This is always a fun question.
When we were looking at upgrading trucks out current 5th wheel is around 10k. We thought long and hard about going gas on this truck (last truck was 07 cummins and the new 6.6 gas is similar in torque) but also realized we were most likely going to a larger fifth wheel in the next 5 years and we generally keep vehicles 10-15 years at a minimal. So to that end we went 3500 diesel and haven't looked back. This way we have 1 investment and practically unlimited payload and towing ability for anything we looked at in the future.
I can tell you that with the diesel and a trailer that small/light that you will be able to set the cruise at 72 +/-, turn on the engine brake in tow mode and not touch the throttle or brake on any incline up or down unless traffic or construction slows you down, and you will be able to slow down with authority.
But I can also say that if we were never going to upsize campers and were staying under 10k trailer weight I would have most likely bought a 2020 or newer 2500 or 3500 with the 6.6 gas. Have read many good things about that engine. And for 23 it gets paired with an allison trans.
End of the day it's your decision
diesel: pros - most towing capacity compared to gas - seems like never ending power/torque and speed control with the engine brake and 10spd, smooth and quiet enough you can forget you have a trailer - cons - adding def fluid (cost), emissions systems more complex than gas and more costly if a problem arises, fuel more expensive and sometimes not as readily available as gas.
Gas - pros - same comfort creatures of other chev's/gmc's, no added def cost, can daily drive or short trip on a regular basis without consequence, 10k cheaper off the bat, gas is usually available at any station. Cons - no engine braking, may have to watch the rpms a bit in the worst of the mountains but prolly not with a newer truck, may or may not hold speed and be able to run cruise in mountains, half the torque or less then diesel, lower towing capacity, you'll always know the trailer is back there, but it will get ya there and back also.
If I bought gas truck today it would be the 6.6 gas model year 2020 or newer and if I was in your shoes and wanted to buy used I'd stay in the 1500 for a couple of years and move into a lightly used 6.6 gas with the allison model year 23 or newer but I'd still stay 6.6.
Best of luck and look forward to hearing what ya decide.
JMHO
When we were looking at upgrading trucks out current 5th wheel is around 10k. We thought long and hard about going gas on this truck (last truck was 07 cummins and the new 6.6 gas is similar in torque) but also realized we were most likely going to a larger fifth wheel in the next 5 years and we generally keep vehicles 10-15 years at a minimal. So to that end we went 3500 diesel and haven't looked back. This way we have 1 investment and practically unlimited payload and towing ability for anything we looked at in the future.
I can tell you that with the diesel and a trailer that small/light that you will be able to set the cruise at 72 +/-, turn on the engine brake in tow mode and not touch the throttle or brake on any incline up or down unless traffic or construction slows you down, and you will be able to slow down with authority.
But I can also say that if we were never going to upsize campers and were staying under 10k trailer weight I would have most likely bought a 2020 or newer 2500 or 3500 with the 6.6 gas. Have read many good things about that engine. And for 23 it gets paired with an allison trans.
End of the day it's your decision
diesel: pros - most towing capacity compared to gas - seems like never ending power/torque and speed control with the engine brake and 10spd, smooth and quiet enough you can forget you have a trailer - cons - adding def fluid (cost), emissions systems more complex than gas and more costly if a problem arises, fuel more expensive and sometimes not as readily available as gas.
Gas - pros - same comfort creatures of other chev's/gmc's, no added def cost, can daily drive or short trip on a regular basis without consequence, 10k cheaper off the bat, gas is usually available at any station. Cons - no engine braking, may have to watch the rpms a bit in the worst of the mountains but prolly not with a newer truck, may or may not hold speed and be able to run cruise in mountains, half the torque or less then diesel, lower towing capacity, you'll always know the trailer is back there, but it will get ya there and back also.
If I bought gas truck today it would be the 6.6 gas model year 2020 or newer and if I was in your shoes and wanted to buy used I'd stay in the 1500 for a couple of years and move into a lightly used 6.6 gas with the allison model year 23 or newer but I'd still stay 6.6.
Best of luck and look forward to hearing what ya decide.
JMHO