It’s an age-old debate among truck lovers that has only intensified in recent years, and it hinges on one central question—which is better, gas or diesel? If you want to start a (hopefully) friendly rivalry, there’s no better way than to voice your strong opinion on the matter amongst other truck enthusiasts.
This dilemma challenged Hanna and me as we tried to determine which truck we wanted to buy. With our goals clearly in mind, we had our purchasing criteria in order, but with current options being so compelling in both directions, the choice was still difficult.
In the end (spoiler alert), we opted for the 7.3L gas engine from Ford. Read on to discover what led us to this gas-gulping beast.
Chowder approves.
Influencing Factors in Our Truck-Buying Journey
As our experience with building Jeeps for off-roading and overland travel grew, so did our intentionality. Instead of opting for modifications that looked cool or tires that were absurdly oversized (just because we could), we started to make decisions based on realistic use-case scenarios, what we had learned from building previous Jeeps, and what made sense rather than getting carried away.
While the full-size, heavy-duty truck platform is new to us, those same principles apply to our approach for this build. I’m sure we’ll make some mistakes and adjustments along the way, but the goal is to be intentional and build the truck to facilitate our lifestyle and travel. It doesn’t need to be over the top.
We’re Getting a Slide-In Camper
After years of rooftop tents (and years of ground tents before that), Hanna and I are ready to push our limits by staying out on the road for longer periods of time. To do this, we’ve decided to invest in a slide-in camper to act as a workspace and shelter from inclement weather. This was a decision we made long before selling the latest Jeep and purchasing our new Ford F250 Tremor.
With the camper predetermined (including the make and model), we knew we wanted a truck that could easily handle the weight of the unit. Payload was the biggest factor in picking a truck, and it eliminated half-ton options from our search.
Off-Road Capability is Essential
We like to off-road our vehicles, and though we’ve scaled back since our early days of Jeeping, the ability to safely venture into the backcountry and conquer tough terrain was still a prerequisite for any truck we purchased.
If you’re wondering how this factors into the gas versus diesel debate, hold onto your horses—we’re getting there!
Other Factors
The two points above were the most influential in our decision-making process when it came to the type of fuel our truck would use. Other considerations included the price of the vehicle, the price of fuel, the future resale value, the mileage range, the complexity of the engine, and the projected cost of maintenance and repairs.
Why We Chose Gas Instead of Diesel
Whenever you’re making as substantial a purchase as a truck, especially with today’s inflated prices, you want to consider not only the objective facts but also your subjective preferences and uses. While we reached our own conclusions based on what we considered to be our needs, you may reach an entirely different decision even if your criteria overlap with ours. So, don’t take what I say as absolute; instead, think of it as an alternative perspective to consider!
Gas is Cheaper than Diesel
While this statement is true at the pump right now, it’s not always the case. Fuel prices fluctuate, and we did not choose the gas engine over a diesel one solely because gas prices are currently lower than diesel prices (though that is a nice bonus).
The real price difference between the two options comes in other forms. The upfront cost, for example, is substantially more when you opt for a diesel engine. Most manufacturers in the HD segment charge between $8,000 and $10,000 more for a diesel engine than they do for their gas models. That’s a huge chunk of change that takes years to potentially recoup in the form of resale value or vehicle lifetime (diesel has a reputation for longevity, though there is a debate now that the EPA has neutered them).
Additionally, maintaining and repairing diesel trucks is notoriously more expensive. From routine oil changes to replacing components as they wear out, you pay a price to enjoy the advantages diesel trucks boast.
The Impact of Weight
No matter which way you slice it, diesel trucks weigh significantly more than their gas counterparts. While some of this weight comes in the form of additional and different equipment that diesels demand, much of it comes from the powerplant itself. The exact discrepancy varies, but it is often close to 1,000 pounds.
The repercussions of this heftiness depend on how you intend to use your truck. If you plan to tow, for example, the impact isn’t as severe as if you plan to haul (pulling a travel trailer versus hauling a truck bed camper, for example). This is because the additional weight of the diesel can reduce your payload. If two trucks are identical except for their powertrain, the lighter powertrain will (in theory) have a higher payload. Sometimes, manufacturers manipulate the numbers via GVWR, but the fact remains that a lighter powertrain leaves more room for payload.
The other consideration when opting for a heavier diesel truck is the off-road handling and maneuverability. Sure, most people probably won’t bomb their Super Duty through the desert or tackle rocky terrain all that often, but if you’re a weirdo who plans to use your truck off-road frequently and for extended amounts of time, a gas engine is likely the better option.
Simplicity is Our Friend
Next time you have the opportunity, pop the hood on a gas and diesel version of the same truck model. You’ll instantly notice a difference in the size and complexity of the powerplant. In the Ford F-250, for example, the diesel engine and its components consume the entirety of the massive engine bay. The 7.3L gas engine—affectionally known as “Godzilla”—looks tiny by comparison.
The benefits of this center around the ability to work on your own vehicle, especially in the field. With the gas engine, you have room to work, can access every component with ease, and don’t need a fully-equipped shop and a mechanic with an astrophysics degree to identify and fix an issue.
Is Gas or Diesel Better?
I wish it was as clear-cut as one fuel type being superior to the other, but in the modern age of trucks, I can’t say with certainty that one has an edge. At the end of the day, it depends on your needs, preferences, and how you intend to use the truck. Thankfully, we’re spoiled for choice, and I hope that continues for decades to come despite politically motivated wars against this fuel type or that combustion engine.
For this build, we went with a gas engine for the reasons above. So far, we’re incredibly happy with it. That being said, my heart will always long for a diesel, so don’t be surprised when that dream comes true in a few years.
Until then, let me know what you think in the comments. Which is better, gas or diesel? Why did you choose one over the other?
-RW