Duramax and diesel prices

texbaylea · Oct 21, 2005

I had to make a day trip to Dallas, TX yesterday. If you could have seen all the trucks on the road between Dallas and Houston and other points you could understand where much of the demand is coming from. In spite of a lot of nay sayers our economy is heating up. I did not see this amount of truck traffic on my trips last year and earlier this year. It was about equal in both directions.

Vernon

MJB · Oct 21, 2005

It is the begining of heating season here in the northeast. Lots of people around here burn #2 fuel oil for heat. You always see a surge in demand, and higher diesel prices, around this time of year in this area. Luckily for me, its time to put my Duramax away for the winter and get out my gas burner winter rat pickup anyway.

jmc · Oct 21, 2005

( I don't know if this a passing thing or is it going to stay this way. (high diesel price) )

This summer, before Katrina, an article in the business press estimated diesel at $3 or $4 (I forget which) this winter and a dollar more next winter.

KennedyDiesel · Oct 21, 2005

( I was thinking seriously about buying a Duramax as I posted a few months a go, but we got busy with harvest and I haven't had time to look around for awhile. Last night I noticed in town diesel was 80 cents higher then regular unleaded. I don't know if this a passing thing or is it going to stay this way. Is everyone seeing this in your area. It doesn't make sense to me. Gas seems to go down a couple of cents and diesel raises a couple. )

Ahh, my specialty!

Prices are not making it practical by any means, but once you've owned one I doubt you'll ever go back to spark plugs. I have two myself. If I could justify 3 I'd keep my 2005, but I guess it needs to go so I can keep up with technology...

My solution to prices fell through this year. I ordered a 500 gallon tank and pump, but it hasn't shown yet. The plan was to fill while the price was lower than gas ($2.7x) but the tank hasn't shown. I'm presently thinking I'll need to do the BP charge card thing as you save 6% initially. Then I'll have to fill my 90 gallon tank and pump it off into the big tank.

gsxr1100 · Oct 21, 2005

For years it (diesel) was gas was cheaper and no one complained. Now diesel is more and now it is a huge deal. Who cares. As I stated many times on this forum, no one is holding your hand on buying the auto. If the fuel is too high, do not buy it. Once you buy it don't complain. Buying it is the easy and cheap part.

And yes diesel has been more then gas ever since I sold my Powerchoke 3+ years ago. Today gas is 2.39 (cheap) and diesel is still over $3 per gallon (really $3.09). How the tables have turned! You could not pay me to buy a diesel.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobertN · Oct 21, 2005

Actually, I care. It is a big deal. I have to haul stuff, tow tractors, and work with a truck. I have run gas trucks at 8mpg for the same load that I get 16mpg with my diesel. And there's more folks out there like this. Then, there's the big rigs that are stuck with this too. And the farmers running big tractors. Some of those guys work on a thin margin too.

So, see, we care. We know you don't; you have made that clear sooo many times I can't count the posts. Again and again and again /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

gsxr1100 · Oct 21, 2005

You care but does it mean anything, nope. Can you change anything, nope. I just do not see why people whine and complain since no one is holding a gun to your head to keep the trucks. Then people complain when it gets them nowhere on this issue. You can’t do anything about it so why complain? Don’t like it, sell it. Many people like to complain about fuels prices.

I know truckers and farmers complain but they pass the increase onto there products; which in turn we the customers buy. So in the end, we all pay for it. If they do not pass the "buck" that is life. Welcome to what we all deal with.

Again this debate is like people asking for free handouts at stores. It never ends. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I do not know what is worse fuel prices or oil topics...

PS. Buy Mobil/Exxon please. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RedRocker · Oct 21, 2005

Since everything we consume moves by diesel we will all be affected by the rise in cost. You can ride a bike, but your groceries, elec, gas, clothing, and everything else is on the rise. Filling up our tanks is the least of our worries. I personally will never own a gas engine again if I can help it. Over 160,000 trouble free miles on my Cummins. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobertN · Oct 21, 2005

I don't think you see the "Don't like it, sell it". So, I put a for sale sign in my truck and sell it. Then what? I still have tractors, equipment, and supplies to haul. I have customers that need work done.

So what's the options? Go get a gasser that gets 8mpg and does not tow as well as the diesel I just sold? I get a Tacoma or Ranger; uh, oh, wait, they can't haul half of what I require on the job site in addition to the fact they can't haul the basic trialer/tractor combination?!?!?

So, what's the solution? It was easy for you; you really didn't need a truck. Dumping your Powerstroke was a simple solution. No big loss there.

For some of us, we need a truck. We haul stuff as part of our work.

Fuel vs oil issues? Fuel is the hardest. With oil, you can get fossil, synthetic, mixes, this weight, that weight, multi weight. With Diesel, you get #2 diesel for the most part, and that is it.

I complain... not just here. I have had my fair share of writing letters to the oil companies and truck makers. A few to state and fed reps too. Aint helped, but it sure aint hurt either...

gsxr1100 · Oct 21, 2005

Again, my point was that you can’t change anything so why even complain. You can write letters still you are blue in the face and it does not matter.

It is called deal with it like 99.9% of people.

The answer is find the best situation that fits your needs.

For me, fuel is bill #5 out of #7. Then again my broadband internet & Directtv are more then my car gas bill.

Case in point we can all whine and complain and it gets everyone zero. Don't like the truck, sell it. If not, don't complain.