Ford Super Duty 6.2 Super Ike Gauntlet Pull

Gatorm wrote:

IdaD wrote:

spud1957 wrote:
Of course it always turns into the diesel argument. Yes, high fuel mileage going up the gauntlet. What are your diesels getting going up it? I suspect the delta between the two is not much different than non gauntlet towing.

I think they run around 4 or a little better on that particular run from videos I've seen in the past. Real world with a camper you're probably comparing 7 or 8 with a big gas truck versus 11 or 12 with a diesel. Not great either way. Mileage is only part of the equation, though. Screaming up a grade at 5500 RPM isn't my idea of a relaxing trip even though I know they're designed to do it. I would also bet that the truck in the video would struggle significantly more if it were pulling something like a fifth wheel that drags a lot more air.

In my mind there's really not much cost difference between the two if you look at a total ownership cost. The diesel is more up front and will cost a little more to maintain, but will get better fuel economy and resale value. Which begs the question - if the cost delta is immaterial, why not opt for the higher performing diesel? That's something you can appreciate anytime you get behind the wheel.

If this were true then your statement of going with the diesel would be obvious. The problem is, this isn’t the case. The diesel cost more up front by $8-10k, it takes 2-3x more oil every oil change, fuel filters are $100 and up every 2-3 oil changes, fuel is $.30-50 more per gallon, not to mention if you ever have a def/dpf failure or a turbo failure or injector failure or complete fuel system replacement (any of these sound familiar? I bet they do) then the cost of ownership is way out of balance. The diesel pulls a ton better. Trust me I know. I’m a auto dealer and sell lots of 3/4 and 1 ton trucks so I’ve driven and used all of them in gas and diesel. If you pull over 10k lbs more than once a week I would go diesel. If you don’t, save yourself a bunch of money and time and buy the gas truck. Also, the gas truck, in my opinion is a better daily driver than a diesel.

Well 4 years after making that post I still have the same diesel truck and while it hasn't been perfect I'm still happy with it and have had no major issues. In fact no issues at all related to it being a diesel other than a $200 sensor that took 10 minutes to replace. If you prefer dragging a trailer up a hill with a turd, by all means go for it just please pull over to let others pass.