Upgrade to a diesel or not?

[Spock123]

It all comes down to what you like, I am willing to pay more for a diesel. My son has a gas 2500, you arenot ever going to get the $10,000 bucks back for the Diesel engine. I did have trouble with glow plugs until I deleted the emissions. I only brought a new Silverado for more room for 2 great granddaughters. I saw someone talking about truckstops. I had a 08 2500 diesel, next a 12 Silverado 3500. The 2500 I put 75,000 miles on it and the 12 3500 I put 200,000 miles and neither truck was ever in a truckstop, I have a 100 gallon auxiliary fuel tank. We all just buy what we like. What works for me doesn’t work for everyone. Thank goodness too for we would all be driving a Ford

[Bigjohnjed]

I have 03 2500 gasser too . I have decided to hop up engine vs go diesel . Why not all areas have diesel or can help me if I break down . Gas trucks parts always avail as I see it

[str1249]

Last year we took a 7700 mile ‘trip’ around the midwestern and western states. 2004 duramax with 170,000+ miles on it, pulling 36’ 5er, averaged real close to 14 mpg for entire trip. Some mountains, some prairie, high and low altitude. I NEVER lacked power to haul it anywhere.
As far as truck lanes, their fuel nozzle is bigger than the truck fuel fill. It can be done but it’s r.e.a.l. slow... AND... most don’t have a credit card slot at the pump. You must go in, get it turned on then go back in to pay. If you need to take a break, it’s good. If you’re wanting to get somewhere, a nuisance. Trucks operate on company cards of some form or another, not on individual accounts.

[James p]

Diesel is the best power for any tow situation.
The mpg towing will be better than gas but probably not enough to offset the fuel cost difference.
The torque out put in the diesel is the game changer.
Go diesel.

[Gunny Mike]

Almost clipped the pump the first time getting diesel in the car lanes at a Love's truck stop. Won't try that again. A gasser maybe good for flat terrain and camping within a full tank's drive.

[dsttexas]

2017 Silverado 4wd Diesel crew cab long bed. 5th wheel about 13,000 lbs. Numerous round trips between Texas and Maine average between 10 and 11.5 mpg depending on amount of hills vs flatter terrain. On one flat stretch of about 35 miles and very little head out tail wind going 65 to 70 it showed 13 mpg. Overall average around town gets 16 to 18, and on steady and flat roads at 65 to 70 I get between 21 and 23, consistently. And then there's that amazing torque getting my big rig over mountains in eastern Tennessee I-40 and Virginia I-81.

[TKS323RL]

We pull a 323RL that typically weighs 11,500lbs. We started pulling with a Ford F250 V8 gasoline with 400ft lbs of torque, but found that it simply could not pull on any incline without kicking into passing gear and very high rpms. Around the Midwest it did ok but in any mountainous area it worked itself to death. Our fuel mileage was 8 mpg at best and even without the trailer we only got 14.7 Max.

Last summer after another frustrating trip to the mountains with the Ford, we decided to switch to Diesel and found a beautiful used Chevy 3500HD with the Duramax 6.6. The difference has been nothing short of amazing.

The diesel with 800 lbs of torque pulls our 11,000-12,000lb trailer effortlessly up hill and down. At 72 MPH it runs about 1,600 rpms and only kicks up too about 1,900 rpms going up hill. Our fuel mileage has increased to 11-13 MPG pulling and 18-20 MPG not pulling. I can set the cruise at whatever speed I want and the diesel easily keeps it there up hill or down.

We're very, very glad we switched to Diesel and wish we would have started out with one to begin with. The Chevy diesel is very smooth on the road, very quiet and relaxing to drive and much more comfortable than the F250. It does cost a little more ($8,000 initially) but it's worth the money to us.

My math teacher wife tells me that the diesel costs 23 cents/mile to tow whereas the gasoline V8 costs 29 cents/mile. That doesn't sound like much of a difference, but if you pull a lot the cost savings are huge.

Hope this helps you!

[johnlewis]

Originally Posted by ObiRich

I have a question or two. I've been toying with the idea of getting a newer truck to pull our 5er with. My current one is a 2009 Sliverado 1 ton, but it's a gasser. Although it does an adequate job pulling it, the fuel consumption is pretty high (get about 7-8mpg), and the engine revs pretty high when going up grades unless I really let the speed bleed off. We live in the mountains, so we do have a fair number of long grades. So I've been thinking about getting a diesel. But that's not the only reason I'm thinking of switching. My current truck is a long bed, and I'm just getting tired of the hassles when parking "the beast." Lastly, with a diesel, we could use the truck lanes when fueling if there's not an RV lane.

So my questions are directed more to Chevy or GMC diesel owners, as I'm looking at the Duramax. First what kind of mileage do you get when towing? Second, what kind of mileage do you get in day to day driving?

A diesel is always better at towing than a gasser. However, my question is - how much do you tow your 5er? If you are towing it 4 or so weeks a year, the extra cost and increased operating cost of the diesel may not be worth it.

Can you get a diesel with a short bed? I've never seen one. Another consideration.

[CaptnJohn]

I’m a diesel guy all the way.filling at Loves truck stops my fuel prices are often less than gas prices. Take 40 to 70 cents off each gallon at cash prices. My 2019 F350 dually long bed is my daily driver and gets 45k miles annually or more. My wife drives the Edge Titanium when we are home less than 5k miles annually. Have you not heard of TDS or EFS fuel cards? Diesels have been quiet without smoking or smell for a long time. Yes they cost a minimal amount more to maintain and a bunch more to buy but worth every penny. I’m on my 5th Ford and only one problem covered under warranty. Ford fills have accepted fillings at truck stops for years, surely the others do by now. Pulling 16,200 at 65 at 1600 rpm is a joy compared to a gasser, hills and mountains are no problem, easy and quiet while maintaining speed. Everyone has a choice and should be happy with the driving experience, mine is diesel and understand others. If making payments $9k could make a difference.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by johnlewis

A diesel is always better at towing than a gasser. However, my question is - how much do you tow your 5er? If you are towing it 4 or so weeks a year, the extra cost and increased operating cost of the diesel may not be worth it.

Can you get a diesel with a short bed? I've never seen one. Another consideration.

3 of my 5 diesels were short bed Fords. Ford only has long bed dually trucks and I prefer a long bed for towing and the extra space after the auxiliary tank.

[Big1]

I bought a diesel because I just wanted one, I live in the PNW the truck that I had was a 2016 Dodge Ram 6.4L, we went to Las Vegas in it, when I got back I traded it in for a diesel truck. The 6.4L did it with no problem but in the mountains I was getting about 7 mpg and the high rpm.

[Jim2366]

We just got back from our first trip which was 2600 miles. On the route there I drove around 68 miles per out and got 10 to 11 miles per gallon. On the way, home drove 73 and the mpg dropped to 9. I did notice the rpm above 70 was a little higher.

[skmct]

Originally Posted by LewisB

FYI, the above observation in the OP may not be entirely correct. Truck stops with "truck lanes" will likely have much larger pump nozzle sizes (something like 2 inch) nozzles that will not fit in your pickup tank fill spout. To use the truck lanes, you will need to find a truck stop that also has an RV lane or two with the normal (gas station type) fill nozzles. At least, that has been our experience in the western US. Not sure about other parts of the country...

We used to love our gas rig but I got tired of "thrashing" it to get up hills. Now that we own a diesel, it is much more relaxing - there simply is NO substitute for 900+ foot-pounds of torque. And for me, the included "engine breaking" aspect of the diesel and associated safety is worth every bit of the higher price. JMHO

NT TRUE Unless GM has changed the filler size I have never had a problem with the larger nozzle with my 2007.

[4everyoung]

Ford; I have 3 diesel's , F250, Gets 18 mpg with 18,000 lb gooseneck load. F550 9 mpg with 45,000 lb load, 10 ton dump gets 5mph loaded with gravel.

[notanlines]

The truck lane nozzles do fit. Don't buy into the bologna stories.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by 4everyoung

Ford; I have 3 diesel's , F250, Gets 18 mpg with 18,000 lb gooseneck load. F550 9 mpg with 45,000 lb load, 10 ton dump gets 5mph loaded with gravel.

I'm gonna have to call you out on this! Has to be a typo?
Your F250 may get 18 mpg empty????????, but towing 18k trailer, no way on this green earth!!! Not to mention that would WAY TOO heavy for a 3/4 ton truck of any brand!!!!
I've towed for 45+ years with about every brand of truck from V8s, V10s & diesels, not a single one got that kind of mileage towing any amount of weight.
If so I've got some ocean front property here in Arizona I'll sell to anyone believing 18 mpg towing 18k trailer!

[jwmontana]

The Diesel engine will last three times longer than the gasser, if you are paying $18 a gallon for Rotella you are way over paying, try Walmart instead of the dealer, same with DEF which is $7.88 for 2 1/2 gallons. $50 for fuel filters every 30,000 miles, big deal.

[+Ruff Rider]

This is a funny thread. Some guys complain about how much a diesel cost to operate yet the spend thousands on a RV.
They spend $10,000 on a new diesel motor and then put cheap oil in it. They rip all the pollution controls off the truck and put a tune in it and wonder why the truck throws codes.
I bought my diesel because it would tow my 5th wheel without any problems. If I wanted to save money I damn sure not have a RV.
A gas truck is good for camping once a month in a 50 mile radius from home. But if you want to go places you need a diesel.

[notanlines]

I believe Danny has made a pretty good point concerning some of the mileage figures being thrown around. Most of the members here have 'been around the block a time or two.' When members tell me their "beast" gets 7 MPG pulling 13K across South Dakota against the wind with their gasser I know that there is no BS involved, and we don't make fun of him around the fire at beer-thirty.
Then another member will spout that their new (insert favorite brand here) is getting 26 MPG at 75 and 17 MPG towing the 13K across the Dakotas at 65 MPH.
That member is assuming (there's that word) that A) we're all stupid, and B) we won't make fun of him and his claims at beer-thirty. He is simply wrong.
Nope, I won't take it back. If you're 'that guy' you're wrong.

[Keystoned]

There is an alternative for the gassers...supercharge it for more pulling power. Might use more gas when pulling, but very fun when not towing. Might cost less than an upgrade to diesel...