Am I better off getting a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton pickup, for uses described?

[Z-Michigan]

To the OP, I'd give a strong thought to keeping what you have, one of the best combo's ever made. Cummins and Dodge are celebrating 25 years together. Don't be afraid to dig in and do some of your own work.

Oil changes are a small cost, but we spend almost $90 (?) just in materials (3 gallons Rotella-T synthetic and a filter) per change.

The drivetrain combo is great, but it drives like a truck, we don't need quite as much towing capacity, and I'd rather have something with an independent front suspension, really good ABS (not just mediocre 3-channel) plus stability control and side airbags. The truck is and will be a daily driver because I can't rationalize owning three vehicles, and I drive our smaller, but surprisingly not much more efficient, Honda Pilot to work. I do some of my own work on tractors, mowers and past cars, but it's hard to do even an oil change on the Dodge (you need 4' long arms) and I'm not anywhere near up to dropping a 1000lb front axle to replace joints. Hopefully the Dodge will make someone happy plowing snow and pulling 12k, but not fetching groceries.

 

[Monster5601]

So now it's your turn, how are they not pricy?

I'm not challenging, just curious since I am currently shopping for a new tug vehicle for a fifth wheel RV.

 

[MikePA]

I'm not challenging, just curious since I am currently shopping for a new tug vehicle for a fifth wheel RV.

Exactly. You asked a simple question, "Could you tell me how diesels are more pricey and how much is pricey?"

You made no claim, nor did you imply, they were not pricey.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Exactly. You asked a simple question, "Could you tell me how diesels are more pricey and how much is pricey?"

You made no claim, nor did you imply, they were not pricey.

Here is my take.

I own a 2006 F350 diesel and a 2012 F150 Ecoboost.

F350 gets 17 mpg average. Fuel is $3.95 per gallon. Oil change every 5000 miles per the manual since it's used to only tow, severe duty, and cost $80. Tires are $1600 and last 35,000 miles. So cost per mile to operate is: $.295 per mile.

F150 gets 18 mpg average. Fuel is $3.10 per gallon. Oil changes every 7500 miles also per the manual the way I use it, mainly as a tow vehicle, 30% as a computer vehicle. The cost is $40 for a oil change. Tires last 60,000 miles and cost $1200. So the cost per mile is: $.197 per mile.

Pretty clear cut.

Chris

 

[Z-Michigan]

Here is my take.
I own a 2006 F350 diesel and a 2012 F150 Ecoboost.
F350 gets 17 mpg average. Fuel is $3.95 per gallon. Oil change every 5000 miles per the manual since it's used to only tow, severe duty, and cost $80. Tires are $1600 and last 35,000 miles. So cost per mile to operate is: $.295 per mile.
F150 gets 18 mpg average. Fuel is $3.10 per gallon. Oil changes every 7500 miles also per the manual the way I use it, mainly as a tow vehicle, 30% as a computer vehicle. The cost is $40 for a oil change. Tires last 60,000 miles and cost $1200. So the cost per mile is: $.197 per mile.
Pretty clear cut.
Chris

Very helpful, thank you.

Guys, keep this civil, I'm absolutely not trying to a Ford vs. Chevy bench racing type thing. I basically have my answer, but welcome any additional comments on the 1/2 vs. 3/4 ton, for these uses, question.

 

[jix]

My money is on the Dodge 1/2 ton, gasser for economy if it is a grocery getter with rare excursions into heavy towing. The 5.7 L Dodge hemi is reasonable on gas mileage in the MDS mode, but it will bankrupt you for fuel economy in towing on the highway or in city traffic. the Pre '97 diesel 4 speed manual is the ticket fort heavy towing, but it costs a lot at the garage. Trucks are never a cheap way to go, no matter how you do it. In a perfect world you need a truck for the grunt stuff..and a car for all the rest..and deep pockets any which way. Can't keep an engine in a GM, nor a transmission in a Ford heavy truck.. Dodge is the best compromise, but diesel, not so much.Yeah, tough, rugged, strong...but with a big price tag. Last good truck I have owned was a '47 IH one ton with a big six in it..hard on gas, but you could not wear it out or bust it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Very helpful, thank you.

Guys, keep this civil, I'm absolutely not trying to a Ford vs. Chevy bench racing type thing. I basically have my answer, but welcome any additional comments on the 1/2 vs. 3/4 ton, for these uses, question.

That is exactly what I gave you. I look at two numbers.

Direct operating cost. Gas, oil, tires, brakes, batteries, ect.

Total operating cost. Purchase price vs 5 yr residual value, insurance, unscheduled maintaince, ect.

Before I buy any new vehicle I look at what they cost new 5 years ago vs used prices today. Let's say truck A and B were both $45,000 new and truck A is now worth $20,000 and truck B is fetching $27,000 that's a big part of the decision. Then I look at sites like Edmonds to see the service history. While it's not an exact science and model year changes bring differences it gives you a starting point.

Long of it is the cheapest to buy is not always the cheapest to own.

Chris

 

[s219]

The truck is and will be a daily driver because I can't rationalize owning three vehicles, and I drive our smaller, but surprisingly not much more efficient, Honda Pilot to work.

My daily driver was an Acura MDX, twin to your Pilot but with a little more HP. I was getting 18-20mpg per tank before my wife took it over as her daily driver. I replaced it with a GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab, 4x4, standard bed, with 5.3L V8 and 3.42 gears. It's giving 19-21mpg per tank, as good or better than the MDX and it's a much better fit for my needs hauling lumber, getting hay, etc. Quieter and more comfortable too. I should have switched to a half ton pickup years ago. Any of the new half tons will fit the bill, just choose engine wisely if real-world fuel economy is important.

 

[CJONE]

Bottom line is if you are going to work a truck get a diesel. Picking up stuff from the store, towing 8000lbs and occasional work is not what a diesel was made for. Z you have a great truck but you are using a sledge hammer to drive nails with! I love my diesel but it does not get hooked to a trailer unless it is over 10K. I know either the Ford or GM 1/2 ton set up properly will do what you need. Can't comment on the Dodge because I have not worked a new one. All of my trucks now are either a crew cab or extended cab with a 6.5' box. That's what I will get next year also. CJ

 

[Z-Michigan]

My daily driver was an Acura MDX, twin to your Pilot but with a little more HP. I was getting 18-20mpg per tank before my wife took it over as her daily driver. I replaced it with a GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab, 4x4, standard bed, with 5.3L V8 and 3.42 gears. It's giving 19-21mpg per tank, as good or better than the MDX and it's a much better fit for my needs hauling lumber, getting hay, etc. Quieter and more comfortable too. I should have switched to a half ton pickup years ago. Any of the new half tons will fit the bill, just choose engine wisely if real-world fuel economy is important.

Before the Pilot I had a 2007.5 Suburban with the 5.3L and DoD. I got about 16.5-17mpg in ordinary driving and 18-19 trips and freeway. The Pilot gets 19-19.3 in the same ordinary driving and 20-22 trips and freeway. Not much of an improvement! And I know the newer Suburbans with a 6-speed auto should be even better. I am impressed with Chevy V8's and not so impressed with Japanese SUVs. But I won't go farther on this tangent.

Picking up stuff from the store, towing 8000lbs and occasional work is not what a diesel was made for. Z you have a great truck but you are using a sledge hammer to drive nails with!

We bought it in January 2006 with plans for frequent towing up to 9-10k. Uses change, plans don't always pan out, etc... but we have done some things with it that are not really 1/2 ton things, or at least not for the 1/2 tons that were being sold in 2006. We've changed and the specs and equipment of pickups being offered has changed, at least a bit. Now it's time to adjust for what we're actually doing and likely to do for the years in which we'll own the next truck.