A lot of your post is flat out incorrect. Lets try to straighten this out.
I found this video that seems to give a good explanation of issues RVers might face with some Ford diesel pickups. The 7.3L was one of
the best engines ever put in a diesel pickup (according to Wiki). The
video explained the 7.3L had virtually no emissions equipment and was a simple design.
Yes the 7.3 is a good engine. It was a very simple design and this made is reliable.
Ever since emissions were placed on diesels, all kinds of problems came up. Later models were less reliable and more expensive to buy, repair and maintain. I have seen new Ford PUs with a sticker of $74K. That's just ridiculous.
Not really. The 6.0 and its big brother the 6.4 was a questionable design from the get go. The 6.0 was the same years as the LB7, LLY and LBZ Duramax. Try to find any emission complaints about those engines. Not going to happen. [COLOR]
New diesels also get reduced MPG, because fuel is used to clean emissions.
No they don't. Check out the MPG the 7.3 got and then compare it to a new diesels. And guess what; the new diesels have more than twice the HP or that old diesel. Yes, double the HP and the same or real close to the same MPG. Check out some numbers on Fuelly. [COLOR]
Meaning more total fuel is burned. To me a couple living in a 5er, has a pretty energy efficient lifestyle. They have a small area to heat or cool and they tend to go were the temps are mild (i.e. summer up north, winter in FL). The additional cost has stopped my plans of buying a diesel & 5er. I'm sure it has done that to many others as well. So, I very much doubt the new emissions do anything for the environment. Here's the vid: http://tinyurl.com/pe6nxs5
Yes, it takes energy to clean the air. For a modern diesel truck that comes in the form of diesel.
You're so, so, so wrong about not doing anything for emissions. Stick your nose up to the 7.3 and I will floor it. See what happened there? :B And those are visible emissions. NOX are sky high on the 7.3 and almost non existent on modern diesel thanks to SCR.
If you don't like the additional cost, it's simple, don't pay it. Buy a used diesel or a new or used gas engine truck. The 6.4 hemi has almost as much power as a modern diesel and way more power than the old 7.3 diesel.
There are many cakes out there so you can have your cake and eat it too.[COLOR]
