Question for diesel owners

[1handyhubby]

I need your help folks. My Ford F250 just doesn't have enough power to haul our camper long distances so we're looking at a 2005 F350 duelly with a 6.0. I know zip about diesels so here are a couple of questions for y'all. I only put about 3,000 miles a year on our truck now, so how often would I have to change oil, filters etc? I've been told there are diesel fuels for 2005 and earlier and diesel fuel for 2006 and up and I should get a 2005 beacause that fuel is easier to find. Any truth to this? We will be driving to Alaska in 2017 so I don't want any issues on finding fuel. Lastly, most diesel folks say they will never go back to gas, anyone want to weigh in on this? I originally was trying to find a F350 duelly with a V10 but because we eventually want to get a camper with a slide out we've been told we should get a diesel. Thanks in advance.

[slickrock_steve]

I am at about 289,000 miles on my "05" Cummins. I have to say, it SEEMS to be quieter, and run a tad smoother when either some TC-w3 2 stroke oil, or some stanadyne is added to the fuel.
Yeah, it is just my PERSONAL opinion, and perhaps not scientific, but that is also something I have seen, and recommend.

My experience with the 04 Ford Diesel, is.....good luck!
Hated ours for replacement of studs, heads, turbos, and all the heating.....Dealer took mine back as a "Lemon Law" junker.

Then bought my Dodge Ram, Cummins.....the end.

[Super_Dave]

I don't think that gas pricing or gas mileage would ever make up for the much higher up front cost of buying a diesel. Except for the folks with super heavies, one could make a gasser work. Diesels are a lot like our campers, a luxury. It costs more but the pleasure it brings is worth it.

[towpro]

Edit, removed as my post only contains negative feedback documented in my brothers 2005 6.0 over 150K miles

[Kayteg1]

billtex wrote:


I would not agree with this at all. On this forum you have People who actually use their trucks. Not chip them out and drag race them...
Here you have real world experience with People who are hauling and travelling similar to what the OP is doing.
I don't see where the OP asked anything about the economics of purchasing a diesel truck (a pointless discussion...).
His questions are performance/logistics related.
His gasser does not cut it for his load.

I would only add that this forum doesn't seem to have agendas other brand forums have to promote way of thinking.
Also I would highlight that here we will not likely see bold statements from V10 garage queens owners, so common on other forums.
Beside the power/torque advantage I buy diesel for economy.
With present fuel prices in CA, driving my 5 tons dually on diesel cost about the same what driving wife wagon on Premium.
If you drive a lot, compare how much more money you will have to spend every year on driving gasoline truck.

[deltabravo]

1handyhubby wrote:
I've been told there are diesel fuels for 2005 and earlier and diesel fuel for 2006 and up and I should get a 2005 beacause that fuel is easier to find. Any truth to this?

Post 2006 (or 2007) diesel is ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel), 15ppm of sulfur.

LSD was pre 2006 (or 2007) fuel and can't be used in a truck that calls for ULSD, because the emission system will get plugged up.... namelt the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).

In my travels, every station I go to sells ULSD at the automotive pumps.
Finding ULSD has never been a problem, so buy what ever truck you want, but I wouldn't recommend a 6.0 diesel Ford.... but that's a totally different topic

[bighatnohorse]

jimh425 wrote:
There is so much misinformation on this thread. It's too much effort to respond to all of it but on the other hand, I don't think you need a diesel, so I don't think it matters. This is not the site to get reliable diesel information.

If you only drive 3000 miles a year and mostly on level ground, I don't think you'll ever come out on a diesel. . . .

That is some good advice.

Regarding fuel: Mexico does not have USLD standard - which is of concern to more adventuresome RV travelers.

Regarding the 6.0 diesel: Read through this 6.0 diesel engine forum to see what owners say.

[Super_Dave]

I have an 06' Dodge and drive it approx. 5,000 miles a year. I change my oil between 5,000 and 7,500 miles depending on what percentage of those miles were tow/haul miles. For about the last year and a half, I started adding a fuel additive and the truck runs noticeably quieter with the additive, which I'm presuming is better for my fuel pump and injectors. Opinions are what they are but it is very difficult to call someone's personal experience false or misinformation. As diesel owners, we can all share what we've experienced or done for maintenance.

[Reddog1]

I have recently purchased my second diesel truck. I really would have a hard time going back to a gas truck. I probably would if I were buying a new truck. From what I understand, the newer diesel trucks have an exceptional number of very expensive to meet current smog requirements.

When discussing Ford, GM, or Dodge trucks, it is so typical for folks to be obsessed with a particular brand. Brand loyalty can really compromise ones point of view. It is great that some people have had no issues with the Ford 6.0. As I recall, Ford had issues with it and sued International. I do not know the particulars. Fords may have some good engines, but I really do not think the 6.0 is one of them.

I encourage the OP to read the different diesel Forums. I will be so bold as to say each of the three have their weak points, but with upgrades can be made bullet proof.

Wayne

[billtex]

jimh425 wrote:
There is so much misinformation on this thread. It's too much effort to respond to all of it but on the other hand, I don't think you need a diesel, so I don't think it matters. This is not the site to get reliable diesel information.

If you only drive 3000 miles a year and mostly on level ground, I don't think you'll ever come out on a diesel. Instead, look for a gas engine with the proper gearing for the engine size. Most DRWs will probably have 4.10s or similar and will be fine. Sure a diesel will work, but most don't like being barely used and that goes for the 6.0 in particular.

An alternative is to change the gearing on the current truck you have with some minor upgrades such as exhaust and higher flowing air filter if you haven't done that. Of course, it won't carry a TC as well as a DRW, so in that respect, you'd be better off doing the same type modifications to a DRW.

I would not agree with this at all. On this forum you have People who actually use their trucks. Not chip them out and drag race them...
Here you have real world experience with People who are hauling and travelling similar to what the OP is doing.
I don't see where the OP asked anything about the economics of purchasing a diesel truck (a pointless discussion...).
His questions are performance/logistics related.
His gasser does not cut it for his load.

[languiduck]

Agreed. I only see regurgitated information on here that is 95% false. I will take my 6.0 over anything else right now. Granted, I did make an investment with head studs other things but I now have 188,000 trouble free miles. And tuned up it is incredibly powerful, and I don't have to deal with regen, urea, or emissions. Also, you do not need to add an additive with every fill up like mentioned...that is also untrue. There is plenty of lubricity added in ULSD fuel.
Check out http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum107/ if you truly want to find out facts about the truck you mentioned.

[oldtrojan66]

I own an '06 6.0 F350 dually. I pull a JAYCO weighing about 12,500 empty. I bought these two as a package from friends who were stopping RVing. I have never been sorry I have this truck. I did the research, early on and for a 6.0 with less than 50K miles I felt it was money well spent to have the "dealer-proofing" done by a reputable shop. I went to powerstroke.com shop in Buford, Ga and pulled the trailer home from the repair with no problems. Yes, it cost me some bucks, but I plan to have it for a long while, I hope, trouble free. It is a good engine, just government requirements foul things up, as usual. JMHO

[jimh406]

There is so much misinformation on this thread. It's too much effort to respond to all of it but on the other hand, I don't think you need a diesel, so I don't think it matters. This is not the site to get reliable diesel information.

If you only drive 3000 miles a year and mostly on level ground, I don't think you'll ever come out on a diesel. Instead, look for a gas engine with the proper gearing for the engine size. Most DRWs will probably have 4.10s or similar and will be fine. Sure a diesel will work, but most don't like being barely used and that goes for the 6.0 in particular.

An alternative is to change the gearing on the current truck you have with some minor upgrades such as exhaust and higher flowing air filter if you haven't done that. Of course, it won't carry a TC as well as a DRW, so in that respect, you'd be better off doing the same type modifications to a DRW.

[trailgranny50]

We have 04 Chevy Duramax 3500 bought new, has 182,000+ miles. Had to replace injectors at 130,000, transmission seal, front end work, brakes and now is getting a cracked oil filter bracket replaced. Was a brick layer's daily driver til we bought the TC a year ago so it worked, hard. It has never burned oil, transmission is fine and does it's job now fine. Always had strict service schedule and use GM synthetic oil. Had a chance to trade it for newer lower mileage version but DH knows this truck and won't change. Bought a 15 2500 gasser exactly like one or son bought a month before us. Ours does good, hauls brick tools and heavy trailers, 12 to 14 mpg not great but son's got 4mpg hauling 20' cargo trailer and he just traded it in for a 3500 Duramax yesterday. Each truck can be a little different, good or bad, just the luck of the draw and build on each one. Went the Ford route and that cost us dearly before going to new 15 2500. Just our experiences.

[drcook]

I've been told there are diesel fuels for 2005 and earlier and diesel fuel for 2006 and up and I should get a 2005 beacause that fuel is easier to find. Any truth to this?

Someone didn't know what they were talking about. The fuel in question is LSD (low sulfur diesel) and ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel). The entire country is on ULSD (for on road) by law. Older diesels that were design for LSD needed the sulfur for lubrication. I put additives in the diesel I run in my tractor (built 1996) for this very reason. Even the injectors for my tractor are $150.00 each.

It is best (not required) but best to run an additive in pre-2008 diesels (maybe even the newer ones but I am not as familiar with the newer ones and the DPF and DEF modifications) but I would suspect that an additive such as produced by Stanadyne would have no effect on the pollution controls.

All the manufacturers have had issues with specific year ranges of the ir products. Ford's have had issues, Duramaxes have had injector issues (2001 to early 2004) overheating and head gaskets (2004.5 through 2005), injector pumps failing (later model Duramaxes).

The best advice so far has been given above and that is to take the time to search out the diesel specific forums and spend some time reading. Use Google, it is your friend.

You have to be aware that the maintenance on a diesel is more expensive. The oil costs more (and there is more of it). The filters can be more expensive. Transmissions often have filters that should be changed (the Allison in my truck has an external one that I change)

You need to become more knowledgeable of the trucks themselves to protect yourself financially, including initial purchase, on-going maintenance, potential problems and repair costs.

With that said, they do pull a lot better. A lot. I get 11 mpg pulling a 30 ft trailer. 11'ish seems to be a good average based on talking to different people with different sized trailers and different year trucks. There always be the anomalies though, both better and worse.

As far as a trouble free truck (used, not new), my opinion is that the 2006 through beginning year 07 GMC/Chevy Duramaxes were good trucks. They have less pollution controls than the newer ones AND had the bugs worked out. GM figured out their overheating issues, implemented 32 bit computers, changed the Allison to a 6 speed and didn't have as fragile of a fuel pump as the newer ones. There have been reports of the newer Duramax fuel pumps exploding, which necessitates a very expensive repair, very expensive.

With diesels, repair costs can run into the 1000's. The 04.5 / 05 Duramaxes that are subject to headgasket failures can drain your wallet. It costs 600 to 1000 to do them yourself (and many days of work). A dealer charges 4000 to 5000.

I have spent 3 to 4000 fixing the overheating issue on mine. An extra radiator behind the front bumper, a bigger transmission cooler, a better more efficient intercooler. GM installed a complete 2006 airbox assembly as part of the fix due to a design deficiency.

Now we bought ours new for $10,000 less than sticker, so I am still ahead of the game, but for someone to get surprised, well. And yes, we got surprised by the overheating issue, as well as a lot of people. That is why there is an after market niche supplying the parts to fix them.

If you can afford a new one, with warranty, that is the way to go. If you buy a used one, see if you can get one that is certified, or at least eligible for an extended warranty. Just like all used vehicles, a lot of times they are being traded off due a problem that the owner became aware of, and it not too obvious. This can be a real issue with used ones.

Also with used diesels, you have to be aware that they could have had a tuner on them. Certain tuners leave no signatures as they are inline to the electronics. You can also buy tuners that will change the oem software in the computer.

Bottom line, buying a newer model diesel requires that you spend some time educating yourself.

[rwiegand]

From a chemistry perspective I can't imagine why sulfur might be good for an engine and many reasons why it wouldn't. I don't think there's any analogy to the transition to unleaded.

I put about 5000 miles a year on my 2007 F350 DRW, which I guess is a 6.0 (don't know if there were choices in any given year). No engine problems so far, did have a front brake caliper lock up and had a problem with the on the fly 4wd engagement that cost a kilobuck to fix. I mostly run close to GCWR with a camper (just got a new one!) and 8000 lb trailer with godawful aerodynamics. The power is impressive.