Going Diesel - Worth It???

schrederman · 06-07-2013, 10:52 AM

I have been RVing for about 4 years, now. I started with a small trailer (19') behind an '01 Expedition. I upgraded to a new 2011 F-150 with the 5.0 engine. It pulled the small Shadow Cruiser very well. I upgraded to a Surveyor SV-264 and the pickup pulls it OK, though I do occasionally drop all the way to 3rd gear on steep hills to maintain 65 mph.

Well... yesterday, I did a horrible thing... I priced a diesel pickup.

I am seriously considering one and that begs the question of fuel economy, while towing. I just made a trip to Broken Bow, OK and it takes a full (26 gal) tank to get there. I averaged 9.2 mpg into a headwind getting there, and 10.2 coming back with little wind. Another reason for considering the change is that I get pushed around a bit by the trailer when trucks are passing.

All that being said, would it be worth the expense and hassle of trading up to a diesel, 3/4-ton truck? I know all about brand loyalty and the like so please keep it real... but be brand specific. What kind of fuel economy are some of you getting, pulling and not? What are your oil-change intervals? What are your true likes and dislikes?

Thanks in advance...

jeeplj8 · 06-07-2013, 11:01 AM

Are you looking used, or new? It only makes a difference if you are looking at certain years and how they adopted emissions standards, because that really hurt fuel economy. Now they (all 3) have figured it out pretty well and get around the same economy. But for a few years, there some big differences.

One thing to keep in mind is how long you keep a truck - in your case it sounds like not all that long. Many people like to trade their vehicle after a few years. Diesel holds its' value over time very well. The depreciation in the first few years tends to be very little.

Another is the type of driving you do. Today's diesel engine will put up with most anything, but unless your commute involves enough time on the highway to get it up to temp every trip, you may not see the best MPG the truck can offer. Of course hooking up the trailer and going somewhere every once in a while helps.

Every once in a while the manufacturers will cut the cost of diesel trucks. I know Dodge early this year was offering rebates that made diesel and gas trucks very close in price. They were still over 50k for what I wanted, so no new truck for me, but if you are looking new, then it could be a big difference.

Finally, yes the hype is true, nothing tows like a diesel. It just is what it is. Once you tow with one, you will be hooked like the rest of us.

schrederman · 06-07-2013, 11:11 AM

I am looking new. I usually keep a vehicle 10 years, like the Expedition. In this case, the trade would have purpose, and not be just because I wanna new one. With pricing incentives Dodge offers employees of my company, I can come out pretty good. The truck I want lists for a touch more than $48K.

jeeplj8 · 06-07-2013, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrederman

I am looking new. I usually keep a vehicle 10 years, like the Expedition. In this case, the trade would have purpose, and not be just because I wanna new one. With pricing incentives Dodge offers employees of my company, I can come out pretty good. The truck I want lists for a touch more than $48K.

Well then I think you would certainly see the long term benefits of owning a diesel, and be very happy with the re-sale at the end of your ownership.

Today's 3/4 ton trucks drive very nicely, not as nice as a 1/2 ton, but still very comfortable.

BarryD0706 · 06-07-2013, 11:32 AM

I have a 1-ton Chevy SRW, 2WD and get ~11 towing. I get ~20 on open road at 65.

Road-King · 06-07-2013, 11:35 AM

Dodge is coming out with a 1/2 ton diesel in 2014. 2014 Ram 1500 diesel: Truck fans

alphadog99 · 06-07-2013, 11:40 AM

We pull a 7,500# Rockwood travel trailer, moved up from a gas 5.3L 1/2 ton GMC to a 2500HD Duramax. Yes it was expensive, but gotta tell 'ya I'll never go back! Love the diesel. Makes a terrible commuter vehicle but when the trailer is connected I am glad we have every bit of that truck. The engine brake is an added bonus, really helps with braking.

Cajun Po-Boy · 06-07-2013, 11:41 AM

With your current RV, a 3/4 ton with a larger gas engine (6.2 liter)...would make a world of difference in your towing experience vs your current TV, IMO.

The plus with going the diesel route vs gas, you'll always have that great torque to pull anything you hookup to and feel confident under all driving conditions.
MPG will increase but more importantly, it's the ease at which the diesel performs that you'll appreciate the most

jlbreaux · 06-07-2013, 11:44 AM

Yes it is worth it, I had a 98' Z71 (5.7L) with 172xxx miles on it when I sold it. I had planned to run it until the wheels fell off and was not looking at buying another truck any time soon. At that time I had a 32' TT and the only issues I had pulling the TT was going uphill. I had a 3" suspension lift and 33" mud grips, it would slow down 5 to 10 MPH, depending on the hill. We were heading to our camp by the lake and passing through town I saw a ¾ ton 4x4 in a used car lot. I looked at it from top to bottom and it was well maintained, had less than 42000 miles, and it was never driven down a gravel road. Well long story short, after speaking to original owner I bought it, I put 33” grips on it with a 2” lift. When I had my 32’ TT behind it I could not even tell it was there. Now I have a 36’ 5er and it pulls it like a dream. Look around for a used diesel and you may come across a good deal like I did. Good luck and happy truck hunting!

Cajun Po-Boy · 06-07-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road-King

Dodge is coming out with a 1/2 ton diesel in 2014. 2014 Ram 1500 diesel: Truck fans

Can't wait to see the performance test on it when they go into production, very cool!

tomjsas · 06-07-2013, 12:02 PM

Like most, I think the diesel is worth it in the long run. My lifetime MPG (all 3400 miles on the truck) from OnStar reports 13 MPG. 80% of that has been towing either the bumper pull or now 5th wheel, otherwise the truck doesn't get driven much, hence the low miles for a 2011. I would not go back from a diesel.

avolnek · 06-07-2013, 12:39 PM

If you are serious about buying a new diesel I would suggest doing it sooner than later. I can't speak for the others as I am a true cummins fan but Dodge in 2013 is putting the diesel exhaust fluid on ALL diesel trucks. Not a huge deal but I can guarantee you will have a higher re-sale on the the 2012 with out it and than a 2013 with it. Plus it will be a lot less head ache.

As far as if it is worth it or not I traded in my 2010 Hemi Crew Cab 1500 that I bought brand new on a 2006 Ram 2500 quad cab with the cummins and 150K on the ticker and haven't once regretted it! The gas engine did a great job but the cummins absolutely blows it out of the water! I just pulled the same camper I had with the hemi averaging 8mpg and the cummins averaged 16 into CO and 19 on the way home (down hill

) I didn't buy the diesel for fuel mileage, although it sure is a plus! I bought it for the comfort of driving! The heavier the truck the more control of the camper and I definitely feel much more in control of the rig with the cummins in front!

A 1/2 or 3/4 gasser will definitely do the trick but the diesel will be much more in control of the whole situation and for me safety is #1!

**Herk7769** · 06-07-2013, 01:05 PM

IMO,

If you tow a lot (30 days or more) and drive a long way when you do it; you will love the diesel.

If you don't; you won't.

avolnek · 06-07-2013, 01:10 PM

I am going to respectively disagree with Herk on that... I drive roughly a mile each way to work with my diesel daily driver and LOVE IT!!! I don't get the best mileage out of it, nor would I get the best out of a gasser either. Only reason I do drive instead of ride a bike or such is that I am on a fire department and need to leave in a hurry on occasion.

Short trips aren't the best for a diesel but you wont hurt them if you do get them to operating temps on occasion.

I personally change oil twice a year regardless of whether it is due or not! I do so in the spring and then the fall if not a 3rd time in between. I aim for 7500 - 10000 miles between changes. I also change trans fluid and filter at the beginning of the spring camping season. Lastly the fuel filter with the trans fluid... Maintenance does cost more than with a gasser but not that much... plus the truck should last you a lifetime if well maintained.

schrederman · 06-07-2013, 01:19 PM

One thing about the f-150 is it takes 8 qts of oil, so I am paying $110- every 5K miles for a synthetic oil change... So, is a diesel more expensive than that?

avolnek · 06-07-2013, 01:21 PM

I change oil myself for less than that. I use a mopar filter as well as 10 qts of synthetic oil for my 5.9 cummins. Roughly $75 in material for me to change, but I can go 10K miles before changing again. I normally don't as I tend to be a little more anal with my truck maintenance than the average guy...

TURBS · 06-07-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrederman

One thing about the f-150 is it takes 8 qts of oil, so I am paying $110- every 5K miles for a synthetic oil change... So, is a diesel more expensive than that?

What?
$5.99 x 8 qts plus a $6.00 filter ?

schrederman · 06-07-2013, 01:24 PM

A 3.0 turbo-diesel in a truck...? I was looking forward to something like this but a 3.0? It would seem more practical for truck use to have a little bigger engine, like a 4.5 to 5.0. Buying this would probably not really solve my problem... but I'll definitely be waiting to see where this will go.

Thanks for all the replies...

schrederman · 06-07-2013, 01:27 PM

I don't do my own oil changes any more, but I'll be starting that again, soon... regardless of whether I trade trucks or not. Yep, $110- is a bit too steep...

jeeplj8 · 06-07-2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrederman

A 3.0 turbo-diesel in a truck...? I was looking forward to something like this but a 3.0? It would seem more practical for truck use to have a little bigger engine, like a 4.5 to 5.0. Buying this would probably not really solve my problem... but I'll definitely be waiting to see where this will go.

Thanks for all the replies...

They are not going after heavy duty truck numbers, but trying to build a diesel that competes with most other v8 gas engines. I think they have hit it on the nose.

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