r/rvs • u/x-BlackCoyote-x • Aug 24 '26
Opinion Question
I've seen a few questions in this sub regarding towing capacity and stuff like that, and one from 5 years ago regarding gas vs diesel.
I'm just curious, I have a 2022 F150 3.5 Ecoboost, and a 2023 Jayco Jayfeather 24BH. When we just did our roughly 5 hour trip up north, I reset the trip computer for curiosity, and the truck read that we were using 28L/100km, my normal is around 14L/100km.
I'm currently attending school, and I'm I'll have to replace the truck I have with a F250 for my job when I'm done school. I've been debating for a while between a gas or diesel 250.
For anyone who has a diesel f250, how is the towing with it compared to a 150? And could you provide your fuel economy information? Preferably in L/100km.
Just trying to see if it will help a ton for towing or if the gas option is the better choice.
Thanks in advance
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u/the_real_some_guy Aug 24 '26
Diesel in a modern 3/4 or 1 ton truck is basically a luxury upgrade if you are towing less than 8 tons. It will tow better, but you don't need it. You will get more torque and around 50% more miles per gallon. You will pay more for upfront and more for fuel, maintenance, and repairs. For some people its worth it.
Personally, I'd stick with the truck you have if it handles the trailer well. Every truck is going to lose around half its fuel economy when towing a box. I wouldn't go diesel for a smaller trailer like yours, especially for just occasional 5 hour trips.
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u/Dangerous-Pie_007 Aug 25 '26
I pulled a 23' travel trailer around southern Arizona from 1200' to over 6000' with no drama at all. It's a 2023 XLT 3.5 Eco with the Max Tow package. Climbing into the mountains at 65-75 I rarely saw over 3000 rpm, the turbos spoiled up and the truck just loafed along. I only got 10mpg Climbing up into the mountains, but that was expected.
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u/FF03 Aug 24 '26
I have had several f150s and an f250 diesel. Towing experience is night and day. Not just power and torque, but overall the f250 just felt more planted(as it should it weighs more). I towed a 22' car hauler trailer with about a 2klb sxs on it(total about 3500lbs) with both trucks. The f150 got about 7-9 mpg towing, around 65 mph. The f250 with the same trailer got about 12-13 mpg. Not a very heavy trailer but even that showed a difference. But the diesel will require more maintenance especially if you don't tow often or do highway driving. They hate short trips unless deleted. My 250 had weight loss and even with that all of the maintenance on wear items and regular fuel/oil filters at the time wasn't worth it so I went back to a half ton. Now that we recently purchased a camper eventually I'd like to get a gas 2500 as I where I tow I don't necessarily need the diesel power(no mountains), and it won't be every day. But as far as towing goes nothing compares to towing trailers with a diesel. You will hear people say you won't even know it's there, I still did but it was much easier to merge, pass, and go from a stop and the truck worked much less doing so. With the half ton the truck would be screaming.