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jlandreth · 06-26-2020, 09:22 AM

So, the wife and I are retiring at the end of the year. We want to take a year long trip traveling the US and Canada (Covid permitting). We currently pull our 30' Classic with a 2018 F250 diesel and have been very pleased with it's performance. But I want to move to a F350 long bed for the extra capacity. Seem to be hearing good things about the 7.3 gasser but would like some feed back from people who have pulled a similar trailer across the Rockies and other ranges.

brick1 · 06-26-2020, 09:31 AM

Stay with diesel.

RamRider · 06-26-2020, 09:54 AM

Keep your diesel - but put a camper shell on the back to add storage space.

Labeda14 · 06-26-2020, 10:14 AM

I have a diesel F-350 and pull a 30’ international. I like the ability to go through the big rig fuel lanes at truck stops while towing (just be sure to be courteous and pull forward when done fueling)

jlandreth · 06-26-2020, 10:27 AM

If we had a long bed I would not consider buying a new truck. I would like to put in a bed slide as well as add the ARE topper. Not sure if I would be satisfied with that setup on a standard bed.

wilsodf · 06-26-2020, 11:50 AM

We have a 2020 Ford F350 diesel and tow a FC 27FB. I am averaging 15.5 mpg towing. Really like the diesel braking as well. If your going to be in the mountains you will definitely appreciate it.

graysailor · 06-26-2020, 11:55 AM

While I am quite happy with my F250 diesel I have noticed the price of diesel has been somewhat higher then gas.

JonDNC · 06-26-2020, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlandreth

If we had a long bed I would not consider buying a new truck. I would like to put in a bed slide as well as add the ARE topper. Not sure if I would be satisfied with that setup on a standard bed.

Do you specifically need the extra length? If not would a taller topper with “shelves” do the trick in terms of storage? Would be way less of an investment.

Of course with a 350 you get lots of payload and can get as high a trim package as you want and not worry about it. [emoji41]

Daquenzer · 06-26-2020, 12:46 PM

I would check out tfltruck.com or google the new F250 with the 7.3 liter engine on the gauntlet test. It got an extremely high rating. I watched the demonstration and that thing is a towing beast with the 10 speed transmission. Having said that it's not a diesel. But you really get a lot of payload and it's way more truck needed to pull your camper. If I was towing full time that's what I would own. Plus for the extra cost of the diesel you can really dress that up to have some real creature comforts.

mikeinca · 06-26-2020, 01:05 PM

If price is not a major consideration with regard to the sticker cost and added maintenance, stick with a diesel. Other advantages have been stated but since you mention towing over the mountains a big upside with the diesel is that it's turbocharged while the gasser is normally aspirated. It's a fact that a NA engine loses 3-4% of it's power for every 1000' of altitude. At 7000 feet that translates to around a 25% power loss. Since the Ford Powerstroke uses forced induction it's power loss at altitude is minimal.

All of my towing experience has been with turbocharged vehicles so I can't answer your specific question. But I've driven a lot at altitude with NA engines and the power loss is frustrating. I can't imagine it wouldn't at least be a factor when towing.

Anyway, I love my F250 diesel and wouldn't switch. Just my $.02.

jlandreth · 06-26-2020, 01:35 PM

Thanks for all the great advice. Even if I don't stick with the truck I have I will for sure stay with a diesel. My current truck is low mileage and I bought it new so I feel very comfortable with it. I just have a problem with the way the short bed looks with a topper plus the extra payload of the F350 with the long bed would be a great advantage for an extended trip.

rideair · 06-26-2020, 02:25 PM

You could always sell the truck you have, purchase a 2003 F-350 7.3 diesel then you would have both!!! ;-)

Alright, so I was the only one that laugh it,

Bye,

jlandreth · 06-26-2020, 03:03 PM

That's pretty good actually

Fair_Enough · 06-27-2020, 09:25 AM

If you find a single person on this forum that would recommend a gas engine for a 250/350 2500/3500 Truck I will be surprised. As for myself I won’t ever have another. Too many things to go wrong, and they will go wrong. The joy of having that much torque will be long forgotten on the 4 or 5th trip to a dealer that will know less than you about how to fix it. A 6.2 or the 7.3 will be all anyone needs to pull any Airstream.

albret · 06-27-2020, 09:45 AM

Keep your F250 Diesel. The F350 only gives you a heavier I-Beam frame and adds nothing else.

djbar · 06-27-2020, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfwhistle

If you find a single person on this forum that would recommend a gas engine for a 250/350 2500/3500 Truck I will be surprised. As for myself I won’t ever have another. Too many things to go wrong, and they will go wrong. The joy of having that much torque will be long forgotten on the 4 or 5th trip to a dealer that will know less than you about how to fix it. A 6.2 or the 7.3 will be all anyone needs to pull any Airstream.

I pulled our FC25 FBT around for its first year with an F150 6.2V8 4WD max towing pkg, etc. All around SE and into NC mountains. I think the truck was OK but maxed out going up (and down) mts, and payload was at limit for us.

Switched to 2020 F250 7.3 4WD gasser this spring. Big difference in ease of driving, esp on Interstates with lots of big rig trucks. Have only had a chance to tow up modest grades so far but so far so good. Will be heading to NC/Tenn/VA through mts this summer so that will be a much better test - I realize traveling through the Rockies is a more stringent test.

But considering our needs, I'm please so far with the torque and HP of the 7.3 and the payload and hitch weight capacity. Also, the diesel was $10.5K more to purchase, and fuel is 25% more in our area, and repairs of anything significant [e.g., a water pump] requires lifting the diesel's front body off the frame - more$$$.

Suggest looking at posts by NRYN before making a final decision.

bigfoot390 · 06-27-2020, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graysailor

While I am quite happy with my F250 diesel I have noticed the price of diesel has been somewhat higher then gas.

Yes but diesel has more energy per gallon then gas

StephiesNana · 06-27-2020, 11:09 AM

If the F 350 diesel comes with an exhaust break (our GMC 3500 did), that will save wear and tear on the transmission, no excessive downshifting!

oldenavy · 06-27-2020, 11:40 AM

Have you considered the maneuverability you’ll lose going to the long bed?

We towed with an F250 short bed, then upgraded to a RAM 3500 long bed when we went full time in our fifth wheel. HUGE difference in ability to get into campsites. We’re now back to a short bed (RAM) and find the maneuverability much better both when towing and just getting around parking lots.

Put a cap and bed slide in last fall and really like the added storage space.

guskmg · 06-27-2020, 01:21 PM

Maybe I should knock on wood. My '07 HD Duramax has not been as expensive to maintain as previous gas Suburbans or Travelals. With 130,000 miles, I have only had one glow plug and a fuel rail check valve go out. Any other expenses are the same for diesel or gas vehicles. The best diesel mod is a premium fuel filter system like FASS. That recirculates all the fuel all the time so that water is eliminated and fuel stays absolutely clean. It can also handle an occasional emergency load of Bio when pure diesel is not available. My biggest expense is and oil change using synthetic oil about once a year. I try and not buy diesel when the price is over 40% of gasoline. That's about same ratio of BTUs/gal of diesel over gasoline. If you are a do it yourself(er), or pay close attention to pricing I really don't see any higher maintenance cost of one over the other. Now big diesel coaches, that's different.
guskmg