Gas vs. diesel

[curlysue321]

Which is more economical? Diesel costs more, but supposedly gets better gas mileage. Anyone have both and find one more economical over the other?

[dodge_guy]

If you`re talking about the newer diesels (in the last couple of years), skip them and go gas. there is no way I wasn't the issues the new diesels have! yes they have more and bigger problems than the diesels from before 2010!

Right now I would go gas. my 02 V-10 has no problem towing 9200lbs. even though it gets mid 7`s towing, I know I`m going to get to my destination without issues.

[B_Sjulestad]

And then there is the sound of a diesel, it just puts a grin on your face. Kinda like the difference between a Honda and a Harley, there is nothing like the sound of a Harley and there is nothing like the sound of a diesel. Pure Power.

[Led_67]

OK here I go into the merde'...From personal experience being an OO why do you think the majority of class 8 trucks are diesel, Power, for towing and hill climbing with heavy loads you really need torque to pull and climb. Flatland running with speedbump hills, not so much.
Diesel engines will with proper maintenance last 2 to 3 times longer than a gasoline engine however the maintenance and repair cost can be higher due to the fact that they are deisel. Gasoline engines are cheaper to operate and repair however with a shorter lifespan from the engine.
Simply put it is your choice and decision to make however I encourage you to listen to other people and their opinions and choices and also do plenty of research before making an investment into a tow vehicle.
Good Luck


OK Dodge Guy made a very valid point as to post 2010 deisel engines with the emissions package are,IMO, choked down.

[ScottG]

One of the best parts of driving a diesel truck is being able to stop at truck stops for fuel where my rig is so easily maneuverable.
Oh and finding fuel has NEVER been a problem in the 25+ years I've been RVing with one.

[mdamerell]

3.70 divided by 14 equals 0.264
3.20 divided by 34 equals 0.941

Actually 3.20/34 = 0.0941

When 80% of the gas stations do not pump diesel it makes trip planning very different than would be true if the RV or tow vehicle engine burns gas.

May be a regional thing but other than CT I've never had an issue finding diesel at most any gas station.


Diesel is nothing more than a tool. Gas or Diesel it's a matter of the right tool for the job. While a tire wrench (gas) might get the job done on a small tire, a pneumatic impact wrench (diesel) sure makes it a quick job on a large tire.

Pick the right tool for the right job. It's not just economics.

[Redsky]

robsouth wrote:
Diesel is more expensive to own, operate, and maintain. But to me, you get what you pay for. I choose diesel.

Agree completely except for the last part. Having a Hummer to drive around town is a complete waste of money and same applies to diesel when it is not really needed.

Tow a 15,000 lb. or heavier trailer and the extra torque and benefits of the exhaust braking are worth the extra cost. Tow a 8,000 lb. trailer or carry a camper and the diesel is not needed at all but 4.10 gears become much more important with a gas engine.

When 80% of the gas stations do not pump diesel it makes trip planning very different than would be true if the RV or tow vehicle engine burns gas.

[Terryallan]

Honestly. IF I towed really heavy. I'd have a diesel. Otherwise, for normal trailers. It would take the life of the truck to make back the difference in the sticker price of a diesel truck over a gas truck.

[old_guy]

I own a gas truck, my SIL owns nothing but diesels. he and I took a trip once towing our TT's. I gassed up four times and he fueled up twice. same distance, same year truck, one gas, one diesel and his TT was 5 ft longer than mine. BUT there are many posts on this forum from past diesel owners that have gone back to diesel. after seeing my SiL pull his TT, I am thinking going to diesel. so it all comes down to what ever you want, you get. don't think you will go wrong with what ever you decide. right now I'm pulling with a 3/4 ton 6.0 with 4.10 rear end and it pulls good, might take me a little time to climb the rockies but it does what I ask it to do.

[PastorCharlie]

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you're looking only at the cost of fuel, you have to really compare apples to apples.

Consider your diesel vehicle get's 20 miles a gallon. Consider the cost of diesel per gallon is $4.00 per gallon. 15 / 4 = $0.20 (twenty cents) a mile.

Consider your gas vehicle gets 15 miles a gallon. But the cost of gas is $3.60. The price per mile is $0.24

For example:

Diesel (realistic in Indiana right now) is $3.70, my truck gets 14 mph that equals $0.264 (twenty six cents) a mile to run.

My car (gas) gets 34 mpg. Gas, right now is abut $3.20. That costs me $.064 (six cents) a mile to run my car!

That's how you should REALLY determine fuel costs!

Do you math and then see what works best for you.

3.70 divided by 14 equals 0.264
3.20 divided by 34 equals 0.941

[Francesca_Knowl]

rvten wrote:

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
I will be getting the popcorn ready. Another Gas vs Diesel thread. OH BOY!

Just got a new corn popper just for these post:R

"GAS VS.DIESEL" SITE SEARCH 150,000 posts and counting...

[DutchmenSport]

If you're looking only at the cost of fuel, you have to really compare apples to apples.

Consider your diesel vehicle get's 20 miles a gallon. Consider the cost of diesel per gallon is $4.00 per gallon. 15 / 4 = $0.20 (twenty cents) a mile.

Consider your gas vehicle gets 15 miles a gallon. But the cost of gas is $3.60. The price per mile is $0.24

For example:

Diesel (realistic in Indiana right now) is $3.70, my truck gets 14 mph that equals $0.264 (twenty six cents) a mile to run.

My car (gas) gets 34 mpg. Gas, right now is abut $3.20. That costs me $.064 (six cents) a mile to run my car!

That's how you should REALLY determine fuel costs!

Do you math and then see what works best for you.

[rvten]

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
I will be getting the popcorn ready. Another Gas vs Diesel thread. OH BOY!

Just got a new corn popper just for these post:R

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

curlysue321 wrote:
Which is more economical? Diesel costs more, but supposedly gets better gas mileage. Anyone have both and find one more economical over the other?

I have owned both with the same trailer.

The gas got 9 to 10 towing my trailer.

The diesel got 12 to 13 towing the same trailer.

Where I live, the diesel comes out waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay on top. When I travel over the country, the diesel comes out waaaaaaaaaaaaaay on top.

As far a maintenance goes "my" diesel edged out the gas (cost less) by a small amount.

You have to pick the "right" diesel to come out on top though. Pick the wrong one and you will get buried in cost.

[wildtoad]

Diesels cost more, can typically pull/carry more, cost more to maintain, have better brakes, better ride. If you travel a great deal then MPG becomes more of a concern. Want to tow a large trailer or SUV in the mountains then towing capacity is a bigger concern.

Me I have a smaller (31 ft) class A gasser, do not tow, and am perfectly happy. I don't see a need for a diesel in my future.

[dave17352]

All depends on what your towing and how much. I absolutely love my 2011 chevy duramax 3500. It pulls my 12k 5th wheel with ease and gets just under 12mpg doing it. But 3 trips to the dealer in the past couple weeks has me nervous. Two of the trip were related to the DEF system. Which gas trucks don't have. I am beginning to think maybe gas is better considering the cost and complexity of the diesel motors today. But if money was no issue I would choose a diesel every time.