Which would you choose

MikeGig · 02-13-2019, 12:56 PM

Let me start off by saying that I am by no means brand loyal for trucks. Given the nature of my job I have test drove the big three in either diesel or gas 3/4 ton truck and think they all have there good and bad sides.

The question I have given there is so many configurations is what should I be shopping for?

I just bought a new 32 BHDS 2017 (unsold stock) and now looking for a tow vehicle. I plan on making mostly short trips (les than 2 hours) and maybe 1 long haul during summer.

I'm looking at the used market and wondering that given 70% of the time I will not be hauling with the truck is gas an option, will they tow as good or scream down the road revving as soon as there is a hill? Is the added cost of diesel maintenance worth it etc... think you guys get the point

I am currently looking at diesels 2008 and up or gas up to 2016 ish price dependant.

I am in eastern canada so the market is hard and expensive but have a budget of around 30000 to 35000.

Thanks in advance

Any input would be appreciated

Riverman · 02-13-2019, 01:15 PM

One day I wanted a gas pickup and the next day I wanted a diesel, back and forth.... sure glad I went with the Dodge 5.9 Cummins diesel.

mike gourley · 02-13-2019, 01:28 PM

by all means if you gonna tow much at all find you a nice used diesel truck cause if you don't the first time you will certainly buy a diesel the next time NO comparison to the way a gas engine pulls compared to diesel been there and done that we have a 2013 34rlts pinnacle 5er we pull with 2011 ram 2500 been all over the states east to west no problem you will love the power and the built in engine braking

Vasquez Kid · 02-13-2019, 01:32 PM

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new 32BHDS.

I have the same trailer and tow with the truck down in my signature. As you see I have a 3/4 ton diesel. I am quite happy with the truck, very happy I went with diesel and bought my truck used in anticipation of the TT a few months later.

I did plenty of research when shopping for my truck. I went pre-def and I did have a bias towards a GMC or Chevy. The sweet-spot that I came up with was the 2006/2007 "classic" body LBZ Duramax with the Allison transmission. I ended up with an early 2006 LLY motor but that's another story. This turns out to be a very good fit for this TT, even when I have it fully loaded. Performance is excellent, diesel pulling power is fantastic and (with my turbo brake mod especially) the downhills are easy-peasy.

Granted the majority of the trucks life is to pull this TT but I could justify the expense as I found a great deal on it.

You might be fine with a gasser if you don't have too many hills/mountains in your travels. If this is the case I'd say it will be a trade-off between the power & expense of the diesel versus the higher tech and some comfort of a newer gasser.

Off topic but do spend a bit of time researching your WDH (weight distribution hitch) as the tongue can get heavy pretty quickly on this TT. I've measured mine as high as 1400lbs! I did rearrange the load after that. I went with the Husky Centerline and am very happy.

Good luck in your search!

MikeGig · 02-13-2019, 01:53 PM

Thanks

I have a WDH that is rated 14000 lbs with 1400 lbs bars. Don't know the brand off hand but will test with that and maybe upgrade if there is a need.

2edgesword · 02-13-2019, 02:55 PM

A 3/4 ton gasser will get it done and if you're towing infrequently and for the most part short distances I can't see paying the additional upfront cost of diesel. In my searching the pickings for used diesels are few and asking top dollar ($4K ~ $5K above similar year and mileage gasser). While the engine and tranny may be in good condition the interior and exterior take the same beating every other 10 year old vehicle has to take.

Rustic Eagle · 02-13-2019, 04:21 PM

MikeGig,

Welcome to JOF

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeGig

snip....... I'm looking at the used market and wondering that given 70% of the time I will not be hauling with the truck is gas an option, will they tow as good or scream down the road revving as soon as there is a hill?.....snip

I would agree a 3/4 ton big-block gasser would be adequate for the 2017 32BHDS (9,975lbs GVWR), but expect the gasser when towing a 32BHDS to rev the RPM's a little in the hills and mountains......, RPM's mean torque/horsepower.

The newer 3/4 ton (gas) transmissions make a difference as well, more gears. For towing the 32BHDS I would recommend looking for approx. a 4:10 gear, not a 3:73 with a gasser.

But......, if you run across a low mileage 3/4 ton diesel that fits the budget, you might find yourself taking more trips through the mountains.

Bob

albirk · 02-13-2019, 05:36 PM

I have had a diesel since 2001 and will never go back for a tow vehicle.

bearcat77 · 02-13-2019, 10:10 PM

I tow a 27BHS fully loaded at about 8000lb with a 16 2500 gas. Yes, it screams going up hills, but that doesn’t mean it is struggling. Longest trip was Ohio to Florida and back, and not once I did I ever wish for more power. Stomp on the pedal and it goes, no matter what the grade. I also find the engine braking to be more than adequate on the downhills. The flip side? You can expect about 6 mpg. I took the gas for the cheap maintenance, the better cold weather/stop and go performance, and the $8000 up front savings.

scuba0331 · 02-14-2019, 08:27 AM

I love towing with a diesel! The exhaust brake alone is priceless! But, with that being said 30-35 will most likely get you a higher mileage diesel truck. I know around where I live I would never buy a used diesel because people tend to beat them to death.

The emission equipped diesels are crazy expensive to fix. I had an upstream NOX sensor go bad on my 2014 Cummins and it was $1,500 to fix. Luckily, it was under warranty.

Maintenance alone is expensive on diesels. Heck fuel filters on the Cummins was $100 and that was me installing them and finding the cheapest Mopar filters I could.

Not trying to shy you away just letting you know 30-35 for a diesel is still going to require additional money at the end of the day.

mia389 · 02-14-2019, 09:42 AM

You can tell the ones who have diesels. Once you tow with a diesel its hard to go back. I tow with a gaser but like you, Its not only a tow vehicle. Its my daily driver.

When I towed to Branson last year I had fun with the hills. The hemi was screaming! I loved it though. It did great. Ram did a good job with the hemi/transmission pairing. I always seemed to have a gear in the power band. I think most manufactures have it figured out now.

Bottom line:
If you do alot of towing, go with diesel
If you do a few trips a season and mostly local, gasser is an option.

RedHorse1 · 02-14-2019, 10:48 AM

My neighbor just went thru this delima and chose a gasser 3/4T. His logic was that the few times he will tow didn’t add up to the extra $$$. His trips are few and likely less than 500 miles each way. He traded in a diesel to boot and so far he’s happy but has yet to tow with it.

MikeGig · 02-17-2019, 06:07 AM

Ok thanks everyone

I just found a 2010 2500 Silverado LTZ duramax with 230000KM it has fresh inspection new breaks and tires for 25000$ but he is giving me 10000 for my 1500 2009. It is priced pretty much on par for year and KM etc.... across the maritimes.

What should I look for when I go and see it?

deewaltguy · 02-17-2019, 08:09 AM

OP, I had to make the same decision 2 years ago. I had a 1/2 ton Ram that towed almost safely enough. I only had to tow it twice to decide there wouldn't be a third time. Unlike you, I am brand loyal. I have driven Dodge SUVs/ Ram Trucks for years with nary an issue or complaint.
I also need to use the truck for a near-daily driver and the thought of all that cool diesel technology pushing around an unladen truck gave me pause. The diesel was another 10K and for the 20 out of 365 days I'd be towing, I could not justify it.
The 6.4 Hemi/ 2500 combo tows confidently and safely.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy the gasser, but if the other 10K were just sitting around, I'd have upgraded my trailer.
Noticing you are in Canada, and not sure of the differences in CDN vs USD, I bought my 2500 new in 2016 for around 38K
Might be worth a trip down south, eh?

Scott_Trailer_Newbe · 02-17-2019, 08:31 AM

Hands down go diesel. Ive been down the gas road, and no matter how you try to spin it, there is no comparison. A newer one will have the diesel breaking, which is an awesome feature to have. The big 3 all make good diesels, but all have their good points and bad points.

Riverman · 02-17-2019, 08:36 AM

I've had two 2500 gas guzzlers and one diesel... the diesel won.

I bought a cheap car to run around town in.

kayakterp · 02-19-2019, 07:15 PM

I am in similar territory with my 2015 F-250
It’s my daily driver and I could not justify the extra costs of maintenance and fees associated with a diesel.
The F-250 pulls fine with no problems and is a great fit for my 27BHS

Dave.H · 02-20-2019, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

My neighbor just went thru this delima and chose a gasser 3/4T. His logic was that the few times he will tow didn’t add up to the extra $$$.

Agreed this is a very individual decision.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeGig

Ok thanks everyone

I just found a 2010 2500 Silverado LTZ duramax with 230000KM it has fresh inspection new breaks and tires for 25000$ but he is giving me 10000 for my 1500 2009. It is priced pretty much on par for year and KM etc.... across the maritimes.

What should I look for when I go and see it?

With that mileage (kilometage?) and that price I am assuming diesel. 2010 was the last year for the LMM. Solid engine. One of my favorites. 6 speed Allison. If it is a diesel as I assume, it's just getting broken in!

The 2010 was a solid truck. It was carry over from 2009 to fill the void until the 2011 came out. Aside from a few things, that truck was largely unchanged from mid year 2007 to 2010. There were improvements implemented over the years.

There is nothing specific I would look for in that truck. I'd look at the common things:
- Maintenance/service records
- Rust issues
- Collision history
- Any indications it was used as a plow truck

All in all it sounds like a decent deal. Reach out if you have any questions. I have very intimate knowledge of that platform.

Quantum · 02-20-2019, 10:10 AM

If you're going to go diesel, you should really look at a 3500/350 truck.

The weight of the diesel engine really cuts into the payload to the point where some 2500/250 trucks have less payload than a 1/2 ton pickup truck.

Take a look at the payload sticker on the drivers door to see if the truck has the payload you need for that trailer.

1400lbs tongue weight, plus passengers and cargo, you'll want a payload of at least 2500lbs

Dave.H · 02-20-2019, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quantum

If you're going to go diesel, you should really look at a 3500/350 truck.

The weight of the diesel engine really cuts into the payload to the point where some 2500/250 trucks have less payload than a 1/2 ton pickup truck.

Take a look at the payload sticker on the drivers door to see if the truck has the payload you need for that trailer.

1400lbs tongue weight, plus passengers and cargo, you'll want a payload of at least 2500lbs

A 2010 GM 2500 will be at least 3k in payload.

You may also like: