Decisions....Gas or Diesel

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canary runner

riding in a 66 cuda
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Hi ..... I want to thank all the responses I received on my post awhile back asking for opinions on whether to buy a gas or diesel Ram 2500 truck. It was very a tough decision to make. In the end we decided to buy new vs. used... Only $3K to $5K difference between used & new once we figured in the Rebates & Incentive Packages. We ended up with a Fully Loaded (every option except the moon roof)( & I added a few Must Have items as well) Left Over 2019 Ram 2500 HD Crew Cab 6.4 Hemi. We can buy a lot of gas for the difference in price from gas & diesel. Like the wife said ... If we're just going to use this for pulling our 34ft TT all over the country ...now that we're both retired... Might as well be comfortable & safe!!!! Thanks Again for all you responses, Ralph
 
Good plan, I will never buy another new diesel ever again. Now a good old 12 valve is always in the cards...
 
I've had a couple diesel trucks over the last 20 years. Both times before I bought them diesel was cheap and both times after I bought them diesel skyrocketed. For me diesel trucks are not worth the buy in costs any more, not to mention maintenance costs.
 
I've had a couple diesel trucks over the last 20 years. Both times before I bought them diesel was cheap and both times after I bought them diesel skyrocketed. For me diesel trucks are not worth the buy in costs any more, not to mention maintenance costs.
I've owned diesels my entire life. Well the component costs may be higher, theyve been far less maintenance intensive than any gas vehicle I've owned. Really that becomes a wash after a while. The biggest question is, do most people need a diesel? The answer is probably not.
 
I've owned diesels my entire life. Well the component costs may be higher, theyve been far less maintenance intensive than any gas vehicle I've owned. Really that becomes a wash after a while. The biggest question is, do most people need a diesel? The answer is probably not.

I agree most people don't need a diesel, I don't but when I was racing a lot I did. I changed my diesels oil every 3000 miles, my gas burner every 6000 miles. 16 quarts for the diesel and 7 for the gas burner. Both my diesel trucks would wear the tires out faster than my gas burners, not to mention they are hard on front suspension components.

It all depends on what one needs or wants. If you're comfortable with the additional buy in costs, fuel cost, maintenance and tires by all means go for it. Both my brothers have diesels one uses his trucks on the farm and the other in his business so both can be written of their taxes.

:thumbsup:
 
I agree most people don't need a diesel, I don't but when I was racing a lot I did. I changed my diesels oil every 3000 miles, my gas burner every 6000 miles. 16 quarts for the diesel and 7 for the gas burner. Both my diesel trucks would wear the tires out faster than my gas burners, not to mention they are hard on front suspension components.

It all depends on what one needs or wants. If you're comfortable with the additional buy in costs, fuel cost, maintenance and tires by all means go for it. Both my brothers have diesels one uses his trucks on the farm and the other in his business so both can be written of their taxes.

:thumbsup:
Not sure what truck you were driving but you're likely changing your oil in the diesel way too much, heck, the factory cummins show an interval of 6000 miles. We use an oil analysis service and routinely can go 8-9k miles. We run them on the farm. Same story when I was sled pulling and working for one of the diesel aftermarket companies. Heck, when we switched to Amsoil, we were getting close to 12k with Fleetguard filters. No offense, but if you're wearing out suspension components and changing oil that often, its not the truck or the diesels, its whatever you're doing to them. I've beat the hell out of them and never had that many issues.
 
I've owned diesels my entire life. Well the component costs may be higher, theyve been far less maintenance intensive than any gas vehicle I've owned. Really that becomes a wash after a while. The biggest question is, do most people need a diesel? The answer is probably not.
Comparing diesel trucks to “any gas vehicle” is not a fair comparison. I just do not believe that statement when referring to diesel trucks vs. gas trucks. I’ve owned 3 5.9L gas Rams a 96’, 97’, & 01’ all had over 200,000 miles with original engines, starters, alternators, axles, etc. Not to mention my current 08’ Sierra 2500HD 6.0L gas truck with 176,000 miles with EVERYTHING original on the truck, including steering and suspension components. Just tires, shocks, and brakes. I think diesel owners keep telling themselves “diesels are cheaper to maintain” to help them sleep at night. The only big advantage to a diesel is the power they have under a load on the highway and up grades. If you pull HEAVY trailers all the time, yes they are 100% worth the headaches. Any other scenario they just don’t make sense.
 
Not sure what truck you were driving but you're likely changing your oil in the diesel way too much, heck, the factory cummins show an interval of 6000 miles. We use an oil analysis service and routinely can go 8-9k miles. We run them on the farm. Same story when I was sled pulling and working for one of the diesel aftermarket companies. Heck, when we switched to Amsoil, we were getting close to 12k with Fleetguard filters. No offense, but if you're wearing out suspension components and changing oil that often, its not the truck or the diesels, its whatever you're doing to them. I've beat the hell out of them and never had that many issues.

I never used a oil analyses before but it sounds like it could save you some money. My cousin has had three Dodge diesels and all of them have had to have ball joints every 90- 110k miles, my Ford went longer and I didn't have but 42k on my Dodge when I sold it.

Like I said buy and use what works for you. For me gas trucks are a lot cheaper to drive.
 
Comparing diesel trucks to “any gas vehicle” is not a fair comparison. I just do not believe that statement when referring to diesel trucks vs. gas trucks. I’ve owned 3 5.9L gas Rams a 96’, 97’, & 01’ all had over 200,000 miles with original engines, starters, alternators, axles, etc. Not to mention my current 08’ Sierra 2500HD 6.0L gas truck with 176,000 miles with EVERYTHING original on the truck, including steering and suspension components. Just tires, shocks, and brakes. I think diesel owners keep telling themselves “diesels are cheaper to maintain” to help them sleep at night. The only big advantage to a diesel is the power they have under a load on the highway and up grades. If you pull HEAVY trailers all the time, yes they are 100% worth the headaches. Any other scenario they just don’t make sense.
I own both dude, I know the differences. But I do agree, most people off a farm, don't need a diesel. I've got 2 diesels pushing 500,000 miles on them. You're not getting that with MOST gas trucks.
 
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I own both dude, I know the differences. But I do agree, most people off a farm, don't need a diesel. I've got 2 diesels pushing 500,000 miles on them. You're not getting that with MOST gas trucks.
You didn’t mention what those trucks have needed maintenance or repair wise to get to 500K. I don’t doubt that you have gotten that kind of mileage, I’m just saying it comes at a pretty large cost to run a diesel truck that far. As far as high mileage gas trucks, yes there are plenty, but I will agree that most of the high mile gas truck examples have not been worked much for those miles.
 
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