Gas vs Diesel For Towing a Fifth Wheel?

Are you intending to buy a towing vehicle but you are muddled about which one to buy among gas and diesel tow trucks? Surfing the internet for hours and hours still left you nowhere and you are wondering where to go and whom to ask for an honest connoisseur opinion. Don’t worry!

You have reached the right spot. We can totally realize that how challenging it is to pick the right towing vehicle when you are just about to enter this business. It is undoubtedly true to say that there is no white or black answer to this million-dollar question.

Any of the two gas vs diesel can be a perfect choice if it fulfills your needs and adjusts to your circumstances. This article will try to elaborate in brevity all the pros and cons of each option and try to put out the best optimal pick for you.

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Generally, Diesel vehicles have a stark edge when it comes to towing heavyweights to long distances. Let just take into consideration the fuel economy of the gas and diesel trucks. In earlier times, diesel cost much lesser in comparison to gasoline vehicles and it outperformed in power and mileage as well.

But ever-increasing technological advancement has come up with direct-injected and turbocharged gasoline engines. Now with these types of gasoline engines, the power and towing capacity of gasoline trucks have significantly improved. Moreover, an addition of an extra step in the refining of diesel to make it low in sulfur has also increased its processing cost.

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Thus, the margins of fuel economy among the gasoline and diesel towing trucks have narrowed down a lot. But there still exists a very decisive aspect, the mileage which still makes diesel surely an optimal select for towing. In addition to that diesel trucks have more towing capacity and power.

Towing inside a town or city can be done conveniently with a gasoline truck but when it comes to towing on mountain ranges or long highway routes, diesel towing vehicles are just the best option to consider worldwide. Moreover, diesel engines have an advantage in handling torque when towing heavy-duty stuff. If you are planning to tow heavyweights more frequently and on long routes, diesel truck is definitely a big yes for you.

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One thing which might intrigue your mind when buying a diesel truck for towing is the higher upfront cost in comparison to the same model in the gasoline counterpart. Yes, initially this cost will bother you it will be a little expensive but just have a gaze at following aspects and you will never be worried again.

Studies have shown that buying a diesel vehicle may leave you paying a little more. But in the long run, it will save you money. If you are going to use your vehicle on long distances and you are planning to have it for a longer period of time the fuel economy offered by this vehicle will save you a lot of money as compared to its counterpart.

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Another consideration that also makes the diesel truck a worthy option is the better resale value it offers. If you are someone who likes to change your vehicles more often, this will definitely be a pick for you because it will not depreciate sooner.

Do I need diesel to pull a 5th wheel?

Yes, you will need a diesel truck to pull a 5th wheel because the fifth wheel is too heavy for a gasoline engine. The maximum weight you can tow depends on your truck’s GCWR. The typical GCWR of an F150 is 11,000 lbs, which means you can be towed up to 11,000 lbs.

For trucks around 12k pounds, the Ram 2500/3500 are very good options although some people have successfully towed more than 20k pounds behind them. If you plan on buying new make sure the GVWR of your truck is at least 16k lbs to be safe.

What kind of truck is best to pull a 5th wheel?

A diesel truck is the most popular and cost-efficient choice for pulling a fifth wheel. This doesn’t mean you need a diesel, but if you want reliability, ease of use, and the most power, then go with diesel. Gas engines require more maintenance than diesel and aren’t as reliable when used extensively.

How big of a fifth wheel can a Ram 2500 pull?

The weight capacity varies depending on the size of the fifth wheel, make sure your GVWR is at least 12k lbs before buying.

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How big of a truck Do I need to pull a 5th wheel?

The maximum weight you can tow depends on your truck’s GCWR. The typical GCWR of an F150 is 11,000 lbs, which means you can be towed up to 11,000 lbs. For trucks around 12k pounds, the Ram 2500/3500 are very good options. If you plan on buying new make sure the GVWR of your truck is at least 16k lbs to be safe.

What is the most reliable truck for towing?

Toyota Tundra and RAM 1500 use V8 engines while Silverado uses V6 so if you go with a gas engine then the RAM has better performance. It’s not that Chevy, Ford, or Toyota are unreliable trucks, but RAM and Tundra have more powerful engines which makes them slightly more reliable than their competitors. Toyota is known to be one of the most reliable truck brands so if you go for a brand-name vehicle, Toyota is a good option.

What size truck Do I need to pull 12000 lbs?

If your RV is under 12k lbs then any F150 will do. If it’s over 12k lbs then go with 2500/3500. This doesn’t mean you need a diesel although they can handle more weight without breaking down as easily. If you are just looking for a truck that can pull more weight then go with a bigger V8 engine like the RAM 1500 and Tundra.

What trucks can pull 15000 pounds?

The maximum rating depends on the GVWR of the vehicle and hitch rating but as long as those two match your truck should be able to support 15 k lbs. The F150, Silverado/Sierra, Ram 1500/2500/3500 all have excellent ratings for pulling weight because they all use either a diesel or powerful V8 engine.