diesel or gas

[wmhjr]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Brother in Law gets a new work truck every two years -- his job is heavy equipment (lift trucks) -- normally he gets an F250 diesel... last truck he gets GAS... We've towed to California and back - two diesels and his gas truck -- all with trailers and hot rods... him being heaviest... we never lose him on a hill... and he's getting roughly the same milage we are with the diesels. Biggest difference - he just doesn't have the low end grunt... but he's never falling behind!

It remains to be seen about whether or not he'll take a big hit on the resale market. But then the diesel cost 7K or so more up front - and lately - I've paid more per gallon for diesel than he is for regular gas....

Sorry Greg but I'm calling bs. There is zero possibility of him weighing more, pulling just as strong AND getting remotely near the same mileage. Zero. You'd have to invent new laws of physics. No way now how no time.

[street3285]

I recommend diesel. They cost a little more in maintenance, but I believe they will last longer is taken care of properly. The power is unreal and the mileage is good for a truck that heavy. i have a 2008 Duramax, and will never go back to a gas again. This might even be the last truck I buy. 65K and still strong.

I have it programmed with a 4" turbo back. So my mileage is a little better without the smog stuff on it.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by wmhjr

Sorry Greg but I'm calling bs. There is zero possibility of him weighing more, pulling just as strong AND getting remotely near the same mileage. Zero. You'd have to invent new laws of physics. No way now how no time.

Okay -- I just made it up. Except that it's true. I personally wouldn't believe it except that we've now made 3 or 4 trips together... with his new gas truck.

The milage he's getting is 7+ ------- I get 10.4 to me that's close enough when you do the math and figure what I paid EXTRA for the diesel. And I pay more per gallon for diesel at each fill up.

The last two trips I'm dragging my '32 Ford - he's got my Nomad that weighs almost DOUBLE the '32.... So you can do that math as well.

[clill]

Hey Greg...

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by clill

Hey Greg...

That's funny!


To me -- RETARDED -- is FORD only selling 4X4's in the bigger trucks. I'd replace my '06 F-350 but I can only get it with 4 wheel drive. Hummmmmm...
I'm not towing much in the snow.

[DRJDVM's '69]

I went through the same thing about 8 months ago. I dont tow very often, but I prefer to overengineer stuff than to just "get by", so I ended up getting a 2500 Ram diesel and its been great. It drives around town like a gas truck and tows a 20 ft enclosed car trailer with a car no problem.

The fuel mileage vs the fuel price makes that aspect a wash in my book.

We just towed a 20 ft boat with my friend gas Expedition....it could do it, but it didnt do it very well and the diesel will tolerate being "abused" way better than a gas truck.

This is my first diesel and I'm pretty happy that I did.....

[mike343sharpstk]

This is great stuff, thanks all for you input.
Next year I’ll be replacing my ’01 Durango (4.7 V8, tow package, 3.90’s, lsd, etc) with something bigger and better. I ‘thought’ the Durango had enough power… Until I pulled a car through the mountains of Virginia- Holly @#$#@*!

Lesson learned.

Towing in a flat area is one thing, but man, oh man, those mountain grades had me putting my foot to the floor on both the pedals! Not the proper tool for the job, and once my race car is done I’ll be towing more and more.

I expect 200,000 miles out of any vehicle, and I take care of them appropriately. The Durango has 170,000 with no drive-train issues at the moment, but it's showing its age elsewhere. In the past the Diesel drive trains were just plain made to run longer than the gas units. Not sure that this is still the case?

I’m very seriously looking at that next purchase being a used Dodge with the Diesel. But I could be swayed at this point. I already find that I tow “stuff” more than I ever thought I would, from my enclosed motorcycle trailer to whatever random car needs to be moved around, or patio block, or ???. Plus, 4x4 winter duty is important here.

It’s fun to shop, but when I write the check I want to make damn sure it’s for the correct tool!

[70rs]

For what it's worth when I sold at a local Chevy dealer that particular store sold diesels 5 to 1 over gas.
Now up here we have real live mountains. And in this county A LOT of livestock moving (heavy towing often).
That being said, those new diesel sales were usually to the people towing several times per month. That alone tells me the towing issue is in favor of diesels hands down. No brainer there.

But for the average guy who commutes, hunts, camps, tows once in awhile or just likes driving a truck the gas motors are fine.
High mile diesels take a bit more maintenance and that does cost more on average than the gas trucks. Even the oil changes and air & fuel filters can be double or more than a gas motor.
I have owned both a 2500 6.0 gas and a 5.3 1500 (current)
And both were VERY cheap to maintain.
The few times I wished for more power with either really didn't justify me buying a diesel.
The boat I towed with the 6.0 (with close to 200k) was about 7000 pounds fully loaded including trailer.
Only on the steep and long grades did I want more grunt. But that was so I could cruise at 75 instead of 55/60.

Sorry if my rambling doesn't help. But I just didn't NEED diesel. But I sure do WANT one.

[rwhite692]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

That's funny!


To me -- RETARDED -- is FORD only selling 4X4's in the bigger trucks. I'd replace my '06 F-350 but I can only get it with 4 wheel drive. Hummmmmm...
I'm not towing much in the snow.

As an aside, I was VERY glad that mine is a 4X4 the one time I got my 36' fifth wheel travel trailer (12K lbs, dry) into a soft patch of muddy grass on the shoulder of a state park road.... put it in low and eased her out. Would not have made it out, otherwise.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by rwhite692

As an aside, I was VERY glad that mine is a 4X4 the one time I got my 36' fifth wheel travel trailer (12K lbs, dry) into a soft patch of muddy grass on the shoulder of a state park road.... put it in low and eased her out. Would not have made it out, otherwise.

That can be fixed by learning how to drive better....

No need for the 4X4... and the ONCE you needed it could have been fixed with a WINCH... or using your cell phone and calling a tow truck etc. I just don't NEED to carry all the weight and drivetrain components on a truck that is used for HIWAY recreational towing.