Struggling to decide on gas vs diesel for a 14k 37' 5er

jjackkrash · August 4, 2023

My dad loves his gassers; he likes to "let them work" in the high rpm range and putt up the hills. "I'm not in a hurry" and "I'll get there when I get there" are his favorite sayings. Not me.

Me, 5 minutes into the drive listening to a gasser wind while I'm getting passed by every other car on the road and I'm ready to shoot myself. I just love the way modern diesel GM trucks drive, loaded or unloaded, and especially loaded heavy. I tow a 20k fiver, a 14k dump trailer, 14k flat bed, and anything else I want to tow with the diesel. And I like to get where I'm going and love doing it. You can pry my diesel out of my cold dead hand. I got my boy a baby Duramax 1/2 ton to tow our ski boat when I have the 5th wheel and I love driving the 1/2 ton diesel as well. My wife has a 6.2L in her Escalade, and it's a great engine, but if I had to do it over again, it would have the 3.0L diesel.

Bottom line is you can get away with a gasser for your application but, IMO, no thanks. But it all comes down to personal preference and what can you tolerate and what you can afford. If you can afford it, and simply prefer the way a diesel drives, splurge and treat yourself, IMO.

Edited August 4, 2023 by jjackkrash

diyer2 · August 4, 2023

Everybody can go fast down hill, but few can go fast uphill. It's decision time, is the cost worth the minutes saved?

Living in the mountains of Colorado I have witnessed every situation you could think of driving the mountain roads.

Gassers trying to keep up with diesels pulling Eisenhower only to end up overheating is one example.

2024 3500 SLT Diesel

BowtieOwner · August 4, 2023

I have a 39' 5er that is just over 14k lbs dry, 2100+ lb pin weight, and GVWR over 16k lbs. When I stayed in-state in Michigan I had no problem pulling it with my '21 2500 HD gasser, even on trips of close to 200 miles. However, when we made plans to start taking it out of state (Georgia, Texas) I decided to move up to a '22 3500 HD dually diesel. Pulling through any kind of mountain elevation, like in West Virginia, I knew I was going to be happy to have the diesel and the extra stability of the dually. Overall I was seeing about 2 mpg better in the diesel than the gas when pulling that kind of load, and about 3-4 mpg better unloaded. Granted I went from a CCSB 2500 to a CCLB DRW 3500, so the truck weighs more and is even less aerodynamic.

namtaru · August 12, 2023

On 7/31/2023 at 7:33 AM, nards444 said:

14k dry? Loaded can be a lot more. Not only does this demand a deisel, it also demands a dually.

Secondly I highly suggest looking at the rig you are getting and really think about it. I know the typical retirement dream is to go out and buy a house sized trailer and haul it around. I have a few buddies in the RV market, and around third to 40% of these guys are back within a year downsizing

14k GVWR, so fully loaded.

We already have a 32' travel trailer that we've had for years, and we are upgrading due to wanting to take longer than just weekend trips, longer distance trips, and because our kids are getting bigger and outgrowing our current setup.

Our plan is to have this fifth wheel for the next 5-8 years, or until the kids stop wanting to come with us, then downsize to a bit smaller fifth wheel that we will potentially keep much longer, all the while keeping the same truck.

Right now I'm pulling around 7400lbs with my half ton, that has a capable tow capacity of 9600lbs. It's ok, it's not necessarily "white knuckle" but it can definately be mentally draining on longer trips since I have to do all the driving. And with my current setup being at about 77% maximum towing capacity, and the new setup if I went with gas i'd be at about 79% of my max towing capacity, I just kind of assumed that I would end up in a similar situation.

All that being said, and as an update to the thread, I placed an order this week for a 24 3500 AT4 Duramax.

Edited August 12, 2023 by namtaru

UWSkier · August 13, 2023

23 hours ago, namtaru said:

14k GVWR, so fully loaded.

We already have a 32' travel trailer that we've had for years, and we are upgrading due to wanting to take longer than just weekend trips, longer distance trips, and because our kids are getting bigger and outgrowing our current setup.

Our plan is to have this fifth wheel for the next 5-8 years, or until the kids stop wanting to come with us, then downsize to a bit smaller fifth wheel that we will potentially keep much longer, all the while keeping the same truck.

Right now I'm pulling around 7400lbs with my half ton, that has a capable tow capacity of 9600lbs. It's ok, it's not necessarily "white knuckle" but it can definately be mentally draining on longer trips since I have to do all the driving. And with my current setup being at about 77% maximum towing capacity, and the new setup if I went with gas i'd be at about 79% of my max towing capacity, I just kind of assumed that I would end up in a similar situation.

All that being said, and as an update to the thread, I placed an order this week for a 24 3500 AT4 Duramax.

That's the way to go. Should be a great truck!

Dunn · August 26, 2023

For that job of towing I would get a diesel and never owned one....

Same reason for getting a 3/4 or 1 ton over a 1/2 ton (at its limit)

Just easier, more comfortable

First time you struggle you'll be second guessing....

Rather do it comfortably than stress and really that's what it boils down too....

That is if finances aren't an issue

madweazl · August 29, 2023

I was towing our 35' 5er with a 6.4l Ram and it did ok power wise. I could run the speed limit pretty much everywhere but never had it at higher elevations which certainly makes a difference. The biggest issue I had was having fill up about every 170 miles. On our last big trip (early April of this year), we went just under 2200 miles and I had to fuel up 15 times. I decided it was time for another diesel at that point (got rid of our last one in 2016 because we got rid of our trailer).

With the gas engine running at higher RPMs with any grade, it was fairly noisy. I hadn't really noticed until we went to the diesel. The cabin is much quieter in all situations which was a pleasant surprise. I can go 300+ miles on a tank of fuel now which has been fantastic. The increased power is great; I can jump in to the next lane and pass a slower moving truck without holding up the vehicles behind me. I can merge on to the highway at the current rate of traffic pretty much regardless of the situation. Occasionally diesel is the same price as gas and I get 25% better mileage towing or not so that is great (right now the prices suck). On that note, Gas Buddy has actually saved me a good bit of money (never used to pay attention).

If I had a trailer under 10k, I'd probably stick to gas but for me, diesel has been a much more pleasant experience to tow with and there hasn't been a disadvantage while not towing.