Diesel to Gas? Yes/No???

[Rbertalotto]

Here’s the situation. I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 4x4, with 5.9 diesel, 193,000 miles. Love the truck, but just not comfortable trusting it on long tours. I recently retired in Feb and just completed a two month cross country trip of 9000 miles towing my 20’ Grey Wolf 19rr toy hauler ( 6000 pounds ully loaded)

I simply want a new truck...I drove a 2018 Dodge diesel and was greatly impressed on how civilized diesel trucks have become in 12 years.

But I have lots of concerns with added complexity of particulate filters, extra fluids, computers, etc. And price of a diesel option.

I keep reading how the modern gas engines are competitive with past diesels.

I’m considering a Dodge 2500 with 6.4L gas, 4x4.....

I have zero intention of ever going to a larger trailer.

My question, has anyone gone from diesel to gas with my size trailer and where you satisfied or was it a big, costly, mistake.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

[noteven]

otrfun wrote:

noteven wrote:
Just imagine if some OEM would turbocharge a 6 to 7 litre spark engine to make 700lbs-ft of quiet torques at 1800 rpm instead of 4000...

Back to regular programming...

Yes, the performance would be awesome. The only problem is where to place the massive fuel tank necessary to feed that beast. Can't even imagine how much fuel a turbo-charged, 6-7 litre gasser would use under heavy, continuous load. One of the reasons why diesel is the engine of choice in the heavy trucking world.

Don't F150 EcoBoosts'sz get 28mpg all the time?

[nickthehunter]

ppine wrote:
Gas engine people are always talking about the intial expense of a diesel, the "high maintenance cost", etc. They also are alway looking for a new truck. My 2002 Ford 7.3 is going up in value and now worth close to $20k. I paid $34 k for it 16 years ago.

I blew coffee out my nose when I read this - ROFLMAO

[otrfun]

noteven wrote:
Just imagine if some OEM would turbocharge a 6 to 7 litre spark engine to make 700lbs-ft of quiet torques at 1800 rpm instead of 4000...

Back to regular programming...

Yes, the performance would be awesome. The only problem is where to place the massive fuel tank necessary to feed that beast. Can't even imagine how much fuel a turbo-charged, 6-7 litre gasser would use under heavy, continuous load. One of the reasons why diesel is the engine of choice in the heavy trucking world.

[ppine]

Gas engine people are always talking about the intial expense of a diesel, the "high maintenance cost", etc. They also are alway looking for a new truck. My 2002 Ford 7.3 is going up in value and now worth close to $20k. I paid $34 k for it 16 years ago.

[noteven]

Just imagine if some OEM would turbocharge a 6 to 7 litre spark engine to make 700lbs-ft of quiet torques at 1800 rpm instead of 4000...

Back to regular programming...

[Woodtroll]

With the added initial expense, ongoing expensive maintenance and persistent problems with the DEF/particulate system, no way would I buy a new diesel these days unless I just absolutely needed the additional power. Even then, I would have a hard time buying one.

[ppine]

Rbertalotto wrote:
And then we hear about the new high output gas engines with bottom pistol oil spray and other long term reliability improvements going 2 or 3 hundred thousand miles. It took me 12 years to put 193,000 miles on this truck. I'm soon to be 66 years old. How many miles will I be able to put on a gas motor before oatmeal is dribbling out of my mouth....

It is way too soon to give up. I will be going into the outdoors for several more decades and I am older than you. It all comes down to your motivation level.

[Rbertalotto]

And then we hear about the new high output gas engines with bottom pistol oil spray and other long term reliability improvements going 2 or 3 hundred thousand miles. It took me 12 years to put 193,000 miles on this truck. I'm soon to be 66 years old. How many miles will I be able to put on a gas motor before oatmeal is dribbling out of my mouth....

[ppine]

Modern gas engines can compare with old diesels. You drive a lot of miles and are concerned about high mileage on your current rig. You plan to tow a lot. You have described all the attributes that make diesels superior.

[boosTT]

valhalla360 wrote:

otrfun wrote:
If you're not finding a price difference in your particular area, then either the gassers in your area are extremely overpriced . . . or, you've got some awesome deals on diesels in your area. One or the other.

Haven't done a nationwide analysis but I keep hearing people say how much more diesels cost on the used market but when I look, I just don't see it in the asking prices.

Maybe it's with the 2-3yr old trucks there's a big difference and I'm looking in the 7-10yr old range.

That's because the 2008 EPA era of diesels are time bombs and thus valued accordingly.

[Rbertalotto]

Yes...Absolutely needs to be ordered with the 4:10.....Especially since the first thing I'd do is go to 285-70-17 tires

[otrfun]

Rbertalotto wrote:
. . .

If others that are towing a 6000-8000 pound trailer with a 6.4L and are happy with the combination, that's all I need to know. I trust the opinions of the folks on this forum more than I trust the truck salesman at my dealer.

Towing 6k - 8k with a 3/4 - 1-ton Hemi 6.4?! IMO, a no-brainer---should be an awesome tow! No, I haven't personally towed 6k - 8k with a Hemi 6.4 (410hp/429 ft.lb.), but I have towed 8k with a Tundra 5.7 (381hp/401 ft.lb.) cross-country a number of times. Plenty of power as long as you don't mind pulling 3-5K RPM's while accelerating and climbing. As for handling and stability, a 6,800 lb., 3/4 or 1-ton (CC, 4x4) Hemi 6.4 will provide that in spades with a 6,000 - 8,000 lb. trailer. Seriously consider getting the 4.10 rear end which nets a 15,000+ lb. tow rating. The tranny will thank you--even if you tow less than 10k.

[Rbertalotto]

I think the presumption is the OP doesn't have an inherent love of diesel so as long as the gas engine functions reasonably well, it comes down to cost....otherwise why would the OP ask the question...

So it's logical that he's looking for objective criteria which basically boils down to can the truck reasonably pull the trailer and how much does it cost.

I'm the OP....I'm actually a NUT about Diesels.....Had a Mercedes, an Isuzu and a Diamond Reo.....I "GET" the whole Diesel thing better than most. Before I bought my 2006 Dodge Diesel I had a number of gas tow vehicles. They all sucked compared to my diesel.

But "new" diesels are much more complicated and expensive AND the modern gas engines are getting real close in performance and are considerably less expensive .......looking at Dodge Tradesman versions the cost difference is 33% ($33K for gas VS $43K for exact same truck with diesel)

If others that are towing a 6000-8000 pound trailer with a 6.4L and are happy with the combination, that's all I need to know. I trust the opinions of the folks on this forum more than I trust the truck salesman at my dealer.

[otrfun]

valhalla360 wrote:
I think the presumption is the OP doesn't have an inherent love of diesel so as long as the gas engine functions reasonably well, it comes down to cost....otherwise why would the OP ask the question...

So it's logical that he's looking for objective criteria which basically boils down to can the truck reasonably pull the trailer and how much does it cost.

Point taken in terms of the OP. My post was directed more towards the comments and debate that evolved from the OP's initial post.

[Dadoffourgirls]

Last summer I had a 2017 3500HD that I used to tow my trailer until August. Unfortunately, all my trips were 50 miles or less. For Labor Day I take a 300 mile trip, and I was back to using my Express 3500 with the 6.0 gas.

Yes, I did notice the difference. The diesel tow experience was great. Maintenance over the 20k miles was not much more extreme, several DEF fills. Fuel costs were more, but also average over 18 mpg for total ownership.

If I was buying another tow vehicle, I would stay gas for my trailer and use. I have not towed any mountains, and do not plan any trips in the next few years.