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Truck Camper Forum _ General Discussion _ Diesel or Gas ?

Posted by: wintertree Apr 3 2018, 06:11 PM

Hello Everyone.....In order to create some conversation....here is a great topic when choosing a truck camper "hauler'.....Diesel or Gas ?

Give us some of your reasons why you choose an "oil burner" or a "gas pot " for your camper hauler....There will be members that are will need this information in making this important decision....There is no right or wrong for each....Thanks all !

Posted by: wintertree Apr 3 2018, 08:02 PM

I'll Start this......Lets dissect some of the information....that may lead to an informed choice between Gas or Diesel....
Maybe I have a little more of an informed opinion about both....I have a farm....and with that an array of equipment...some gas and some diesel....I have always considered myself a practical man with a good handle on that all important life skill....knowing the difference (and acting on it) between "want and need"....Our field equipment is almost exclusively diesel. Its meant to work hard and the hour clocks on some of the field tractors is getting high....and without question....its all been quite trouble free....we do practice a good maintenance program as this equipment is directly connected to our lively hood....One of our grain trucks is gas....again I have had no issues with it....but it does not get the heavy use some of the field equipment does....an added bonus of this truck is it will usually start when its very cold...
When I look at a piece of equipment the first thing that enters my mind is "Cost of Ownership"...There is the first cost (the purchase) then there is the ongoing costs of maintenance...repairs....lifespan....depreciation....all effect your bottom line now and into the future.....I have used a business situation as a model which is not the case for most looking to make a truck purchase...but it may have some relationship to this topic..
Up until our present truck camper truck we always had gas engine units....why ? We were so busy with our farm that getting away for truck camper adventures only happened rarely and distances traveled were never more than a few days out...heck when I sold our last truck it was 20 years old and only had 80K on the clock....having an expensive diesel engine and using it rarely did not make sense "Cost of Ownership"..
Well retirement is looming.....we have rented portions of the farm out now and can get away for months at a time....I purchased our latest "camper hauler" in 2016 with a big diesel in mind....The balance between "want and need" has moved a little now as we are not scrambling to to raise a family and keep up with the bills...I was always aware of how a big diesel would perform with the TC...but chose to wait till spending the extra $$
till life became a little simpler and we were financially set....
A word about diesels....#1 cause of problems with a diesel engine is poor or dirty fuel..
(thats assuming proper maintenance is done)....making sure that filters....water separators....etc ... are in great shape at all times doesn't guaranty a problem free life but goes a long way to having a good experience.....engine longevity and a more efficient use of fuel (better milage) are all the icing on the cake so to speak....

Posted by: RV_Tech Apr 4 2018, 07:28 AM

I am not sure any topic draws more heated debate than the old "gas versus diesel" which I think often boils down to intangibles more than the oft stated power differences, mileage, etc. Simply put, I think more folks buy diesel not based on need, but based on want.

Our last truck was a dually diesel. Great when it was towing or hauling, but less desirable the rest of the time which was most of it. Some folks don't mind walking a mile after finally finding a place to park, we do. Cost of maintenance versus gas, ouch. As a daily driver, sorry just not very agile at the bank or the local water hole.

So since we don't need the power and didn't feel a couple more miles per gallon made up for the difference in purchase prices, this time around we went F350 6.2 SRW gasser. Yes it eats more fuel and yes it downshifts more on the steep grades, but it is a much better fit for what we need a truck to do and I when I change the oil it is 7 quarts versus the 14 of oil.

In the end, you're writing the check, buy the truck you want!

Posted by: SidecarFlip Apr 11 2018, 08:25 PM

QUOTE(RV_Tech @ Apr 4 2018, 07:28 AM)
I am not sure any topic draws more heated debate than the old "gas versus diesel" which I think often boils down to intangibles more than the oft stated power differences, mileage, etc. Simply put, I think more folks buy diesel not based on need, but based on want.

Our last truck was a dually diesel. Great when it was towing or hauling, but less desirable the rest of the time which was most of it. Some folks don't mind walking a mile after finally finding a place to park, we do. Cost of maintenance versus gas, ouch. As a daily driver, sorry just not very agile at the bank or the local water hole.

So since we don't need the power and didn't feel a couple more miles per gallon made up for the difference in purchase prices, this time around we went F350 6.2 SRW gasser. Yes it eats more fuel and yes it downshifts more on the steep grades, but it is a much better fit for what we need a truck to do and I when I change the oil it is 7 quarts versus the 14 of oil.

In the end, you're writing the check, buy the truck you want!
*



Exactly. I have a diesel but a gas motor is fine too. One thing about a diesel, if you trade every few years, a diesel is a bad investment. When I bought my diesel Ford in 1997, I planned on keeping it 10 years, it's turned into a bit more than 10 years....lol

Posted by: wintertree Apr 12 2018, 03:18 PM

QUOTE(SidecarFlip @ Apr 11 2018, 07:25 PM)
Exactly.  I have a diesel but a gas motor is fine too.  One thing about a diesel, if you trade every few years, a diesel is a bad investment.  When I bought my diesel Ford in 1997, I planned on keeping it 10 years, it's turned into a bit more than 10 years....lol
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The word "Investment" when it comes to vehicles makes me gag....They are nothing but a money pit ! A necessary evil for many of us that have miles to travel....

If a diesel is wrong for your needs....such as its primary use (stop and go in a city)...intermittent use in a very cold climate....Long periods of idling (this mostly applies to the modern diesels with particle filters)....If you are penny pinching....meaning your initial costs are totally related to your ability to get out and enjoy the life style (whats its totally about!!)....Then get to a gas pot....They run well...have enough power for most applications....generally warm up faster and so on...
Now if you application would be better with a diesel...you need the extra torque / pull because of hauling/towing (as some here have a large boat behind a sizeable camper)....Your not having to totally worry about the initial money spent on the truck then get a diesel....Heres Why...
The diesel option is about $5K - $8K on a new purchase....those who choose to keep a newer rig (diesel) under your butts and do regular maintenance.....keep the truck in great repair....don't beat it up cosmetically....will easily get that much....(or very close) in extra trade in value if they are regularly re-new their ride.....So....really.....you get the benefits of the engine ....So any comments about a diesel truck being unique when it comes to trading them in every 3-5 years is false....The reality is....anyone trading things in every 3-5 years ....no matter what the vehicle takes a bath as they have to absorb the initial depreciation...over and over...

Posted by: JADE RACING Apr 13 2018, 07:18 AM

Having a 1ton dually diesel c/c to haul our t/c has been a progression of rv's as we have "progressed" from 5th wheels to our Adventurer 106 DBS. Over many years we owned many gassers and as the 2 footitise materialized we needed more pulling power as well as stability so came the diesels. Our present unit is an 07 GMC 3500 c/c dually with quite a few upgrades and only 75000 miles showing. It is stored during our winters here in Ontario as we presently snowbird in Florida. Replacement for this unit is prohibitive now in full retirement as costs exceed need. I would do the same if I had to as this unit works well as now packaged. Maintenance is the key to longevity with all vehicles. As being a secondary vehicle we are able to use this truck as we wish.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Apr 14 2018, 09:46 PM

QUOTE(wintertree @ Apr 12 2018, 03:18 PM)
The word "Investment" when it comes to vehicles makes me gag....They are nothing but a money pit ! A necessary evil for many of us that have miles to travel....

If a diesel is wrong for your needs....such as its primary use (stop and go in a city)...intermittent use in a very cold climate....Long periods of idling (this mostly applies to the modern diesels with particle filters)....If you are penny pinching....meaning your initial costs are totally related to your ability to get out and enjoy the life style (whats its totally about!!)....Then get to a gas pot....They run well...have enough power for most applications....generally warm up faster and so on...
  Now if you application would be better with a diesel...you need the extra torque / pull because of hauling/towing (as some here have a large boat behind a sizeable camper)....Your not having to totally worry about the initial money spent on the truck then get a diesel....Heres Why...
The diesel option is about $5K - $8K on a new purchase....those who choose to keep a newer rig (diesel) under your butts and do regular maintenance.....keep the truck in great repair....don't beat it up cosmetically....will easily get that much....(or very close) in extra trade in value if they are regularly re-new their ride.....So....really.....you get the benefits of the engine ....So any comments about a diesel truck being unique when it comes to trading them in every 3-5 years is false....The reality is....anyone trading things in every 3-5 years ....no matter what the vehicle takes a bath as they have to absorb the initial depreciation...over and over...
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You seem to have a weak stomach.... tongue.gif

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