Towing with Gas vs. Diesel

**DaveMatthewsBand** · 02-02-2019, 11:55 AM

A friend of mine used to tow his camper with a gas half ton then bought a diesel one ton.

But now he is thinking about selling his heavy duty diesel truck and buying a smaller, lighter truck with half the torque because he feels he’s a little “too comfortable” towing in the mountains with an exhaust brake.

He wants to feel more like his truck is an extension of his body. He wants to actually use the disc brakes on his truck and the antiquated drum brakes on his trailer. He misses pulling over and letting the brakes cool off. He did that a lot.

Most days he forgets the trailer is attached so he wants to trade down to a truck that weighs thousands of pounds less, then he can feel that awesome swoosh of a passing 18 wheeler!

He’s also tired of towing his rig up long steep hills and barely being able to hear his engine. He wants to hear that motor screaming all the way to the top.

I told him he was crazy.

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**steve gravelle** · 02-02-2019, 12:03 PM

There is one issue with this- it will be difficult or impossible to hear the Westlake tires on his RV to blow out almost immediately. But the solution of installing Goodyear Endurance tires which are impervious to any possible deflation issues can be added at very low cost! Not crazy- just different.

**Txfivver** · 02-02-2019, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by DaveMatthewsBand

A friend of mine used to tow his camper with a gas half ton then bought a diesel one ton.

But now he is thinking about selling his heavy duty diesel truck and buying a smaller, lighter truck with half the torque because he feels he’s a little “too comfortable” towing in the mountains with an exhaust brake.

He wants to feel more like his truck is an extension of his body. He wants to actually use the disc brakes on his truck and the antiquated drum brakes on his trailer. He misses pulling over and letting the brakes cool off. He did that a lot.

Most days he forgets the trailer is attached so he wants to trade down to a truck that weighs thousands of pounds less, then he can feel that awesome swoosh of a passing 18 wheeler!

He’s also tired of towing his rig up long steep hills and barely being able to hear his engine. He wants to hear that motor screaming all the way to the top.

I told him he was crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LOL post of the day right here! Interesting new avatar...looks like he is deciding which solar panels to go with. Jus sayin

**Chiefblueman** · 02-02-2019, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by steve gravelle

There is one issue with this- it will be difficult or impossible to hear the Westlake tires on his RV to blow out almost immediately. But the solution of installing Goodyear Endurance tires which are impervious to any possible deflation issues can be added at very low cost! Not crazy- just different.

Most of the Westlake "blowouts" seem to involve shedding the tread but continuing to hold air. Nice safety feature.

**Chiefblueman** · 02-02-2019, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by DaveMatthewsBand

A friend of mine used to tow his camper with a gas half ton then bought a diesel one ton.

But now he is thinking about selling his heavy duty diesel truck and buying a smaller, lighter truck with half the torque because he feels he’s a little “too comfortable” towing in the mountains with an exhaust brake.

He wants to feel more like his truck is an extension of his body. He wants to actually use the disc brakes on his truck and the antiquated drum brakes on his trailer. He misses pulling over and letting the brakes cool off. He did that a lot.

Most days he forgets the trailer is attached so he wants to trade down to a truck that weighs thousands of pounds less, then he can feel that awesome swoosh of a passing 18 wheeler!

He’s also tired of towing his rig up long steep hills and barely being able to hear his engine. He wants to hear that motor screaming all the way to the top.

I told him he was crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your friend could save some money by keeping his diesel. No need for a new truck. Simply select a lower gear and plant your foot so the engine is running at top rpm when climbing grade. Keep the exhaust brake off and use those discs and electric trailer brakes. When a semi goes by, tug the wheel to simulate the effect. Want sway? Just a little sawing at the wheel can simulate that. Problems solved!

**MidwestCamper** · 02-02-2019, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by DaveMatthewsBand

A friend of mine used to tow his camper with a gas half ton then bought a diesel one ton.

But now he is thinking about selling his heavy duty diesel truck and buying a smaller, lighter truck with half the torque because he feels he’s a little “too comfortable” towing in the mountains with an exhaust brake.

He wants to feel more like his truck is an extension of his body. He wants to actually use the disc brakes on his truck and the antiquated drum brakes on his trailer. He misses pulling over and letting the brakes cool off. He did that a lot.

Most days he forgets the trailer is attached so he wants to trade down to a truck that weighs thousands of pounds less, then he can feel that awesome swoosh of a passing 18 wheeler!

He’s also tired of towing his rig up long steep hills and barely being able to hear his engine. He wants to hear that motor screaming all the way to the top.

I told him he was crazy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Funny, I do not have any of these issues with my half ton truck. TT sized properly and a smooth, 23mpg (empty) ride, no def, no stink, low maintenance, and lower cost. Many factors goes into what to buy.

**DaveMatthewsBand** · 02-03-2019, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by Chiefblueman

Your friend could save some money by keeping his diesel. No need for a new truck. Simply select a lower gear and plant your foot so the engine is running at top rpm when climbing grade. Keep the exhaust brake off and use those discs and electric trailer brakes. When a semi goes by, tug the wheel to simulate the effect. Want sway? Just a little sawing at the wheel can simulate that. Problems solved!

Awesome

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**Dreamin' Dreamers** · 02-07-2019, 09:07 AM

Perhaps the OP should get a large touring motorcycle and connect a teardrop trailer to really feel an extension of his/her body.

**Keebler** · 02-07-2019, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by MidwestCamper

Funny, I do not have any of these issues with my half ton truck. TT sized properly and a smooth, 23mpg (empty) ride, no def, no stink, low maintenance, and lower cost. Many factors goes into what to buy.

I totally agree with what you said about properly sizing the truck to the RV. There are many cases, where a properly equipped half ton is "properly sized" for the RV. In this case, the OP just bought a 337RLS; considering it has a GCWR of almost 14k lbs., there is a solid case to be made that a 1 ton diesel is a "properly sized" truck for this fifth wheel.

I will add that intentionally used the phrase, "...is a properly sized truck...", not "the" properly sized truck because, as you stated, there are many factors and sometimes there are multiple solutions.

**MidwestCamper** · 02-07-2019, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Keebler

I totally agree with what you said about properly sizing the truck to the RV. There are many cases, where a properly equipped half ton is "properly sized" for the RV. In this case, the OP just bought a 337RLS; considering it has a GCWR of almost 14k lbs., there is a solid case to be made that a 1 ton diesel is a "properly sized" truck for this fifth wheel.

I will add that intentionally used the phrase, "...is a properly sized truck...", not "the" properly sized truck because, as you stated, there are many factors and sometimes there are multiple solutions.

Keebler,
Thank you. I like diesels just as much as gas engines so I'm really not partial but as stated believe in matching components based on many factors. If I were towing a 337RLS I would have a one ton DRW.
Jim