-adjust and dial-in your WDH with the new TV, it will enhance your towing experience.

CAT scale 'how-to': http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...v-tt-3871.html

Bob

[Sk734]

I run a chevy 2500 gasser. I have owned both gas and diesel. If you are pulling over 11K I would look at the diesel. Your setup is fine with gas. If you plan in the future to step up the weight go diesel.

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[mlucas77]

with your current setup and with 4:10 gears, you simply have enough pulling power for that rig. why go spend more money on overkill.. yes if you plan on bigger down the road then yes plan on a diesel but until then enjoy your setup and get your camp on...

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[norty1]

If my wife told me to buy a new truck, it would be hard not to obey!