Diesel vs gas......................

[blt2ski]

OK folks, there have been a few to many diesel vs gas threads that have shall we say gone to "Hell and a hand basket"! So if all of you would put in you BEST, no flaming reasons for going gas vs diesel, pro and con, I will either leave your thread, or copy and paste pertinant info to the 4 posts of pro and con of diesel or gas. This can include the GM 8.1 vs Dmax or Ford V-8/10 vs PSD etc too.

Be real and honest in you answers, not hear say, flaming etc PLEASE!

If posts are good ones, I will leave, if inflamatory or trolling in nature, they will be deleted! I will get this stick'd to the top for future parusing for those that need this type of info.

Added 6-23-04

We are getting closer to answers I am looking for etc.

Stuff like Ken's - T-Bone posts are good. There are a few others of you that have not posted, some with a 9 point question and answer type to figure out how you went with one or the other. If you are one of those, PLEASE repost in this thread. I may have to look up whom has done this and PM you, but if you think this is you, you now know what to do.

Also, for those of you with $ per gallon for either fuel right now, I would prefer to see a post with ...."in my area, diesel is typically .10 less than unleaded" then explain your numbers. As currently in the Seattle area, diesel and unleaded are any where from 2.05 -2.30 per gallon, with mid test .10 more and premium about .20 more, with equal high low splits. Two weeks ago those prices were upwards of .30 -.40 per gallon more. people were posting $ per gallon that were for me. "I wish" If someone is reading your post a year from now, they may want to know where your paying 1.65, when the price of fuel is over $3 per gallon. Let's keep prices out of it if possible.

Bert and tin tipi, got into a good discusion on the pros and cons of RPM's, drive train etc. I would prefer to NOT see the quote of the other in responding threads, maybe just write a quick wording of re tranny gearing, instead of the whole 40 words or so in that paragragh, so the repsonse is shorter if possible quicker and easier to read etc.

I have deleted some 15+/- posts, that were off topic etc. Please note, I am trying to keep this at the top, as the ONLY gas/diesel thread in this area. So if one is trying to decide, we do not have to go thru this BS any more. As such, I will be deleting ANY future posts close to resembling this type of topic. I may have to change "this" title to a better one, if one has a better sounding title, to be more positive, better claification, let me know here, or in a PM/e-mail, what ever you feel most comfortible with.

Again thank you for all of you that are keeping responses positive, etc.

Also we could use a few more positive reasons to go gas, as many can see I have both gas and diesel, both have a place! Both have positive reasons to buy that fuel, lets keep the threads etc to that purpose only!

Marty

[JIMNLIN]

Darenot
If your lookin' at a TV that old most of what you will find is going to probably be high milage especially in a big block or diesel. Now the high milage is not going to be as big a factor with the diesel. Friend of mine has a '92 Dodge/Cummins dooley with over 200000 mi on the truck. He has put 120000 mi on it himself and has done nothing to the Cummins engine.........JIM

[darenot]

My applogies in advance if I've missed the answers elsewere in all these 500 some odd posts. A simple fact of the matter is, some of us can't afford a new rig, diesel or gas. So for those of us whom are searching for used TV's, any thoughts on how old is too old? What I'm concerned about is a recurring statement I've noticed on the "recent advancements" in diesel technologies having greatly improved the performance. is a diesel from the early 90's or late late 80's worth looking at? Or since I know what I'm getting into with gas, should I just deal with with crappy fuel mileage and slow mountain speeds but smile with the knowledge that if it breaks I can fix it?

[bluep]

I like diesel. 100,000 will get your diesel momey back. And remember, the higher the fuel prices go the bigger the dollar savings. Fuel at $1.50 will save you about $4500. in 100,000mi Then fuel price at $3.00 will save you$9000. etc. And fuel prices are going up. There not ever going to go back to $1.00 per gal. If they do it'll be 1929 all over again and all trailers will be parked.
I like the cummins in the Dodge. Proven motor, at present for 2005 it has bragging rites for most power and torque. 325hp 610 lb torque. This motor is VARY much detuned for the truck aplication. Same block put out around 800hp and over 1000 torque in marine aplication where no trans are involved. The new 48re behind the cummins is a good trans. However the Allison in the GM product cant be beat. But I feel the cummins is far superior to the duromax so in spite of the allison my choise is Dodge cummins with the 48re trans or the 6 speed manual shift ,if you like jamin gears.

[mikemrk4]

You'll get the same answer from most of us....serious towing, get a diesel. Yes, it's an expensive option, but you'll recover some of it at resale. Downside - diesel isn't available everywhere. Upside - much better gas mileage, engine life, etc. And yeah, almost all of us want one, even if we don't need it. I'm the guy beside you with the Triton V8 trying not to look envious of your Powerstroke (the name alone...), Cummings, Allison (not necessarily in that order...) OK, you get the idea!

Hey, this is my 50th post! I'm a full member!

[madvike]

Big difference in both power and mileage. I have 2002 7.3 Excursion, and on the highway with aftermarket stuff done at all I get between 20-21 @ 65-70, there is " No " large gas engine that can do that. I also pull a 20' ski boat, that weighs in @ 5,000 with trailer, and I get between 16-19 depending on how many grades I have to go over, live in an mountianous area. No question about, diesel is the only way to go! Gas intial cost is less, but overall will cost you more in the long run.

[clintbonnie]

Just one thing that I have really noticed on my diesel, 7.3 ford, is the fact that the truck goes into overdrive at 37 mph with a load and stays there until you climb a good hill.. unlike a gas system that wants to drop out of overdrive at the slightest touch of the gas pedal..

[hone_eagle]

$ 5000 ?I dont think thats true,If you think about it. In canada the price dif is $3000,should be less in the states.I may be wrong on US pricing,but in canada the V10 is about 3k and the PSD is 6K,differance of 3k no?(the torque shift is $3040,the same for both trucks)

[johndvm20]

I have to wonder how constructive this thread is. IMHO diesels clearly make better haulers, certainly better grade pullers, but my truck is sitting and depreciating 99% of the time while I work and take care of my kids so frankly it doesn't bother me a bit that I did not spring another $5000 for a diesel. And at the rate I'm driving my v-10 by the time it wears out the hot trucks will likely be fusion powered 🙂

[BertP]

Why would diesels have a problem starting at 40° ?

That is what he was asking. If you don't know, it is better to ask than to assume it is not a problem and risk damaging your engine.

Bert

[PSDExcursion]

If diesel engines had problems at 40° then US commerce would come to a stop during the winter because 100% of Conrail locomotives and class 8 trucks are diesel powered.

While true, I think the original poster was more concerned about starting the diesel than operating it at those temps. In the far north, themeratures can reach -80 (don't know if that is F or C, but at that point, who cares??? :)). You will not be able to start a diesel or gasser at those temps without a great deal of external heat. However, the vehicles used there are never shut off in the winter, so it is not that much of an issue. For the engines, anyway 🙂

Bert

Why would diesels have a problem starting at 40° ?

[BertP]

If diesel engines had problems at 40° then US commerce would come to a stop during the winter because 100% of Conrail locomotives and class 8 trucks are diesel powered.

While true, I think the original poster was more concerned about starting the diesel than operating it at those temps. In the far north, themeratures can reach -80 (don't know if that is F or C, but at that point, who cares??? :)). You will not be able to start a diesel or gasser at those temps without a great deal of external heat. However, the vehicles used there are never shut off in the winter, so it is not that much of an issue. For the engines, anyway 🙂

Bert

[PSDExcursion]

The other issue is morning starts. Temps around here pretty much stay around 40 degrees during the winter months. Does a diesel owner experience rough starts with the newer engines at these temps? Or can I expect to just get in and go?

If diesel engines had problems at 40° then US commerce would come to a stop during the winter because 100% of Conrail locomotives and class 8 trucks are diesel powered.

[hone_eagle]

should start unassisted(no block heater) at temp of-20 F ,as far as fumes getting in your Rv I can only speak from my own experinace -never-

[BertP]

I am seriously considering a diesel 4x4 but have a hangup about the diesel fumes, even though the newer models are better. My concern is pulling a TT and the fumes entering the TT and now having to live with the smell for the duration of the camping trip. Are others who own diesel rigs finding this to be thacase or am off base here?

I am very sensitive to the stench of diesel, but I have to admit that I have not smelled any in my 5er so far. I don't know if it would be different with a TT or not. I suspect that it would be the same.

The other issue is morning starts. Temps around here pretty much stay around 40 degrees during the winter months. Does a diesel owner experience rough starts with the newer engines at these temps? Or can I expect to just get in and go?

I normally plug my DMax in when it gets below around -10C (14F). But, when I went out to start my truck this morning, it was around -20C (-4F) and I noticed that the glow plug light stayed on for around 3 seconds. This is unusual; it usually flashes on and off so fast you don't see it. I started my truck as per usual and it seemed a little sluggish to start and was a little noiser than normal. When I went around front to unplug it, I found that the extension cord had become unplugged somehow from the block heater. So, I can tell you from experience that a DMax at least will start without a problem below zero F without being plugged in 🙂

Bert

[jadoca]

I am seriously considering a diesel 4x4 but have a hangup about the diesel fumes, even though the newer models are better. My concern is pulling a TT and the fumes entering the TT and now having to live with the smell for the duration of the camping trip. Are others who own diesel rigs finding this to be thacase or am off base here?

The other issue is morning starts. Temps around here pretty much stay around 40 degrees during the winter months. Does a diesel owner experience rough starts with the newer engines at these temps? Or can I expect to just get in and go?

your going to get picked off, no issue at all. go diesel.

regards,