The age old Q. Should I buy diesel?

[doonkin]

I know, I know it’s been asked 10,000 times before. But I’m in the market for a new truck and need advice for my specifics. Right now I’m towing a 5500lb trailer w a 2012 titan. I’d never want a bigger trailer. I never load it w too much stuff. It’s towed well over the years but I’m tired of white knuckling cross winds. I want to start making those BIG trips. I like the thought of overkill w a ram 2500 diesel- BUT- I live only 1 mile from work, n usually we only go out once every 6 weeks avg.
Should I go for the Cummins or am I silly. Deals on the 2018(still called new) are kinda reasonable. Dunno anything about the maintenance.

What ya reckon? This site has always given me great insight.

Thankyou

 

[oldmanAZ]

Duplicate Post!

 

[DonaandDon]

Never is a very, very, long time.

 

[haphapcamp]

If that is the biggest camper you will ever have I would consider one of the 1/2 ton diesels. Everybody makes them now. Almost 30 MPG when not pulling !

 

[Petes6.7]

My motto is you can never have too much truck.

 

[Chiggins-JAY]

I'm a diesel fan so I say diesel. Do you need it? No but you may one day and be glad you have it.

 

[Kahoneys]

I too say get a big diesel! We own one and it is my everyday vehicle. I get 22mpg on the highway but also have $100 oil changes. Oil and DEF really add to the maintenance costs but I still think it is worth it. As to the white knuckle, my opinion is that you will have to go to a 5er to get rid of the wind and effects pushing and pulling you sideways. Even when we had our 3/4 ton diesel we had the waggle with our travel trailer.

 

[Subaru297]

With such a short commute I think you should stick with gas. Any modern half ton with tow package should handle a 5500lbs trailer with ease.
If you want more truck get a 3/4 ton gas truck and it will be very stable.

Cheers

 

[tjpolsin]

IMHO, a Nissan or Toyota is just a 1/2 ton at best. And maybe less so than a ford or chevy 1/2 ton. At 5500lbs you are near your max with a 1/2 ton truck - especially a 4 door model that has less payload capacity.

Regardless of what current literature says, 1/2 towing capacity is 6000#, 3/4 ton towing capacity is 10,000#, 1 ton capacity is 12,000#, 1 ton DRW is 14,000#. With this philosophy, you will eliminate your white knuckles.

Don't focus on diesel, no diesel. Upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck. A gas engine will save on your initial capital cost, but drive up your operating cost - but only when you are towing.

A diesel option will drive up your capital cost by $7000, with slight saving in operating cost - while towing. Your operating cost saving will not recoup your additional captial cost, unless you drive and tow for over 200,000 miles.

buy a 3/4 truck if you want to tow your trailer and carry your stuff without stress. Buy a diesel only if you like diesels (which I do).

Tim

 

[doonkin]

Tjpolsin;

Thankyou. That’s the answer that locked me in. 3/4 ton gas. I’m set.

 

[Flyrotor-JAY]

Go with the Ram 2500 diesel.

I have the 8 foot bed which means a long wheel base, really takes care of all the sway issues, seriously I do not have white knuckle driving even in wind.

And yes, they are really putting the rebates and discounts on the new 2018 models that are available. You can get great deals.

 

[SOMBATFAMILY]

If you’re going to go big, get the Ram 4500 DW and you’ll never need any other truck. Super charger Diesel of course.

 

[Quantum-JAY]

Unless you're going to start biking or walking to work, a 1 mile drive to work is punishment for a diesel.

Diesels are built to work, get up to operating temps, especially for keeping the emissions system functional.

For your short commute, I would go with a 250/2500 gas truck. 5500lbs is no sweat for a gas truck. You'll have the stability of a heavy duty truck, but you won't have to deal with the complicated emissions systems on today's modern diesel trucks.

 

[nathan3306]

For your short commute everyday <1mile, I would not get a diesel. A 3/4 gas will do everything you need/want to do for way less money than the diesel counterpart.
If you intend to never get anything "much" larger than your current trailer, I'd stick with a .5 ton. It's a better everyday vehicle, will net way better fuel economy, and will pull that trailer just fine. Granted, you may still encounter white knuckle experiences.

I would highly encourage you to check out the Hensley arrow or the propride trailer hitches. It's way cheaper than a truck and could possibly be everything you're looking for.

 

[curver900]

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gas but make sure you get min 3.73 gears.... if you never upgrade you are good if you upgrade your RV you will okay too.. if you think you are going to a much larger RV then look at 4.10's

 

[rockaw]

Chevy Salesman I know (personal friend) basically told me Gas guzzlers have caught up to diesels, unless you do a lot of highway towing, then go gas. however, he also said that it will take about 100k miles to get the money back out of the extra cost of the diesels, and if you plan to keep your truck only about 100k miles, go gas, longer consider diesel if trailering. The diesel engines have a rep of lasting longer 200-300K miles, but as mentioned higher oil/def services. Diesel fuel prices are now higher that gas. you'll have to do the math to see if the cost of diesel is worth it.


I love my 2500HD Diesel but we were averaging 10-20 weeks a year out traveling..... until last year when these dang grandkids came along now we babysit up to three of them 1 to 5 days a week.

My 2 sons, brother in law, nephew all have 2016 or better 1500 gas burners and love them.

 

[curver900]

too bad you can't hold out for 2 years.. both chevy and ford are going to come out with some very impressive gas motors.. but the first year out will be ones you don't want unless you get 5year 100k mile warranty on them or buy the extended warranty....