lacey954 said:
Will be buying a truck after first of year I know all you guys love your diesel trucks but Im not sure about that Too many energy sources,gas for generator propane solar batteries deisel for truck I dont know if I want all that. I do understand mileage is better and climbing mts etc but Im not convinced for me
I wouldn't recommend getting a diesel unless your RV is so large there's no alternative.
I tow a 29 ft. Sunnybrook trailer with a Ford Powerstroke Diesel pickup, and the truth is the gas V-10 engine would tow it just as well. The trick is not to get a truck that is just barely able to handle your trailer, but to get more truck than you need. No one has ever complained about having too much truck.
Find the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) for the trailer you're interested in, then choose a truck and engine combination that gives you at least a 20% cushion above that. For example, if your trailer has a 8000 lb. GVWR choose a truck that can tow a 10,000 lb. trailer. Not loading the truck to it's rated maximum gives you more power, better braking and handling and a more pleasant towing experience.
Ford's Towing Guide
https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/ is a good place to start. Similar towing guides are available from Chevrolet, Ram, etc. but Ford's is the most comprehensive.
Why would you want a gas engine instead of a diesel? As others have noted, modern gas engines like the Ford V-10 can last for 150,000 or 200,000 miles or more, about as long as the medium duty diesels you'll find in a pickup truck. You just have to downshift and let it rev up when you need extra power to climb a hill, etc. Ford's new V-8 engine that will replace the V-10 in 2020 promises diesel-like low end power and I'm looking forward to see if it will be a suitable replacement for my current truck.
Modern diesels aren't the simple, reliable engines of old - they're loaded down with expensive high maintenance emission control equipment like DPF filters, exhaust gas recirculation, etc..
Everything about a diesel is more expensive. They cost more up front. You have to buy DEF fluid for the exhaust filters and do regular filter maintenance. Even something as simple as an oil and filter change costs more - diesels hold 2-3 times more oil than gas engines and their oil and fuel filters are more expensive.
Finally, diesel fuel is messy and smelly. It doesn't evaporate like gasoline when it's spilled and it will get tracked into your truck or RV. Unless you wear rubber gloves, it's smell will linger on your hands for quite a while after fueling.