Greetings,Recently I was getting the 'itch' for getting a newer truck. My old Ford 1997 F250HD has served us well. We bought it in 2001 for $12K with ~92K miles on it and now it has ~124K miles. While admittedly there were some 'dark years' where we did not venture out much we are mostly weekend campers and live in Oregon where there are plenty of year around campgrounds not all that far from us. Recently we've gotten back into the habit of one trip per month - rain, shine or snow we'll be out camping at least once a month.I should mention that one of our 'house rules' is that we have to spend MORE time where ever we go than the time it takes to get there and back.For weekend campers like us the above rule limits how far we go on any given weekend. While our lifetime yearly average on the truck is ~3000 miles per year at most we'll rack up 5000 miles a year with the short trips we do.One of the obvious (and often used) arguments for upgrading a truck is the possible fuel savings. However in our case the argument that the upgrade will "pay for itself" won't fly in the short (or reasonable length time) term because of the low miles we put on the truck.Here's a chart I came up with in attempts to justify a purchase to the OH:Our old 351W averages ~6-10MPG per trip (depending on if we have headwinds going and coming home). I highlighted 8 and 16MPG as possible "targets" for MPG savings. Sadly (for me at least) in our case even with 100% improvement (likely not get) in fuel mileage we'd only see a savings of ~$1250.00 a year.In our case the cost of newer truck/fuel savings per year = to many years to realize a return on our investment.

I've done the same sort of calculation on switching from a V-10 gas truck to a diesel. At 25K miles/year the break even is so far out that it exceeds the likely service life of the truck, and that's without considering the additional cost of maintaining the diesel.But I still want one.

When considering the diesel, you also need to adjust for high maintenance cost. And unfortunately, you won't see 16 mpg with even a new diesel. Also need to consider the cost of diesel is more expensive, right now running 25%-30% over gas. The biggest factor with upgrading trucks would be the improved safety features. My current 2004 only has front air bags but my 2015 comes with front and side air bags. This was the biggest reason I went with new versus finding an older mid 90s F350 Crew Cab which I had before and loved.

Personally, mpg is low on my list of reason for a new truck. With all the EPA stuff on the new trucks, I'd get as many miles out of my old truck as possible. We typically run 3-5,000 miles a year. With new trucks running $65,000 I can easily put $10,000 into a "mini restoration" and come out years ahead of this game. The engine and drive train will outlast the body, so a little bodywork will keep me in truck for years to come.

Hi,Can you ever "Justify" a motorhome or camper? Not really. Most of the time they do not 'save' money. In fact a friend pointed out that I was going to buy a motorhome with $700 a month payments for the next 15 years. He said that the $8,400 a year I was paying to purchase the RV would also pay for a nice trip to Hawaii or someplace else - if I did not buy the RV. I love camping in my motorhome, and even though it is expensive, I do it.You probably can not justify the new truck purchase on fuel savings. Perhaps if the transmission is going out, and you do not want to spend $2,000 to have it rebuilt, a newer truck might save some money. But once the transmission goes out, you either have to spend the money to repair and sell it, or sell it to the local junkyard, someone who can repair it at a deep discount, or something else. Many times I have to tell customers that they can repair their old A/C unit again, or spend a little more to get a replacement. The new unit comes with a longer warranty, usually will consume at least 30% less power, and will last another 15 years. At some point, the new item is justified by repair savings. However it is easy to justify not spending $1,000 to replace a A/C compressor and then buy a energy efficient unit that will save $150 per year, than to just say 'replace this working system for $4,500 and save $150 per year.' The extra $3,500 will save power and extend the warranty a long time.Fred.

At less than 5k miles a year, I'm not sure why one worries about MPG in the first place. If you have an itch for a new truck, then swap for and enjoy the newer truck, any improved MPG is a bonus. It's really difficult to justify a new vehicle when you have one paid for, that suits your needs (versus wants).I won't need a new(er) mh this time next year, but I suspect I'll get one.

Doing the MPG math on a new(er) truck | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

free_radical
Explorer
Dec 08, 2014
WyoTraveler wrote:
MPG calculations stresses me. Buy a new truck, throw the chart away and just enjoy your RVing. When I get fuel DW asks if I want her to calculate MPG. NOPE!!!! We just pay the bill. When the money runs out we'll park it.:B

That's my way of thinking also! :)

Drove an old car until I saved enough cash to buy a new truck..

Mind you I was quite happy with old vehicles as I only buy Chevys..and RWD with a V8 At that..those are built tough to last forever..
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Dec 07, 2014
You're on the right track - thanks for charting the numbers.

Buy a used truck if you don't do many miles.

"NEW" covers bumper-to-bumper dealer repairs for 36,000 miles or 3-years.
You pay for that - and in order to justify it then you need to drive at least 12,000 miles per year.

If you're a low mileage driver then it makes more financial sense to buy a used truck.

A common theme is for one to buy a new truck when they retire and then hit the road for years.
fatmanobx
Explorer
Dec 07, 2014
I have always gone along with the thinking of if you have to worry about what it's going to cost for fuel, you don't need to have a camper. With what you have invested in a truck and what ever kind of rv fuel is the least of the worries to me..JMHO
tonymull
Explorer
Dec 07, 2014
Don't need the power of a diesel for a truck camper. Takes longer for the mpg and longer life of the engine to pay off than I need. Don't like the noise, don't like the smell. Reliability is similar for the first 80-100K and then I'll want a new truck anyway. Sticking with gas.
Area13
Explorer
Dec 07, 2014
Thinking about selling my Diesel because of all of the "Maintenance" costs. It's killing me doing the $50 oil change 1-2 times a year. Other than the reliability, twice the mileage of my V10 gasser and paying $.40 more per gallon for fuel, i'm trying to talk myself out of it because I love the power. But yeah, "Maintenance" is killing me on this ultra reliable pig!:R
tonymull
Explorer
Dec 07, 2014
Getting 12mpg on my new Silverado 3500 empty, 11 with the camper. But the camper is only 2500 loaded to go. Hoping to get a bit better mileage once it's broken in.
mbloof
Explorer
Dec 07, 2014
SugarHillCTD wrote:
OK,

How much are we talking about? $20-30 more per fill-up gas vs. diesel and 10 vs. 13 mpg. And buying a diesel in my area would have been $8000 more.

The math doesn't add up.

But the diesel engine mob will be by shortly to rationalize their amazing mpg and their excellent pulling power plus angels will be singing their oil burning song.:@

Seriously....when we are in the truck with the TC loaded I am NOT counting pennys. I am on vacation.

Exactly.

While the current truck+camper are paid for I carry full coverage insurance on both - this would go up if I replaced the truck.

Every so often I'll calculate MPG but for the most part try to ignore how much it costs at the pump. Lets face it - no truck is going to get the mileage I get out of my 2012 TDI Golf!

"Newer" not always is "Better".
SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014
OK,

How much are we talking about? $20-30 more per fill-up gas vs. diesel and 10 vs. 13 mpg. And buying a diesel in my area would have been $8000 more.

The math doesn't add up.

But the diesel engine mob will be by shortly to rationalize their amazing mpg and their excellent pulling power plus angels will be singing their oil burning song.:@

Seriously....when we are in the truck with the TC loaded I am NOT counting pennys. I am on vacation.
jimh406
Explorer III
Dec 06, 2014
Its cheaper to use a tent or stay home, but there's a lot room between a '97 and new to improve. It will cost money. I don't think mpg is going to be a major factor compared to other costs.
Farmerjon
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014
mbloof wrote:
We were considering going to a 2WD (lower) F350 and maybe switching fuel.

Sure, while newer and fancier does have its merits the cost of 'newer' can pay for quite a few trips and repairs on the current (very reliable)rig.

We may still 'upgrade' once the daily drivers are paid off. In my mind you can't put a price on easier to get in/out of and more comfortable. I just wanted to share my math (and reasoning) with others.

In the meantime I added AAA "Platinum+RV" this year. We may never use it but I can't put a price on 'peace of mind' ether. :)

Good thinking,absolutely right.