Who was I kidding!!!

[AKGperson]

Diesel is 10 to 20 cents cheaper than Regular in the SF bay area. But then again, all fuel is expensive here in California.

Ken

[Camper_bob]

Reading the posts in this thread is like reading my very own experience!

I just brought home a RAM 2500 6.4 gasser. I traded in my GMC 1/2T. The Sierra did okay towing the trailer, and it was barely within specs, but it just never had the stability to make me feel completely comfortable. With some long-distance trips coming up, it was just time to upgrade. I've towed about 10 miles with it so far, and it's a HUGE difference. Just have to get my hitch dialed in and I'll be GTG!

Short commute to work, not a WHOLE lot of towing, so diesel just didn't add up for us. This 6.4L HEMI will get a little worse MPG than the 5.3 did, but it's totally worth it!

[TWP723]

Fuel in B'More..

Reg $2.39 gal.
Diesel $3.19 gal.

[AKGperson]

Wow, with that price difference I may have considered a 2500HD with the 6L gas engine because I use my truck mainly for trips around town.

[TWP723]

crazy huh?

[RSerendipity]

After reading all of the Posts, you guys almost had me rethinking my Gas vs. Diesel purchase. But the Math I used with the initial cost of the Diesel option @ $9,000, plus the price of Diesel here in Pa & NJ is over a dollar per gallon more than Regular, it just did not make sense at the present time. I remember a couple of posts about the cost of diesel averaging out at approx. 75-80,000 miles. I'm happy with the gas F250 at present but as they say, Time will tell. Heading out west in the Fall and will report back then

Thanks for all the great posts.

[AKGperson]

Keep in mind you get a lot more than just an engine for that $9000. The entire drive train is super heavy duty because of the increased torque. Plus most diesel packages include a lot of options as standard equipment.

[blderman]

Originally Posted by AKGperson

Keep in mind you get a lot more than just an engine for that $9000. The entire drive train is super heavy duty because of the increased torque. Plus most diesel packages include a lot of options as standard equipment.

Drivetrain is exactly the same in the HD trucks gas or diesel unless you buy a Ram with the Aisin trans.

[68 Camaro]

I have own 3 F-350's over the last 10 years, used them for work. Never used them for their towing capabilities. This weekend I will set out from Central Alberta to the Okanagan Valley of BC, climbing over the Canadian Rockies, this will be the first time pulling a 14,000 # trailer behind me. The Turbo Desiel is up for the job, no doubt about it, especially with a High torque 5 speeds Trans behind it. My only worry is that the 2010 era came with 3.55 gears in the differential mostly, unless ordered special, which will make the truck work a little harder on the hills. Ford did this cause the fuel economy was a sales issue. Thank god we have 5 speed versus 25 yrs ago with only 3 speeds for Trans, that wouldnt help compensate gear ratio back then. This truck has only been used for 5% towing miles, and it has 100,000 miles on it now, boy it is going to wake up this weekend. So in a perfect world, having the gears up graded to 3.73 would be a great combo, of course the 4.10 ratio is the work horse of gear's. Maybe the next unit will be set up for towing, 80% of its miles.

[TWP723]

Not much. I have the same rear an F350 diesel has. They change only when you go from SRW to DRW. Or up to F450. Warranties double also. My warranty cost $1200. The same for the diesel was $3650. Just little things to consider.

Now..with that being said..the diesel's torque is around 800 ft.lb as compared to the gas at 405 ft.lb. THAT'S where the big difference is.

[TWP723]

Switch out your gears 68 Camaro. 3.73's will work in that rear.

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by RSerendipity

After reading all of the Posts, you guys almost had me rethinking my Gas vs. Diesel purchase. But the Math I used with the initial cost of the Diesel option @ $9,000, plus the price of Diesel here in Pa & NJ is over a dollar per gallon more than Regular, it just did not make sense at the present time. I remember a couple of posts about the cost of diesel averaging out at approx. 75-80,000 miles. I'm happy with the gas F250 at present but as they say, Time will tell. Heading out west in the Fall and will report back then

Thanks for all the great posts.

Your F250 gasser will be great, and a whole lot better than a 150/1500. However what you didn't include in your calculation is residual value of a diesel. When the time comes to sell, a diesel will command significantly more than a comparable gasser.

As for the cost of fuel -- I think it's about even. Gasoline being $1/gal more where you live is probably pretty close to a 30% increase; however the fuel economy in my diesel is the same 30% improvement over my previous gasser both towing and unloaded highway mileage. The gasser does win in unloaded city driving.

Fortunately for me, currently in my area of California reg unleaded and diesel are the same price. There has been as much as a .80 premium for diesel in the past cour years, but as recent as s month ago Diesel was less than reg gas.

My Duramax doesn't require DEF do I have never factored that into the calculation.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

Your F250 gasser will be great, and a whole lot better than a 150/1500. However what you didn't include in your calculation is residual value of a diesel. When the time comes to sell, a diesel will command significantly more than a comparable gasser.

As for the cost of fuel -- I think it's about even. Gasoline being $1/gal more where you live is probably pretty close to a 30% increase; however the fuel economy in my diesel is the same 30% improvement over my previous gasser both towing and unloaded highway mileage. The gasser does win in unloaded city driving.

Fortunately for me, currently in my area of California reg unleaded and diesel are the same price. There has been as much as a .80 premium for diesel in the past cour years, but as recent as s month ago Diesel was less than reg gas.

My Duramax doesn't require DEF do I have never factored that into the calculation.

Spot on when it comes to resale value! Good call Clubhouse!

[PNWDriver]

Lovin my 6.2 gasser . Pulls like a champ. Although it was sagging quite a bit so I added air bags. Still sags a little but not nearly as much and rides nice at 30psi.

edit: I forgot to mention I found this truck on a lot with 4500 miles for under 40k .

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by PNWDriver

Lovin my 6.2 gasser . Pulls like a champ. Although it was sagging quite a bit so I added air bags. Still sags a little but not nearly as much and rides nice at 30psi.

You know it's funny you say that. I'm having auxillary springs added (just like factory). Should help with squatting. Ford has a TSB on the ride height issues when a trailer is connected. "Lower than desired" per TSB. The squat won't harm it..it's doing it's job. Most trucks with a heavy load will squat a little...it's a normal thing. Unless you use Timbrens or bags of some sort.

[drk98]

Originally Posted by TWP723

You know it's funny you say that. I'm having auxillary springs added (just like factory). Should help with squatting. Ford has a TSB on the ride height issues when a trailer is connected. "Lower than desired" per TSB. The squat won't harm it..it's doing it's job. Most trucks with a heavy load will squat a little...it's a normal thing. Unless you use Timbrens or bags of some sort.

We had a '11 F250 when we had our lite weight 5th wheel. After one trip I added air bags and it helped a lot. Ford really softened the rear suspension on the current generation trucks. We have a '14 Ram 2500 now and it doesn't squat near as bad and oddly rides better too. (Not meant to start a truck brand battle)

[UPCamper]

Originally Posted by RSerendipity

After reading all of the Posts, you guys almost had me rethinking my Gas vs. Diesel purchase. But the Math I used with the initial cost of the Diesel option @ $9,000, plus the price of Diesel here in Pa & NJ is over a dollar per gallon more than Regular, it just did not make sense at the present time. I remember a couple of posts about the cost of diesel averaging out at approx. 75-80,000 miles. I'm happy with the gas F250 at present but as they say, Time will tell. Heading out west in the Fall and will report back then

Thanks for all the great posts.

Diesels owners don't spend the money because they believe it will pay for itself, they buy them for the increased power and towing ability. I don't care if I ever get my "money" back, Ive towed with both and will continue to pull with a diesel.

[TWP723]

Yeah, Ram really has their stuff together. They're really nice trucks.

[drk98]

Originally Posted by UPCamper

Diesels owners don't spend the money because they believe it will pay for itself, they buy them for the increased power and towing ability. I don't care if I ever get my "money" back, Ive towed with both and will continue to pull with a diesel.

I agree... I ran the numbers and they don't sway in the diesel's favor... but after towing with a diesel and a gas.... I threw my spreadsheet away and bought the diesel.

[AKGperson]

Originally Posted by blderman

Drivetrain is exactly the same in the HD trucks gas or diesel unless you buy a Ram with the Aisin trans.

Not true. My $9000 Duramax Plus Package included: 1) Duramax engine, 2) Allison 1000 transmission, 3) Front & Rear Park Assist, 4) Engine Block Heater, 5) Heavy-duty dual 730 cold-cranking amps batteries, 6) Engine Exhaust Brake, plus, 7) Navigation & IntelliLink, and, 8) Bose Sound System. I know some of these aren't drive train related but they are $1500 worth of options that are included in the package.

Additionally, I believe the drive shaft on the diesel is a larger diameter but I haven't compared the 2015 GMC 2500HD gas to the 2015 GMC 2500HD diesel yet so I can't say for sure.

Ken