Gas vs Diesel costs

[guskmg]

At 120,000 miles and no major defects I will keep on truckin' with my 2007 GMC 3/4 Ton HD Duramax. I used synthetic Rotella T-6 and go at least 7,000 mi. between changes. I do however, change fuel filters at 7,000 rather than 15,000 mi. because of biodiesel's fuel system cleaning power. MPG are better that 21MPG flat land empty and 14MPG towing. I have added air ride suspension, Bank's braking, and 80 gallon auxillary fuel in the bed. I can't see any advantage to trading up when my operating costs are so minimal. I would bet turbo charged gas engines cost just as much as diesels for maintenance. I know the diesel are much more durable. I have operated diesels since 1945 and can attest to the fact I have never had one let go.
guskmg

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by r carl

The cost difference of buying a diesel vs gas truck.
Diesel pickups wear tires way faster.

And I prefer the color choices for gas models way better

[tjdonahoe]

I have been runnin diesel pickups since 1992.... better fuel mileage, and better power..same reason I went to all diesel trucks in the early 1970’s.....

[WhereStream]

I've had one Diesel truck, a Datsun (last year under that banner) four-cylinder.

Whoa, did that truck get good mileage. I could get 37 mpg on the highway (and back then, in the 1980s, Diesel fuel was cheaper than gas).

One unanticipated cost, though, were the parts. Harder to find, and more expensive. Even simple stuff, like a water pump.

Diesel mechanics charge more, too, I believe, but I never had any trouble that required that level of expertise.

Durable motor, that's for sure.

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by KWN306

Yup, what he said. You need to add the $9K for the price of the diesel over the price of a gas truck.

Close, but not quite up to date. I just purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Duramax. The MSRP of the Diesel option was $10,665.

What some of the pundits are not revealing is that the Diesel option on a pick-up truck does not depreciate.

When I bought my 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Duramax in 2011, the Diesel engine option was $7,195.

When I traded in my 2011 Duramax in October of 2017 it had 140,000 miles on the odometer. The trade-in value on the 2018 Silverado was $28,000. I asked the dealer what the trade value of the same truck with the gasoline engine would be. He told me that it would be $19,000.

In other words, the diesel option om my 2001 Chevrolet pick-up had actually appreciated over the seven years that I had owned the truck.

In all fairness, resale value is a significant consideration when deciding gas vs. Diesel.

Brian

[rem3006]

I pulled a 27' overlander with a 454 suburban. My next TV was a ram 5.9 liter much better. I now tow a 28 excella w/a ram 6.7. I couldn't be happier with it. I think your figures are correct. What throws people is the initial cost of the diesel.

[KCCO]

Originally Posted by r carl

The cost difference of buying a diesel vs gas truck.
Diesel pickups wear tires way faster.

Truer words have never been spoken! I’ll be lucky to see 25k to 30k out of an expensive set of Michelin Defenders on my Ram w/Cummins.

[NWRVR]

If you travel mountainous areas, diesel brakes last way longer than a gasser’s.

[Daquenzer]

I have a gas engine F150 ecoboost. I like the pickup. It’s a great daily driver and very comfortable. I have plenty to pull my 28’. The problem I had with the bigger pickups is the daily driving. Just not as comfortable. I’m still working and I needed something more comfortable when not towing.

I think the cost differential is minimial when all things are taken into consideration, and I’ve looked at both. Some costs will be more, and some less.

I believe the question is, “How are you going to use the vehicle MOST of the time?”

If you are going to be spending most of your time towing and driving a lot then the diesel may be the best fit since it will most likely go for longer miles. Also if you are going to be driving in mountains the engine breaking will be quite helpful.

But if you are going to be towing about 5,000 miles a year one has to ask is the diesel over kill? And do you want to drive that big pickup around all the time? Also if you aren’t going to be driving in mountains much that engine break is nice, but is it necesssary?

And let’s face it, a gas engine is cheap to maintain compared to diesel. My son is a diesel mechanic and he says if I ever buy a diesel definitely get the extended warranty. If something goes south after the warranty it can get really really expensive.

[Mike1997]

I am probably the only person here who bought an Airstream diesel and tow a Jeep diesel behind.

Already owned the 2007 Jeep GC diesel with a Mercedes engine when I bought the Airstream. It gets about 20-23 mpg and for a 4x4 SUV, that's very good. The Airstream Landyacht has a Cummins 275hp diesel and it averages 10-12mpg while towing the Jeep behind!! Been cross country with it twice and very thankful for the Jake Brake while in the mountains. Only thing I have that's NOT a diesel is my generator which is propane......wish it was diesel too!!

Oh...and by the way, neither use DEF......they do not smoke or leak either. Got about 65k miles on the Airstream and 130k on the Jeep, no plans to sell anytime soon

[Scott59]

I’ve been driving a 3/4 ton diesel for 2 years now and one big advantage , amongst all the others mentioned here, is the fact that when your towing you never have to worry about getting into tight space gas stations.
I only stop at truck stops. Flying J is the best, many more are very clean and have restaurants attached. There is always lots of room to pull your rig into and if the auto area looks too tight I simply pull into the fuel pumps with the big rigs, easy Peezy!
Can’t imagine being restricted to gasoline pumps in auto fuel stations, they often are too busy and too tight.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by KWN306

Yup, what he said. You need to add the $9K for the price of the diesel over the price of a gas truck.

Our 2016 was 9K for the diesel engine, however I am thinking it is still the better buy when you consider 2 gasser's to 1 diesel in regards to turn over?

Best regards and safe travels

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by RandyNH

And I prefer the color choices for gas models way better

That would be white or white?

Best regards and safe travels

[pteck]

Diesels certainly have advantages. But overall cost is generally not one of them. They are an up-sell option up front. Cost less to fuel (sometimes), but cost more to maintain. It's questionable whether these new DEF diesels will sell for a premium in the used car market.

Performance is a wash as there's some knockout gas motors. Just as there are monstrous diesel options.

Just like diesels can be cantankerous, with many modern ones being nicely refined, there are many gas motors out there that don't need to spin way up to the stratosphere and sound like fine sewing machines pulling up hill.

It's a personal choice. No clear win on either side.

A fleet managers perspective:
http://www.government-fleet.com/chan...now-about.aspx

[DBinSD]

We have sold a couple DEF diesels and did extremely well with resale. They are in HIGH demand.

We can all talk our selves into or out of something.

F150 rides excellent, Ram2500 Hemi gets up and MOVES!, Ram2500/3500 Cummins can move mountains but, have much stiffer rides yet, have significant payload (stuff you can haul in back). Everything has pros/cons. Make as list of what YOU feel is important and what is "nice to have" then make your decision.

Large diesel owners that have towed with gas or smaller vehicles prior KNOW the difference they are feeling when towing. It may not be important for you?

The diesel up-charge is heavy but, the resale is spectacular (if it is well cared for).

If your concern is thinking that a gasser will save .x cents/ mile I feel you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. We all have budgets yes. If you're counting pennies that heavy along the way you probably are not enjoying the journey IMO.

We all are in this for enjoyment.

Happy hunting !

Dan

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by sbowman

That would be white or white?

Best regards and safe travels

??.....I looked at blue, red,green, orange and white....I liked blue in diesel

[TexAirS]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Close, but not quite up to date. I just purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Duramax. The MSRP of the Diesel option was $10,665.

What some of the pundits are not revealing is that the Diesel option on a pick-up truck does not depreciate.

When I bought my 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Duramax in 2011, the Diesel engine option was $7,195.

When I traded in my 2011 Duramax in October of 2017 it had 140,000 miles on the odometer. The trade-in value on the 2018 Silverado was $28,000. I asked the dealer what the trade value of the same truck with the gasoline engine would be. He told me that it would be $19,000.

In other words, the diesel option om my 2001 Chevrolet pick-up had actually appreciated over the seven years that I had owned the truck.

In all fairness, resale value is a significant consideration when deciding gas vs. Diesel.

Brian

From what has been posted, the diesel vs gas is a wash with a slight diesel advantage on total cost. Purchase goes to gas. Operating cost goes to diesel. Resale goes to diesel. Maint. That's up in the air. But with quality of new trucks, I would think a maintained truck would go 200,000 miles without major repairs.

John

[pappy19]

More of a chance that a gas engine will go 200,000 miles with only 2 spark plus changes vs a diesel with possibilities of injector, pump and glow plugs needing changed at super high costs. Initial cost does play a factor. You can buy a lot of gas for the $10k more for a diesel. Again, as been said a thousand times, to pull any AS, you don't NEED a diesel, you WANT a diesel, and that as good an excuse as any to buy one.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

??.....I looked at blue, red,green, orange and white....I liked blue in diesel

Just pulling your leg, white or white. Ours is Black Forrest Green

Best regards and safe travels

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by pappy19

More of a chance that a gas engine will go 200,000 miles with only 2 spark plus changes vs a diesel with possibilities of injector, pump and glow plugs needing changed at super high costs. Initial cost does play a factor. You can buy a lot of gas for the $10k more for a diesel. Again, as been said a thousand times, to pull any AS, you don't NEED a diesel, you WANT a diesel, and that as good an excuse as any to buy one.

May be w/your V10. Had a 460 that did go over 200k. I would not bet my gas monies on V6 gasser's doing the same.

Best regards and safe travels