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I tow a 10000lb fifth wheel with a 2017 f350 gas truck (6.2) and it is fine for me towing south in the fall and north in the spring. but any more weight, towing more, or in the mountains the diesel will benefit you. And you don't know what weight the next rig will be and you will be able to have the flexibility to go larger in the future. There is no right answer only what works for you. The long bed truck will get you a larger gas tank and more stability with a fifth wheel.
[...] Lot's of mountain passes. We'll probably get a heavier 5er in the next couple of years. Could be as much as 17K#'s. [sic] [...]
That 7.3L gasser will be pumping out ~330 hp and 350 ft-lbs of torque going over those passes. Heavy load + mountain passes = something that is turbo or supercharged. Normally aspirated engines lose 3% per 1,000' above nominal (typically around 500 feet). So, if you're at 11,500', then you're losing ~25-30% off your power numbers ((11,500 - 500)/1000 * 3%). Passes around here are 11,000 - 12,000'. I wouldn't tow that much weight with a normally aspirated engine.
So, if you're seeing lots of mountain passes with a >12K load, I'd skip the gasoline engines.
For a 5er that big, I'd be considering DRW and the F-450.
I had the 6.0 twice, a 2005 and a 2006. I traded the 2006 6.0 that was heavily tuned for a new 2016 F150 5.0. It rode smoother, was quieter, had plenty of power and towed great. But over 5000 pounds is when I would remember how well I liked the 6.0.
As my side business grew, picking up a bumper pull toy hauler and I also found myself towing heavier tractors I picked up a 2015 F250 XLT 6.2 as a second truck. Tows great, quiet and drives like a typical HD Super Duty truck. Horrible gas mileage though and like the 5.0 Coyote, I feel it when towing in Colorado.
I finally made the decision to trade off the 2016 F150 5.0 for a 2019 F250 6.7. It's quiet, loads of power no matter what and way better MPG towing than either the 5.0 or 6.2.
The only hard decision is paying extra for the 6.7 diesel. Otherwise it will do everything you're asking of it way better than the 6.2 or 7.3.
After putting a couple hundred miles on my 2020 6.7 I can tell you there is a huge difference in power even compared to my 2016 6.7, and driving the same routes I am getting almost 2.5 mpg better. The 7.3 is enough for what you are towing now but if you step it up I guarantee you will feel the difference with the 6.7. I’ve only really gotten on my new truck once but traction control kicked in after hammering the throttle at 35 mph and having the tears break loose, they were fighting spinning all the way to 70 mph. Really blown away by the power so far.
I would not want to tow 17K ish up mountain passes with a SRW. I would definitely go with a DRW. If you can afford it a F450 makes for an ultimate tow rig. Not to mention the awesome turn radius. I have 1K miles now on my 2020 F450 with some light towing. The power puts a smile on your face.
I went with a gasser this time (6.2) for the first time in 25 years cause the increasing complexity and cost of the diesel systems, but I only tow heavy(11k) 5-7 times per year and not in the high mountains. For your intended use(mountains) and likely increase to 17k or so, I'd go with the diesel as well.
I tow with a gasser and it works great for me. But, if you are primarily in the mountains or if you are going to pull more than 12K, I'd consider a diesel.
On the other hand, how much to you intend to tow? If not a lot, a gasser WILL do the job and is easier to deal with on a day to day basis.
As for the resale or investment arguments, If you put $8K in an IRA and 3 years later it was worth $4K, would that be a great investment?
Exactly. I laugh every time someone brings the "better resale value" justification when it comes to gas vs diesel. It makes it easier to spot who slept through basic economics in school.
OP, with that much weight and towing that often, you will want the extra torque of a diesel. You will likely also want a DRW just for the added weight if you upsize in the future. Just know that operating costs are higher and they are certainly not as reliable as they use to be. This is one major reason why the number of folks who keep them over 100K miles has dropped considerably and the used market is flooded. The other is the cost to repair is considerably more than a gas engine where that whole "resale value" argument goes out the window.
Exactly. I laugh every time someone brings the "better resale value" justification when it comes to gas vs diesel. It makes it easier to spot who slept through basic economics in school.
OP, with that much weight and towing that often, you will want the extra torque of a diesel. You will likely also want a DRW just for the added weight if you upsize in the future. Just know that operating costs are higher and they are certainly not as reliable as they use to be. This is one major reason why the number of folks who keep them over 100K miles has dropped considerably and the used market is flooded. The other is the cost to repair is considerably more than a gas engine where that whole "resale value" argument goes out the window.
It's basic economics the diesel option will net a higher trade-in and resale than a gasser. Even a 2006 XLT with 6.0 will net $4500+ over a 5.4, same options otherwise. The reason I picked up a used 2015 6.2 which was $10k+ less than a 2015 6.7.
Is it smart to go into a truck purchase with resale in mind? Not really. I buy my trucks for ME to use, not the next guy.
It's basic economics the diesel option will net a higher trade-in and resale than a gasser. Even a 2006 XLT with 6.0 will net $4500+ over a 5.4, same options otherwise. The reason I picked up a used 2015 6.2 which was $10k+ less than a 2015 6.7.
Is it smart to go into a truck purchase with resale in mind? Not really. I buy my trucks for ME to use, not the next guy.
I won't get into an internet argument over this but you can provide this same scenario (and mathematical equation) to any knowledgable investment broker and you will get laughed out of the room. First off, buying a new vehicle (or any for that mater) is one of the worst "investments" you can possibly make due to sheer depreciation. Second, the modern diesel truck is not a mythical creature. If you spend the extra $10K mark up for that option, yes you may get a portion of that $10K markup back when you trade it in depending on the current market needs. The guy that bought a gas engine will not get the same trade in value as the diesel but then again, he didn't pay for the extra option up front begin with. Add in 1% of compounding inflation over 6 years of ownership (or a replacement of injectors for that matter) and this whole argument is a mathematical wash. The only way it would ever make sense on paper is if both vehicles initial cost we the same to begin with.
But yes, I would agree with you that even factoring resale in during the initial purchase shouldn't be a consideration if that purchase is what you actually need. If the OP needs the extra torque, this is a no brainer.
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