Diesel vs. Gas Cost Comparison

[UPCamper]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

what are you talking about semi trucks for?

you seem terribly defensive about your decision to own a diesel...I am ok with your decision...lol

I'm using semis as an example that they don't put gassers in vehicles that travel high over the road miles. Never seen a gas semi, have you? Their sole purpose is miles and miles. Do yourself a favor and google "gas vs diesel life expectancy". You apparently will be surprised that my speculation is quite real.

[WVDusty]

Ok time to take a step back and breath. This type of question ALWAYS ends up with at least a couple of people getting very defensive. I say buy what works for you and don't worry about it.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by WVDusty

Ok time to take a step back and breath. This type of question ALWAYS ends up with at least a couple of people getting very defensive. I say buy what works for you and don't worry about it.

+1!

[Crabman]

The moderators agree its time to step back and take a breath on this one.

[troutslayer]

O.K. low heart rate here . All I wanted to point out is that when we were in Canada this past Summer, Diesel fuel was the same price, and sometimes actually cheaper than regular gas. Takin' deeep breaths.....

[Polk]

I just like the smell and sounds of the diesel.

[Blue Deuce]

I did a little chart comparison on gas vs diesel before buying my gasser 2500 and for my driving habits and towing plans, the gasser was the better deal. I average about 8K - 10K miles a year and tow 10 - 12 times. It's also use mine as a daily driver and work is 5 or so miles away.

I averaged it all out for cost and such and it would take me almost 10 years to recoup the cost of the diesel upgrade, fuel price difference and maintenance price difference. I don't plan to sell in 10 years but by that time she'll be paid for and have less than 100K on the clock! Resale or trade value didn't factor into my choice but understand the diesel would bring more at trade or resale most likely (relative to condition, miles, maintenance, etc.)

I think another factor for saying diesel is the only way to go is I would think (might be wrong on this) most trade from a 1500 gas model to a 2500 diesel model and the difference would be pretty significant I'd think. Torque alone would make it feel different but the size of the truck helps with stability and so much more.

I've never owned a diesel so I don't know what they are like and I've yet to pull with my 2500 gasser to compare to the 1500 so again, just my thoughts on the topic.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Blue Deuce

I did a little chart comparison on gas vs diesel before buying my gasser 2500 and for my driving habits and towing plans, the gasser was the better deal. I average about 8K - 10K miles a year and tow 10 - 12 times. It's also use mine as a daily driver and work is 5 or so miles away.

That's my situation almost exactly, same mileage towing and commuting and yearly! And I came to the very same conclusion you did for my next truck. Only difference is I'm 3 yrs out from purchase... I figure I'm in a better position that way, it'll give Ram a chance to work out all the bugs in that awesome new truck!

[Blue Deuce]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

That's my situation almost exactly, same mileage towing and commuting and yearly! And I came to the very same conclusion you did for my next truck. Only difference is I'm 3 yrs out from purchase... I figure I'm in a better position that way, it'll give Ram a chance to work out all the bugs in that awesome new truck!

That's the only thing I worry about right now, are the bugs for a first year model! Hoping to have no issues but won't be disappointed if there are I don't think as the truck has exceeded my expectations so far!

I'm at a little over 600 miles and I've owned the truck for 7 weeks! I know my habits!! And 150 of those miles are in the last 2 days!

[greyhawk885]

fyi in my part of PA diesel fuel is 18% higher than gas. My diesel gets 40% better mpg. There is saving here on fuel. Would take lots of miles to pay extra cost but I like the diesel drive a lot better.

[thomasmnile]

My own perspective: We previously owned a 11000 lb fifth wheel, consequently bought a diesel Ram 3500 to tow it. Now have a WhiteHawk whose weight is less than half the fifth wheel. Sure don't need a diesel for it. The chief advantage of the diesel other than the power and torque for towing, is the relative lack of scheduled maintenance, primarily engine tuneups. An oil change is more because more oil is used, the same holds true with other fluid capacities of a diesel. Assuming no problems, a wrench doesn't touch the Cummins under my truck's hood for another 60000 miles. Fuel cost is no bargain, typically 50 cents/gal difference between gas and diesel here. Better fuel mileage? Yes, strangely my one ton Ram does get better fuel economy than the Toyota Tundra it replaced...........but the Tundra wasn't capable of towing a heavy trailer. The Ram doe turn in respectable mileage numbers when towing.Now, if all things Dodge around the engine quit breaking, failing, or leaking, I'd be pretty happy. Truck's paid for and if it weren't for the nickel/dime ownership experience I'd keep it, but I see its replacement down the road. But the power train from front to back has been flawless.

[nwminnesota]

So I had ask the question gas or diesel. Mixed results but after research I had made my decision to go with a diesel. Now after a quick look at the report my research pointed me in the right direction. I know I don't need a diesel for my light weight x23b but it will be fun to tow the trailer and less stressful. I am planning on doing some long trips when the kids get a little older. So having stress free driving will be nice. Thanks for posting the link. Too bad that I am a year out from buying one.

[NHcamper]

I went though this recently as well.
I went with a 3/4 ton Gasser.
When we all talk on the internet its always seems
the biggest and baddest is the only way to go.
But when your looking at your budget and monthly payments things change.

For me and my 6500-7000lb trailer loaded I couldn't justify Diesel.

I bought used and Diesels were $10,000-$15,000 more for the same year and mileage. I don't keep my trucks to 200,000-1,000,000 miles so that consideration wasn't on the table.

Love the Diesel but I'm also VERY happy with what I have.

[Clayton4971]

The Topic says diesel vs gas cost comparison . At one time diesel was cheaper than gas but not anymore it's always 30 to 50 cents more a gallon . I am on my third diesel in about fifteen years . I buy it for one reason I love the torque for towing .if I used it for everyday driving and just pulled a few times a year short distances I would go with gas JMO

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by nwminnesota

So I had ask the question gas or diesel. Mixed results but after research I had made my decision to go with a diesel. Now after a quick look at the report my research pointed me in the right direction. I know I don't need a diesel for my light weight x23b but it will be fun to tow the trailer and less stressful. I am planning on doing some long trips when the kids get a little older. So having stress free driving will be nice. Thanks for posting the link. Too bad that I am a year out from buying one.

We went in the opposite direction with out TT's. We started with an X23B and pulled with a 5.4 Expedition. It did an adequate job and got 9-ish mpg, was never able to break the 10mpg barrier (kinda like the speed of sound I guess).
Upgraded the TV to the current F350 6.7. This week I made a 600+ mi trip to Baton Rouge with no trailer (Houston to BR - think FLAT) and averaged 20.1mpg according to the truck's computer. We pulled the X23B a couple of times with the new truck and like you say "less stressful". We then upgraded to a 5th that weighs 12780# (according to Mr. CAT scale) and on level ground I see 13 mpg.
This is my first diesel and I love it! If I were to go back to something like the X23B I'd probably want something a little lighter to tow with - or like you, maybe not.
BTW here in the Houston area my local station has gas at 3.12 and diesel at 3.54. Using those numbers the gaser cost me $0.33/mi and the diesel $0.27/mi with the gaser pulling 4400# and the diesel pulling 12000#.

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by Clayton4971

The Topic says diesel vs gas cost comparison . At one time diesel was cheaper than gas but not anymore it's always 30 to 50 cents more a gallon . I am on my third diesel in about fifteen years . I buy it for one reason I love the torque for towing .if I used it for everyday driving and just pulled a few times a year short distances I would go with gas JMO

On our trip this past Spring/Summer to Eastern Canada, Diesel was the same price as regular gas and sometimes a couple cents less. Unfortunately, both were about $5 US per gallon

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by troutslayer

On our trip this past Spring/Summer to Eastern Canada, Diesel was the same price as regular gas and sometimes a couple cents less. Unfortunately, both were about $5 US per gallon

I was travelling on business a month or so ago (I forget where) and noted that regular and diesel were the same price.

[Paulx213]

In BC, Canada I notice diesel is normally cheaper then regular in the summer and more in the winter. It likely averages out to about the same.

As I don't need the huge capacity ( and cost) of the 3/4 and one ton diesels I've been reading up on the new 3.0 Diesel in the Ram 1500. Compared to the 5.4 I currently drive it has 20 less HP but 70 more ft/lbs of torque. Far more interesting is the road tests I've read where they average 9-10 L/100 km (23-26 mpg) in normal driving where as I get 15-17 L/100 km (13-15 mpg).

Not sure I would bother with a diesel in a small car but all trucks and SUV's should offer them. They just make so much sense.

[Crabman]

The price gap between gas and diesel fuel narrows here in the Summer to around 20 cents per gallon, but in Fall and Winter widens to 60-70 cents per gallon when they start selling more heating oil.

[gtsum2]

Good read and thanks for sharing. I paid. 3.53 for diesel today...89 octane gas is about 3.37 I think. My cummins was an 8k premium when I ordered the truck and the oil changes and fuel filter changes will likely be more money than on a gasser (guessing $400 for oil and fuel filter changes each time), but I knew all that going in. I could care less if I break even on my diesel...I love how it drives, the smooth power, not revving and downshifting on every mountain road, and the sound. 40% better towing mpg and I get 23mpg on the hwy empty...good enough for me! I doubt I will ever buy another gas truck again