Gas vs Diesel costs

[Dragline]

Cost of owning a diesel
Fuel $2.84
Oil change $135.00
DEF $10.99 per 2.5 gallons
Etc etc etc
Having the Torque dependability horsepower engine braking better resale value comfort of towing PRICELESS 😎

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by sbowman

Concur.

We have gotten 22 + mpg running free. I would say pretty good mileage for a 8800 lb. truck in my opinion. 4x4, 4 door, long bed, and canopy. All emissions left alone. 100k drive train warranty is more important to us than maybe couple more mpg.

Best regards and safe travels

I'm always amazed by people's numbers.

My 350 is 8000lbs, same as described, my best average is 18 free, normal highway roundtrip, so sight uphills and downhills. I owned one of the original Honda Insights (the two seater crx version) and over 200,000 miles averaged 64mpg, if perfected the "drive with an egg under foot" method of throttle control, so I am by no means a lead foot.

Are you people all prairie land drivers with a tail wind or what?

[Bill M.]

My diesel is 11 years old now and we just turned 200,000 miles. We have had diesel related costs. Fuel injectors and a pump. And just truck costs. AC compressor. Front u joints and ball joints. And a lot of expensive oil changes. I had a Ford 150 when I got the trailer. I got 9-11 pulling the trailer and 17 on the road without it. With the diesel I get 14-16 pulling the trailer and 20 on the road without it. When gas is $2.00 a gallon and diesel is more there is not a lot of savings in the difference. But when gas is $6.00 a gallon (think Canada this summer) that is a huge difference.

Anyway, the truck is in the shop getting a new radiator and hoses and water pump and a belt. We are keeping it after shopping for a new truck. I do not really want to buy a new diesel and I do not really want to give up the diesel at this time.

I would say you pretty much have to decide if you would rather drive a diesel or a gas truck. That is probably more important than trying to spreadsheet out the costs to the nearest nickel.

[tjdonahoe]

I bought lifetime oil changes with my ram...$850.00.... up to 4 per year...I am at Eureka, California...had 4200 miles on the last change...stopped at the local dodge dealer and they changed my oil and filter...my def from Walmart is $7.88 per 2.5 gals...towing 1300 miles... mileage is close to 14.......my 07 dodge was 18 months old when I bought it..I changed my own oil. , $36 plus $9 for the filter...

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by B885451

I get 12.9 average when I tow my Airstream burning gasoline.
I live in California and the last trip was,

Total Trip Cost $131.92
Distance 544 mi
Fuel Used 41.47 gal

Using your fuel mpg of 15, if I had a diesel then
Total Trip Cost would have been $126.63
Fuel Used 35.67 gal

So I would have saved $5.29 or about .0097 cents per mile.

You know the additional cost of running a diesel much better than I do.

You state $.045 saving per mile for diesel.
I do not see it.

Best wishes,
Mark

Short trips....small trailer...stay where you are at...we go 9-10,000 / year..with a 13 31’ Classic..it is easier with the diesel...when I get old the trips will be shorter...

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I bought lifetime oil changes with my ram...$850.00.... up to 4 per year...I am at Eureka, California...had 4200 miles on the last change...stopped at the local dodge dealer and they changed my oil and filter...my def from Walmart is $7.88 per 2.5 gals...towing 1300 miles... mileage is close to 14.......my 07 dodge was 18 months old when I bought it..I changed my own oil. , $36 plus $9 for the filter...

I wouldn’t trust “lifetime oil change” oil or filters in anything except a lease.

[Williker]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

I wouldn’t trust “lifetime oil change” oil or filters in anything except a lease.

I think you misread what he said. It's not "Lifetime Oil or Filters" it's Oil Changes for the lifetime of the Vehicle.

[gypsydad]

I checked on my last month when towing and not towing; I get 13+mpg towing the 28' AS; I get 17+ when not towing with my 2017 F250 diesel. Fuel ranges from $2.59 to $2.79 last 6 months here in Austin area. Oil changes and service with tire rotation run $118; with fuel filter change $150. Costly to run; yes compared to my F150 EB. (not to mention more payload!) But as someone put it earlier, feeling of power, stability, and comfort when towing is "priceless" compared to anything else I have pulled with. I posted earlier that I had a conversation with the service manager where I got my F250 about difference between 6.2 gas and my 6.7D. He also ownes a 2017 F250 6.2 gasser; he said he gets around 9-10 pulling his 28' Jayco and 14 around town when not towing....he loves the ride, but wishes he would have got the diesel now.

[TexAirS]

Originally Posted by B885451

I get 12.9 average when I tow my Airstream burning gasoline.
I live in California and the last trip was,

Total Trip Cost $131.92
Distance 544 mi
Fuel Used 41.47 gal

Using your fuel mpg of 15, if I had a diesel then
Total Trip Cost would have been $126.63
Fuel Used 35.67 gal

So I would have saved $5.29 or about .0097 cents per mile.

You know the additional cost of running a diesel much better than I do.

You state $.045 saving per mile for diesel.
I do not see it.

Best wishes,
Mark

Mark and All,

Glad we don't have the $3.18 and 3.55 fuel prices you have in CA. We were headed your way and got blindsided by a medical issue. If you look at the original post, I was quoting a friend's mileage and my mileage for a 2500HD. And with the highest diesel and lowest gas prices in my area for comparison.

So, let's go to Mike B.'s post this morning. Same driver habits. Heavier vs lighter trucks. At $3.18 and $3.55, the price per mile is 8 cents and non-towing is 1 penny in favor of the diesel.

This is my first diesel and there is a perception of diesel being so much more expensive to buy (yes), operate (no) and sell (no). The trade in value appears to offset the purchase price per this thread. And when trying to buy a slightly used truck, this theory seems to hold.

There are a lot of opinions on this thread, and being a fiscal historian, these numbers seem to hold.

Still trying to convince my wife we got a deal,

DuraJohn, TX CPA

[pappy19]

Even if you include the mileage advantage, the initial diesel engine cost, plus additional maintenance costs, a new gas engine wins hands down. You WANT a diesel, but don't NEED a diesel. That's ok, your choice.

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by pappy19

Even if you include the mileage advantage, the initial diesel engine cost, plus additional maintenance costs, a new gas engine wins hands down. You WANT a diesel, but don't NEED a diesel. That's ok, your choice.

Actually this is not true.....

[TexAirS]

Originally Posted by pappy19

Even if you include the mileage advantage, the initial diesel engine cost, plus additional maintenance costs, a new gas engine wins hands down. You WANT a diesel, but don't NEED a diesel. That's ok, your choice.

Pappy,

See the original post. I think all the operating costs are included.

I had not owned, did not want and decided not to buy a diesel, just a 3/4 ton. Next door neighbor changed my mind with his experience with both. And I thought a 2500HD diesel would cost more in the purchase, operations and sale. Yes on purchase, no on operation, and no on trade in or sale per this thread.

I think my numbers show at worst a draw and at best, the diesel truck costs $10,000 less to own at 150k. MPG may vary.

Repair for a diesel will be higher than a gas engine. So are Cadillac vs. Chevy. It's the number of sales thing. And perception. Does it really cost more to manufacture a diesel injector vs. a gas injector? Yes, by number of units produced, gas injectors cost less. Want to discuss cost accounting?

Yes, I had to wait longer for an oil change in Frankfort, KY. The big lift was busy. Didn't make a difference if gas or diesel. Most of us trade in our vehicles before 150k. I don't modify my vehicles and take excellent care of them. Only owned 4 vehicles in 30 years with no major repairs. Good or lucky?

I started this thread to see where I was wrong about cost of owning a diesel. I think my original numbers hold true. No one has proved me wrong or right.

Didn't want a diesel.

Trying prying it out of my happy towing hands.

Still trying to convince my wife a diesel is a good deal when she sees the pump prices.

DuraJohn

[pappy19]

As you agree, with the new gas engines, they can handle any Airstream made as a 3/4 ton, and even a 1/2 ton equipped, but you prefer a diesel. Congratulations.

[TexAirS]

Originally Posted by pappy19

As you agree, with the new gas engines, they can handle any Airstream made as a 3/4 ton, and even a 1/2 ton equipped, but you prefer a diesel. Congratulations.

Well, my last gas engine was a 2001 5.3 liter. Pull your Classic S/O. Sure. So will a bicycle.

I'm looking at the economics of diesel vs. gas. Since Bill M. posted from CA, the differential from regular to diesel at 76, LA, CA per Gasbuddy is 16 cents. In Cedar Park, TX the differential was 26 cents. My original post differential was 48 cents. Cost of owning a diesel is getting better.

I'm sure all new vehicles have better engines, trannys, etc. When we go shopping every 10 to 15 years for a new vehicle, I'm amazed at the progress the Big Three have made. And the cost. WOW!!!


Mileage may vary,

Durajohn

[DavidsonOverlander]

Personally I wouldn't pay too much attention to the difference in the cost per gallon of the fuel. Diesel used to be cheaper, but since 2008 when we bought our diesel truck it's usually been more expensive than gasoline. Lately, in our area, I've found that it's not unusual for diesel to range from the equivalent of about US$0.30 per gallon cheaper than gasoline to being the same price.

[TexAirS]

Originally Posted by rwsjms7

You haven't factored in the amortized value of the variance in cost for gas v. diesel vehicles and the potential of a major repair....

Had not seen this before. As for the amortized value of the variance in cost for gas v. diesel vehicles, I believe you should look at the potential appreciation of the aforementioned asset. And can you equate the potential of the cost of the major repair as it pertains to the original value or potential appreciation of the stated asset?

What?

DuraJohn
too much time since tax season is over.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Williker

I think you misread what he said. It's not "Lifetime Oil or Filters" it's Oil Changes for the lifetime of the Vehicle.

I know what it is, and I know what they use.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Moflash

Actually this is not true.....

You have to hit over 100,000 miles and more before you hit any maintenance costs with either engine. Most on here don’t, so the diesel isn’t significantly more expensive to operate except for the fuel cost.

Used diesels with under 100k miles sometimes sell the day they hit the lot. Gas engines sell slower.

I don’t need a diesel at this point and would rather have a gas truck and a Harley (all paid for) than a diesel truck and no Harley, or any kind of payment book but that’s just me. Fuel and maintenance costs are a very small part of my decision matrix.

[B885451]

I know, diesel is the greatest thing since the beginning of time. However, it still doesn't work in my generator..

[gypsydad]

I will add, that when Ford and GM bring out their new 1/2T diesels this year, I venture to say we will see a big move in new 1/2T D sales away from the gassers by folks pulling trailers...just saying. (that's assuming payload and fuel load are decent!)