This topic is nearly as volatile as discussing religion or politics but, I’ll bite. I currently have a F350 6.2, hauling a 2012 AF 865 (weighs 2400# dry). I get around 9mpg with it. I drive with it on my truck every week year round I’m a regular and I have been paying attention to the specs of running this setup. Other than adding a BigWig sway bar to it, it is overall stock setup. Drives great! I’m in Michigan so I don’t have hills to climb but for me this works great. It is about payload and maintenance costs. I don’t need the diesel for what I do with it. My payload is 4K, so I am under and to me that is what matters most as if I were in an accident, I don’t want come up liable by being overweight. It really comes down to individual preferences and how big your bank account is for supporting what you do. For me this works great. For someone else, well…
Yes, the Cummins 5.9 and the 6.7 are commercial engines that will can go 600,000 to 1 million miles if taken care of. I'll personally never run a gas engine in any truck other than a 1/2 ton and definitely not towing or hauling anything ever again. I've run fleets of pick ups and semis and running a camper or trailer will never overload a 5.9 or 6.7 unless you've done something very wrong.
Agreed! another huge reason to go gas is payload. Gas trucks are 700+ pounds lighter than diesels, so you get much more payload. Today's 7.3 godzilla gas or 6.6 liter GM engines with 10-speed transmissions will go just fine. No worries at all.
I had a 2014 E350 w/ v10 and six speed. WOW. Pulls a house, smooth, quiet, starts easily at cold temps, and at 10k # i got 15mpg at 65 mph w/cruise on in Appalachians. I have had lots of Fords, 4.6, 5.4, 6.8, 7.3 psd. Give me big gasser.
Excellent points. people forget to factor in ease of maintenance, which means less cost for good drive train. Note: Crew cab long bed trucks have a HUGE turning radius. On trails or non-standard roads this can make a difference.
I've got a 2011 3500 with the 6.7, hit a bump and no emissions. They do cost more to own but way more reliable. Better efficiency than most gas engines out there.
Excellent discussion, A lot of it has to do with how popular Diesels are today. I've owned both, and gas makes a lot of sense now days. With cost , cold weather, and modern emissions gas is definitely worth considering.🔥
Hey I will probably get a few snickers here but my classic RV has the original GM 6.2L diesel motor in it. It has taken me all over Alberta without any issues. It doesn't have the torque and horsepower of the modern pickup diesel engines but it makes up for it in fuel economy. Considering it only gets used about 2 to 3 seasons a year it is more than enough for my needs. It also doesn't need DEF and is very easy to self maintain.
Hauled with both gas, F250 350 Windsor and F250 diesel 7.3 . Our Camper is one of the lightest Northern Lite has made. Diesel is more economical. But both have no problem doing the backroads or carrying the Camper.
News flash Kev…I’m a had mechanic retired and 3.5 eco boost hauls my 12 foot Montana truck camper like it’s not there. 15 mpg at 110 k……. So now I’ve got another t c and will pull a utility trailer with our quad… kayaks.. extra propane…lawn chairs and so on. Look it up… specks are impressive…375 hp 470 ft lbs torque
Let’s face it the owners of gas trucks will defend there choice of gas till the end just as diesel owners I happen to own 2001 4x4 power stroke with 125 thousand miles on it and have no problems what so ever aside from replacing batteries 2 times now (Texas heat destroys them fast) I’m shocked you parted with the duramax ! So many loyal duramax owners out there. Keep the videos coming.👍🏻
Hi Kevin, great to see you. Brilliant video loads of information as always . Just an update I gotta have my gallbladder removed waiting list for that is 12 month's . Catcha next time mate X X X
Thanks Kevin! Much needed insight for me. My 2012 gas F350 has been an excellent truck under my camper. It’s odd though that I often feel guilty that I haven’t sprung for a diesel. But you answered a lot of my questions and I appreciate it.
As someone who does the exact same thing as you, been living in my truck camper for almost a year now. (Currently travelling in the Yukon) I have an 07 2500 with a hemi, I’d go back to a diesel in a heartbeat.
@@blairM363 drivability is one reason, extra front end weight is another. But the main thing is how much the gas engine struggles with a headwind or slight hill. A diesel will lock into a gear or maybe downshift once. If I come around a corner and hit a slight bit of wind it’s suddenly dropping 2 gears and screaming at 4 grand. It works but it’s just hard on everything.
I agree with you Kevin, i own a F-350 dually with a powerstroke 6.0 and all i can say it’s a money pit … very powerfull and a beast in the mountain but you have to affort the cost of it even if i maintain my truck 90% by myself.
My grandfather took a 1994 12v to 800 000. He never even got 400 000 out of the 04 24v he replaced it with. Id definitely take a 12v over the 24v. Another thing to consider is that the transmission seems to last longer in gas trucks.
Hey Kevin- good points. I had a 2006 Dodge 5.9 6spd manual for years pulling a 15,000lbs 5th wheel. Now my truck camper truck is a ‘12 F-350 6.2 flex fuel engine nice 6 spd auto 4wd. It’s fine.
So I have a 2015 Ram 3500 crew cab SRW 6.4 Gas Hemi. One HUGE thing you forgot to point out about is the weight of the diesel. It adds to your truck. Way less payload. Gas gives you more payload for more camper.😎😁
Thank you Kevin for this information. Would have been way more weighted if you had traded in your diesel for a gas in this episode 😮. But as someone looking for this exact information to put a camper on a truck just like this I really appreciate the information. One issue I do find in shopping for the used truck is there are way more used diesels for resale than gas.
I'm probably never gonna heavy tow .. just putting a lightweight pop top, maxing the roof with solar, and putting some aluminum storage boxes on it . got a built up e-moto to explore and scout camp sites... I'm full timing in mine for school though in northern NV and the Sierra Nevada mtns and snowboarding trips
Good topic and points on pros and cons Kevin. Not trying to start a brand war but I really didn’t like having a camper on gmc duramax. Soft bouncy front end that felt like it dove into corners. Just my opinion but my ram handles weight a lot better with solid axle front end. Ford would be good too I think.
I’m a Chevy guy that owns a dodge lol I loved my gms but after using a duramax at work to tow and the tires in the front always cupped because of the weight in the back lifting the front end a little. I decided to just go with a dodge or ford for the solid front axle no regrets yet 😂
That's an interesting comment about the GM, I've watched a youtuber who had rigged up a GM 6.6 gas dually with the largest Northern Lite and he seems happy with his setup. However his truck was ordered with the snow plow/camper prep package to get the stiff front torsion bars and then he also added an aftermarket rear anti sway bar, also added after market shocks. Now how that would seem compared to your current Ram is hard to say but just to point out that depending on the truck and camper chosen, some mods can be done or in choosing options the truck brand may offer. I have heard comments that driving the GM truck with the snow plow prep with no camper certainly takes away the ride in the front end over having the standard torsion bars and would be a similar theme to a Ford or Ram with the heavy front spring option.
Gas is better for payload, diesel is better for towing. The diesels generally have a lower payload then a comparable gas model P.s. payload is usually lower because diesel motors tend you way significantly more than gas motors
Yea when it comes to gas vs diesel when it comes to campers I am diesel all the way I tried gas and all I did was hold my breath for the next gas station to appear. Plus tops I would only get 7 to 10 miles a gallon. Short drives camping a gas would be fine been when you traveling a lot a diesel is a far better bet in my opinion. Plus there are lots of diesel mechanics here in the U.S. if I need one.
Cummins definitely does the job however hemi 2500 or higher will work as well. I used to pull my 30ft with a 2500 hemi. So I guess both are OK. I wouldn't push a 1500 though.
I don't know 💩 about trucks really. So Thx. But I do know campers, and your truck hauls that camper well as does mine because they r Northern lite campers, n are light campers in comparison to any other camper of the same size as yours. So anybody hearing u has to keep that in mind about the camper. Just for example the new cirrus 920 weights 1100 lbs more than my 10-2 size northern lite and i have glass windows (glass is heavier than the acrylic). 🍻
I’m happy with my Ford 6.8 V10 in my 4wd Class C Rv. I like the van chassis. It has good power. I definitely agree about the cost to work and service a diesel 😢 plus everyone sells gas but not everyone sells diesel. Most people are fine with a gas motor, they don’t need a diesel.
You forgot ta mention 4x4 variable a 4x4 has a beefier suspension and axles even if its gas so then its not that much difference in the experience. If you plan on more than 5,000 miles for a summer trip but plan to do it yearly at about that amount the diesel wins the race.
Have a Lance 850 on my 2003 1500HD 6.0 gas. I get 9 mpg average on camping trips around Washington State. Dad has a 2017 Ram 3500 DRW diesel carrying a AF 990. He’s getting 12 average on travels. I’m going back and forth if I should change to a diesel for my next truck.
It’s a great feature I’d say and works awesome but is not required, my 5.9 Cummins does not have one and I’m still able to control the truck down hills by just down shifting
No one is driving 100k a year hauling camper. Those things sit mostly parked. No need for Cummins engine that can go million miles. The truck will rust and fall apart long before that anyway. That’s why in a world of extremely expensive diesels a simple V8 gas makes sense. Nothing beats diesel for torque, the question is how much are you willing to pay for it. Just out of curiosity Kevin, what’s your estimated mileage will be this year or how many km you drive on average every month as a full timer.
Last 2 months has been a lot more than usual, this year I’ll prob do 40000km before that was closer to 20000-25000km. I’ll have to check my maintenance records to know for certain.
Funny you should say that ( and I don't think I have OCD ) as those lower extending legs have really taken a beating with rocks etc damaging the paint and then the salt has really gone to work. Kevin, I am guessing the normally unexposed area of the leg extensions look a lot better ?.
I don't need to watch a video to answer this question. Diesel engines heavier & they reduce payload capacity. Being under payload is the most importaint consideration! If your're over payload your'er a danger to every other driver!
@@Soulcritic I have been a fleet mechanic for years, diesels always payout over the years because of the better fuel mileage. Yes our trucks are off road in places most people would not think of..
@@Soulcritic Dude I'm loosing ground here. if your 3500 does not cover your weight needs get a 4500 . If a 4500 don't then get a 5500 its simple math really..
