I'm strongly considering living in a travel trailer on base in Maryland as the cost is about 1/3 to 1/2 what a small apartment will be.

In order to live comfortably I think I'm gonna have to get rid of the Forerunner and pick up a truck. 5000 lbs on the forerunner doesn't pull much trailer, especially if I get a 4-season model.

So...if I am looking at F250's, is the initial investment worth it for the diesel. A LOT of my driving is short trips as I always live near work, I've heard that can be problematic with diesels and build-up. I put on average about 4K miles on a vehicle so there isn't a huge annual maintenance issue either way. Most of my little short trips and errands are done on the motorcycle currently, but once I get my dog I'll likely be taking the truck more often.

I've also heard a diesel does better when pulling anything.

This truck will likely retire with me as I don't foresee getting rid of it. So it will be making much longer trips later in its life.

Does extreme cold affect a diesel in any adverse way? Is 70K miles on a used diesel still pretty comparable to 25-30K on a gas engine?

I'm also not completely against settling for a 1/2T, probably go with a Tundra...too many damn options.

If you aren’t towing the trailer very much I’d probably buy the gasoline engine truck. The chief advantages to a diesel is their torque and that they get much better fuel mileage when towing. My experience has been that a properly maintained gasoline engine will last until the rest of the vehicle is falling apart, so longevity is less of a selling point. Gas motors are cheaper to buy and maintain. I drove 7.3L Powerstroke diesel F-250s and had an old 12 valve Cummins Dodge Ram and they were the cat’s meow back before the federal emissions controls became more of an issue in around 2005.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
If you aren’t towing the trailer very much I’d probably buy the gasoline engine truck. The chief advantages to a diesel is their torque and that they get much better fuel mileage when towing. My experience has been that a properly maintained gasoline engine will last until the rest of the vehicle is falling apart, so longevity is less of a selling point. Gas motors are cheaper to buy and maintain. I drove 7.3L Powerstroke diesel F-250s and had an old 12 valve Cummins Dodge Ram and they were the cat’s meow back before the federal emissions controls became more of an issue in around 2005.

This ^^^^^^^
Modern diesels are only worth it if towing and hauling alot over long distances. Arfmel nailed it in a paragraph. Having a 8,000 lb. daily driver will cost you more than you wanna pay.

Thanks gentlemen, that's much of what I've read...trailer won't move but once every 60 days...hell, the truck won't move but once a week unless it's raining.

I'll look for a Tundra or gas F250, should be similar price to trade in on the forerunner so I'm not out much money. 10k towing get a hell of a lot more trailer than 5k.

I'm a huge proponent of getting the diesel, however with what your describing your uses as I'd consider sticking with the gas motor. The diesel would be fine as a daily driver, however constant short runs and or sitting the majority of the time you'll never get the additional cost out of it.

This is coming from someone who just bought a 17 Ram with the Cummins motor in it this past February. I intend to get a camper at some point, however I drive 30 minutes to an hour plus for work everyday and occasionally pull a trailer. I also don't need to worry about the emissions equipment as it's been handles already helping the motor work the way it was truly designed.

I’ve said this before. I drove diesel trucks before they were “cool”. After putting pencil to paper, my last two trucks (F250s) have been gas burners.
Diesels are too much money up front, too much money on maintenance, and I do NOT want to have to work on one out of warranty.

So, in short, I concur with the opinion that the gas truck would probably be the better choice.

I have no advice on the diesels, but, should you get a F250 gasser, I can highly recommend the 6.2 liter gas motor.

I have a 2013 F250 with the 6.2, with over 200,000 miles on it. Regular oil changes are your friend. My truck pulls trailers at least once a week, and this thing hasn't skipped a beat. Pulling a 5-10k lb trailer would be no problem for this motor.

Now, the biggest problem will be finding a truck and a trailer, for a reasonable price . Good luck Otto!

i have been looking for a used diesel pre-smog for a long time. No dice for something that is not very well used and affordable.

The Ford 6.2 gas has been a good motor in the 3/4 ton class truck. The Toyota 1/2 ton with 5.7 is a beast of a truck for what it is.

Modern diesel's are not what they used to be, and are not super high mileage engines like they used to be.

All the emissions stuff hurt their mileage too.

I bought a used '13 Duramax 3 years ago for trips, hauling our 5th wheel, ect. Overall, happy with the truck, but not so much with the diesel aspect of it. Had 36K on it when I bout it in '18, has 80K on it now.

Higher maintenance costs, higher repair bills, higher fuel costs, and I wonder how far past 100-120K miles it'll go.

I recently pulled a 5000 lb trailer from Ohio to Idaho. Car hauler with a tractor on it. 13 MPG over the 2000 miles. That isn't much better than a gas engine, not to mention the higher price of diesel.

And DEF is just another expense/headache.

My wife and I have talked through this same discussion. While we like the towing of the Diesel, the modern fuel mileage, emissions crap, longevity, and high price doesn't make sense anymore, unless you are towing a lot, or towing a lot with a business.

Our next truck to haul our camper around will be a gasser.

Normally I’d recommend choosing a trailer first, then sizing a truck to tow it.
.

Consider the weight of your trailer, any payload like putting the motorcycle in the bed, etc.

Tundra is rated at 8800 to 10300
F250 12,300-15,000,
F150 5000 to 11,300.
Ram 1500 6150 to 8290

With Tundra mileage you’d be better served by just getting a 2500…not that much difference in MPG but a lot more capability and space.

Ride comfort can be an issue with 3/4 tons. I’m not that familiar with Ford but in the Ram family if you can sacrifice some payload numbers then the off-road package / power wagon package gives you a much softer on/off road ride…..just at the expense of payload.

Get a diesel if you can swing it. Its a much better towing experience and resale on a diesel is much higher.

F250 Godzilla. Talked to a guy who pulled a 32' trailer through the Rockies on an 8,000 mile trip. Said it never slowed down.

i know you mentioned your buddy with the Godzilla before ArtieS. That is a good report to hear. I would love one in a dually with flatbed and 4wd. A work truck. Maybe even the SWB F250 in the same bed and drive configuration. I have already ran by the CFO and it did not go well

For your purposes the F250 sounds like overkill in any of it's forms. Any of the regular full size trucks should meet your needs just fine. I think they pretty much all have towing capacities over 10k these days.

I don't post much if at all, but if you would like to discuss a combo deal (truck and trailer) with me please contact me via the email in my profile.

Rick

quote:

Originally posted by Perception:
For your purposes the F250 sounds like overkill in any of it's forms. Any of the regular full size trucks should meet your needs just fine. I think they pretty much all have towing capacities over 10k these days.

What you want/need today may be different in the future. If this is the final purchase before retirement, leave yourself some options. Id go F250 or similar. Gas vs. diesel???

I have an 03 F250 that originally was a 6.0 diesel and is now 7.3. I really like it but I only tow light and plow snow with it (and it's great for that) but my next one will be another F250 (or 350) and gas. Definitely more economic in the fuel department.

I’m a diesel guy. We currently have 2 diesel vehicles in our family fleet but given you’re use I can honestly say that a diesel would be a poor decision.

Get a gas F-250 and call it a day…