Diesel or Gas

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Diesels after 2007 (Ultra Low Sulphur) have a "particulate filter" in the exhaust. Normally, just driving it burns up the carbon in the filter.

Not driving it not far enough to get the filter hot enough to burn the residue or using Low Sulphur truck gas (even once) can clog it quickly.

I thought most diesel trucks going back to early '00 had some form of particulate filter, is was only the ones that require DEF that have an actual regen cycle?

My 03 Ford had a catalytic converter and some form of particulate filter with teh EGR system. However it never had a regen cycle.

My 05 Dodge had a catalytic converter but no EGR system.

I thought current Dodge models did not have the regen system either?

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

I confess I have never driven a diesel with regen. I don't believe all models are the same or have the regen problem. That would tend to excise my patience...

Me either, and when this current truck is dead it is getting a full rebuild but with only 90k it should be awhile

[bakken]

Originally Posted by Len & Cheri

I agree. People hear 1/2 ton and automatically think of yesteryears 1/2 ton capabilities. 1/2 tons have changed and people need to update their thinking about the capabilities these newer 1/2's have.

Even if the OP adds 1500 lbs to TT, he will still only be at 9600 TT weight, well below the 11,300 rated weight of a maxxed out Ecoboost. Dry tongue weight is 879, after loading I'd guess a 1100 tongue weight.

X2

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

I thought most diesel trucks going back to early '00 had some form of particulate filter, is was only the ones that require DEF that have an actual regen cycle?

My 03 Ford had a catalytic converter and some form of particulate filter with teh EGR system. However it never had a regen cycle.

My 05 Dodge had a catalytic converter but no EGR system.

I thought current Dodge models did not have the regen system either?

in 07.5 chevy got a particulate filter, that regens, think in 2011 they went with a DEF also , my truck came with a CAT and EGR (removed) as do all newer trucks

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

I confess I have never driven a diesel with regen. I don't believe all models are the same or have the regen problem. That would tend to excise my patience...

Me either, and when this current truck is dead it is getting a full rebuild but with only 90k it should be awhile

[bakken]

Originally Posted by WolfWhistle

I am sure and Eco could pull my 21RR, but I bought a 2500 Cummins Dodge for about the same money

Point me to your dealer! Around here, there is a huge difference in price.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

I thought most diesel trucks going back to early '00 had some form of particulate filter, is was only the ones that require DEF that have an actual regen cycle?

My 03 Ford had a catalytic converter and some form of particulate filter with teh EGR system. However it never had a regen cycle.

My 05 Dodge had a catalytic converter but no EGR system.

I thought current Dodge models did not have the regen system either?

Like I said, the whole "Regen thing" was new to me (first diesel).
I do not use DEF in my 2008 but does have REGEN.
The error code found by OnStar had something to do with a clogged exhaust.

[jeeplj8]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Like I said, the whole "Regen thing" was new to me (first diesel).
I do not use DEF in my 2008 but does have REGEN.
The error code found by OnStar had something to do with a clogged exhaust.

cue Dave Berry's colonscopy joke here...

[buckeyefan]

I had a 2010 F250 6.4L diesel. Loved the truck and it pulled great.
In the end, as a daily driver, it became unbearable to drive home from work (13 miles) only to start a regen cycle and have t jump on the interstate and drive another 20 miles so the regen cycle could complete. Speaking only for the Ford 6.4L (08-10), it was not meant to be a daily driver unless it was working and running down the interstate. I know removing the emissions would "solve" the problem, but voiding the warranty might have voided the marriage.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by jevanb

Me either, and when this current truck is dead it is getting a full rebuild but with only 90k it should be awhile

X2...or I'm gonna search for another late model year that "PawPaw" been daily driven ,)

[wneise]

Rebuilding it may be a good idea as long as you don't live in Cali. The wingnuts out here may outlaw older model year commercial pickups just like they did with semi tractors.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

cue Dave Berry's colonscopy joke here...

That one got me.

[Rolling buckeye]

Ok can't resist,

My 2cents, we currently own a 5.3 chev. and a 6.0 frd, both have towed a lot.
Gasser has never let us down 240000 + minor repairs 6.0 was strong stock, 80000 ish Extensive repair mucho denero! Now really strong.
Point being diesel = better ability tow and power +++
gas = less ability tow much less power.... But Way cheaper !
Unfortunately I remember something an old friend said before the Diesel."If you want to pull with the big boys, u will eventually pay like the big boys" pull- play you know what he meant
New diesel any o three BIG $ but with warr. Used diesel less $ but potential Big $ repairs

Gas if u can Safely make it work for you will probly cost less, When I say big $ repair on diesel, i meanlike another used gas truck kind of $.
We live in farm country, and from what I have seen, the Cummins is the least problematic, especially the smaller one.
Boils down to if you want power and safety when towing, It will one way or the other cost more,how much is more of an X factor diesel is capable of 2-3x the power,and in the 350/3500 class twice tow cap.

I know this probly did not help, but as long as both are available this debate will never stop.

[rotorhead1250]

I'm just gona grab some poporn for this show! Love these threads.

[Herk7769]

Oh my...

[boubou]

Thanks for this thread, I just missed another hour of bad TV show
Although not a FR owner anymore, I keep coming back for more

As for contributing, I have seen lots of 1/2 ton out there pulling big TT's (10,000 lbs) and 5th wheels and they "seem" to be doing just fine.
I am towing a small 5th wheel 6800 lbs loaded, nothing like your 8000+ lbs but payload is the key. Yes, I am over by about 300lbs and yes, we are doing fine.
Of course, we drive no longer than 300 miles a day, and don't go faster than 60 mp/hr - not that the Ram couldn't do it. Uphills, downhills, no problem.

[asquared]

Originally Posted by buckeyefan

I had a 2010 F250 6.4L diesel. Loved the truck and it pulled great.
In the end, as a daily driver, it became unbearable to drive home from work (13 miles) only to start a regen cycle and have t jump on the interstate and drive another 20 miles so the regen cycle could complete. Speaking only for the Ford 6.4L (08-10), it was not meant to be a daily driver unless it was working and running down the interstate. I know removing the emissions would "solve" the problem, but voiding the warranty might have voided the marriage.

I have the 09 f250 w/ the 6.4 PSD in it. It is a daily driver 30 miles each way (27 are highway). It regens all the time (at multiple times s week in cold damp weather). It will stay in regen for 25 miles or more. It is driving me nuts and killing me in fuel. Also in the 6.4 they tend to build oil when this happens. You have to be careful as they mix fuel into the oil with this issue. We are thinking about dumping this truck for an older dedicated dually TV and getting me a small crossover for a daily driver. This would allow for our 5er upgrade too.

[bakken]

Originally Posted by anaro

I have the 09 f250 w/ the 6.4 PSD in it. It is a daily driver 30 miles each way (27 are highway). It regens all the time (at multiple times s week in cold damp weather). It will stay in regen for 25 miles or more. It is driving me nuts and killing me in fuel. Also in the 6.4 they tend to build oil when this happens. You have to be careful as they mix fuel into the oil with this issue. We are thinking about dumping this truck for an older dedicated dually TV and getting me a small crossover for a daily driver. This would allow for our 5er upgrade too.

My friend dumped his F350 for just this reason, plus other multiple problems. He traded it off an an EcoBoost, max tow.

[Aquaholic]

Thanks for all of the awesome input! Just to clear a few things up about my situation. My daily commute to work is only 5km (3miles) each way all city driving. Last year we only put on 20000km (13kmiles) on our current tow vehicle. I used to drive longhaul truck so I'm very familiar with diesels and the regen process. Judging from my situation I will probably lean towards the gassers. If I had a longer commute to work or racked up more mileage yearly than I do currently I would probably be better off with a diesel. More than likely I will stick to the 250/2500 series gassers. With all of the miles I have under my belt driving commercial rigs I could probably handle towing with a 150/1500 but, I like to make sure I'm safe towing the larger trailer. I've seen too many 1/2 tonnes pushing their load limits. Thanks again for all of the great POVs and insight!

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by bakken

Point me to your dealer! Around here, there is a huge difference in price.

Brand new my 2011 Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Deisel, 6 spd manual, 4x4, 8ft bed cloth interior, $36,800

I also found this listing from a local dealer, this is a brand new 2012 model Ram 2500 CTD, 6 spd manual, 4x4, 8ft bed, cloth interior, $36,705

New 2012 Ram 2500 For Sale | Mountain Home ID

I can find these deals every day on these brand new trucks.

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by buckeyefan

I had a 2010 F250 6.4L diesel. Loved the truck and it pulled great.
In the end, as a daily driver, it became unbearable to drive home from work (13 miles) only to start a regen cycle and have t jump on the interstate and drive another 20 miles so the regen cycle could complete. Speaking only for the Ford 6.4L (08-10), it was not meant to be a daily driver unless it was working and running down the interstate. I know removing the emissions would "solve" the problem, but voiding the warranty might have voided the marriage.

Never once have I had any issue like this with my Ram 2500 CTD, my daily commute is less than 5 miles, I have never had the truck enter a "regen" cycle.

However, in the owners manual it speaks about the Regen process. It states "Under typical operating conditions, NO indicatons of regeneration state will be displayed. If you do reach 80% of filter (particulate) capacity, EVIC messages will assist you in inducing and understanding the regeneration process"

I bought it new 2 years ago, currently I have 37,000 miles on my truck, It is completely stock. I do not routinely drive the truck on the interstate or at interstate speeds, nor do I routinely drive more than 20-30 minutes at a time.

On occassion, I will drive for 45 minutes stop and go, and on occasion I will drive for 2 hours at highway speeds.

I pull my trailer 8-10 times a year and usually exceed 100 miles each direction to the camp spot, I will also take it on vacation occasionally without the trailer.

With this type of driving it has never entered the "regen" cycle nor has required any maintainance besides oil change and fuel filter change.

This exaust pipe is clean, you can run your finger inside the pipe and there is no soot at all... none.

I have several friends with Ford diesels and unless the DPF filter is removed, there are tons of problems with the filters plugging, I haven't seen it with our Chevy diesels at work. However, both the Ford and Chevy still lay out a lot of soot in the tail pipe.

I'm not sure what Cummins has done to their engines, but they have got it figured out. Even in 2013, the 2500/3500 pickup series deisels do not require DEF, in the cab/chassis version they do require the DEF.