Diesel vs Gasoline

[kingji]

I currently own a 99 F250 PSD. Back when I bought it and for several years later the price of diesel wasn't that much higher than gasoline so it seemed like a no-brainer to get the diesel. I currently have the 2011 Springdale 28fw and pull it three or four times a year for short distances (200-400 miles one way). Currently the price of diesel is 3.89 and gasoline is 3.11 here in the middle of the oil patch. I think I would have to think twice at buying another diesel in the next couple of years and then it would probably be a slightly used one. Seems like the upkeep keeps getting higher all the time also. Any of ya in the same circumstances and having the same thoughts? My work truck is a 2011 Ford 6.3 (i believe) gasser and it seems to have really good power.
Jimmy

[CarKath]

It all comes down to works for yourself. If gasser works for you....... run with it.

I have a diesel and would personally have nothing else, but thats me.

All a personal desicion there.

[ktmracer]

from an economic standpoint, your analysis is on course. Hard to justify a diesel on pure economics. In my case, economics plays a role, but not a large one in determining a tow vehicle and engine combo. If we did it again, it's highly likely I'd go diesel again. I just prefer the diesels towing performance vs. gas. But, it's really a personal preference, put the economic element in it's proper place for you and then pick what you want.

In the big picture, I can't find a way to justify the purchase of our trailer and tow vehicle on an economic basis. Yes we like camping, it's important to us, we enjoy it, not camping would be a big change in our lifestyle, but from an economic standpoint we'd be ahead not having a trailer or truck and pick much less expensive hobbies and activities.

[JRTJH]

As you can see by my signature, I've been "EXACTLY" where you are. We started our diesel experience in 1993. At that time I had a 1/2ton F150 and we bought a 34' Holiday Rambler. I towed it about halfway home, realized that I really couldn't tow with that truck and literally stopped on the way home and bought a 93 F250 7.3L diesel. We towed with it for 5 years and finally decided that I wanted a 4X4, so when the superduty came out in 1999, I bought one of the first in town. Essentially the same 7.3L engine, but much improved preformance (turbo) and a significantly improved transmission. We towed with it for 3 years, inherited a motorhome and decided to sell the trailer. Kept the truck to use around the camp in Louisiana until we decided to move back to Michigan to retire. Our home here doesn't have enough space in the garage for that diesel, so we elected to get out of RVing, and to "downsize to a Ranger". Once we got settled and realized we really missed the camping lifestyle, we decided to reinvest in RVing. After much research and assessing our real needs, we decided that a gas engine in an F150 (fits in the garage) and a smaller fifth wheel would meet our needs and still accommodate our limitations as for storage, camping desires and finances, so we bought what we have...

A part of my analysis included operating costs of diesel and gas vehicles, upkeep, purchase and resale values, performance in areas we find important (towing, mobility in 4 wheel environment, vehicle size, cold weather operation) to name a few.

I found that with diesel's mileage towing and solo, it pretty much matches a gas engine vehicle given the increased cost of diesel. ie: Gas is cheaper, diesel vehicles get better mileage which makes both "sort of equal" as far as the cost at the pump. But, when you add the increased cost of maintenance for diesel (oil changes, filter costs, etc), then with our needs, the gas engine came out being the best financial option. I say financial because to own the diesel, I'd need to rebuild the garage and then maintain a much larger vehicle that I use for towing only 3 or 4 months a year. Other than summer towing use, the F150 really is a wiser option for our purposes.

That being said, if money was no option, I'd have a brand new F350 SRW 4X4King Ranch and a larger fifth wheel for summer use and I'd have kept my Ranger because it really is more maneuverable in the woods than even the F150. But life's a compromise, I suppose vehicles are sometimes a part of that compromise. I'd urge you to think through all of your circumstances and make the decision that suits your needs best. If your diesel is in good condition and meets your needs, I'd think about keeping it for a while, surely it's cheaper than buying anything new given the cost of todays vehicles.

[Outbackmel]

I searched and waited and last year I bought a 2008 Dodge 2500, turbo diesel, with 17,500 miles on it from Carmax. Love that truck, BUT, being retired now, its a third vehicle for us. I drive it once a week just to run fluids through it, etc. Live in GA and ride my Harley every chance I get.
Wife has a new Ford Escape.

Soooo, life is all about choices. Fortunately we are financially able to enjoy our retirement without too much worry about fuel prices. We are making a 5,000 mile trip in late January and it was either go or miss Utah and New Mexico. We chose go and diesel was just a personal preference.

Buy what you can afford and enjoy....I had boats and horses and they were expensive, but we have good family memories. Worth every penny we lost, and we lost plenty. These toys are not a financial investment

Buy, enjoy...

[jje1960]

I'll check back in again in 15yrs or so... I suspect that for us, going with the F350 Diesel DRW was the right choice. Yup, the Diesel is more expensive with fuel and original price of vehicle, that's for sure. However, even pulling the SRX with a golf cart in the back it does not seem like it's working very hard, we want to do a trip out west, now feel comfortable I'm not going to over-work the TV in the mountains.

[kingji]

Knock on wood, I really haven't had any problems with the TV. 160,000 miles on it. Replaced the glow plug selinoid. My previous TV was a 95 Z78 pulling a lighter 27' no slide fifth wheel. I rembember the days cussing when I was down shiffting all the time in slight grades and then having a diesel blow by me with ease. I guess I'll have to do some soul searching when and if the day ever comes on what to purchase next. Thanks again for the thoughts.
Jimmy

[JRTJH]

Sounds like your situation "ain't broke" (at least not yet) I wouldn't go "fixing it" I do miss my diesel, many times when towing, I think how nice it would be "if I only had it back" but then, I think about having to scrape windows, windshield and stand/sit in the cold waiting for it to warm up so I can get going and realize a garage ain't so bad when it's below 0 and snowing 3" an hour. Makes one appreciate a vehicle that will fit in the garage.

[Jim W]

My believe is Once You Go Diesel You Won't Go Back . I have a 2008, 2500HD, Mega Cab with a 6.7L Cummins and 68RFE Auto, to pull my 5er and just my general driving around for me. I plan on keeping this truck for a minimum of 300K miles.
This year we went and bought my wife a 2011, VW Jetta TDI with the DSG transmission, this too will be kept for a minimum of 150K miles. The fuel mileage on the Jetta is 36 mpg combined city/highway through 4K miles. Per the EPA testing the gas version of the Jetta is 23 city and 29 highway. I have never been able with a gas vehicle to achieve the EPA estimates for driving, they are usually 2 to 3 MPG under their estimate.
My wife drives the car mainly in the city, which is between 30 and 35 MPH speed limit with stop and go traffic. So to me we are saving more money with the diesel engine and I still believe that diesel is the best fuel for vehicles for long term efficiently.
Jim W.

[jje1960]

I just giggle at the back n' forth. Yea, there are two options and everyone needs to appropriately weigh their options.... That's what it's all about, personal choices. Love this quote though...

" I rembember the days cussing when I was down shiffting all the time in slight grades and then having a diesel blow by me with ease."

Happy with our choice, that's all that matters.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by jje1960

I just giggle at the back n' forth. Yea, there are two options and everyone needs to appropriately weigh their options.... That's what it's all about, personal choices. Love this quote though...

" I rembember the days cussing when I was down shiffting all the time in slight grades and then having a diesel blow by me with ease."

Happy with our choice, that's all that matters.

I chuckled at that comment also, but then, when I realized he was talking about a 1995 truck with a 4 speed transmission, I realized he was talking about "old school" gas engine technology. Back then, fuel injection on GM gas engines meant 1 injector in the throttlebody in the intake to replace the carb. Things have come a long way in engine managment (both diesel and gas) and performance is nothing like back then.

When I bought my first diesel in 1993, it was naturally aspirated, we lived in Louisiana and I thought I'd struck the motherload when I towed. No downshifts, easy accelleration, good mileage, comfortable towing environment. Then, we decided to visit LasVegas. Well, somewhere around halfway up the climb into Albequeque (never could spell that) with black smoke belching all over the side of my pretty white trailer, in second gear at 25-30, truck gasping for air, I realized that even diesels have limits. We made it to the top, the descent into the valley was non-eventful and we enjoyed the camping in LasVegas, but on the way home, we went south as far as we could to eliminate climbing back up that mountain range. My wife still complains about all the cleaning she had to do inside that trailer, we had diesel soot on everything we had both in the trailer and in all the storage compartments.

I think I can safely say that when wishes are put aside, and reality enters the picture, either choice, diesel or gas is a personal choice, but one that fits multiple criteria. Both will work in nearly any situation, and which is the best can be made only the one paying the bills for that rig.

[azr405]

Well we had a GMC gas 6 litre and went west to the Rockies a few years ago pulling a 29 5th. It was ok but you had to be aware when in the mountains. Bought a new 327 and realized I did not have enough truck to pull where we wanted to go. Went and bought 2011 F350 diesel and headed back west and pulled everywhere and I can honestly say it was a pleasure and enjoyed the scenery, the roads, the RV people we met along the way but the best part of the whole trip was my new 350 Diesel. Yes a little big at times but when you put the hammer down it is so worth it. I am a "Diesel all the way guy" now however everyone is entitled to there own opinion and needs

[SAABDOCTOR]

gasoline i don't use no stinkin gasoline!!! I USE GAS OLINE IN MY GIANT SCALE MODEL AIRPLANE. EVERYTHING I DRIVE CAR AND TRUCK DIESEL!

[Hansel]

You have one of the best diesel engines International has ever made, Period!!!! The junk that has come out since 2003 6.0L garbage and it's not getting any better from Ford I would not want to have too go out and replace my 7.3L because I'd have to find another 7.3L. Ya the price of diesel stinks I love my truck just not when I take it too the pump ($4.09) IMHO if you go with a gas truck you will replace long before you will a diesel, so are you really saving any money??? Probably not in the long run, so you pay alittle more at the pump but your truck will outlast and pull any gas motor out there. My truck has over 225,000 miles and half of it's life as been pulling my Laredo and the marching band 28ft trailer all over NE Georgia, and knock on wood the only thing I've replaced is the tranny. I bet a gas truck with that kind of mileage has more work done on it than a diesel.

[Halibutman214]

Originally Posted by kingji

Any of ya in the same circumstances and having the same thoughts? Jimmy

No I'm not having the same thoughts and I just filled up yesterday at $4.25 a gallon. Depending on what happens this year it may get to $10 a gallon but for a TV I wouldn't trade my Diesel for anything.

[RCrawler]

The problems start when you accidentally pour DEF into the fuel tank. Not so much of an issue if you fill your own truck, but on large fleets where you have multiple uneducated drivers.
The DEF is corrosive which will damage the fuel system. And once it gets to the injectors, it can destroy major hard engine parts.

Jason

[jsmith948]

Wow, lots of good comments regarding gas vs diesel.
If the long term operation (initial cost, fuel & maint, longevity) of gas rigs was cheaper than diesel, the trucking industry would be using gas engines and the petro industry would be trying to give their diesel away.
As far as the DEF being an issue, it works out to about $ 0.001 per mile, dependikng on your right foot and the use of cruise control (the less you "fan" the throttle the less the system uses)
We love our new Ford diesel!

[RCrawler]

DEF is a good thing. I'm all for anything that reduces EGR duty cycle and increases fuel mileage.

Jason