The End All/Be All of Non-Slide Rigs - Or No?
Hi folks. New to the truck camper world. Will be retiring late next year and have a very specific question regarding truck campers. Here's the setup to the question: I need the most rugged, inde...
Forum Discussion
I'm not advocating that buying a diesel is an "investment" over a gas engine at all. Each engine has it's respective situations where it makes more sense over the other. Your particular situation might make perfect sense to go with the gas and someone else's might make perfect sense to go with the diesel.
Consider the following...
Using the Motor Trend fuel mileage results you get the following:
100k Miles on G = 7751 Gallons Needed
100k Miles on D = 5555 Gallons Needed
Assuming ~$2.55 for gas and diesel* = ~$2196 more in fuel costs for gas.
200k Miles on G = 15502 Gallons Needed
200k Miles on D = 11110 Gallons Needed
Assuming ~$2.55 for gas and diesel* = ~$4392 more in fuel costs for gas.
*Gas and diesel prices are roughly the same in my area of CA.
Moving on to resale...
KBB for a 2016 F350 Dually 4x4 w/ standard options (likely XL or XLT trim) in Excellent Condition:
100k Miles w/ V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2L = $25,711
100k Miles w/ V8, Turbo Dsl, 6.7L = $31,011
Difference in pricing = $5,300
200k Miles w/ V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2L = $16,256
200k Miles w/ V8, Turbo Dsl, 6.7L = $21,556
Difference in pricing = $5,300 (note, having shopped dealer lots and Craigslist I believe there to be a much higher premium for the diesel than KBB shows but that is anecdotal evidence).
Looking at Ford's website, the Diesel is a $8,595 premium over the gas engine.
Approximate "value" of Diesel over Gas
100k Diesel "Value" = -$1,099
200k Diesel "Value" = $1,097
My caveats... I've not looked at the difference in repair costs beyond 100k (less than that is covered under warranty), insurance costs or registration costs. Depending on your luck (repairs required) and location, these factors could change things significantly.
Looking at these numbers, we all make our own conclusions based off of our own needs and expectations. My own conclusion is that if I'm anticipating driving the vehicle at least 100k then saving ~$1,099 by sticking with the gas engine isn't enough for me to opt for it. I'd much rather pay a premium up front and have the added performance over the life of the vehicle. If I'm driving 200k or more than the diesel starts to look like an obvious choice savings wise returning ~$1,097 back into my pocket. Beyond 200k I'm pretty confident that my Diesel will still be pulling hard and could expect 300k or more if I keep her in good shape.
However, someone who only uses the truck for hauling their camper a couple of times a year and maybe puts 20k miles in five years the gas engine would make perfect sense. Beyond 200k of miles there is a good chance the gas engine will still be running strong but getting to 300k or more on that motor may take some significant rebuilding at some point.
In the end it isn't which engine is better as they will both get the job done but rather what matters is your own particular needs. For some people gas makes perfect sense and for some people diesel makes perfect sense.
Consider the following...
Using the Motor Trend fuel mileage results you get the following:
100k Miles on G = 7751 Gallons Needed
100k Miles on D = 5555 Gallons Needed
Assuming ~$2.55 for gas and diesel* = ~$2196 more in fuel costs for gas.
200k Miles on G = 15502 Gallons Needed
200k Miles on D = 11110 Gallons Needed
Assuming ~$2.55 for gas and diesel* = ~$4392 more in fuel costs for gas.
*Gas and diesel prices are roughly the same in my area of CA.
Moving on to resale...
KBB for a 2016 F350 Dually 4x4 w/ standard options (likely XL or XLT trim) in Excellent Condition:
100k Miles w/ V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2L = $25,711
100k Miles w/ V8, Turbo Dsl, 6.7L = $31,011
Difference in pricing = $5,300
200k Miles w/ V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2L = $16,256
200k Miles w/ V8, Turbo Dsl, 6.7L = $21,556
Difference in pricing = $5,300 (note, having shopped dealer lots and Craigslist I believe there to be a much higher premium for the diesel than KBB shows but that is anecdotal evidence).
Looking at Ford's website, the Diesel is a $8,595 premium over the gas engine.
Approximate "value" of Diesel over Gas
100k Diesel "Value" = -$1,099
200k Diesel "Value" = $1,097
My caveats... I've not looked at the difference in repair costs beyond 100k (less than that is covered under warranty), insurance costs or registration costs. Depending on your luck (repairs required) and location, these factors could change things significantly.
Looking at these numbers, we all make our own conclusions based off of our own needs and expectations. My own conclusion is that if I'm anticipating driving the vehicle at least 100k then saving ~$1,099 by sticking with the gas engine isn't enough for me to opt for it. I'd much rather pay a premium up front and have the added performance over the life of the vehicle. If I'm driving 200k or more than the diesel starts to look like an obvious choice savings wise returning ~$1,097 back into my pocket. Beyond 200k I'm pretty confident that my Diesel will still be pulling hard and could expect 300k or more if I keep her in good shape.
However, someone who only uses the truck for hauling their camper a couple of times a year and maybe puts 20k miles in five years the gas engine would make perfect sense. Beyond 200k of miles there is a good chance the gas engine will still be running strong but getting to 300k or more on that motor may take some significant rebuilding at some point.
In the end it isn't which engine is better as they will both get the job done but rather what matters is your own particular needs. For some people gas makes perfect sense and for some people diesel makes perfect sense.
