Pickup Decisions...

wintersun wrote:
A diesel is great for towing 12,000 pound and heavier trailers. For camper use it is like having a Hummer to go grocery shopping. With a gas engine it does help greatly to have low 4.10 or 3.73 gears so the engine can spend more time in its power band without a lot of gear changes.

I would go with the new truck which is going to have air bags, ABS breaks, and often a 5-speed or 6-speed automatic transmission instead of a 4-speed. The extra speeds are overdrive gears.

It is also easier to find OEM and aftermarket parts for a newer truck, and that includes a situation where you need a water pump or alternator replaced when out on a camping trip.

I would be careful to note both the gears used (check using the VIN) and the capacity of the gas tank. Many older trucks have 26 gallon tanks while newer ones can have 36 gallon and the extra 10 gallons translates into more range before filling up again and when hauling a camper the MPG will be at its worst.

Diesel engines cost more to buy and twice as much to maintain and four times as much to repair. Easy enough to check the cost of a head gasket replacement or new set of fuel injectors for a diesel engine- it will be a shock but better to get it now than when you have a truck that needs to be repaired.

Diesels also require more frequent oil changes and fuel filter changes and need two batteries for starting. There are also far fewer places that can do diesel repairs which is again a factor when out on the road on trips.

This is a bunch of nonsense. The CLEAR choice of commercial use is diesel. It isn't because of loyalty. It's because it makes sense--because of fuel costs and durability.

No new truck comes with a 4 speed transmission anymore so that is moot as well.

No pickup made in the last 40 years does not have a water pump or alternator available at every parts store in america.

Diesel engines cost more to buy because the way they create combustion requires a much heavier duty engine. The consequence is that they are made to last MUCH longer than their gas counterparts.

Diesel engines do not need more frequent oil changes per the manual. They will require more oil when the oil is changed. The fuel filters do need to be changed regularly, at least at every second oil change or so. The two batteries in my truck that came with it in April of 2005 when I bought it are still in it; I'm not sure why the fact that it has two batteries makes any material difference.

I can't imagine paying what they want for a new truck these days but if I did, I sure as hell wouldn't buy one with a gasoline engine. No commercial vehicle made to carry a load would use a gas engine. Maybe if I only kept my vehicles for a few years, it'd be different, but I drove to work this morning in a vehicle that I bought when I was 19 years old; perhaps others have money to burn.