Need advice on new truck

mkirsch wrote:
I love how people shy away from diesels due to the "complexity of the emissions systems."

Gas engines have had WAY more complex emissions systems for DECADES, but you don't hear people bellyaching about them.

I'm also in the middle of a new truck purchase. Originally, I felt a new gasoline truck would suffice since they are rated similarly to my old diesel. However my next truck will again be diesel due to following:

1. Eventually, I will be hauling at the upper limits of the current gasoline models.
2. Most of my trips are over elevation where a compressor will surpass a normally aspirated engine.
3. As mkirsh pointed out, the emission systems are becoming as complex on the gasoline engines as with diesels (Ram even has an EGR cooler on its Hemi).
4. I have become very comfortable pulling any grade under 3000 RPM and no longer enjoy the sound of the engine when it is put to work.

The initial price of the diesel does sting although some of it will be returned when sold. But, I have no expectations of recovering the acquisition cost unless I were to decide on a second career as a driver. More so, the perceived benefits of driving my choice are weighed against the cost.

When sizing your truck, try getting something at least slightly larger than what you need currently. It will give you more options later if you decide to make changes, plus you will have reserve capacity for what you plan to haul today. There are SRW trucks that could tow your desired FW comfortably, but you would be close to the maximum capability of the truck (the same reason I decided against a gasoline powered truck). The DRW models are a better option for you unless you have to have a narrower or shorter truck to be able to park at work (like my current one at 19' long).