Opinion gas vs. Diesel

[kayakterp]

Originally Posted by Tg310

This is the truck

Not having rear windows is the only thing that bothers me about my 3/4 ton gasser. I don't have any kids but I always travel with my dog Max (black Lab) he seems to get 'suffocated' without having his own window. I am planning to replace back window with one that has a manual slider. Only $300 for that option. Electric slider is more like $1,000 and another $300 if I want a de-icer.
Sorry to compare my dog to your daughter…just saying I wish I had different back windows or at a slide in the back
BTW, I agree with keeping the gasser!

[Tg310]

Hey curve
It has 4.10 gears
Just thought about upgrading

[Tg310]

No offense taKen comparing dog to my daughter.
I feel the same no ventilation

[vcbice]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

I bet that 8.1 is a fantastic engine and paired with the Allison would really be something. I agree with all the arguments to keep it except one.....

A common thing I see on these forums is to not buy a deisel unless you tow X pounds or X miles/year because the expense isn't worth it. I get that logic to some degree, however this is coming from people who spent 10K-100k or more on something they use one a month or less, is a toy, and loses value every 30 seconds. Kind of funny reasoning.

Anyway, your truck sounds like a beast as is. Diesels are fun and and costly like RV'S. So, if you can pay for it and would enjoy it, I say go for it.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Yep, unless you tow a lot the expense is not worth it.

This is coming from 8 years of owning one and towing with it on average of 10k miles a year. Yes, the truck has 125k miles on it now.

Yes, I am glad I bought the diesel cause I had wanted a Cummins since they came out. Really only drove it when I needed the 'truck' instead of the 'car'. So, yes, back then it was one of my 'toys' and i could afford it. But, now days I don't use it like it needs to be used. Too much stop and go driving these days (we full time and it is our daily driver).

And, yes, if wanted to spend the money I'd get a gasser to replace it. But, it's paid for and runs well so I'll just keep it.

Just trying to keep other people from making an expensive purchase for no reason.

[goldenbetty]

We have a 2001 Chevy Silverado 8.1, 4.10 gears, Allison tranny, 73,200 miles. I have done all of he oil changes myself (45 oil changes), three tranny services done by me, and this jewel keeps on pulling our 36 ft fiver like a mule. Runs great, looks great and meets our needs, at 7.5 miles per gallon towing.
If you acquire an after market tuner, it may require that you use premium gasoline.

KEEP IT! DON'T TOUCH IT....

[Tg310]

Thanks everyone. Keeping the truck!! Maybe do a little performance upgrade

[Bookemdanno]

I think that you are a SMART man and have had great advice! If you still want a diesel afterwards and it's what you want and it's within you means to buy one...get it! Do what makes you happy!

[33 RLDS]

Besides the initial up front extra cost for a diesel, what other extra costs? Oil ? What to they hold, 10 qts? Even my little Olds Aurora takes 8 qts.

My 8.1 does the job great now but down the road we what a 5th wheel and will most likely move to a diesel. I am more worried about the initial cost as all new truck prices are getting out of hand. The maintenance I don't see as deal breaker though.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by 33 RLDS

Besides the initial up front extra cost for a diesel, what other extra costs? Oil ? What to they hold, 10 qts? Even my little Olds Aurora takes 8 qts.

My 8.1 does the job great now but down the road we what a 5th wheel and will most likely move to a diesel. I am more worried about the initial cost as all new truck prices are getting out of hand. The maintenance I don't see as deal breaker though.

The only additional maintenance with a diesel would be fuel filters and diesel exhaust fluid if you are referring to the new ones.

The biggest thing to keep in mind is dealing with the EPA mandated pollution control items on any diesel built since January 1 of 2007. When the systems work, all is well. When they don't, we'll you are looking at $$$$ to fix or eliminate the problems.

[jal0710]

I would go for the gas engine if I were only pulling a FW, but I tow an HT 26.5 RLS and hook a 19' Crestliner onto the FW when we go fishing and camping. When we take our outfits fishing and camping, we get between 11.5 and 12 mpg on the whole trip, up the passes and than back down. Trailer probably weighs around 8,500 fully loaded (have never weighed) and the boat, ready to fish weighs 3,500 pounds with the trailer. I really like my diesel and don't plan on getting rid of it, but if I got to the point where I am only towing one item, I might go looking for a gasser.

[goldenbetty]

Originally Posted by 33 RLDS

Besides the initial up front extra cost for a diesel, what other extra costs? Oil ? What to they hold, 10 qts? Even my little Olds Aurora takes 8 qts.

My 8.1 does the job great now but down the road we what a 5th wheel and will most likely move to a diesel. I am more worried about the initial cost as all new truck prices are getting out of hand. The maintenance I don't see as deal breaker though.

We have a 36 ft fifth-wheel, Big Horn, 12,000 lbs, and our 8.1/4:10 gears does a heck of a job. How big of a fifth-wheel do you want? In summer time we weigh 19,800 GCWR. In the winter we carry firewood against the cab in our 8ft bed, which equals 500 to 1000 lbs, which equals 21,000. Our trailer tongue weight is 2,500 lbs. We have never been disappointed with the performance of our Chevy. Diesel is not a necessary option for us.
Towing - 7.4 mpg never exceeding 65.
Solo - almost 13 mpg at highway speeds, never exceeding 70.

[33 RLDS]

Originally Posted by goldenbetty

We have a 36 ft fifth-wheel, Big Horn, 12,000 lbs, and our 8.1/4:10 gears does a heck of a job. How big of a fifth-wheel do you want? In summer time we weigh 19,800 GCWR. In the winter we carry firewood against the cab in our 8ft bed, which equals 500 to 1000 lbs, which equals 21,000. Our trailer tongue weight is 2,500 lbs. We have never been disappointed with the performance of our Chevy. Diesel is not a necessary option for us.
Towing - 7.4 mpg never exceeding 65.
Solo - almost 13 mpg at highway speeds, never exceeding 70.

My problem is my 8.1 is in a Avalanche and because of the short bed and sail panels, it can't tow a 5th wheel. My Avalanche is rated for 12K and it pulls our TT like a champ

[vcbice]

My Cummins takes 12qts of oil. If you have the emissions stuff then there is an EGR filter that costs about $150 (not counting labor) and a second 'filter' that has to be cleaned to a cost of approx $150 of labor (only needs that about every three oil changes). Different year and brands of trucks have different maint issues.

[SouthCo]

GMC/Chevys dont have an EGR filter nor do they have a “second filter” that needs cleaning based on oil changes. They have fuel filter, oil filter and trans filters. Depending on year they have a DPF/diesel particulate filter that self cleans as you drive and a small tank for DEF fluid. I’ve had my GMC Duramax diesel for 5 years and maintenance is barely more than the GMC 1500 gasser I sold to buy the GMC diesel.

[SouthCo]

OP, sounds like your biggest reason to upgrade would be to get a crew cab so your kid isn’t cramped. I have little ones and wouldn’t have anything but a crew cab. You don’t need to but if you decide to get another truck, don’t hesitate to get a Chevy/GMC diesel. Maintenance is barely more and fuel costs easily makes up for it. Not sure about other manufacturers. I own one and can speak first hand...

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by SouthCo

OP, sounds like your biggest reason to upgrade would be to get a crew cab so your kid isn’t cramped. I have little ones and wouldn’t have anything but a crew cab.

My wife went from an extended cab Silverado to a crew cab Ram and I went from a regular cab Ram to a 4-door Ram due to our kids growing. Neither of us wanted to give up a perfectly good vehicle, but sometimes life just dictates that.

[jbrnigan]

There is a nice '02 Avalanche 2500 - 8.1L, 4X4 - on Craigs List - Louisville, Indianapolis, Cinncinatti....FYI

[SouthCo]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

My wife went from an extended cab Silverado to a crew cab Ram and I went from a regular cab Ram to a 4-door Ram due to our kids growing. Neither of us wanted to give up a perfectly good vehicle, but sometimes life just dictates that.

Very true. I got rid of a little Tacoma crew cab when I had my second because it was too hard trying to get two car seats (one had to be rear facing) in the back at one time. I really liked that little truck. It was paid off, only three years old and had less than 50k miles on it. That was back before I was towing anything of course...

[33 RLDS]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

There is a nice '02 Avalanche 2500 - 8.1L, 4X4 - on Craigs List - Louisville, Indianapolis, Cinncinatti....FYI

100K is pretty low mileage for those. But not as low as my 37K

[nwminnesota]

I would go diesel. You won't regret it . people will say maintenance costs are more which is really a wash. I think I spend about $60 dollars more a year because I do replace the fuel filter once a year. But oil changes are half as often and only 10qts. They pull like a freight train. No worries on going up or down steep ininclines. Unless it's a going to sit for 6 months straight without being used then a gas one might be better. I use mine as a daily driver and I drive 20 miles one way to work. I average 18.5 MPG if I just drive to work and make no stops I can get 20 MPG. While Towing at 65 miles per hour I get 13.5 MPG Towing at 70 to 75 miles an hour I get 11.5 to 12mpg. And that was with Towing my new 5th wheel which weighs in around nine thousand pounds dry. The only thing that you got to get over about the diesel is the initial 10 grand more in upgrade cost however if you buy a slightly used one you can get them for the same price as a new half ton. The only problem I have with the diesel is once I get to my Towing destination I can't get the big smile off my face and how enjoyable Drive I just had. It makes it a lot of fun and worry-free.