Tow Vehicle: Diesel Vs. Regular Gas

DDG · Post by **DDG** » Fri Oct 18, 2019 2:24 pm

Wanted to get people's opinion on tow vehicles, Ive had people swear by Diesel but have also heard otherwise.

Would like to see what anglers on here think.

Dave Brabec · Post by **Dave Brabec** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 7:10 am

Ive had gas trucks all my life . Bought a Diesel 2 years ago and couldnt be happier. Way more power and better MPG with a trailer or without. More expensive to buy and a little more to maintain . Feels way safer towing the travel trailer . Exhaust brake on downhills is incredible.
Dont really need one for the boat , But i can get 16-19 mpg on highway with tandem axle 20 ft boat.

birdman920 · Post by **birdman920** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 2:18 pm

If you are looking for a truck to strictly tow ? I would definitely go with a diesel!.... your mpg with a diesel does not change much when towing a bass boat “ but a gas motor really takes a hit ! the exhaust brake ‘ in a diesel is awsome! bottom line !... diesel is a safer way to tow !

fresnoron · Post by **fresnoron** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 4:20 pm

Always had F150s till I needed to start towing a travel trailer when it became painfully obvious I needed more power, especially in the hills. Switched to F250 Super Duty 2 years ago and will never go back. Power is unmatched with gas, actual towing capacity is much better, way better fuel mileage towing, but most important I believe is that the braking system is much heavier duty than the gas version. Keeping control of your tow is invaluable. If your serious about towing, go diesel.

Ondeck14 · Post by **Ondeck14** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 6:16 pm

Here in Texas it's pretty flat where I fish. I got a deal on an ecodiesel in 2017 and couldn't be happier. If there were big hills and or mountains I'd opt for the 3/4 ton and bigger diesel. The Eco stock got me 26-28 mpg. I added a green diesel tuner and it bumped me to 28-30 on the hwy and 22-23 pulling a boat. I've since lifted and went to bigger tires but still avg about 17-18 pulling a boat. Diesel also is $2.40ish a gallon here...

Hughsonbassin · Post by **Hughsonbassin** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 12:09 pm

If you’re looking at it from an economics standpoint then gas all the way. If you just want the baddest tow rig then get a diesel. Don’t buy a diesel to save on MPG just like a hybrid you will give all that back and then some on the first major repair not to mention the increased initial vehicle cost. Just ask all the guys who bought 6.0 and 6.4 Fords.

not4un · Post by **not4un** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:57 pm

Ondeck14 wrote:Here in Texas it's pretty flat where I fish. I got a deal on an ecodiesel in 2017 and couldn't be happier. If there were big hills and or mountains I'd opt for the 3/4 ton and bigger diesel. The Eco stock got me 26-28 mpg. I added a green diesel tuner and it bumped me to 28-30 on the hwy and 22-23 pulling a boat. I've since lifted and went to bigger tires but still avg about 17-18 pulling a boat. Diesel also is $2.40ish a gallon here...

I also had an ecodiesel and loved it. However it did blow up w/in 2 weeks of me selling it w/46K on ODO. Unfortunately we can not get the Green Diesel tune in CA and that would be the only way I would own an ecodiesel again. They have not been all that reliable check ram1500ecodiesel.com and you will see lots of motor problems. Maybe the 2020's will be better w/the redesigned motor.

Like it has been said getting a diesel to save mpg's does not work out money wise. Unless you plan on putting well over 200k+ miles on it. The cost of the diesel motor vs gas motor is a big difference when buying a truck, plus the cost of maintenance is higher. You can buy the new 2020 Chevy 6.0 gas motor truck for $10k less than the duramax. Plus the cost of diesel fuel is higher than gas almost all the time now. If you don't care about the cost and want to pull very heavy loads then buy a diesel.

scottsweet · Post by **scottsweet** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 8:27 pm

I have had both. In CA where we pay a premium for diesel (usually more then unleaded 87 and often more than Premium), you aren't going to save $$ even with the better mpg due to the higher cost for diesel and the extra $$ for the diesel engine upgrade. However, you will have better towing ability and will get better mileage when towing.

I specifically bought my RV with a diesel...it is one on the Mercedes Sprint chassis. I definitely get better gas mileage because of it. But I tow my boat 80% of the time with the RV. Same was the case when I had my truck with a camper.

Some will say diesels cost more to run but that has not been my personal experience. I have virtually had no problems with my diesels. They usually last longer and you do not have tune ups like on a gas engine as long as you stay up on the oil changes, etc like any other vehicle. In most cases, your oil changes will cost you more because they use more oil...though the new Ford F150 diesel uses the same oil as a V8 gasoline engine.

The real question is how much will you be actually towing vs just driving around town? Second, is it really a financial decision or a better performance decision. If you are towing 30-40% or less...than gas from a financial perspective. I would say if you are going to tow more than that, than diesel is the way to go.

Hughsonbassin · Post by **Hughsonbassin** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:29 pm

Tune-ups? Those are long gone spark plugs intervals are 100k and they go that long trouble free and no fuel filters most trucks haven’t had those since early 2000’s. Diesels need fuel filters every 15-30k miles. Plus you have the added cost of DEF fluid on top of the fuel for any newer diesel.

scottsweet · Post by **scottsweet** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 6:26 am

Hughsonbassin wrote:Tune-ups? Those are long gone spark plugs intervals are 100k and they go that long trouble free and no fuel filters most trucks haven’t had those since early 2000’s. Diesels need fuel filters every 15-30k miles. Plus you have the added cost of DEF fluid on top of the fuel for any newer diesel.

You are right...

. DEF is very cheap though the fuel filters can be expensive. All that said...diesels aren't going to save you money in CA LOL.

JoeLanghans · Post by **JoeLanghans** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 7:20 am

scottsweet wrote:
Hughsonbassin wrote:Tune-ups? Those are long gone spark plugs intervals are 100k and they go that long trouble free and no fuel filters most trucks haven’t had those since early 2000’s. Diesels need fuel filters every 15-30k miles. Plus you have the added cost of DEF fluid on top of the fuel for any newer diesel.
You are right.... DEF is very cheap though the fuel filters can be expensive. All that said...diesels aren't going to save you money in CA LOL.

I agree with Scott, I have a diesel truck, diesel is not the cost effective way to go in California. I’m not a Ford guy but the best trucks in California are the Ford F-150’s with the ecoboost.

Larry Hemphill · Post by **Larry Hemphill** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 2:24 pm

I just have to agree about the Ford 150. Never thot a "6" could tow like that and be so quiet (for a truck). When one has neighbors a few feet away - sleeping - and my truck starts or backs in the boat - you want to put a blanket over the hood - or something. We usually don't leave our homes to go fishing at 10 am! Start any vehicle at 3 am. They sound more like a tank than a truck!

We sure should appreciate the modern tech and performance of all brands of trucks. You older folks will - are they really a truck???

Dave Brabec · Post by **Dave Brabec** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 5:19 am

Loud trucks suck . One reason i waited on getting a diesel. You cant hear mine in the driveway.

DDG · Post by **DDG** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 7:30 pm

Larry Hemphill wrote:I just have to agree about the Ford 150. Never thot a "6" could tow like that and be so quiet (for a truck). When one has neighbors a few feet away - sleeping - and my truck starts or backs in the boat - you want to put a blanket over the hood - or something. We usually don't leave our homes to go fishing at 10 am! Start any vehicle at 3 am. They sound more like a tank than a truck!

We sure should appreciate the modern tech and performance of all brands of trucks. You older folks will - are they really a truck???

when you say "6" are you referring to a v6? I do know alot of guys tow with a v6 4.0, if you are can you elaborate on your experience as i'm sure you are towing a 21' boat.

scott39 · Post by **scott39** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 8:33 pm

DDG wrote:
Larry Hemphill wrote:I just have to agree about the Ford 150. Never thot a "6" could tow like that and be so quiet (for a truck). When one has neighbors a few feet away - sleeping - and my truck starts or backs in the boat - you want to put a blanket over the hood - or something. We usually don't leave our homes to go fishing at 10 am! Start any vehicle at 3 am. They sound more like a tank than a truck!

We sure should appreciate the modern tech and performance of all brands of trucks. You older folks will - are they really a truck???
when you say "6" are you referring to a v6? I do know alot of guys tow with a v6 4.0, if you are can you elaborate on your experience as i'm sure you are towing a 21' boat.

I think he is talking about the Ecoboost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQQGYJCG65E

rjt18b · Post by **rjt18b** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 7:32 pm

I have a 2013 F150 with the twin turbo V6, 93k miles, tow a 20'4" skeeter with yamaha 250. It averages 12.5 -13 mpg towing to the delta from the Tri-valley; 10-12 mpg to the Mother Lode lakes. I get 13-14 mpg around town and 16-18 highway not towing, depending on how heavy my foot gets. I think the engine could tow much heavier, but the suspension would be iffy.

I do like the truck, but over the last 2 years it has developed 3 intermittent problems that drive me nuts:
1. Coolant leak that appears randomly regardless of temperature, up to 1/2 gallon at a time. The mechanic said he's had other F150s with the same problem and not been able to find or fix...
2. Failure to start at random times. Of course it didn't do it for a week and a half at the shop, but the very next day after I brought it home it wouldn't start!!
3. Backup camera randomly doesn't operate. Usually at o-dark-thirty when hooking up to go fishing.

I know the economics aren't there, but my next truck will be 3/4 or 1 ton with a diesel so that I can tow a trailer or add a camper.