3/4 ton Gas vs Diesel?

[civeng99]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Truck stop diesel prices are not a great place to compare prices. Almost no commercial drivers pay the pump price... Most are buying through contracted pricing arrangements or discount programs.

Programs like TSD would give a better comparison point by using their discounted prices.

Understood. Free showers aren’t free. I’m going to guess that pipeline price here with tax is about 5.20 a gallon.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Hermes

Ditto. If budget was the main factor, I wouldn't have bought an Airstream in the first place. Fuel prices fluctuate, a fact of life in an open economy.

In the end it's the driving experience which is my critical factor. The torque of the Duramax is fantastic and the engine is running between 1500-2000 RPM, no screaming engine, but what really does it for me is the diesel exhaust brake.

We love the mountains. With my TV, I put it in tow/haul mode, turn on the exhaust brake, and turn on the cruise control, and let the Duramax/Allison combo do it's job. No need to apply the brakes, except in extreme conditions. No worrying about keeping control of the rig, no white knuckles.

Lot's of vehicles can tow an Airstream and different drivers will have different expectations. Piece of mind and security were key for me.

Well said! With the diesel, set the cruise control on 60-65, auto distance control, auto engine brake...sit back, relax while you cruise up/down/around in the Rockies, while towing my 28'!

[jcl]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Well said! With the diesel, set the cruise control on 60-65, auto distance control, auto engine brake...sit back, relax while you cruise up/down/around in the Rockies, while towing my 28'!

Well, at least until those temperature warnings come up!

Originally Posted by gypsydad

I travel the route between TX and MT, CO, WY, Idaho, Utah each spring/fall. We spend entire summer "roaming" back and forth into Glacier, Teton, Yellowstone, then enjoy CO, Utah mountains going back to TX, towing our 28' with our 6.7L F250. The steep mountain passes, above 9K can give you some temp warnings in the 230+ range at 55-60+ mph, especially when it is very hot out...say 95+. We slow down, and I do watch the temps.

Just kidding. I am sure it is nice to drive.

[XCountry]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Truck stop diesel prices are not a great place to compare prices. Almost no commercial drivers pay the pump price... Most are buying through contracted pricing arrangements or discount programs.

Programs like TSD would give a better comparison point by using their discounted prices.

Agreed, spot checking pump prices my diesel fleet card is currently about 40¢/gal off the cash price, and I’ve seen that discount be as much as a dollar per gallon. TA is the heaviest discounter in my experience.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by XCountry

Agreed, spot checking pump prices my diesel fleet card is currently about 40¢/gal off the cash price, and I’ve seen that discount be as much as a dollar per gallon. TA is the heaviest discounter in my experience.

Depends on the discount plan. The TSD program was initially best on Loves, and last I looked they were better on TA.

When I drove semi for a company in Marinette WI they had a contract for fuel from Loves for years, and all the drivers had accumulated lots of showers and food credits there. Suddenly our fuel program switched to TA/Petro and no one could use the points any more. Almost started a driver revolt - those free showers mean a lot to drivers, and Loves has better showers to boot.

The fuel contracts are negotiated months in advance sometimes, and I think it's only the recreational consumers or small-time operators that actually pay the pump price. A better way to compare fuel prices is with the mom & pop stations which are a block or two further from the Interstate.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by jcl

Well, at least until those temperature warnings come up!



Just kidding. I am sure it is nice to drive.

It's a great drive...you should buy an Airstream, a capable ICE tow vehicle and become a certified AS owner so you can post from your Airstream experience here! Just kidding...of course.

[Thiss]

Originally Posted by Ndcctrucks

Yours might be “better”, but mine is COOLER (well, except for the road noise, ride, and under-powered 318 engine…)! Ha ha ha ha!!!

Awesome ‘77 Crew! I once had a 77 W150 and I now have a 85 W350 crew cab with a Cummins swap. If I had done it again I think I would have done built 360 and it’s stock 4sp.

We towed with our crew until we started taking weeks long road trips and wanted AC.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Ndcctrucks

Yours might be “better”, but mine is COOLER (well, except for the road noise, ride, and under-powered 318 engine…)! Ha ha ha ha!!!

Was this originally a Forest Service truck? Appears to be FS green.

[ROBERT CROSS]

My dinosaur is better than your dinosaur. 😂😂

Bob
🇺🇸
Un-restored original, GREAT TV.

[pmclemore]

I'm driving my second duramax; the first one (2004) gave me 247k miles. Loved the power and torque. My second is a 2011 I bought from a forum member and I expect it to carry me through my camping days as it has only 72k miles on it. This one has the engine brake, which is a wonder to behold.

That said, I don't think I'll buy another diesel if I have to replace it. DEF is a pita, as are the parts that have to be maintained to support it. How about 1k for a DEF tank heater? Why would that ever go bad? Goodness knows what else. Plus the risk that the system will suddenly decide that your DEF is low when it actually is not, and gives you a mileage deadline to get it fixed. When you're on the road, as all of us should be, this is a serious event.

Added to the additional diesel cost, the messiness of truck stops and all the rest - I think it is just not worth the mighty power the diesel provides.

Pat

[Lafitte]

My 2012 Ram Cummins has NO DEF. Last year wasn't used.

[civeng99]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

I'm driving my second duramax; the first one (2004) gave me 247k miles. Loved the power and torque. My second is a 2011 I bought from a forum member and I expect it to carry me through my camping days as it has only 72k miles on it. This one has the engine brake, which is a wonder to behold.

That said, I don't think I'll buy another diesel if I have to replace it. DEF is a pita, as are the parts that have to be maintained to support it. How about 1k for a DEF tank heater? Why would that ever go bad? Goodness knows what else. Plus the risk that the system will suddenly decide that your DEF is low when it actually is not, and gives you a mileage deadline to get it fixed. When you're on the road, as all of us should be, this is a serious event.

Added to the additional diesel cost, the messiness of truck stops and all the rest - I think it is just not worth the mighty power the diesel provides.

Pat

Aah yes. The fine odor of aged urine…the truck stops…

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by civeng99

Aah yes. The fine odor of aged urine…the truck stops…

DEF is made up of 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water. It’s a harmless fluid, and urea is an organic compound. It’s also known as carbamide. The urea that DEF contains is synthetically made.

[n2916s]

The “aged urine” aroma at truck stops (and Interstate Rest Areas) is the result of road warriors pouring out their “relief” bottles…

Those fresh puddles ain’t rain water.

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Added to the additional diesel cost, the messiness of truck stops and all the rest - I think it is just not worth the mighty power the diesel provides.

Originally Posted by civeng99

Aah yes. The fine odor of aged urine…the truck stops…

Messiness of some truck stops and smell aside (not all gas stations are that aromatic or tidy either) I actually find the ability to use them for diesel an advantage. Fast fill using the high-volume nozzles, rarely any waiting for an empty pump or someone to finish shopping at the mini-mart and, most importantly, quick and easy ingress and egress with a trailer in tow.

[civeng99]

Originally Posted by n2916s

The “aged urine” aroma at truck stops (and Interstate Rest Areas) is the result of road warriors pouring out their “relief” bottles…

Those fresh puddles ain’t rain water.

Exactly. Lol.

[civeng99]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

Messiness of some truck stops and smell aside (not all gas stations are that aromatic or tidy either) I actually find the ability to use them for diesel an advantage. Fast fill using the high-volume nozzles, rarely any waiting for an empty pump or someone to finish shopping at the mini-mart and, most importantly, quick and easy ingress and egress with a trailer in tow.

Lol. As long as you aren’t stuck behind the guy from swift blocking the pumps that disappears to the iron skillet for 45 minutes. I’ve got some stories…

Truck stops are like the Wild West. Especially when the sun goes down.

[Dexterpix]

125k + on a trailer......


If I don't get the 75k dollar truck instead of the 85k dollar truck the $1.25 a gallon difference. I won't be able to leave the driveway!!!


First world problem for sure.

Get what you want, go enjoy.


Joe D

[moosetags]

We pull Lucy with a Silverado Duramax and have since 2011. Prior to that we pulled her with two different 3/4 Suburbans. The Suburbans did OK but weren't great towing machines. In 2011 we decided to give Diesel a try. We are now on our third Duramax.

We find that the Diesel is much more capable in all situations. No grade is too steep, either up or down. There is never an anxious moment.

Is the cost higher? Yes, but you get what you pay for.

There is an upside to the cost of a Diesel pickup truck. The original cost of the Diesel option actually appreciates. When we traded our 2011 Duramax on the 2018, we got $28,000 in trade. I asked the dealer if I were trading the same truck, same mileage and condition, with the gasoline engine, what would the trade-in value be. He told me $16,000. The Diesel option on that 2011 truck was about $9,000.

All considered, we are much more comfortable in a Diesel truck and are willing to pay for the comfort factor.

One additional thought. Our payload even with the diesel engine is 3,136#. This is more than ample for towing any Airstream and bringing anything you want in the truck.

Brian

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Dexterpix

125k + on a trailer......

If I don't get the 75k dollar truck instead of the 85k dollar truck the $1.25 a gallon difference. I won't be able to leave the driveway!!!

First world problem for sure.

Get what you want, go enjoy.

Joe D

Not everyone is spending this kind of money - not on the truck and not on the trailer. It's quite possible to get into the world of Airstream trailers for a fraction of this, and for many people $10,000 difference on the price of a truck is the difference between getting one and not getting one.