Trailer Life Magazine Open Roads Forum: Tow Vehicles: Diesel vs gas......................

Print | Close

Topic: Diesel vs gas......................

Posted By: maryb1976 on 07/14/05 10:21pm

I would like some info on the Ford V10 vs the diesel. My husband and I are buying a new truck to tow a toy hauler.. I've heard different stories on each. Does anyone have the Ford F-250 V10? or the diesel. Can you tell me what gas mileage you get.. empty and full? We want to get a new toy hauler to haul our bikes. We have a Ford F-150 that is 2 years old. When we went to see about the toy hauler, we found out that it wasn't big enough to tow what we wanted.. So, we have to go get another truck first... I would appreciate anyone's input of what would be better to buy.. V10 or diesel.. Thanks!!!!!

Posted By: afsmith on 07/20/05 07:29pm

I recently bought an 05 Chevy extended cab 4x4 3500 Dooley with the duramax and allison. Before I had an 01 2500 4x4 extended cab short bed with the 8.1 and the allison. I was unsure about diesels before I got one. I have to say that I enjoyed the 8.1 it has plenty of towing power but did not pull the trailer quit as easy as the duramax. I always had to pull the trailer 70 to 75 mph with the gasser to run in overdrive and was not able to set the cruise. With the duramax I'm able to set the cruise on 65 and let it go even up hill. I've never had a diesel before so I didn't have anything to compare with a gasser. I have 7,000 miles on the new one and recently got back from Leadville,Colorado I averaged 8-10 pulling and
18 empty. With the gasser I would average 4-6 pulling and 11-12 empty. I have had both now and definately prefer the diesel over the gas. If for nothing else but the ease of pulling.

Posted By: kennard04 on 07/21/05 04:23pm

maryb1976 wrote:

I get 12-15 solo, depending on how many kids in hot rods I have to show what 'real motor' means. I get 8-11 towing depending on hills, altitude, etc. I would say if you're going to be towing alot, for many years, you will get more out of a diesel. I do not tow full time so a diesel wasn't a good choice for me. Typically you'll get 2-5 mpg more in a diesel. But for very heavy loads, and lots of towing you'll be happer than with a gas motor. The gas engine will tow whatever you buy, but it will work considerably harder at it's tow capacity. I tow around 10K, and the V-10 is a monster for that weight. It's smooth and quiet and very fuel efficient for a big, hard working truck. Drive both, see which one you like, then sit down and figure fuel mileage, fuel costs (diesel is alot higher out here), fuel availability and higher initial buy in costs. At 100-150K miles you should break even with the gas motor for cost. If you buy a new truck every few years you need a gas motor. If you will keep your truck 10 years a tow only, or mostly with it get the oilburner.

Ken, wife-Kathleen, 6 kids, 11-25 yrs. 24' bunkhouse towed by the almighty Ford V10 in an ext length E-350.

Posted By: sbingham on 07/24/05 09:39pm

NO comparison. Diesel is the tow vehicle. Here is my direct comparison:
1- 2004 Chevy Taho pulling a 5,000 TT. Pulled a local 7% grade at 37mph tops.
2- 2005 Dodge Ram Cummins pulled this same trailer at 74mph up the same grade.

Comparison #2:
1- 2004 Chevy Taho pulling the same trailer averaged 8-10 mpg.
2- 2005 Dodge Ran pulling the same trailer averaged 11-14 mpg.

Comparison #3:
1- 2004 Chevy Taho non-towing gas mileage was 14-18
2- 2005 Dodge Cummins non-towing mileage was 16-21

Of course the diesel will last 350,000 miles and still have much better resale value. Nuf said?

Lastly, this same 2005 Dodge Ram now pulls my new HitchHiker 5th wheeler (around 9,000) up thos same grade at 67mph! Yikes!

Steve and Bobbie (and Shotgun - my 115 lb dog)
Down sized to a Nash 25S

My web page is www.dustylens.com

Posted By: kennard04 on 07/25/05 08:24am

YES there are comparisons. Why is it when you're talking to someone who has a diesel there is NO comparison ? It's like they're scared someone may not have the same opinion as them. Diesels aren't for everyone, they're not for every use. Americans are not diesel acclimatized fully. There are many negatives to owning and operating a diesel. I would suggest a thorough investigation of how you will use your tow rig. Very few folks tow a majority of the time. We run to the store, we drive to friends houses, we drive to work, etc. So don't listen to anyone that says there are NO comparisons, there are LOTS of comparisons and LOTS of reasons why either motor MAY be good, or bad for one particular user. Look into it fully, then decide what's best for YOU.

Posted By: hone eagle on 07/25/05 08:11pm

Alright compare us to the europeans over 40% diesel ownership,short trips,no hauling,just like the way we use our cars.So I maintain they can be for every day use.Besides I cant afford a nich car for every type of tranportation need(long trip cruiser,go to work beater,sunday driver,5er hauler)so I need my truck to do it all.......and it does.

99 F250 PSD bilstiens. bone stock otherwise
2002 Triple E 30' 5th

Posted By: chasd60 on 07/28/05 07:58am

kennard04 wrote:

And these are my comparisons.............

I have both a 2001 Dodge Ram 5.2L Gas engine and a 2001 Dodge Ram Cummins diesel engine. Both are 2WD and the gas is a shortbed, diesel is a longbed.
The gas engine commuting back and forth to work at 92 miles RT and 70mph averages 16MPG in the summer and 14.5 in the winter. Towing a 5000lb camper and 4 passenegrs at 70MPH I got between 6-8mpg on a trip from Maine to Florida and back.

Commuting with the Ram diesel at 70mph I am getting 20mpg summer and no real winter figures yet although I have driven it in the winter.
Towing worst case yet has been 14mpg with the same camper. I will need to perform a 70mph full day tow for a real comparison and I am not sure when that will occur.

I use the diesel for everyday use as well.

* This post was edited 07/30/05 07:47pm by chasd60 *

Posted By: SLEEZ on 07/29/05 11:57pm

I've owned both. I had an 01' Ford 6.8L V10 and currently own an 05' Chevy Duramax diesel. There is NO comparison between the two. The diesel will walk all over the V10, especially while towing. Pulling my old trailer, which weighed about 7k loaded the V10 would struggle to pull the steep grades. With my new trailer which is over 10k loaded the DMAX pulls the heavier load up the same grades faster and a lot less downshifting. Gas mileage is way better in the diesel, I can get to Pismo in less than 3/4 tank of gas and a little over a 1/2 tank coming home. The V10 would use over a tank and a half to cover the same distance. The V10 was very reliable, so is my DMAX so far.

Posted By: bbw on 07/30/05 04:16pm

I guess you have to try and sort all of this out but let me say this... either way you will have awesome towing power. Your gas mileage will be a little better with the diesel but not significantly. I personally would go with the diesel but only for the mileage. It does add up after awhile. Not sure what type toy hauler your going to get but just to set the record straight I have a 5000# (dryweight) Toy Hauler. Fully loaded I can maintain 50+ mph up any 7% grade with no problem. Yes I have to drop it in second and I'm turning some RPM's but it will do it. (This is why I use my sons Ford with the Powerstroke). Secondly unless you want to replace the tranny ever few thousand miles you should NEVER tow in overdrive. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Posted By: Katdaddy on 08/02/05 11:22am

Most of the posts that I have read here refer to MPG and durability between the two engines. I am considering my first diesel and am interested in what are the other major differences between the two. I see references to plugging in a diesel, gelling of fuel, etc. What are the things I need to know, other than the mileage and longevity?

Little by little, one travels far - J.R.R. Tolkien
There ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them. - Mark Twain

Print | Close