gas or diesel?

So after working overtime and a lot of scrimping, I’ve got 1500 saved and almost ready to start shoping for a truck. I know I want a 3/4 ton manual 4×4. My only decision now is do I want gas or diesel? Ill be pulling a 5th wheel camper on normal iowa terrain, but will also be going to yellowstone atleast once a year. Diesels are supposed to be better for pulling, but for no more than I will be using it for that is it worth the extra maintanance I hear about? Other than that it will be a daily driver. What yall think?

If you are paying $1500 for a truck, get a gas. There is no diesel pickup worth owning for that amount of money. Also if it will be your daily driver go with a gas. Less overall cost. I have a diesel pickup that I paid $25k for used, and it is a great truck, but is expesive to own. Just MHO.

Diesel all the way for towing and the best fuel mileage. Not sure what you can find in that price range.

I was in the same spot with a new to us 5th wheel two years ago and had sticker shock at what used 3/4 tons sell for. I wonder what, if anything, will be available in that price range. Not too likely one you can trust to haul a 5th wheel to Yellowstone. When you are towing I believe most will agree the diesel is better. But for the rest of the time in our northern climate I’d say gas.

My guess is that it is a down payment…

There is all that much extra maintenance. Careful what you buy though, my diesel is a dog. 94 Chevy. Newer Chevys are much more powerful.

As long as it is a FORD you will be happy as a clam,gas or diesel!!!!!

I drive a GMC Sierra 2500 6.0 gas with tow package. Pulls a 18,000# gooseneck horsetrailer just fine. Trailer has full camper package including slide-out. About 8,000# tounge weight (added air-bags to the back shocks). Before this trailer… pulled a 26 foot 5th wheel camper with the truck… not quite as heavy… but pulled just fine.

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As long as it is a FORD you will be happy as a clam,gas or diesel!!!!!

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Carefull with the 6.0 diesel. Junk motor from my experence and everyone else I know, must be a reason that motor didnt last long. 7.3 was great and the new 6.4 seems good.

Also careful with the 2004-2005 F150 with the 5.4 due to the stupid plugs break off in the head!

I see Ford F350’s having a difficult time pulling trailers 1/2 the size of mine at horse shows all summer long. The GM trucks don’t seem to have issues. Not trying to get into a Ford vs Chevy debate… but hauling heavy equipment with live animals… the GMs just do it. The Fords look badass though. My GMC isn’t very noticeable.

Me thinks Stuart is having fun with his site name

1500 is what ive saved so far. im looking in the range of about 2000-2500. i know im leaving the automatic trannys behind, they are not as dependable or strong in my opinion. ive been doing dodge chevy comparisons online. if anyone has a 98-99 dodges 25-3500, i would like to know what experiances they have had. my knowledge and experiance stops at 88 and they were great then.

Hate to tell you, but you wont find any diesel that doesn’t need a ton of work for that price. Yes, they are expensive to own and maintain. My 2001 Ford f-250 takes 18 qts per oil change.(including the 3 in the hpop). Not only that, but in that price range, it will probably have over 300,000 miles. For the little you would pull with it. buy a gasser, or look to spend around 10k for a good used 3/4 ton diesel.

i was looking @ used ones last night and your right, they are alot higher. i found 3 f150s in there and one f250, but thats it and neither were dualies.

Don’t try a diesel in that price range. Anything that’s out there in that price range will have been looked at and rejected by people who really know diesels. The only thing you’d be buying is trouble.

It is very hard for the non-commercial, average mileage driver to come out ahead with a diesel.

Grouse

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It is very hard for the non-commercial, average mileage driver to come out ahead with a diesel.

Grouse

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Yes diesels get better mileage on the highway, yes they get better mileage while towing but you have to ask yourself how much are you actually going to tow. Also buying the diesel engine is more expensive, when I had my Ram 2500 Diesel I think it was a $6,000 upgrade over the gas engine. You can buy a lot of gasoline for $6k.

To the OP, I’d recommend gas. I’ve owned a lot of different trucks over the years and now I tow my 4,000 glass boat with a v6 toyota.

Diesels are expensive to maintain compared to gas. If you dont need a diesel I suggest not getting one.

Thanks for the advice. I would only be pulling through mountains maybe twice a summer? The majority would be just around town and down to sothern iowa empty. So maybe a gas toner will be the best for me.

The 6.0 gas has been a great engine for me. My favorite V8 of all that I have owned.