One of the biggest decisions you’ll face when choosing a truck for hard work–like handling a camper full-time–is whether to opt for a gas engine or a diesel engine. It’s a hotly debated topic, and we fully understand why. Both sides have pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, and compelling traits that could sway the average buyer in either direction.

We grappled with this dilemma for a long while as we tried to determine which truck to buy for our full-time travel needs. As the foundation of any RVer’s or overlander’s rig, the truck needs to check several boxes–from tow rating to reliability. With so many options on the market and arguably no “perfect” solution, much of this decision comes down to preference, willingness to compromise, and a touch of hopefulness.

Things to know:

We’re going on the road full-time in 2025, so we need a truck to facilitate our new lifestyle. Among the many factors influencing our decision, the age-old debate of gas vs diesel is at the forefront.

Note: By the time you read this, we might already have a truck. Our intent is not to mislead you, we simply wrote these blogs well in advance!

Choosing a gas or diesel truck

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 relatively new to us–especially for full-time travel–those same principles applied 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; it just needs to fit the factors we’re basing our purchase on.

Cost of diesel versus gas

As badly as we’re hoping to follow a rainbow to a bucket of gold, it hasn’t happened yet. So, we’re operating on a decent but far-from-endless budget, making cost an incredibly influential factor in our truck-buying decision. There are a few ways in which the cost debate between gas and diesel trucks plays out, and we tried to consider it from all angles.

Fuel prices fluctuate, so we were determined not to let this particular consideration play too large a role in our decision. That said, gas prices are substantially lower than diesel in some areas of the country, and that can make a difference in your wallet (even if the diesel gets better fuel economy).

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.

If all of that sounds like gas has a slight cost advantage these days, you’re spot on. However, the fuel efficiency, longevity, and resale value of diesel engines can offset a lot of that difference if you don’t run into any substantial maintenance and repair bills.

Slight edge to gas

Diesel vs gas - engine complexity

Gas engines, especially simplified options like Ford’s 7.3L Godzilla, tend to be simpler than their diesel counterparts. If you want proof, just pop the hood on gas and diesel models and compare them. The gas engine looks quite tame and manageable comparatively.

In theory, this translates to easier maintenance and repairs, especially if you plan to do any of the work yourself. Given our intention to travel full-time, this does not factor heavily into our decision. While I am perfectly capable of doing routine maintenance and repairs–and actually enjoy doing some of these projects myself–it is unlikely that we will have the time, workspace, and tools to perform such tasks when on the road. As such, we will undoubtedly rely on professionals should the necessity ever arise.

Draw

The driving experience of gas and diesel trucks

Through the years (and our shopping process), we have driven quite a few gas and diesel trucks. While it is impossible to get an accurate feel for how they will handle a load without replicating such a scenario, the driving experience between the two fuel options is noticeably different. If you’re going to be living out of your truck and camper, that experience takes a little more precedence than it might otherwise.

While the gas engines we’ve experienced felt more nimble and easy to maneuver–a definite advantage in tight city streets and when off-road–the diesel models made up for their heavy-footedness with undeniable low-end torque and impressive passing ability.

We have enough experiential knowledge with adding weight to vehicles to know that low-end power matters a lot. This is especially true when driving some of the steep mountain passes out West. Diesel definitely wins here, and since we won’t be tackling as many off-road trails as we have in the past, we feel inclined to give diesel the end here.

Edge to diesel

Is Gas or Diesel Better?

We wish it was as clear-cut as one fuel type being superior to the other–that would make this process much easier for us–but in the modern age of trucks, it’s hard to say with certainty that one has a distinct 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.

What do you think? Is gas better than diesel in 2024? Or do the inherent advantages of diesel engines still make them the better choice?

We’re hitting the road full-time in 2025, and we’d love for you to come along for the ride. In the meantime, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions, and hard-earned knowledge. We value your input and experience in making these and other travel-related decisions!

- Riley + Hanna