Gas vs Diesel

[Powderboy]

Still driving a diesel even though I could do the same thing with a gasser. We plan on getting a 5th wheel camper this summer so it will be put to use then.

For daily driving a 1/2 ton truck works better. Parks easier, handles the potholes easier, costs less, etc. But once you have a diesel truck that runs well, you get this attitude that you are just a diesel guy. Even my wife doesn't want me to trade the '11 Duramax for a new 1/2 ton with better technology, ride and new interior. I think it is the torque of a diesel truck that feels so good. That horsepower is usable throughout the power band instead of having to wind it up like most gassers.

I think this says it best. At some point you get hooked on the torque and you become a diesel guy.

 

[Xrider]

Sold the diesel and got a gasser. Don't pull anything heavier anymore than small enclosed 2 place trailer. Couldn't be happier.

 

[drdiesl]

Being that I'm a diesel mechanic by trade that is all I own. Truck truck that is my main driver is an 08 ford f350 fx4 cc long box. Totally love this truck. My wife has a 06 Volkswagen tdi jetta, awesome on mileage like 45 to 50 Mpg in summer and 35 to 40 in winter with winter fuel. Also she has a 08 ford f350 king ranch for when roads get bad and lots of snow of course. Plus I have a 99 ford f350 7.3 cc that was my main truck til it lost the motor but it has 315000 very hard miles on it and that used to be my baby. So I do pull trailer with them and use them as race cars to but as u can see the only gas vehicles I have are my sleds and lawn tools. So are as far as gassers there not in our planning. Were a diesel family. So I say go with diesel it's the wave of the future.

 

[M Cat]

I drive a lightly modded 97 12V and would not trade it for a gas. Yes more expensive fuel but once you feel the torque and rarely shifting down on hills when pulling, it's hard for me to drive a gas truck (non-boosted) and not miss the diesel. I saw that Diesel Power tested the new eco-friendly Ram 1500 and got 19 mpg pulling a 7.5k trailer at 60 mph and 28 mpg empty at 75 mph. That would be the best of both worlds if you aren't planning on pulling 8k+ loads IMO. If I wasn't planning on putting a 1970 Power Wagon crew cab on my 97 that is probably the way I would go.

 

[rmk8000]

I drive a lightly modded 97 12V and would not trade it for a gas. Yes more expensive fuel but once you feel the torque and rarely shifting down on hills when pulling, it's hard for me to drive a gas truck (non-boosted) and not miss the diesel. I saw that Diesel Power tested the new eco-friendly Ram 1500 and got 19 mpg pulling a 7.5k trailer at 60 mph and 28 mpg empty at 75 mph. That would be the best of both worlds if you aren't planning on pulling 8k+ loads IMO. If I wasn't planning on putting a 1970 Power Wagon crew cab on my 97 that is probably the way I would go.

A 12valve in a 70 power wagon would be awesome!!! I want to do the same thing with my 68 dodge.

 

[mountainhorse]

I drove a midsized Ford turbo diesel SUV for about 1200 miles... with my foot in it... Mostly 80 MPH loaded on the freeway... and a fair amount of time in the city..... Averaged 37.6 mpg overall ... Not bad...and the diff in purchase cost of the vehicle was €1000 more than the Gas version which averages 28mpg.

I had the 2wd gas version first... but hit a pot hole and took out a rim/brake... got the AWD diesel as a replacement.

The diesel had more torque and acceleration than the ecoboost-gasser that it's not even comparable.


A 1/2 ton Diesel with a less expensive non-commercial diesel makes a lot of sense to me at this point.



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[Pro-8250]

For myself, gas, no diesel. A new truck with a diesel will cost what? Four or five thousand more than a gas? (I really don't know.) I pull my four place enclosed trailer with my 2003 super duty crew cab with a 5.4 V-8 from northern MN to CO and other areas. We won't get to our destination as fast as others with their diesel trucks and trailers, but we will get there, maybe an hour or so behind. Around here it is really hard to start any truck with a diesel during the winter. Anyone that has worked on any pipeline etc. in MN, ND, or Canada knows exactly what I am talking about. Oh, and I won't bring up oil changes, injectors, or head gaskets. $.02

 

[snowman80]

As far as 1/2 tons go I really like the idea of the new ram 1/2 ton ecodiesel. 27 mpg empty would be enough to offset the price difference in fuel. It could use a little more power but I guess if you're going to be serious about pullimg you'll get at least a 3/4 ton. The biggest thing I'll ever pull in the foreseeable future is a 4 place open sled trailer. I don't pull my boat more than 5 miles to the boat ramp (not that it's a big boat to begin with). My next pickup will be either a 6.2 1/2 ton gm gasser or a ram 1/2 ton ecodiesel. 3/4 ton would be overkill for me regardless of it being a gas or diesel.

 

[Drewd]

My last 4 vehicles have been diesels. This week I'll be picking up a Ford Ecoboost. I'd love to stay diesel but doesn't appear anyone can make one that lasts anymore with all of the required EPA crap.

VM Motori makes the 3.0L liter for the Ram 1500. RUN AWAY. Their 2.8L 4 banger in the Jeep Liberty isn't known to be reliable. If the 1500 had the 3.0L MB used in the Sprinter Van, I'd consider it. Its the same motor in my wife's Grand Cherokee and it is a beast.

 

[Vern]

I wonder how the new Nissan will handle the 5.0 Cummins. If people can get over the jap part of it, the Cummins has a huge enough following it could probably make a dent in the market. Either way its good to see some options and stuff happenin in the half ton segment.