I'd guess my net environmental impact is just now lower than US average because, despite my fuel consumption when moving my home, it's tiny, energy independent, and it doesn't move far or frequently. I don't really know. I just don't want to be judged unfairly, particularly when seeking help trying to do it even better.
I want to downsize my truck for cost and fuel efficiency. I've had this truck, my first, for a year, 3.5k miles. I've towed the trailer a short thousand miles without incident and including city, highway, and interstate.
Current setup:
'19 Chevy 2500 6.0L 4WD
Hitch towing ~2.5 tons GVWR (14', enclosed, tandem, brakes)
Getting 8mpg @ 70-75mph
Next truck budget is $10-20k. I'll keep it probably until the frame rots. I'm planning on replacing shocks & wearable steering components, am not averse to some work.
Should I target a 1/2 ton gas (leaning Ford 5.0L 4WD), a different 3/4 ton gas (which and why), or a 3/4 ton diesel (leaning Dodge Cummins)?
The paper numbers say I should get a 1/2 ton gas. But, my more experienced friend thinks I'll be a lot happier spending more for a diesel because diesel engines can last a long time, it'll at least double my fuel efficiency, and it's a little extra overkill for an easier tow.
I'm open to all informed perspectives. What's my best plan and why?
Edit: I kept the Chevy 2500 6.0L because the local market didn't support transition on the sale side. I also bought a '98 Dodge Cummins 12v diesel that needs work. It'll eventually replace the other truck.
How hilly is your terrain, and how often do you pull the trailer?
Mostly flat and not pulling often = 1/2 ton, although you might occasionally be annoyed with getting going slowly with the trailer.
If hilly and/or pulling often going for the 3/4 for more consistency would be better.
It is like picking between economical hatchback. Being low powered isn't generally a big deal if you aren't loading the back with heavy stuff and driving around flat roads, but if you use the hatch to move a few hundred lbs a few times a week uphill then getting one with a more powerful engine makes sense even if the hatch size is the same.
The biggest advantage to diesel in my outdated experience was low speed torque for heavy loads, especially trailers.
Oh, and you will wear out a truck where you regularly pull the max load a lot faster than one where you regularly pull closer to half the load. Those max loads are not intended to be regular.
Wasn't sure if your first year was representstive of future years.
My first year was about 1500lb payload. I went easy on it. But, there's no such thing when pulling at the limits of the transmission & drive line. This is why I thought of a 1/2 ton, 2.5t sitting at around half the max capacity. But, because I'll be towing full time for awhile, the accepted perspective seems to be to overkill even a bit more.
It could be the northern Rockies. It could be Iowa (flat). Most of the miles will be interstate and highway. I'll be pulling the 2.5t trailer almost exclusively for 10-12k miles. Then, I'll have many short haul loads in the 1-4t range for maybe 2k miles. Then, it'll spend maybe a third of its remaining life with that same 2.5t, the other two thirds with less than 0.5t payload.
Based on what we've both said, it seems like you'd favor a 3/4.
I'm not worried so much about pull power acceleration as efficiency at 70-80mph.