Gas vs Diesel

I'm looking at buying a newer daily driver and i'm having a hard time on weather to buy a gas or diesel truck. The truck will be a crew cab no matter what and will pull a 18 foot car trailer with my fullsize extended cab show truck the odd time (trailer is an open deck). Gas and diesel in my area are about the same cost give or take a few cents.I have never owned a diesel before and i no the pulling part on the diesel will be sweet but the noise thing kinda sucks. So i have a few questions like what gets better mileage either truck will be close to stock maybe exhaust and rims but thats about it. I would think the diesel is more durable for time wise ie wear and tear. How hard are diesels to start when they are cold like that -20 area (i live in canada) any ideas would be great. The truck will either be a Ford or a Chev/Gmc.
 

make is irrelevant. The Canadian cold will present a little more work on your part. Any diesel that you buy in that area will/should have a bolck heater. Maker sure that you plug it in any night it  gets below 30 degrees. You will also need to keep your fuel tank topped off with an anti-geling additive in the winter. Diesel gets real gummy when it gets cold. You will be far happier with the mileage and reliability of towing with a diesel than a gas truck. Plus, most newer diesels have gotten a lot quiter. Hope this helps.

I have owned both gas a diesel. Both have pros and cons.  Diesel will have more power, get better mileage towing and with care the engine should go a lot longer; however, the diesel will cost a lot more $3000-$8000 more usually.  The gas will use more gas and may not have quite as much power but will cost a lot less and maintenance is a lot cheaper.             Diesel:          Pros    l     Cons        better gas mileage 16-21mpg       l   cost a lot more to buy       A lot more more power              l   cost a lot more to fix          Gas:          Pros     l   Cons                             cheaper to buy     l   worse mileage towing                            cheap to service   l  unless you have a big block you'll be towing steep hills at 45-55 mph  It all comes down to money.  Right now I am towing with a 1 ton 05 chev dually with a 6.0 gas.  It get about 16 empty and about 10 with my truck and trailer.  but it was under 30K brand new.  I used to have a dodge Cummings dually and I miss it. 20mpg towing and it would tow like a sun of a bitch but to get a new 1 ton dually with the diesel you'll spend 40+ which I couldn't do right now. I prefer diesel but like my neighbor who is a diesel mechanic says "Diesel trucks are for guys with bucks".....              

---------------------------------------------Originally posted by Matermake is irrelevant. The Canadian cold will present a little more work on your part. Any diesel that you buy in that area will/should have a bolck heater. Maker sure that you plug it in any night it  gets below 30 degrees. You will also need to keep your fuel tank topped off with an anti-geling additive in the winter. Diesel gets real gummy when it gets cold. You will be far happier with the mileage and reliability of towing with a diesel than a gas truck. Plus, most newer diesels have gotten a lot quiter. Hope this helps.--------------------------------------------- Couldnt have said it better myself.

ive owned gas and diesel myselfi drive a 99 24v dodge right now it gets 25mpg highway empty 24mph loaded and it would rather pull something then drive emptywith new diesels they arent for just driving around town the dpf filters will fill up quick,also my truck has turbo silcener ring removed, intake, 5inch mbrp exhaust and yeah its loud outside but its really decent inside and dodges are alot louder then ford/gmthe duramax honestly sounds like a gas job driving down the roadi also live in edmonton ab, never plugged my truck in all winter, put a set of group 31 batteries in (napa 1145cca was 115$ a piece) and start every day no issue, anti gel isnt a issue never done it and been fine, diesel up here i think they add it in at winter time, all i do is add a 1/2 quart 2 stroke oil to every fillup so figure out are you gonna be towing alot, or just having this as a daily that you might tow at the odd time

I guess i should have said a few more things here.Both trucks i'm looking at are 2004's the gas truck is a 2004 Gmc crew cab 4x4 with a 5.3 and the tow package the other truck is a 2004 Ford super duty 4x4 with the 6.0. The 6.0 engine has had problems right from new but this truck has had all the problems fixed. Both trucks are the same price 20 grand. Robbie to ansewr one of your replys i do not belive that in 2004 Ford had DPF filters so that issue i think is out the window. The truck will mostly be a daily with some towing to answer your last reply. Robbie i do have a question for you why add 2 stroke oil to your fill ups never heard of that before?

seems to me that 20g's for a 04 gas motor is a bit high.

Im no expert, but i think the 2 stroke oil is to keep the injectors lubricated. Ive heard people say you can use your old motor oil and also your used cooking oil for that.

Hi, Its hard to pick a single one from these both as both have advantages and disadvantages. However, I usually prefer gas now.    Regards,Khushbu Malikhttp://www.carsteering.com/cadillac_steering.htmCadillac Steering

the 6.0l had some issues but i personally like them more then the 7.3 trucks
usually a head gasket issue up in our weather and they dont like idling alot, i think the ford powerstroke would be good for you just have money aside to maintain
my oil changes are 120-150$ a change those 6.0l do make alot of noise though but you get used to it quick with a big exhaust they sound like a vacumn cleaner running
i use 2 stroke oil to lubricate my injection pump and lubricate the injectors just makes alot less engine noise to
if you need anything parts wise if you get the diesel let me know, its basically what i do all day long now