Keep our diesel or get a gas truck?

[nano]

We have a 2012 Ram 2500 diesel. We pull our 5er approximately 5 times per year, 50 mile round trip each time. Otherwise it's just a daily driver. Dh takes it to work which is a 15 mile trip one way. We try and take it on a longer drive at least once a month.

Since we don't do much towing with it, and don't plan to take any long trips with our camper in the near future, we were tossing around the idea of trading it in for a gas truck. Is there any advantage doing that, or are we better off keeping our diesel? We're leaning toward keeping the diesel because we assume it will last longer than a gas truck, and we assume resale value is better.

[stetwood]

My guess is that the engine in either a gas or diesel will outlast the truck body in Northern Michigan. You made the mistake to buy the die$el initially, I would live with that mi$take until that 2012 really needs to be replaced, either as a daily driver or when your needs really change, such as needing a dually, a different cab style, or box style. Changing trucks will increase your depreciation, taxes (sales and licenses), Insurance, interest (real and opportunity), reduce your repairs and make a very small change in the variable costs (fuel, oil changes, tires etc)

[Weldon]

I would sell it out right, should bring a good price. If you trade it in you will lose too much.

[Bedlam]

TomG2 wrote:
Bedlam, it is great that you own so many vehicles. Are they all used to pull a fifth wheel trailer on vacation trips? That is what the OP is asking about. I like a newer, low mileage vehicle to give me trouble free service for such tasks. Older vehicles like my Jeep and dump truck can be as old as they want as long as they do their job.

The only one strong enough to tow my enclosed trailer is the 2015 model. Some of the vehicles are seasonal like dune buggies and motorcycles. I do have a 8' flat bed that can be towed by four of my vehicles (five total if get around adding a hitch to the 1957). With the exception of the '57 (which is still needing some work), all are reliable for longer excursions and many travel in the trailer with us on trips to be used as "run around" vehicles at our stops. Even the tinker-toy '57 gets to go on some trips...

[6_7_tow_rig]

IdaD wrote:

TomG2 wrote:

6.7 tow rig wrote:

Ivylog wrote:
OP, you will have to find another reason for a new truck. I still love my 02 F350 7.3 PU that I bought new and see no reason to not keep it another 10 years. In two more payments it will be mine.:W

How are you still making payments on a 2002?

He may have been joking?

Maybe he bought it used.

Did you read it? It says he bought it new.

[Lantley]

TomG2 wrote:
It's funny how many folks who talk of the benefits of driving a pickup fifteen years and 300,000 miles show vehicles two or three years old in their signatures. (Yes, I know there are exceptions) I haven't put over 100,000 miles on one since the 90's. I don't care what fuel it burns, I don't want to drive a ten year old vehicle.

I find this funny as well.
Many talk about the longevity of a diesel and then trade it in with 100K-150K.
I have 192K shooting for 300K minimum. Many get bored before the truck is worn out. While the primary reason to buy a diesel is for the power longevity is also a consideration for me

[IdaD]

TomG2 wrote:

6.7 tow rig wrote:

Ivylog wrote:
OP, you will have to find another reason for a new truck. I still love my 02 F350 7.3 PU that I bought new and see no reason to not keep it another 10 years. In two more payments it will be mine.:W

How are you still making payments on a 2002?

He may have been joking?

Maybe he bought it used.

[TomG2]

6.7 tow rig wrote:

Ivylog wrote:
OP, you will have to find another reason for a new truck. I still love my 02 F350 7.3 PU that I bought new and see no reason to not keep it another 10 years. In two more payments it will be mine.:W

How are you still making payments on a 2002?

He may have been joking?

[6_7_tow_rig]

Ivylog wrote:
OP, you will have to find another reason for a new truck. I still love my 02 F350 7.3 PU that I bought new and see no reason to not keep it another 10 years. In two more payments it will be mine.:W

How are you still making payments on a 2002?

[TomG2]

Bedlam, it is great that you own so many vehicles. Are they all used to pull a fifth wheel trailer on vacation trips? That is what the OP is asking about. I like a newer, low mileage vehicle to give me trouble free service for such tasks. Older vehicles like my Jeep and dump truck can be as old as they want as long as they do their job.

[Bedlam]

TomG2 wrote:
It's funny how many folks who talk of the benefits of driving a pickup fifteen years and 300,000 miles show vehicles two or three years old in their signatures. (Yes, I know there are exceptions) I haven't put over 100,000 miles on one since the 90's. I don't care what fuel it burns, I don't want to drive a ten year old vehicle.

I own 1957, 1981, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2015 vehicles. The 2015 replaced a 2005 because my needs changed and not because I did not want to drive a 10 year old vehicle. I prefer to buy new primary vehicles but will typically buy used if they are still serviceable by me as a backyard mechanic.

Some people are happy that others turn over vehicles more often because it fills the used market with choices they can afford. Selling a used vehicle that still has life will net you more than something that has to be thrown away, yet it has little value if your needs have changed since your initial purchase.

[Ivylog]

OP, you will have to find another reason for a new truck. I still love my 02 F350 7.3 PU that I bought new and see no reason to not keep it another 10 years. In two more payments it will be mine.:W

[TomG2]

It's funny how many folks who talk of the benefits of driving a pickup fifteen years and 300,000 miles show vehicles two or three years old in their signatures. (Yes, I know there are exceptions) I haven't put over 100,000 miles on one since the 90's. I don't care what fuel it burns, I don't want to drive a ten year old vehicle.

[DutchmenSport]

A 2012 Ram 2500 diesel is still a baby, hardly broke in yet. If it was a 20 year old truck, there might be some advantage. With a diesel, a 20 year old truck has finally "arrived" (engine wise), but the body may be rusting out (which happened to us). But your truck is too new (in my opinion) to trade it, especially for a gasser. I think if you got the comparable truck as a gasser, even a 2015 model, you'll like the 2012 diesel better and be kicking yourself.

Now, if you are experiencing problems with your diesel, looking a gigantic repair bills or something like that, or if the body is failing .... well ... then trading might be a good thing. But to trade for trade-sake only, or fuel economy.... nah! The depreciation hit will kill you, more than the price of diesel vs gas! Keep the diesel for another 10 years. You've got a good truck right now!

[goducks10]

I love my 12 2500 CTD. I've thought the same thing once in awhile. Then I read the mpg reports for the 3/4 ton gassers. I get better mpgs except for in town, which is a wash. However if I only towed what the OP does I might be inclined to trade. We do 4-5000 miles a year, which about 50% of my driving, so I feel it' warranted.

To the OP if you bought like I did and got $10,000 off msrp you could very well be in a good position to try and sell it out right. Trading it will hurt. But a private party sale could be the thing to do.

[BenK]

To me...sunk cost vs potentially tens of thousands of bucks...easy...keep it