Gas or Diesel

[the_real_wild1]

Range was ultimately the reason why I sold my gas 1 ton. Pulling the fifth wheel was easy and I could live with the power but 300 KM's on a full 140 liter tank of fuel was extremely annoying. Always wound up squeezing into a "too small" gas station with the trailer hooked up which was a giant PITA. Got to the point that I did not want to go too far in a day as I did not want to fuel up twice. Love the diesel which is perfect for what I do but doubt I would like it as much for a daily driver.

Exactly. Both are good and bad. I told myself I need to tow heavier loads for at least a year with this truck. If I am always struggling and towing more often Ill get a diesel. But I don't know what is going to happen in that year so I am approaching it cautiously

 

[brendon444]

Few things I picked up reading this thread. People saying price of gas trucks now a days are crazy, they might as well get a diesel for that price. Diesel prices went up just as much if your comparing trim/trim. Sierra Denali 1500 starting 64,600, sierra Denali 2500 86,xxx. Also why do people always say diesels last longer and truck will last 500,000 km's yada yada. Yes the engine might last longer but the price to keep it running is not cheap. For the price of injectors I can swap the motor in a gas truck. I love diesels and they are the truck to use when pulling. I just see a lot of diesel guys with blinders on how they justify buying one. each their own.

 

[tex78]

Few things I picked up reading this thread. People saying price of gas trucks now a days are crazy, they might as well get a diesel for that price. Diesel prices went up just as much if your comparing trim/trim. Sierra Denali 1500 starting 64,600, sierra Denali 2500 86,xxx. Also why do people always say diesels last longer and truck will last 500,000 km's yada yada. Yes the engine might last longer but the price to keep it running is not cheap. For the price of injectors I can swap the motor in a gas truck. I love diesels and they are the truck to use when pulling. I just see a lot of diesel guys with blinders on how they justify buying one. each their own.

Ya I'm not sure how any one can afford to keep a non warranty diesel going and not right it off


Especially older ford 6.0 and 6.4 l

 

[ferniesnow]

Lots of good info in this thread. I will be making this decision in 1.5 years 2018 will be a new truck for me Usually keep a truck for 10 years and I don't know what I will buy

X2 on the good info thread

and no BS....................imdoo'n must have missed this thread!!!

I have a gas 6.2l and for the same reasons as stated above; don't tow heavy loads that much and certainly am not a heavy mileage dude.

Yes, the mileage goes up when towing but that is understandable. One just has to weigh the economics of initial cost and maintenance (as stated above many times). Diesels aren't cheap to buy nor are they cheap to maintain.

I really like the "manual switching" for the transmission (gearing up and down on hills is great). Eliminates the harder work of the transmission always shifting when in normal mode.

 

[Lem Lamb]

2005 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4 mint body with 2 x's yearly gear oil under chassy spraying. 250.000 kms is now worth $3500 Cnd funds. Photo taken this spring before parking this summer.


Today I can get re-con 5.7 L gas motor with core exchange from Dodge for $3650, 1 ton tranny with core exchange at $3200 and T-case at $1600 exchange on old unit when needed. No labour charge since we do this our selves.

All in re-con from Dodge with no exchange works out too $11.450 for motor tranny and T-case.
After market re-con "no dodge" works out too $8050 no exchange of old parts.

Exchange of motor tranny and T-case so long as they turn over,,, and main bushing in tranny is not shot would net me a return of a $1000 each = $3000 cash back.

So $8450 the Dodge route, or $5050 the low end after market path. I need none of the above "yet." as the tranny is still holding in.

I'll run it to the end game by fixing 1 of the 3 when it goes as it will be 2026 when it see its end.

Truck pulled a 33" V trailer and auto car hauler deck for 50% of its life since new as it will become farm cattle feed unit in its lasting days.

Looks like our diesel farm 1 ton truck days have pretty much rapped up as we can use aluminum stock trailer behind all our gas jobs.

Pal Don

 

[Lund]

There are no real justification for driving a diesel pickup other then it's cool to do so(status). All the gas powered pickup truck's will do everything the diesel will and in the long run at a much lesser cost and easier on the enviroment as a single vehicle.
IMO, diesel fuel should be available for commercial use only and i wouldn't cry if there was a nation wide ban on them like there is in California.
The ironic part is i drive a diesel truck and have owned several since 1995 and i can honestly tell anyone that in the long run the overall cost is far better on the gas powered truck in its life time. The small fuel saving you get in milage is quickly eaten up in maintenance of the diesel truck. So unless your a commercial operator running long hours and lots of high miles in a very short period of time. Gas powered trucks are the way to go, diesel powered truck's imo will go the way of the dodo bird in the near future.
BTW my next pickup will be gas powered, its a no brainer.

 

[arff]

I like my diesel truck. But mostly use it to tow the toyhauler or enclosed trailer.
My gas 3/4 ton was just not enough for the big toyhauler.

 

[MADKAWI]

Diesels just pull nice compared to Gas jobs. Gas trucks are fine but you have to keep your foot into it to pull big loads. I had a little eco boost and that thing pulled awesome for a little engine. They need to make a v-8 twin turbo eco boost then that would put a dent in the diesel market. I love my diesels and own an 02 Dodge with over 620,000 km's but when they break they are expensive as hell!!!
The gas engines get horrible milage towing but unless you tow EVERY weekend i say go gas job.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kovs]

If gm or Chev would put the 6.2L motor in a 2500 chassis with 3.73 gears or 4.10 with the 8 speed I would have went that route but not interested in the 6L gas when I had the 6.2
I went dmax and opted for the 5 yr warranty. Depending how it's treated me in these 5 will determine if it sticks around or is gone. Lol.
Also oil changes aren't much more if you do yourself. The new gas engines take 8L and semi syn too so


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ZRrrr]

"Diesels just pull nice compared to Gas jobs.".......and stop much better with a load! Speaking from experience.
"Also oil changes aren't much more if you do yourself."....many of the new, higher strung engines are demanding premium fuel and synthetic oils. I have managed to get my diesel oil change costs down to a reasonable level and it takes me no time at all to do it. Not spending much more than I would have on my 1/2er.

I've sat down with pencil in hand numerous times and figured out that my costs for ownership are not that much more than it was when I had the 1/2 ton running premium and full synthetic oils. Bought the diesel used so the initial big hit was already done. Diesel fuel costs less than gas right now and I get much better mileage towing than the 1/2er. I (and my family) am way more comfortable and feel safer towing with the diesel than any other vehicle I have had. What's the cost for that!?

I try to do my own work on the truck, and actually enjoy most of it. Learned a lot. I respect my truck and it treats me well. Nissan tried to hit that grey area for a heavy duty truck but missed the mark in my mind. Until a manufacturer comes out with a gasser truck that offers me all the 1 ton diesel does, then this is one guy who is very happy sticking with diesel.

 

[Cyle]

Have a 2500 gasser, while it will tow 10k alright that's about all it's good for. Would never look at a gas in anything other then a 1/2 ton again. How are gassers going to replace all diesel pickups? Good luck pulling 30k with a gasser. I've pulled up to 26k on my ram 3500 Cummins and it's working the diesel, and no gasser is in the same ballpark power wise. Diesel gets so much better mileage empty and towing. The new fuel filters are pricey to change, $200 every 24k, but oil changes aren't much difference, especially when factoring in diesels go further. But once you factor in how much spark plugs are on a gasser, a diesel isn't going to cost much difference to own. The extra cost to buy is negated when it comes to selling. Look at used dodge's, that $10k for the diesel extra in many cases used gas compared to diesel is $10k difference. Very few people have any interest in a 2500 gasser, and of those who do most do it because they want a cheaper truck. Or how about if you plan to own real long term, the cost of replacing that gasser engine. How many only make it between 200-300km while almost all diesels will go much much further.

 

[the_real_wild1]

Not everyone needs to tow 30k. I filled my box with wood last weekend for the deck. One ton didn't flinch. Don't need diesel for that. 1/2t would have been sacked out. Don't need diesel to haul a camper. One ton does it well. 1/2 t would have been sacked out. Sh1t when my quad was really muddy it would almost sack out my half ton lol. Makes my one ton ride nice. Again don't need a diesel to haul that. Engine issues? My gasser doesn't have any emissions issues. I am a hd diesel mechanic. I may have worked on one or two emissions issues. My point is you don't always need the diesel in a heavy truck. Gas will work just fine. Now with that said there are times I wish I had bought another diesel instead of the gas engine but there are many times in glad I went gas.

 

[takethebounce]

I am going to get a diesel just so Lund can say I look cool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[neilsleder]

Not everyone needs to tow 30k. I filled my box with wood last weekend for the deck. One ton didn't flinch. Don't need diesel for that. 1/2t would have been sacked out. Don't need diesel to haul a camper. One ton does it well. 1/2 t would have been sacked out. Sh1t when my quad was really muddy it would almost sack out my half ton lol. Makes my one ton ride nice. Again don't need a diesel to haul that. Engine issues? My gasser doesn't have any emissions issues. I am a hd diesel mechanic. I may have worked on one or two emissions issues. My point is you don't always need the diesel in a heavy truck. Gas will work just fine. Now with that said there are times I wish I had bought another diesel instead of the gas engine but there are many times in glad I went gas.

95% of the issues with the new diesel pick ups are to do with the emission crap!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ron H]

I've two "gassers" 5.3l (1500 short box/reg cab) and 6l (2500hd long box reg cab). My trailer loaded with quad I'm around 8k+lbs. The 6l I get around 500k/tank and there's more than enough power, however with the 5.3 I'm pushing the limit power wise and the smaller/higher geared/less torque in all reality isn't enough. Not to mention the "workout" reaps havoc on mileage...
Relatively speaking I travel light compared to some.. If got over that 10klbs mark ( and I'm sure the 6l could do more, but at the expense of power/ mileage) I'd probably go with diesel.
The other thing that swayed me into the 6l was after around 4-500k (I do +-80k/yr) I could just throw another motor/tranny for still less than the cost of admission/maintenance of a diesel...

 

[Lund]

I am going to get a diesel just so Lund can say I look cool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nah you don't need a diesel truck Danny, you look cool enough in your riding gear. BTW, who's your new friend? I seen him before.

 

[takethebounce]

Nah you don't need a diesel truck Danny, you look cool enough in your riding gear. BTW, who's your new friend? I seen him before.

Well I know which one I am!

I like your red riding gear! Still rocking the same hair style too I see! Lol.

But seriously, diesel for the most part for many is a luxury. I drag a travel trailer for camping 20-30 nights a summer. Already have close to ten this year over four trips. Anywhere from one hour to three hours. My 6.0 gas kills me. I am averaging 30L/100km on the lie meter for our new trailer. Hand calculated comes in a hair worse. Don't even try and put a head wind against me. May as well stay home. It makes me not even want to bother going more than 2 hours away.

I like to keep trucks 4-5 years and would prefer someone else takes the hit on the depreciation. Gas engines running 3500 plus rpm in the summer a dozen trips with the trailer and then 50-60 days hauling sleds in the winter which could be 20-30 trips from November to may wear out and miles them out fast. Sure ride sharing some of those.

The maintenance on newer diesels is better. 24,000 km oil changes! Crazy numbers I know. But it fits under the warranty schedule. And speaking of which get the extended warranty and you get X number of oil changes covered. It's a cost up front but 5 years bumper to bumper sure sounds nice. Fuel filters on top of that aren't a huge burden or cost. Other than that the running gear gets all the same maintenance. Works out pretty close when I use the better of fluids anyhow. Almost favours the diesel.

Five year average and diesel fuel is %15 cheaper. I can tune my gas with a custom tune then I have to run premium. Even larger differential. The efficiency of towing with the diesel and even better unloaded mileage has me scratching my head. Why am I driving a gas? I don't do city commuting. Very low idling time.

Does it sound like I am convinced? I am. It comes at a cost but so does riding new sleds, having trailers, heck having boats like certain people I know and those are the largest money puts out there.

I think a diesel is like comparing an expensive BMW adventure bike. Sure you could have just as much fun on a Suzuki Vstrom at half the cost but what is making your experience more enjoyable to you that matters.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lund]

Just giving you a hard time. But on a different note I wish I had that kind of time to get out that much.
Time is a bit of a luxury sometimes for me.

 

[camoJoe]

Got an 06 ram 2500, with 5.9 ltr cummins, (purchased in 06) have 250k on it Never made me walk, the reliability is there, I dont tow much, but when i do the power is there, did a lot of miles for work at moment getting 10.9-11 Ltrs per 100km, never "chipped" it, all stock, never had a problem other then a leaking steering dampener.,
still have the same transmission, will hold on to the 5.9 ltr as long as i can..... otherwise pay to much on consumer "green" fees.

It all depends on your style of driving...

 

[LBZ]

I've run 3 different GM 2500 HD trucks. A classic diesel, a 2010 6.0, and a 2012 diesel.
I've done the same jobs and hauled the same loads with all 3 and the diesel wins hands down. I'd get half the mileage and at a lesser speed with the gasser as opposed to the other 2. It was painful stopping every 350 km or less for fuel with the gasser just to pay more at the pump when towing 9000lbs.

If all you need is to tow or haul slightly above 1/2 ton rated towable stuff than maybe you can get away with the gas 3/4 ton. Anything more than that and I'd run the diesel. It's just better.

Lund also ran a Ford so I can see why he has a distaste for Diesels now lol.