3/4 Ton Diesel vs Gas

[clubhouse]

I'm looking at new TV and have been focused on Diesels. With what I am learning I am concerned that a Diesel may require more attention than I am used to with gasoline engines. So my question, is getting a 3/4 gaser just a mistake. Or should I be considering things like GMs vortec 6.0l with a 3.73 6 speed as a replacement to my 1/2 ton silverado 5.3L 3.73 4 speed.

[dg1971]

In my opinion (plus a few proven facts) diesels are more expensive to maintain, service, etc. but the tradeoff is their pulling ability. If you pull a light trailer and use your truck for commuting and other non-towing things, you may want to really consider the gas engine but if you tow a lot especially in higher altitude, have a medium to heavy trailer and don't want to worry about having enough torque to get from point A to point B, go the diesel. Everyone has an opinion about this subject but I have not heard too many complaints from diesel owners.

[kiwaon]

Have towed a 10K lbs 30 foot 5th wheel with a 2007 Silverado 2500 HD 6 L, 6 speed, for the last 5 years. Have towed approx 15,000 miles with one trip from Ontario to British Columbia and two trips from Ontario to Nova Scotia. My truck now has 45 K miles. I have replaced the battery, one set of rear tires, and oil changes as required. Truck still runs great.

On my trip to BC I achieved 11.62 mpg, that is Imperial gallons. Sorry don't have time right now to convert to US gallons.

Hope this will assist in your decision.

[drfife]

If you ever tow with a diesel, you'll never be able to go back to a gasser.

Been there, done that.

[nylyon]

No argument, Diesel costs more to maintain BUT like drfife said, try it once and you'll be hard pressed to go back to gas. With my last camper I pulled it with a Hemi and I thought that it pulled well, but moving to diesel was a big difference.

[Panhead]

After towing with our diesel all I can say is I'm glad I made the jump even if it costs me a bit more to maintain. I get about 2.5 to 3 mpg better mileage than I did with our 2005 silverado with a 5.3.

Steve

[dlfeather]

Originally Posted by drfife

If you ever tow with a diesel, you'll never be able to go back to a gasser.

X2
My last trailer was a 32 ft that I pulled with three different trucks that I had. First was 1500 5.3. Second was a 2500 6.0. Third was current 2500hd diesel. After towing with the diesel will never go back to a gasser.

[David472]

Originally Posted by kiwaon

Have towed a 10K lbs 30 foot 5th wheel with a 2007 Silverado 2500 HD 6 L, 6 speed, for the last 5 years. Have towed approx 15,000 miles with one trip from Ontario to British Columbia and two trips from Ontario to Nova Scotia. My truck now has 45 K miles. I have replaced the battery, one set of rear tires, and oil changes as required. Truck still runs great.

On my trip to BC I achieved 11.62 mpg, that is Imperial gallons. Sorry don't have time right now to convert to US gallons.

Hope this will assist in your decision.

That converts to 9.67 mpg (US gallons)
http://www.onlineconversion.com/fuel_consumption.htm

[dmax_83]

I towed with a gasser for years and never thought anything of it, that is until I purchased a diesel, the difference is night and day. I use mine as my primary vehicle and do a fair amount of driving. Hand calculated, my unloaded mileage is better in my Duramax than it was in my gas Suburban. It goes without saying that my towing mileage is significantly better.

[Rob_Fla]

I towed with GM gas 6.0L trucks for years and was happy and had no problems.

I had the same concerns when we looked at trucks, higher initial cost, higher maintenance and just not familiar with Diesel engine care and maintenance.

When I finally went over to the "Dark Side" and got a Duramax Diesel, we have been very happy and will not be going back to a gas truck anytime soon.

[clubhouse]

Well you have sold me. Going with a diesel.

My other thread I asked about the Ford 6.0L PSD. Although I am sure it can be a great engine if maintained properly and certain after market precautions are taken to "bullet proof" it...but I just don't have the confidence I would like to have. Besides, I am buying used so I can't be certain of what the previous owner did and didn't.

So, after stiking Ford from the perspective and always having a Chevys before I have focused on the Duramax.

Currently I am have my sight set on a 2007.5 Siverado 2500HD. It has the Duramax LMM engine. I know that the LMM was introduced to meet federal emissions requirements and requires ULSD. Also, from reading on other forums and the emissions equipment is a source of frustration for a lot guys who to want to "hot rod" thier trucks. Besides that, does anyone here have any oppinions of this truck? Should this be a solid engineen -- of course assuming it is maintained properly.

[dlfeather]

A coworker of mine had two ford diesels then he got a Dmax. He love it. He had lots of trouble with the fords and no problems with the Dmax.

[Jayco 228]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

Well you have sold me. Going with a diesel.

My other thread I asked about the Ford 6.0L PSD. Although I am sure it can be a great engine if maintained properly and certain after market precautions are taken to "bullet proof" it...but I just don't have the confidence I would like to have. Besides, I am buying used so I can't be certain of what the previous owner did and didn't.

So, after stiking Ford from the perspective and always having a Chevys before I have focused on the Duramax.

Currently I am have my sight set on a 2007.5 Siverado 2500HD. It has the Duramax LMM engine. I know that the LMM was introduced to meet federal emissions requirements and requires ULSD. Also, from reading on other forums and the emissions equipment is a source of frustration for a lot guys who to want to "hot rod" thier trucks. Besides that, does anyone here have any oppinions of this truck? Should this be a solid engineen -- of course assuming it is maintained properly.

The LMM is a good engine. You just need to make sure it is getting a chance to do a regen when it needs to. Good choice. I think you will be happy.

[rodro123]

Originally Posted by dg1971

In my opinion (plus a few proven facts) diesels are more expensive to maintain, service, etc. but the tradeoff is their pulling ability. If you pull a light trailer and use your truck for commuting and other non-towing things, you may want to really consider the gas engine but if you tow a lot especially in higher altitude, have a medium to heavy trailer and don't want to worry about having enough torque to get from point A to point B, go the diesel. Everyone has an opinion about this subject but I have not heard too many complaints from diesel owners.

I have always owned Gas but I decided to make the change to diesel as well. I went with a Ford F350 before making the change I did my research as well. First of all a Ford diesel engine will require special motorcraft synthetic oil at a cost of $75 for oil and $19 for the filter (15 Quart system). Ford Dealers charge $166.00 with tax. Oil Changes are at 5k to 10k miles. Fuel filter are $100 charge at 20k miles. But hear is the great news I pull my tt at 65MPH, old Dodge Ram HEMI 2500 gas engine, 7-10 MPG, Ford F-350 at 65MPH at 10.5-14.5MPG, Thats a huge savings in fuel, I now have a 39 Gallon Tank as well. Just my 2 cents. When I'm not pulling at 65MPH I get 17.5-19MPG

[Jebster]

I just purchased a Ram 2500 with the Hemi. We don't tow enough to justify the $7000 diesel option, but maybe down the road will get a diesel. Just got back from the first trip with the new truck and felt it pulled our Jayco 26RLS well. Hard to get a gauge on mpg since the truck is so new.

[nylyon]

Rod - Not to get off track, but take a look at dieselfiltersonline.com for your filters. Racor is the OEM manufacturer and fuel filters (for the 6.0 at least) are $35 vs the $50-$70 at the dealer.

[tinlizzie23]

'fraid I'll have to disagree a little with all those diesel owners. When I was making my decision, I discussed the issue with a man who owned two Ford F-350s - one a Powerstroke diesel and the other a V-10 gas (otherwise identical trucks), and he used both in his business. He emphatically stated the the V-10 would outpull the Powerstroke in most cases, unless he was pulling a very heavy load up a fairly steep hill. Under those conditions, the diesel pulled better, but otherwise, the V-10 did a better job.

My other consideration was that the diesel engine added about $6,000 to the price of the truck, and an awful lot of gas could be bought with that $6,000. That made the higher MPG of the diesel kinda fade away - so I went with the V-10 and never looked back. My V-10 Ford doesn't seem to notice the 33' 5er back there, unless it's on a steep hill, and a lower gear takes care of that occasional problem.

I know a lot of y'all will disagree with me, but that's just my humble opinion, and my experience.

[dmax_83]

When the LMM goes through a regen cycle to clean the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) it injects raw diesel into the cylinder during the exhaust stroke which eventually burns in the DPF turing all the captured soot into ash.

The point to that explanation is that you need to watch your oil if you plan to do extended oil change intervals as it often gets diluted with fuel. Otherwise it is a great engine and there are plenty of tuning options if you desire more power.

If you haven't already, head over to dieselplace.com and have a look around. I am sure you will find more information than you need, I know I sure did.

[nylyon]

Originally Posted by tinlizzie23

I know a lot of y'all will disagree with me, but that's just my humble opinion, and my experience.

I can never disagree with anyone's opinion. The V-10 is a very strong puller and in some years had better tow ratings. Never had nor driven one so I don't have any comparison between that and a Diesel, but I'll bet it's better in the winter!

[pjsl01]

We just bought a ford excursion with the 7.3L diesel a week ago and it was an upgrade from our 5.3L GMC Envoy. This weekend was our first time out with it and all I can say is, I don't remember pulling a camper. At this point, I don't think we'll be going back to a gasser.