If you had the choice, which one would you go for? I tow a travel trailer about 3,000 to 5,000 miles a year, but most of the time, it’s my daily vehicle. I drive 15 to 50 miles a day on average and hit the highway for long drives a few times a month. Which one makes more sense?
Go for the diesel… way more power!
Mal said:
Go for the diesel… way more power!
That’s what I’m leaning toward. I test drove both yesterday. I have an EcoDiesel right now, but I’m tired of dealing with emissions problems.
@Bailey
I’ve got the 6.0L, but the 6.7 is a whole different beast. Way more power and smoother too.
How big is your trailer? I tow a 14k 5th wheel, and gas just doesn’t cut it for that. But for a smaller 6k bumper pull, gas should be fine.
Xavi said:
How big is your trailer? I tow a 14k 5th wheel, and gas just doesn’t cut it for that. But for a smaller 6k bumper pull, gas should be fine.
My trailer is about 7,500 lbs empty and around 9,500 loaded. I live in the mountains, so there’s a lot of steep driving. My worry with gas is how bad the fuel mileage will be when towing.
@Bailey
If it’s all about mileage, think about how much fuel you could buy with the extra $10-15k you’ll spend on a diesel. People spend a fortune on diesels to save a few bucks on fuel, only to lose it all on DEF and maintenance costs.
@Shiloh
That’s true, but with 35 miles a day, you’d save about $4k a year in fuel costs with a diesel. I switched to gas because I couldn’t find a diesel in stock. My 6.6 gas GMC pulls 18k okay, but I get 10.9 mpg unloaded and 5 mpg towing. My old Powerstroke got 15-16 mpg mixed and 11-12 towing. Diesel maintenance costs more, but it balances out after a few years.
@Davi
Maintenance isn’t that different unless you count the extra oil and fuel filters. People make diesel sound way more complicated than it actually is.
Hollis said:
@Davi
Maintenance isn’t that different unless you count the extra oil and fuel filters. People make diesel sound way more complicated than it actually is.
True, but doubling the oil and doing fuel filter changes adds up. It’s not outrageous, but it’s worth considering.
I have both a 7.3 and a 6.7. The 6.7 is a towing machine. I pull a 12k trailer and haul 2k in the bed, and it stays in 10th gear even on the highway. The 7.3 can handle it, but it’s in 8th gear and revving higher.
Fuel economy is also better with the 6.7: 19 mpg unloaded vs 13 mpg with the 7.3. If you’re towing occasionally, go with the 7.3. If you want the best towing experience and money isn’t an issue, get the diesel.
@Paxton
The mileage difference is definitely a big factor. Diesel being cheaper where I am helps too.
Bailey said:
@Paxton
The mileage difference is definitely a big factor. Diesel being cheaper where I am helps too.
Yeah, the 6.7 has a 48-gallon tank (long bed), so my range is almost 1,000 miles. The 7.3 only has a 34-gallon tank, so it’s around 400 miles. Resale value on diesels also holds up better after 5+ years.
@Paxton
That’s why I stick with diesels. Even after years of hard use, they’re still worth something. Gas trucks lose value much faster.
For what you’re doing, I’d go with the 7.3. It’s cheaper to maintain, and as a diesel tech, I can tell you that unless you’re towing heavy loads regularly, you don’t need a diesel.
Bao said:
For what you’re doing, I’d go with the 7.3. It’s cheaper to maintain, and as a diesel tech, I can tell you that unless you’re towing heavy loads regularly, you don’t need a diesel.
That’s what my friend keeps telling me too. I just wish the gas mileage wasn’t so bad.
@Bailey
Then you’ll probably hate paying for diesel maintenance! There’s always a trade-off. You should compare the total cost of ownership over a year. It might not be as far apart as you think.
Luca said:
@Bailey
Then you’ll probably hate paying for diesel maintenance! There’s always a trade-off. You should compare the total cost of ownership over a year. It might not be as far apart as you think.
Diesel maintenance isn’t that much more expensive unless you’re replacing injectors or turbos. Regular oil changes for my 6.7 cost about $100, while a 7.3 would cost around $65-85. Fuel is your biggest cost.
@Orin
True. Diesel gets expensive only when major parts need replacing, like injectors or turbos. That usually doesn’t happen until well over 100k miles.
Oli said:
@Orin
True. Diesel gets expensive only when major parts need replacing, like injectors or turbos. That usually doesn’t happen until well over 100k miles.
My turbo failed at 105k miles, and it cost me $3k to fix because a tiny o-ring took out the whole thing. Diesels can get expensive fast.