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12-17-2016, 09:22 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beaver, PA
Posts: 911
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Diesel users - newer diesels good or bad?
Considering moving to diesel from gas and talking to some folks and hearing them complain about the newer diesels - DEF issues, fuel issues, reliability issues, costs for maintenance - as compared to older engines that lacked all this 'crap' as they call it.
So what have you experienced?
I like the cleaning burning trucks - i'm not a fan of smells and soot. But with extra fluid (which i hear can go stale and gum up the works), filters, etc are they becoming too fussy?
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Chris, Wills (16) Evie (13) & Toby our collie (6)
2011 Grey Wolf 28BH
2013 Chevy K1500 Crew w/ Reese StraitLine Dual Cam
Nights camped 2011: 11 2012: 18 2013: 12 2014: 12 2015: 13 2016: 56 2017: 8+
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12-17-2016, 09:37 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 105
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Not having any mechanical inclination what-so-ever, I personally love my 2015 GMC. It is smooth, (relatively) quiet compared to my brother's earlier model Dodge, a towing beast, and a pleasure to drive, nicer than my commuter car. I have had a no issues with mine in the first 35k miles (a couple minor warranty things), and have even filled my own DEF..
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2014 Crusader 351 REQ Touring Edition (the Cottage)
2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLT (Allison B)
Nights in the Cottage: 2014: 27, 2015: 80 2016: 47,[B]2017:41
2018: Jan= 2, Feb=2, Mar=3, Apr=2, May=7, June=5, July=15, Aug=1,Sept=2,
Running Total:232
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12-17-2016, 09:49 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Carlisle, Arkansas
Posts: 1,387
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No Issues with my 2015 RAM, quite and powerful.
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2005 Cedar Creek 30RLBS/TrailAir Hitch/ MORryde 7K IS/Disc Brakes/ PI PT-50 EMS/ RV Flex Armor Roof
2015 RAM 3500 DRW 6.7 Cummins 3.42/ Garmin 760RV
40 Gal TransferFlow fuel tank/ TST 507
Amateur Radio W5CI 2019 Days Camping 25
2020 Days Camping 7
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12-17-2016, 09:56 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,179
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You will find that newer diesels, regardless of brand are really quiet. Possibly quieter than older gas motors. As for the DEF issue, yes, it has a shelf life, and some had tank, sensor issues, but by and large those have been few and far between. DEF does go bad after a while, and it can it appears freeze. Which can lead to other issues. I suppose if not driving your truck a lot you could simply run off the bottom 1/4 of the tank. Filling with fresh come spring. Or look at one of the post 2007.5 trucks without DEF.
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12-17-2016, 10:00 AM
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#5
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Oklahoma Proud
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: central OK
Posts: 2,784
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Op.
I have had good luck with both of my Duramax trucks over the past 9 years.
I actually just got a letter from GMC on my 2015.5, that they were extending the warranty on alot of the def/emissions equipment to 10 years/ 120,000 miles.
That takes emissions issues stress out of the picture for me.
I will always have at least 1 diesel truck.
Costs.....i get 4 warranty services over 2 years. I've payed to have the fuel filter done during the last service at 7,300 miles (i think they only charged me $30 while doing the warranty service).
Im at 11,000 miles on this truck now and i will probably do the spin on tranny filter at the next service in a couple weeks.
My 2005 just had regular service and a water pump and a fuel tank float/fuel pickup module. Sold it in sept 2015.
I over maintenance all my equipment but it takes good care of me that way!
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12-17-2016, 10:01 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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Adding DEF every once in a while is highly minor.
My truck is probably quieter than most gas, especially Rams, since most of those don't get that VERY expensive option of a muffler!!! LOL
If there are any downsides to owning a diesel and being a camper, I've yet to find them. Diesels from 20 years ago, yes. But no longer. Best of all worlds.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
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12-17-2016, 10:03 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prof_fate
Considering moving to diesel from gas and talking to some folks and hearing them complain about the newer diesels - DEF issues, fuel issues, reliability issues, costs for maintenance - as compared to older engines that lacked all this 'crap' as they call it.
So what have you experienced?
I like the cleaning burning trucks - i'm not a fan of smells and soot. But with extra fluid (which i hear can go stale and gum up the works), filters, etc are they becoming too fussy?
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I have repaired everything you speak of, DEF issue, Fuel pump issues, these are what will leave you stranded. Newer diesels are very impressive with what they can do, BUT, as with any vehicle a system can fail, and do. Yes, they can get expensive to repair, it is tough to say but maybe the complete failures are becoming not so common. Some will argue this but the diesel fuel quality in this country isn't that great. Some will go for hundreds of thousands of miles with no problem, some never have a reliable vehicle. Personally I think the reliability is with older diesels, they have more forgiving fuel systems, but do tend to have the diesel smell. I personally LOVE our diesel, I won't trade it for nothin' but I bought an old one that I believe is more reliable, with no exhaust treatment and finicky fuel pump. All of the big 3 have strong points, me, I'm partial to the Duramax/Allison combo. Tough to beat.
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2006 2500HD CCSB 2WD 2014 Crusader 285RET
Nights camped in 2013 - not enough!, 2014 37, 2015 40, 2016 39, 2017 38, 2018 36, 2019 37, 2020 26, 2021 28
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12-17-2016, 10:20 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Oswego il
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rigpdx
Not having any mechanical inclination what-so-ever, I personally love my 2015 GMC. It is smooth, (relatively) quiet compared to my brother's earlier model Dodge, a towing beast, and a pleasure to drive, nicer than my commuter car. I have had a no issues with mine in the first 35k miles (a couple minor warranty things), and have even filled my own DEF..
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"Real Trucks Rattle".
But that is a thing of the past with the modern diesel engine which are quiet by the way, are very reliable. Yes, sometimes you will have a recall and or a CEL but these are all easy items to fix.
DEF has been around for some time now it was used first used in Europe in the early 90's with their diesel engines vehicles. Now it is being used with the US diesel engine vehicles to meet the latest round of diesel emission.
There was a learning curve for the US design teams with components to meet the US Tier IV and BIN 5 regulations but the reliability is finally there and I would not hesitate in buying any new modern diesel engine vehicle.
In fact, we own two diesel vehicles 2008 RAM 6.7L Cummins pick-up and a 2011 VW TDI, which I am keeping by the way. My two sons each own Ram trucks with the Cummins engine in them. My oldest has a 1996 Ram with a 12V and 180K + miles and a 2006 24V 5.9L Cummins. My other son has a 2013 Ram with the 6.7L Cummins that uses DEF.
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Jim W.
2016 34RL CC; 2008 Ram Mega Cab 2500HD, 6.7L, 68RFE 6 speed, 4X4, Smarty S67, TDR 145K+miles
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12-17-2016, 10:28 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,947
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Break out the popcorn, cause this thread should be interesting and varied!!! 8 or 9 posts so far and it's still being polite...nice to see! Must be the Christmas spirit!
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2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax
2016 Rockwood 8289WS, Diamond Pkg.
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12-17-2016, 10:37 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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My 2010 6.4 was trouble free for 6 years, bought the 350 Labor day weekend made one trip to Portland and back towing the FW.
The 350 is my daily it does take some time to warmup right now but no real issues and I have not added any DEF yet with just under 3000 miles on it.
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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12-17-2016, 10:46 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Marion, IL
Posts: 488
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The truck I have now is my first diesel. I wish I'd have bought one 15 years ago now.
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2012 Windjammer 3001W
2016 Sunset Trail Super Lite 250RB-For Sale
2015.5 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ crew cab Z71 4x4
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12-17-2016, 10:51 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,559
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I also keep looking at the new Duramax. Nice. But I'm still in love with my 2007 duramax. It runs a like a champ and I don't have to deal with def or dpf. I did delete the EGR. I don't have a payment. Very reliable and comfortable and pulls our rig all over the country. And I never notice any diesel smells/fumes unless I'm filling up. And what soot?
My brother and nephews all have newer diesels and love them UNTIL they have to replace the diesel particulate filter. A lot of $$$$. So they opted for a delete kit so no more def or dpf or sensors. Now they have great trucks again with more power and better mpg. Maybe I'll wait until they buy new ones and snatch up their old one
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Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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12-17-2016, 10:51 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 222
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OK
In the "Christmas spirit" previously mentioned I will be nice.
To the OP, if you"need" a diesel, get a diesel. And if you can afford one, by all means consider one.
If you are constantly towing long distance's through steep grades and hills, a diesel will be a better performance TV. But if the trip to your favorite campsites do not require that much "torque", then stay with the gasser.
It's all personal choice based on what you "need".
I have a gasser because of where I usually tow to does not involve a grade that reaches almost 10K feet in elevation and starve my TV for much needed O2 (the I-70 in Colorado).
Once again, get what you "need".
And I can safely predict that some diesel guy is going to counter this post with comment on how great his rig is. Never fails.
RMc
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12-17-2016, 10:54 AM
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#14
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Phat Phrog Stunt Crew
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Upper Penisula Michigan / Arizona
Posts: 2,767
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Smell? I remote started my D-max in the garage and the overhead door didn't open. Stepped into the garage to find out it didn't smell to bad. No different than a gas engine running inside the garage.
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Ed & Ruthann / Toby and Tucker
2014 GMC Sierra Crewcab 2500 Duramax
2014 Wildcat 327ck
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12-17-2016, 11:03 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 496
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I have a '01 7.3l with 92K miles now. It is really a great pulling truck but it is louder than the new ones. Very reliable and cheap to maintain with the exception of 15 quart oil changes. Haven't noticed any soot or smell unless I am fueling up. If I could justify the $$$ of a new one I would definitely consider buying one but the $60K price tag of a new rig makes me back off.
I do wonder if on a new one the DEF would go bad since I currently only put about 5-6K miles on the truck a year?
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2001 Ford F250 7.3l converted to F350 specs
2014 Flagstaff 8528RKWS
2006 model year Border Collie
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12-17-2016, 11:15 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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Don't let the diesel guys fool you cost are higher for a diesel from sticker price to operations and maintenance costs . but if your hauling more then 10,000 lbs fiver then a diesel is the way to go . having a TH at around 9000 i find the gaser does just fine and i cross the country twice a yr from West Yellowstone to Colorado [where my house is ] to Florida and back . i do the 1-70 corridor and even though i can't speed over the passes the gasser does fine in the mountains for the 20mins here and there where i'm only going 45 mph i don't see an issue still passing the big rigs only doing 20 and like i said it's only for a short amount of time to get to the top . 99% of the time i moving along just fine
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12-17-2016, 11:16 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 158
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Earlier this year I bought a 2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Since then I've put almost 9K miles on it and haven't had a single issue. I regularly get 28-30mpg on the interstate when not towing and 18-20mpg when I am. In fact I've had several non-towing 20-30 mile events on level ground with no headwind where I've gotten over 40mpg. All that from a baby diesel that puts out 420lb/ft of torque and pulls my TT like it's not even back there.
Purchase price? Believe it or not I paid LESS for this new 2016 diesel pickup than I did for a new gas 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that has far fewer options and creature features.
As far as increased maintenance costs for a diesel, the recommended oil change interval is 10K miles but since oil changes only cost $70 because I do them myself (10.5 quarts of Rotella synthetic and a Pronto filter) I plan on changing the oil every 5K miles and fuel filter ($25) every 10K. I haven't had to add any DEF yet but when I do it's not a significant cost. And there are no spark plugs to change.
I did add a tune that disables the EGR because introducing all of that soot into the intake can't be healthy for an engine but other critical emission components are intact (SCR, DPF, DEF). I equate those to the early days of gas engine emissions when catalytic converters were scary new products that were expensive to replace when they failed. As millions of them were produced they became more reliable and the costs plummeted. I anticipate the same thing happening with diesel emission components over time.
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2016 Clipper 17FQ
2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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12-17-2016, 11:21 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,016
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I had a friend that had a older diesel that parked it in the garage and the wall by the exhaust pipe was cover in black soot. I have been this house 2 1/2 years and my exhaust pipe is about from my toolbox and not one spec of soot.
One of the real pluses is that you can use the huge roomy truck lanes to fuel up instead of try to get into the gas pumps with a 50 to 60 foot truck and RV. On the other hand not all stations carry diesel.
The new trucks are clean and the smell of diesel is almost zero. The pull strong and are quite. The only problem I ever had was a DEF problem.
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2017 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40D Diesel Pusher 41 foot. CC 5740
2017 Solitude 310GK-R Pick Up Oct 24th.
2016 GMC Denali 1 ton Cargo Capacity 3722 lbs
Sold 2016 Keystone Montana 3711FL
Sold - 2015 Crusader 315RST 5th Wheel -
2015 Ford F350 SRW Cargo Capacity 3744
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12-17-2016, 11:31 AM
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#19
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Oklahoma Proud
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: central OK
Posts: 2,784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by northstar1960
Don't let the diesel guys fool you cost are higher for a diesel from sticker price to operations and maintenance costs . but if your hauling more then 10,000 lbs fiver then a diesel is the way to go . having a TH at around 9000 i find the gaser does just fine and i cross the country twice a yr from West Yellowstone to Colorado [where my house is ] to Florida and back . i do the 1-70 corridor and even though i can't speed over the passes the gasser does fine in the mountains for the 20mins here and there where i'm only going 45 mph i don't see an issue still passing the big rigs only doing 20 and like i said it's only for a short amount of time to get to the top . 99% of the time i moving along just fine
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Sooooo......what was your experience with newer diesels????
Thats what the OP asked, not whether gas or diesel is better or cheaper to maintain!!!
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12-17-2016, 11:34 AM
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#20
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Oklahoma Proud
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: central OK
Posts: 2,784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wheels Down
OK
In the "Christmas spirit" previously mentioned I will be nice.
To the OP, if you"need" a diesel, get a diesel. And if you can afford one, by all means consider one.
If you are constantly towing long distance's through steep grades and hills, a diesel will be a better performance TV. But if the trip to your favorite campsites do not require that much "torque", then stay with the gasser.
It's all personal choice based on what you "need".
I have a gasser because of where I usually tow to does not involve a grade that reaches almost 10K feet in elevation and starve my TV for much needed O2 (the I-70 in Colorado).
Once again, get what you "need".
And I can safely predict that some diesel guy is going to counter this post with comment on how great his rig is. Never fails.
RMc
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Same here with this post.....
What was your experience with newer diesels like the OP asked????
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