Diesel pickups?

[JL Sargent]

I've owned several of both types and have driven many hundreds of thousands of miles. STAY WITH GAS!!! There is no contest really. People that get hooked on diesel get to spend lots of extra dollars.

My experience: Chevy Diesel 320K, Dodge Diesel 150K, Ford gas 200K Chevy gas 220K, plus others with lower odometer readings.


If you have a 34 gallon tank and buy 30 gallons worth the fuel, then right there is $12.00 more for the diesel over the gas!

Well maintained gas or diesel engines now outlast the transmissions and the rest of the trucks. So engine type not the limiting factor when the truck is "worn out"

Everything for the diesel costs more. The oil type, the amount of oil, the oil filter, the air filter, you name it!

I went to a diesel injector shop where they rebuilt injector pumps for all makes of diesel engines on road and off road. I got to be good friends with those guys and came to realize they all (1/2 doz.) drove gas trucks and I was driving a diesel at the time. I asked why that was. They said the same thing I already knew and that is the numbers just don't add up to drive a diesel. The gas is cheaper every which a way.

Oh, and the weights your talkin, a 1/2 ton pickup can do no problem. Any decent 1/2 ton can do 1K lbs in the bed all day long. Heck, I hauled 2400 in the bed of a little Mazda pickup once!

 

[1950T]

dont think your mazda or 1/2 ton gassers will handle the weight i put on a truck.

i dont see how you get the numbers that gassers last longer than a diesel. my 96 has over 400k on it and is going strong.

 

[Hawghauler]

Moderation is for monks. If you are just getting into camping, the trailers have a way of growing in size on you and a trade up could outclass your truck if you buy too light. I think Ford, GM, and Mopar all have their strengths and weakness' and all will need to be repaired occasionally. The Dodge might need tranny work more often, the GM electrical. The Ford goes through front end parts and the power stroke does not seem to have the longevity of the Duramax or Cummins (plenty will dispute this, my opinion only). All repairs today are expensive. Find which one is most comfortable to your backside on long rides and enjoy. If I went with a gasser I would stick with GM. I like the seats in the 2004 and older GMs the best, the newer ones got stiff on me. The 2010 Dodge truck impresses me the most. I'm told you have to lift the body off the Ford to work on the engines of the new ones. (the Ford dealer told me this)

 

[Rob-D]

Interesting debate.
Well, now I'm not so keen on a diesel truck but the jury is still out. I know cars but have no experience with diesels except my tractors which I love them in. Tractors, however, are different animals.
I did rent a diesel truck once to move some of my house furniture, lathes, milling machine and such. It was Ford back in the early 90's. I loved it! I don't remember that the fuel economy was any great thing though. Of course the other thing is I didn't have to maintain it either.

As far as RV's. I think you're right, people move up in size as they get more comfortable driving them and find they want more goodies inside along with room. Probably what I'll do is rent one for the Watch and Clock show in August to get a better perspective.
I think JL makes a good point when he says that the trannys go before the engines, also I live in the mountains and the salted roads kill many a vehicle!
Rob

 

[Dargo]

My experience: Chevy Diesel 320K, Dodge Diesel 150K, Ford gas 200K Chevy gas 220K, plus others with lower odometer readings.

That's just the opposite of what I've experienced over the years and what guys I know have experienced. I know several guys who have well over 400k on their Dodge diesels without ever having anything done to them except maintenance. Such service is not at all out of the ordinary. I've dumped the GM diesels shortly after 100k miles. Too many issues. Most people around here drive Ford pickups. I'd say the average reading on the ticker is around 300k or so. I've almost never, ever heard of someone saying a Cummins will only be good for 150k. If you're saying it was shot, you must have abused the heck out of it and never changed any fluids.

I've gone the trailer way for camping before. No thanks. I have a large family and a gas powered RV I test drove was a complete and total joke. No wonder they lose about 75% of their value in 2 years! I'll admit I ended up with quite a beast for a coach, but I love the +40' class A coach with a Cat C9 pusher with the Allison tranny. Never had any issues completely loaded down and towing another vehicle when clearing 13,000 ft. mountain passes. It held the speed set on the cruise control no problem. It will also go through snow like a beast, but won't turn worth a darn then.

On pickups, each time I hook up to a trailer I'm towing around 20k. I've not heard of any gas powered pickup that would come close to moving that load out the interstate without dropping to about 30 mph and 5000 RPM on the 7% grades. I'll pass on the gas, thank you. Like others have said, without 4X4, even with all 4 rears turning, you need the front wheels turning with the weight they have over them or you'll stay where you are in the snow or get off road any.

 

[Rob-D]

Dargo,

You make some good points.
However, I think you're pulling more than I'll ever need to, secondly trucks up here in the mountains rust out way before they wear out. Yes, I like driving diesels but at what overall cost? Am I really saving?

Rob

 

[Dargo]

Dargo,

You make some good points.
However, I think you're pulling more than I'll ever need to, secondly trucks up here in the mountains rust out way before they wear out. Yes, I like driving diesels but at what overall cost? Am I really saving?

Rob

If I didn't need one, I certainly wouldn't drive one. Gas engines are just fine. They just won't do what I need done in a pickup. Granted, it does look a bit funny with a 4X4 crew cab dually diesel backing my Jetski into the water.

 

[JL Sargent]

There (edit: should not be) a 1 Ton pickup rated for towing 20K. I don't care what motor you have.

Also, the diesel trucks I referenced to above were all the 3/4 ton variety. Also the mileage listed was how long I could stand to ride in them, not when they died??? They may still be out there running somewhere for all I know.

Sure you can drive a Cummins motor 400K miles but the rest of the truck will be pure crapola!!! and your on #2 or #3 in the transmission dept. at least. For instance a 4L80E trans is good for about 250K miles, I don't care how good you are to it.

 

[RobertN]

My Dad spent 45 years in Mopar parts dept. The shop that he worked in had numerous 400-500k mile RAM CTD's come thru for regular maintenance. He spoke with a number of the owner; no major repairs; just regular maintenance.

The big thing they had come in the shop, was gas in diesel. Someone not paying attention, fill thier truck with gas, and then drive 1/8 a mile and bammo, there goes a motor.

In Dargo's case, he had more issues with rear tires. Too many smoky burnouts in his duallies

There is no 1 Ton pickup rated for towing 20K. I don't care what motor you have.

Also, the diesel trucks I referenced to above were all the 3/4 ton variety. Also the mileage listed was how long I could stand to ride in them, not when they died??? They may still be out there running somewhere for all I know.

Sure you can drive a Cummins motor 400K miles but the rest of the truck will be pure crapola!!! and your on #2 or #3 in the transmission dept. at least. For instance a 4L80E trans is good for about 250K miles, I don't care how good you are to it.

 

[Dmace]

There is no 1 Ton pickup rated for towing 20K. I don't care what motor you have.

So what do you call the F-350 (21,600lbs max) or the Chevy HD (21,700lbs max)? Dodge limits their 1-ton trucks to 26k GCWR and max towing of 17,600lbs, if you want more you need to go to the 4500 or 5500 RAM. No need to play the stupid numbers game with Ford/GM making their 1-ton trucks tow as much as their class 4 and 5 trucks. Also the RAM has the highest towing capacity of any truck under 26k GCWR which is important for those looking to use the vehicle for commercial use without a CDL.

Personally, I think it's just plain dumb to try and sell a 1-ton as a truck capable of towing 20k+ lbs. That should be left to class 4/5 trucks but like I said, It's just a numbers game like the HP wars.