new to the whole lifestyle. I’m looking to buy a 5th wheel and a new vehicle to tow it. I can’t decide if the extra money for the diesel is worth the power boost it gives. Thanks
I’ve had both and will never go back to a gas engine for towing. The ride overall is smoother. The diesel tows much easier since they are designed for the torque needed for towing heavier loads.
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This! Even if you were going for a Class A motorhome, I’d recommend diesel. That’s what we have, a diesel motorcoach, towing a Jeep Wrangler.
Diesel is the only way to go for a dedicated tow vehicle. The old saying is that you race with horsepower but you drive with torque. That goes double for towing and that means the oil burners!
I’m towing a 24’ travel trailer with my gasoline-powered Tahoe. While the setup isn’t huge, I sometime find it difficult to get through some of the smaller gas stations while towing. I went to a Pilot station and checked out the trucker pumps and discovered they are diesel only. I just recently told my wife that there is only one thing that gives me anxiety when pulling the camper… getting fuel. If I just hadn’t purchased my Tahoe new last year, I’d be trading for a diesel if only for the convenience of getting fuel.
As for power, I’ve driven diesel trucks as a fireman for nearly three decades now, and there is no comparison when it comes to pulling some serious weight.
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we bought a 26 footer a couple years back and towed with a suburban. The SUV did fine but decided if we’re going distance we’d need something more stout. ended up grabbing one of the last new 2019 GMC Denali pick ups on the lot and towing has been much less dramatic. the diesel gets better mileage and the tow weight is hardly noticeable. it rides a bit stiffer but feels more like control than lost of comfort. biggest gain is when pulling across steep inclines. A turbo diesel won’t gasp for air as the normally asperated chevy 5.3 did. good luck if you make the change. we found it a plus.
We towed a little 16 ft TT with a minivan. That experience was enough to convince us to go big or go home. Now have F250 Super duty and a 35’ 5th wheel. Two things made us choose the F250…power and power! Hooking up a 5th wheel and towing at 8000 ft asl almost all the time, and we never lack for power.
We enjoy the use of the engine braking down the passes, and the 450 hp on the way up! With the puck system in the bed, installing and removing the hitch is a piece of cake.
Our previous 1991 Toyota 4x4 couldn’t handle any of the things we can do with the F250! We bought all the accessories to go with the F250…a 5th wheel, 18 ft flatbed trailer, 4x4…