Diesel as a daily driver, short distance.

[mojoroo]

I have been debating on a 2008 Chevy 2500hd with a 6.6. I am only a weekend warrior and only 6 months out of the year.
I have debated if the higher cost of maintenance is worth the switch from a 2004 2500 6.0 gasser. Also I worry about the short distances I would travel for work, which is 2.4 miles and to children's school on my days off of 1.7 miles.

[Vulcaneer]

mojoroo wrote:
only a weekend warrior and only 6 months out of the year.

I worry about the short distances I would travel for work, which is 2.4 miles and to children's school on my days off of 1.7 miles.

If I had that usage there is no way I would consider a diesel. That is simply not what diesel is made for.

[Dave_H_M]

folks, look at the year of the diesel the OP is referring to.

[Targa]

gmcsmoke wrote:
Regens - they will kill you on those short trips

I agree with this ^^^. I played this game with my 09' Ram and it was a huge problem that I wasn't about to keep past its warranty.

[gmcsmoke]

Regens - they will kill you on those short trips

[transamz9]

A gas engine has to warm up also to run efficient.:S

[jspence1]

I don't think it will be a problem if you give it a good run once a week. I typically drive 2 miles 3x a week taking the kids to karate and one trip of 10 miles. I've never seen signs of condensation, I will however plug in the block heater for an hour before I go when it's below 15F.

[chevor]

With new Emissions newer diesel need to be driven to keep them operating correctly. Driving that short of distance you will never see over 15 mpg with that truck.

[maxwell11]

I do not drive my dodge diesel near a much as I used to drive the old chevy gas truck when I worked every day.

I took the dodge in the other day to my local garage, mech said it been a while since I had been in, but it had 7500 miles in about 6 months.

but, all I can tell you is this:

did I say just how much I like my 2005 dodge diesel truck, yes from time to time I do take it out on a back road and open it up, let it blow smoke, but soon it quits, from then on you can open it up and no smoke,

but the main thing is: when I hook my camper to it, I can pull it without any worry, it get's great fuel mileage for a big heavy duty truck, it's comfortable and mama bear likes to ride in it and drive it.

would I want to go back to my old gaser, no way dude.

when I want to roll coal, that Cummins diesel will carry the load and put a smile on my face.

about all I can say!

I think if you get a diesel, whatever the brand, you will like it!!!!

[wintersun]

Diesels are a bad choice for short trips. They take more than 15 minutes to get warm enough to burn fuel efficiently and so you will be running with the engine cold all of the time.

For your needs the cheapest gas car or mini-truck you can find would be the best choice.

Diesels cost more to buy, more to maintain, more to repair, and more to operate than gas engines. Buy a diesel for the ability to tow very heavy loads and for engine braking but not for economy. Only a fool would buy a diesel truck thinking that they were going to save money.

I can get a gas V-8 engine completely rebuilt for the cost of an injector repair on a diesel engine. The diesel is heavier and sits in a heavier truck and so takes more BTU's of fuel to move down the road. Diesel fuel costs as much or more than premium gas.

I bought a diesel pickup truck in 2011 but I had no illusions that the extra $9,000 was somehow going to save me money. These are the kinds of silly notions people have and I suppose it is to be expected in a country that spends 10x as much to keep people in prison as it does to keep people in school.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

The only thing about diesels and short trips is you really want to warm them up, not run them and shut them off cold. Condensation and other issues like that, it is just best to at least get them warm.

Maintenance is not an issue. Put a new fuel filter in every fall, about time things start cooling down for the coming winter. Always did this with the five diesel trucks I have owned, since I lived in North Dakota and wanted the best fuel filter condition I could have for winter temperatures.

That 2008 Duramax should be a good one. A highly regarded engine by those who post here on the forum.

[lazydays]

Mine sits all the time for days. I only drive it when camping and a little during the weekends. The theory of high maintenance is a joke. Oil changes I do my self is around $40 for oil and filter. I buy fuel filters online for under $40 a piece.

[mojoroo]

4x4ord wrote:
If your only going to put 6000 miles per year on the truck you could do everything in your power to abuse it and it would still become archaic before you wear it out. If your wanting to make the most economical choice and you need a truck, I would say stick with what you have.

I am debating that. In 3-5 years we may want a new TT or 5th wheel as our children will be moved out. I also realized I am about max on our GCWR for our truck even though we only weigh 14900 with people loaded and water, TT is 8500#. So that is what got me thinking also I have always wanted to take a long trip and the diesel folks make it sound like having a diesel is the bees knees.

[rhagfo]

Mine is a daily driver, about 3.5 miles, I just make it a point to take the 5er out about on e a month.

[korbe]

I take my truck to work every day. Less than a mile. In the summer months, I start it up and go. In the cold winter starts, I let it warm up for a few minutes. I will blow out the pipes about once a week or so. Works fine after doing it for about 5 years now.

[4x4ord]

If your only going to put 6000 miles per year on the truck you could do everything in your power to abuse it and it would still become archaic before you wear it out. If your wanting to make the most economical choice and you need a truck, I would say stick with what you have.