Considering a diesel truck. Any suggestions?

[mdr]

Hi, guys. I'm considering a diesel pickup truck to use for camping and general outdoor recreational use. Do any of you use a diesel pickup truck and if so what do you like or dislike about it? Thanks for your time.

[KaiserJeep]

One of the guys in the group I camp with got a diesel. Since we seldom go to the same place camping twice in a row, he is always spending time planning his fuel stops. He has to carry two extra cans, plus he has a bigger main tank, because he cannot get fuel at every station. He does get better mileage, by about 2mpg, but he also pays more money per gallon.

I'd say, if you are heavy towing MOST of the time, diesel has advantages. But for general use without a trailer, gasoline has the advantages of universal fuel availability and convenience, especially in the outback. In a fire fight, diesel trucks are less explosive, and the fuel can be carried inside or out, whereas with gas cans, you better have them outside.

Bottom line is that for most users, gasoline is the better choice. For those that need diesel, enough to pay a premium of several thousand per truck, and then put up with the inconvenience of hunting fuel when away from home, you already know, and you don't need to ask. If you are on the fence, go with gasoline.

[jmac_52]

Add to his comments the fact that diesel engines also require frequent maintainence, which includes fuel filters, oil filters, and lots of engine oil....sometimes at least 20 quarts.
My son wanted one very badly and bought a used F250 about 8 months ago.......and I've heard about 7 1/2 months of bellyaching ever since. I tried to talk him out of buying a vehicle with 80K miles.....knowing that it was about ready for major attention. He spent $3K in the first 2 months on different things like a new radiator, brakes, engine maintainence, etc.

I thought about it a few years ago and weighed the pros and cons.....ended up buying a Tundra because it offered the most bang for my buck, and still does! It's not bad on fuel, considering it's running almost 400HP and will pull or carry anything I've tried so far. Average mileage is about 16 MPG in my case.

[LtDan541]

Do you take a large boat with you...how about horses??

[CaptBeach]

Trucks and logistics is one of my fortes too...

Unless you need the towing capacity the diesel offers over gas, or plan on working the thing hard, long trips, lots of miles hauling/towing heavy loads AND keeping it into 200K plus miles then a diesel probably isn't for you. You have to factor in the additional cost of the motors option even on a used truck. New, the diesel engine is between $6000 and nearly $9000 depending on brand over its no charge standard engine in the 250-2500 series trucks that you have to move to to get the diesel (F250, C/K2500 or D2500 series)

The price premium of the diesel engine over its gas alternative (no charge) coupled with the additional maintenance costs, oil changes (14-20 qts, $$$ filters, Fuel additives at oil change) mandatory fuel and oil additives, higher filter costs (air and oil) FAR EXCEED the costs of owning a gas motor. Also factor in the additional cost of diesel fuel over gas. Ridiculously diesel fuel is more expensive than gas, never mind is one of the first fuels cracked off of a barrel of crude at a much lower cost than gas thanks to Uncle Sams tax structure on fuels. SOME diesels get better fuel economy than gas alternatives but not by much, maybe 10-20 percent however factoring in the above and the fact that regular unleaded gas (all factory no charge engines run on it, burning mid grade or premium is a waste of $$$) is on average 30-40 cents cheaper per gallon then your still ahead on the gas version. When you factor in the additional costs of just the motor ($6K-$9K) ask your self how much gas can you buy for that money if gas is $3.50 a gallon. 2143 gallons of gas at an average of $7500 for the motor. 15mpg is 32145 miles of driving, thats nearly 3 years of driving (12K Year) before you've put the first mile on the diesel.

Diesel Pros
Heavy hauling/towing, consistently over 10,000 lbs and lots of it.
Longevity, in a work truck a plus, but how long are you gonna look at the ratted interior/carpet before momma says NO.
Strength, all of the components are heavier, diesels are not offered in the 150/1500 series.
Suspension, all diesels are on larger frames with better stock suspension than 150/1500's.
Fuel economy, on the older Powerstrokes and Cummins but due to emission standards in the last 5 years fuels economy has dwindled away...I drove a 2002-3 F250 7.3 Powerstroke at an honest 26MPG highway and 22 around town.
Durability, they'll take a beating and keep coming back for more.
Torque, some are 50% or more above their gas alternatives

Diesel Cons
Higher fuel costs
Mandatory fuel and oil additives
Higher maintenance costs (much higher)
Much higher cost to own (purchase price)

Now if you just wanna and can afford it...Diesels ROCK...that clickity clack and smoky motor are fun...they have more torque than Carters got pills and are just plain ass Bad Ass and would make good choices for BOV (bug out vehicles) because you can fill up at a farm, a heavy equipment operator and diesel stores for a lot longer than the ethanol gasses we have today.

If it was me...I'd shop around for a used 2000-2003 F150 7.3 PowerStroke or an older Dodge Cummins in very good shape from a conscientious owner who did his maintenance (retiree's hauling travel trailers who can no longer do so due to health or death of spouse is a good source) and has lower mileage and buy the thing as quick as they can count my money. I'd stay away from older GMC diesels as they had some problems with the newer diesel engine they were using (cast iron block aluminum heads they didnt get it right for a while, good now though). Ford also had some issues with its diesel offering having gone thru several evolutions in a fairly short time frame once they lost PowerStroke. Older 7.3 are awesome as are Cummins.

Hope this helps...

[CaptBeach]

Add all of what I said above to the fact that today's new 150/1500 trucks tow and haul as much as 2000-2005 Diesel 250/2500 trucks did...

AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE for the engine.

[bootlegger]

Purchased a F-250 7.3 Powerstroke new in 2002. 190,000 miles and no major repairs. Great for towing. With my in bed fuel tank/tool boxit has gives range of 900 miles without refueling. My cousin has 3 2000-2003 F-250 Powerstrokes used in his excavating comany that are approching 400,000 miles without major repairs. Powerstrokes just keep running, running and running with regular oil changes and fuel additives.

[SPQR476]

I've got a 2006 Dodge 2500 (the last of the 5.9 cummins motors, that can run on regular #2 low sulfur diesel and don't have a particulate filter). I couldn't be happier. Maintenance is a little pricier, sure, but the the oil change interval is 7,500 to 15,000 miles, depending on light or heavy service interval. It pulls my trailer like it's not even there, I've got ridiculous amounts of torque, the mileage/fuel cost thing about evens out, and I tend to keep trucks for a long time. With an over 300,000 mi expected service life, I think I may keep this one a LONG time. Seat covers are cheap. I own it free and clear now, and I've still got plenty of life left in it. With a gas truck, I'd probably be thinking about trading now, but that thought has never crossed my mind with the diesel. I don't know on older models, but I live in Iowa, and I've never had any cold weather issues, even on -10deg mornings. If it's dipping below zero, I just plug the block heater into a christmas light remote control and turn it on from the kitchen while eating breakfast, although I've started it just fine at below zero temps without the heater.

[CaptBeach]

Like I said above...older Powerstrokes and Cummins ROCK...newer ones...ummm...not so much...thanks to Uncle Sam and the newer regs.

[peregrine]

My primary pro about diesel is the engine will last you 1million miles, if you change the fluids regularly along with other regular maintenance.
I have a Duramax.