Best Truck to Haul a Truck Camper ? | GAS VS DIESEL 1 ton DUALLY ( 2018 Review) 

I really enjoyed this video. Keep up with these, please. I am heading into full time camper living next few years so great interest for me. Thank you both. My very best to everyone involved in producing this.

Great comparison. You couldn’t have planned it any better if you wanted to! Thanks to Randy as well! Merry Christmas to you, Rebecca and all your subscribers.

Thank you both. I've been wanting to see something like this for a very long time.

If you can do without leather you can get 1-2yr old tradesman dually diesel crew cab for $40-$45k. You can add an aftermarket nav radio for cheap and air bags in the rear for under $500. New is nice but not efficient spending.

I love how you guys say Zed and decals. I'm seriously considering a dually with a truck camper. I'm planning on buying a small travel trailer but I like the idea of less hassles with a truck camper.

Great video I have a 2019 Northern Lite 10-2 Ex CD SE. I haul w a 2006 F250 Amarillo Crew Cab Long Bed. Airbags. Tork Lift Overloads. And a 6.0L Diesal. I absolutely love the Diesal. Such a breeze to drive. Even my 06 has the Jake brake feature when in tow mode. Parking is rarely an issue.

Great video! So many choices and options to take into consideration. I think it really comes down to what do "you" need in a truck. Either choice is great depending on your needs etc... Thanks Taylor & Merry Christmas!

Taylor, just found your channel. Love the videos. Very informational. Love what you did with gas vs diesel. Your keys points and my research is why I won’t buy another diesel because of truck cost and diesel cost. The miles per gallon just don’t add up. Also DEF is the main reason I got rid of my last diesel. It was always having problems. Love the Arctic Fox Truck camper. I believe the best built camper on the market. Keep up what you’re doing Taylor!!!!!

yup! until you drive a loaded diesel, you can't appreciate the power of them. enjoyed the video!

When I had my cabover back in the 1990 I put shocks on the cabover. The way it works is the shocks mounted from the front corner of the cabover down to the truck.that help out on the rocking from front to back.

I've had both, and love my single cab Diesel Chevy, has over 350,000 KLm, and has never let me down. Only thing I would say, it's much easier to find gas everywhere, where I need to plan if going to far into the back country or travel to remote places at night. Wishing you 2 a Wonderful Christmas, and the best adventures in the new year. ( also, explain the doggy? )

That was a fun Video Taylor!! Diesel F450! all day! Hauling Arctic Fox 1140 dry bath:) Love it!

The grass is not always greener on the other side. Love what you have. 😎😎😎

Really great comparison! Well done!! Diesel all the way (for me anyway) I've had both, for towing or hauling I will always be in a Diesel.

Great video. Merry Christmas. Wishing you an early Happy Birthday.

This was a really cool comparison. As you say it is so well matched. You get to see the difference with the same load, same conditions. Just different powertrain, cab length, and half the price for yours. Also. I know your in a different place right now, I hope you keep in touch with your friends n family. They will help you out. I'm a bit of a tough spot with bills, some rough personal relationships, I got laid off and then new job isn't paying according to what they said, further compounding bills and have lost my apartment. All my stuff is in storage. My health isn't as good as it should be. So although I'm not going through the same stuff, I get what if feels like to have a tough stretch, ha. Again your videos are very useful and well presented. I see why you make videos for work as well. The information is really helpful for those looking into getting into a truck camper for some of the advantages they offer. Myself, I thought why not take advantage of stuff being in storage and not having to stick around my city for my work and work out the logistics of traveling a bit. ^_^ Best wishes to you on your journeys!

I have watched this video twice now and the I got lots more out of it the second time. Thank you.

Enjoying your videos. This is something I’m looking to do in the future.

I too enjoy your stories and great minds think alike. In 2017 before I found your channel, I bought a GMC 4 door Duramax Denali SINGLE rear wheel and the 990 knowing I would be at least 2000 lb over weight. That was 21,000 miles ago and the set up is amazing. I have never had an issue with anything. The handling of the truck holds the road through the sharpest curves, goes up the steepest passes with more power than I need and down with no fear between the Allison Transmission and the exhaust brake.I decided to add a heavier overload pack to be on the safe side but it mostly eliminated the sag. My outfit goes down the road effortlessly at 80 miles an hour and gets right at 12 MPG (USA) and empty has achieved 22 MPG driven conservatively. I am not over my axle rating and right at the tire weight limit. I inspect the tires routinely and the stock Goodyears have held up well. I have a Super Hitch and have towed a 14 ft cargo trailer and my 250 SeaRay however, I emptied the water to balance the tung weight. I got 11 MPG and drove over 3 mountain passes with no fear or problems. The Duramax Denali Arctic Fox is really a smooth, efficient and fast combination.The only problem I had was elliminated by installing factory cameras in the side mirrors and one on top of the camper, I even have one that goes on the back of the boat or trailer that I use as a rear view on the touch screen while moving forward. I am aware that I am over my limits so please don't lecture me. I researched this set up enough that I don't have any fear nor do I have a dually. Sadly, the thing I underestimated most was the truck is a poor daily driver. It gets 6-8 around town because it never warms up, is a rough ride and you need a football field to turn around(although I turned around with camper inside of a Canadian ferry!). DEF has also been a pain, not only is it hard to find at the pump, the filler is in the engine compartment on the opposite side of the fuel fill so it is a cluster to fill.Otherwise, this is a really versatile set up and should perform well for decades(campers always outlast non camper trucks because they get mostly highway miles). The diesel is a blast to drive and the Denali is like a Cadillac literally! Keep it up Taylor

GREAT VIDEO! You answered a lot of questions I had. Thanks!

The video I was waiting for good job!

Thanks Taylor, it's very infomative good video, sure each one has pros and cons. I learned a lot from this.

Great video Taylor I enjoyed it.

My Class A gas motor home has a Tow/Haul button that does what you describe for engine braking. If it's turned on, a press of the brake makes it downshift and stay in that gear. Press the brake again and it downshifts again. Without that Tow/Haul feature enabled it would require too much braking going down mountains. Handy! Thanks for a great video, Taylor!

Great channel keep up the good work !! Happy Holidays to you and your girlfriend and your familys!!

Great video. Good job Randy!

Have always wanted to know the difference between diesel and gas, so thank you for putting this video together. Wanting to visit VI so added bonus! Take care!

Great demo i seen with my own to eyes the difference between the two trucks thank you.

I very much enjoyed this video. There is most certainly an advantage to light duty diesel trucks for towing or hauling. Assuming you have Allison transmission, you are way better off in the long run.

The “engine brake”, that your truck has is the Allison transmission, it’s a great feature for sure!

The engine braking you experience is that in Tow/Haul mode, tapping the brake pedal causes the transmission to 1) lock up the torque converter, and 2) downshift. Which is exactly like gearing down in a straight shift (this is described in your owners manual). The diesel exhaust brake literally blocks off the exhaust and almost shuts off the fuel, and the engine becomes a big compressor, providing the resistance and braking similar to what you experience with the gas engine..

Cool video! Randy seems like a really nice guy!

Awesome stuff! My 6.4 diesel pulls my 4k lb boat no probs. Way more maintenance...but the power is awesome. Keep living the dream bro...you are my favorite RU-vidr. 🤙🤙

Nice review/comparison, thanks!

Great video , great guy Randy . Very informative. Though I think the Mpg wouldn't make a difference in pocket due the higher Diesel price you ending paying about the same 10.6mpg diesel vs 8pmg gas

Awesome Taylor 👍😎🎥🎶🎄🎁thanks for sharing and safe travels 🌎🤪🚚

Loving your blog. Traveling to Jasper with my Arctic Fox 908 2015 driving my 450 Ford XL diesel dually crew cab. Drives like a dream without feeling the heavy camper. Think you would love my “bad boy.” I’m a 5 ft. 73 year old grandma who loves to travel!

Diesel for me, I owned a 2007 2500 LTZ crew cab for 12 1/2 years, loved it !

Excellent video Taylor.

Taylor, Great video. I have been gone for a couple months. Looks like the weight is back what's the plan!!!!!!

Great Job and I agree 100%. Was pulling my fifth wheel up a 8% grade mountain pass in the US Western Rockies once with my old gas Ford and could not get out of first gear. Got to the campground and asked a diesel rig driver pulling a camper similar to mine who went through the same pass. I asked how slow he had to go with the diesel. He looked at me kind of funny and said, "Fifty five". I turned to my wife and said, "As soon as we get back, we are trading up for a diesel!" I now use a one ton RAM to pull my 35' fifth wheel and it works great. Even in the mountains as we went to some higher elevations last year. My buddy with a 3/4 ton Duramax said he had some trouble at higher elevations on a trip he made the same year. You might want to keep that in mind on performance of various diesel engines at higher elevations.

Hi Taylor, interesting comparison. I know diesel is a little more expensive then gas here in Alberta so the little less miles per gallon in the gas truck might work out cheaper. 4 door sure is nice tho. Merry Christmas and KLTD Keep Living That Dream.

Thank you Taylor, This video was very helpful.

Crew cab, my back seat area will be stuffed with gear. I have the Ram 3500 SRW diesel. Love it.

Great review!! great comparison!!One more ting to consider in cost is maintenance.Gas is much cheaper to maintain and gas repairs considerably lower than diesel.Emissions components, fuel Injectors, and fuel pump are a common failure on diesel and cost thousands.Well done. Thanks Taylor

I have s 2002 chevy 2500hd 6.0, swr cc and average 12.5 mpg loaded with a 3000lbs slide in. That's was through the mountians in Alaska. 10 mpg with city driving with camper on it.

Very good comparison Taylor....thanks..... :)

Great Review! I have a Lance 855s that I use on my 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Resistol. When I first got the camper I had Timbrins on the truck. I also have ranch hand bumpers. I did not like how it rode. The roll and teter especially on poor roads was unacceptable to me. I went in steps and wound up with 5000lb coil springs on the front, 4200lb leaf springs on the back with air lift air bags and onboard compressor with remote operation to adjust the bags on demand. The truck rides like a dream now and is even better when pulling a trailer with a bit of weight. I get around 12 MPG

Thank You Very Much! That was an excellent comparison, yes it wasn't perfect but all comparisons have room for error. You couldn't have had a better set up. Please thank Randy for us. I'd love to try his BNB. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Taylor! Hope to catch up with you sometime!

As long as you’re in Kelowna drop by the Northern Lite truck Camper factory and get a tour and film it. That’s a video I’d love to see.

hey Taylor, if your looking at getting a little more power, consider a cam, supercharger and a tune for more low end power. alot of cam/supercharger combos will yield near 500ft/lbs under 2500-3500 rpm. you can also get a trans tune to improve the shifting algorithm. i have a 16' 2500 i will be doing this to mine once i get my channel going.

Wow both are great looking rigs! Yea my 04 ford 6.0 diesel was awesome for 35k miles then. ..junk but wow did it run great before it turned into a lemon. I have a 95 Cheyenne dually 4wd (yep 4wd dually) utility body now with 350 engine. Woukd LOVE an arctic fox!

Definitely the setup I would choose if I was rich. Beautiful rig.

great video your just reinforcing me to with diesel dually

All said in done Taylor, in my opinion the reg cab dually still the best looking truck built, when the reg dually age they sell as rare, plus don’t knock the gas engine, we’re not all filthy rich to afford diesel repairs, you have an amazing Rig!

I have basically the same diesel truck (2016 model). I have hauled my Northern Lite camper across the country and back a couple times. I love the truck! Everything you said about it is true. However, I average better mileage for some reason. I have 31,000 miles on mine with a 13.5 MPG average. And I sometimes tow a boat behind! Can't beat the diesel for power and longevity. Anyway, good video, thanks.

Your Gas 3500 uses the transmission gears to slow you down. Where Randy's likely uses the VVG Variable Vain Geometry. To slow down by increasing the back pressure in the exhaust. Chelsea Cummins designed slowing down of the truck by using interrupting the fueling cycles. He had left Cummins at that time and Jacobs was the one who bought the design called (Jake Brake).

Excellent comparison. I used to tow my 30ft travel trailer RV with a 1/2 ton truck with gas engine. It would easily hit 4500rpm climbing mountains in Arizona and the weight and incline would sometimes drag the speed down to 30mph with much of the climb accomplished in 2nd gear. The gas mileage was about 8.5mpg average. I switched to a Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins and wow, the truck rarely downshifted out of "6th" gear, even during hill climbs while towing. The diesel truck easily accelerated to my cruize set speed and rarely left it even with high grade mountain climbs. The diesel just seem to hardly work at all often cruizing at 60-65mph speeds with little more than 1600rpm. It's like the diesel wasn't aware I was even towing anything. The mileage was like 12.5 - 13mpg getting 10.5mpg even while towing through the mountains. The difference was night and day. Never want a gas truck again. If you have a powerful gas engine producing 450ft/lbs of torgue, my diesel is cranking out 800ft/lbs!

Awesome comparison!!! Still need to put the airbags on the back axle to stabilize the side-to-side sway. We have those on our rig and they make all the difference in turning/cornering.

Enjoyed the video, would you guys consider a set of air-bags to help with the teeter or body roll. keep them coming!

Nice vid. Well done... id say get an older truck with 8.1L and now diesel performance in a gas truck...

The payload is also very dependent on the cab configuration. I have a crew cab with diesel and my last two trucks have been diesels. HD trucks with gas just work too hard. As long as you don't exceed the tire capacity and axles rating, they will haul a lot.

Hi Taylor, If you want to get rid of most of that front to back and side to side swaying try the torklift leaf spring load stabilizer, no drilling required kit. Air bag leak and have to be checked all the time unless you get the auto fill system. I love the torklift system for a lot less money. I have a 2008 GMC 3/4 ton long bed crew cab with a Lance camper and what a difference it made. Something to look into.

Awesome video.! I definitely knew that the diesel was going to pull the camper better. But I’m with you I’m not spending all that extra money for diesel. I’m more than happy with my gas flex fuel vehicle. But thanks again great video.

Very good information! Thanks for sharing!!

Listen do have a Merry Christmas and hey I have a hill side break on my 2016 Ford Focus. I don't really understand why they put that on a smaller car. Take care!

As I suspected, there are 2 sides to the issue of gas v. diesel just like there are different camps on which brand truck is best...Ford, Chevy, Dodge. What it comes down to is what is best for you and your situation. I think you made the right choice in a gasser because you are requiring more payload than towing capacity and the trade-off of paying an added $40k doesn't make sense for the 2-3 MPG you'd get with a diesel (not to mention you are paying up to an extra 20-30cents per gallon for diesel). Again, it depends on what you plan to use the truck for, but I think you made the right choice.

Taylor your truck uses the transmission more aggressive when you have tow haul engaged. Braking is so much better with this!

Merry Christmas!

If you're doing a lot of hauling and you are, the diesel would have been the better pick, yes the exorbitant price gap is the killer, like 10K.just for the diesel. That's a lot of fuel. But it will do the job much better. If you're only towing or hauling a short bit, one can get away with a gasser as you have. The Diesel is a nice luxury but not a necessity.T ext cab tho is imo a necessity. With that said, it's a really nice luxury. Btw great video! Merry Christmas

When I grow up ima be an arctic fox 990 geek too! Lol!!!! I love it too!

I agree very exciting! Having them both next to eachother. I felt your energy thru the video. Great video.

Thank You! Times' Alot! This Has Helped Very Many People Really Get a Tactile Feel For Whats Really Going On! I Dont Know Whats It Yall' s Coffee ? But You Make Awesomely Relavant and Possibly Financially Life Saving Videos! And Randy' Such a Super Cool Gentelman To Contribute So Much To This Video ! Taylor You So Rock! Cheer's 👍Ehh! 🍵✌🌎

I have both 2500 Ram Meg cab love it for long trips,and long haul towing 2016. Next Ram 3500 6.4 Gas dually for short hauling easier to get in and out of tight places,also love I have the best of both world. daully is single cab. How ever if I do get a camper like yours I would opp for the bigger cab. Still good video as always, I live in Texas.

I have a 2016 2500 HD LT crewcab with diesel. With 800 ft-lb of torque and 400 hp, don't notice when I'm pulling my Ranger Z22 and the truck usually doesn't shift when I'm going uphill. Thinking about getting a cabover but might trade the 2500 in on a 3500 dually (diesel, of course). Thanks, enjoyed the video!

That was very informative thank you !!! Skål !!!

I would add Air Bags no matter which vehicle I had. I have them on my RV and truck. Makes such a difference in the teetering feeling.

I know this is an older video - but noticed you commented on stepping on brake and watching RPM go up on your truck. that's because the Torque Converter clutch disengages and allows slip between engine and transmission when you hit the brakes - as it does when you stop. very similar to pushing the clutch in on a manual. you wouldn't normally want to do that, as that slipping shears the oil in the transmission and generates a lot more transmission heat. my dad was an ASE Certified mechanic at a GM dealership for 45 years before retiring - I learned a thing or two.

like always , this video is awesome. for me i prefer the 4 doors diesel. happy hollidays and say hello to Rebecca. have a nice day from Rouyn-Noranda, province of Québec, Canada

Awesome vid- it's a small, small world.

I bought my 2018 crew cab chevy 2500hd 6.6. Ltz trim. Man that thing hauls 915 ibs tourqe. 445 hp. It's expensive I'll admit. But wanted a duramax since they came out woth the HD, so only live 1x,

Atleast you're in the shade with that overhang

Taylor, your videos inspired me to get a truck and camper, Im gonna buy an obs ford dually with a 7.3 powerstroke and travel

Thanks for the great information!

I struggled with this decision but I'm telling you I have the solution. Single rear wheel GAS 3500 silverado with timbrens and upgraded 4500# rims and 4080# tires. Arctic fox 811 and rides really really well. No sway, plenty of power. No dually. I'm here to tell you it works and rides incredible.

Nice video, ok I got the 2017 Ram 3500 quad cab diesel tradesman this comes in around 55k and you get the same ride.

If it makes you feel any better. At a 2.5 MPG (Roughly 20%) difference in fuel economy, how many miles of fuel will $5k-$15k buy you? A lot. As you said, there's a case to be made for both but if you're on a budget going with a gas engine isn't a bad option, you'll just have to stop more often. Great videos. Keep up the great work.

Awesome comparison and I am faced with the choices you are laying out. I have a 2018 Ram 3500 SRW Crew Cab. But I was using the truck commercially for hot shot and eventually I bought a semi truck. A few things from your video are interesting: 1) "engine braking" and exhaust braking are different mechanisms and it's important to know the difference. I do not have an exhaust brake on my semi truck (I know lol) and instead use the engine as a brake. It is NOT even close to being the same and I want an exhaust brake. The exhaust brake or Jake brake retards the engine performance and does not affect the RPM. The engine as a brake (by down shifting) DOES affect the RPM and with significant weight behind you on a hill, the diesel which revs lower naturally, I got myself into an over rev situation once with 48,000 lbs behind me that was very bad for the engine one time. Ironically, a gas engine likely would not have made it up the hill to come down the hill but also would not have over reved itself coming down the other side. Either way, an Jake brake was so needed that day (about 2 weeks ago in Alabama). The engine brake in my smaller pickup truck (the Ram 3500) is incredible. Coming down hills with cargo is easy as pie. 2) All that said, I may go with gas lol... I may want to go with gas because the weights for recreational use are NOTHING compared to commercial applications for pickup trucks... in say a 5500 or 550 gasoline truck vs a 5500 or 550 diesel truck where the diesel platform itself makes the truck about 800 to 1000 lbs heavier (reduces payload) and the maintenance is different. I may go with a gasoline truck only for recreation vs my diesel truck (it's also a SRW) for maintenance cost and risk/benefits/flexibility. After hauling commercially i note: Batteries better be perfect on cold days. If not, that truck ain't starting. Also, diesel gelling in cold weather is REAL. And no need to heat the engine block on a gasoline truck. I know for recreational use, fuel filters and oil changes aren't a big deal but commercial applications, those maintenance cycles come real fast. And payload capacity... gas has it. If I go gas in a 5500 platform or 550 platform, I can get a medium size camper (3,000 lbs or so) and have no real issues. Would i consider a basic diesel single cab? I might for the extra towing so I could take some toys but then I could just use my SRW truck. 🤣

Merry Christmas.

I like how you said you stopped for a coffee at timmies to make the video Canadian! Go Canada Go! But unfortunately Tim Hortons sold out to the USA and is owned by them. I grabbed a double double ice coffee in a bottle when I stopped for gas on my way to thunder bay Ontario with my truck camper and the bottle said “product of USA” I was so annoyed.

just remember where the power is made for each engine. diesel is much lower, torque is king. they de-fuel around 3300rpm. gas makes all its horsepower at high rpms. notice where the redline is on the gas engine, ~6500rpm or so i believe on the 6.0 gasser. don't be afraid to let er rip!

Awesome! Thanks for the great video!!! cheers

I had a gasser pulling a travel trailer and recently went to a diesel. There is no comparison. Everyone was telling me that I don't need one and there more expensive and more problems. Untill you drive both for 1000's of miles diesel is they way to go! I had the 6.4 hemi now the Cummins and I would never want to go back.

What everyone seems to be missing here is that diesel motors will out last gas motors. Nothing like diesel for torque when pulling. I will stick with diesel every time. How many remember when diesel fuel was cheaper than gas too? It became popular so there is the price hike.

Can't compare that 910 ft/lbs of torque to the gas engine, I have a 2019 GMC Sierra 2500hd with the same L5P Duramax and the torque is amazing. Pulls our 32' travel trailer like it's not even there. Absolutely love this rig!

DIESEL! I bought my 2009 3500HD Duramax in 2009 specifically to haul my AF 811. I have NEVER regretted the amount of power the Duramax has during my travels, hauling my AF and towing at the same time.

Great Video Taylor, thats why we drive a Class B campervan with a Diesel engine. Fuel consumption nearly 24 miles/gallon. 🤣🤣🤣 Greetings from Germany. Dirk

Awesome info!!

Bilstein 5100 series shocks will help a lot. Best money spent on my 3500HD gasser

BIG THANKS Randy