IB Jeepin
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 06/24/2011
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I've gone to the dark side. My 2008 Chevy 5.3 was totaled in an accident, and was replaced by a 2006 Dodge 2500 Quad-cab with a 5.9L Cummins automatic. I'm looking forward to less revving and staring at my trans temp gauge in the mountains with the diesel. Wife and I (and our Rottweiler Molly) love it so far 
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davisenvy
Franklin, NC
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Joined: 05/01/2011
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RUFFSTUFF wrote:dubdub07 wrote:You drive any diesel with only 5500 lbs and you should see mileage in the 13-14 range. Maybe higher.
Not mine.
How funny! My dad and I just got back from a dirt bike trip to CO from NC. With his 2010 F250 with the 6.4 Powerstroke across Kansas, Superchips on mpg tune, 60mph, hand calculated 15.6 mpg was the best we could get. We had two 250lb KTM dirt bikes in the bed and that was it. My 07 Duramax gets 21-22mpg with Superchips Tuner set on Performance Tow. Boy did those DPF's screw things up.
2007 GMC Sierra Classic 2500HD SLT,4x4,Crew, Duramax
2011 Keystone Sprinter 323bhs
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RUFFSTUFF
Kingsland, GA
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Joined: 06/18/2010
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Yep, it sure gets thirsty...
2010 Coleman CT250
2010 Ford F250 Crew Cab 6.4L PSD
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norfla71
Middleburg
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Joined: 10/24/2011
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It's amazing to see where this came from, when diesel was $1-something a gallon!
I see benefits in both, depending on what you do. With diesel now being up to a dollar more per gallon that gas the old spark ignition may be worth another look, especially with the new crop. Example; the new 6.2 Ford is nearly as powerful as the first gen Powerstroke, the V10 and the 460, though down a bit on torque on all counts, but will pull as much (or more)than they were rated for back in the day. However, I would hate to think about what pulling a 7 ton fiver would do to that engine after just 2 years; maybe nothing bad. Ford is known for making a good gas engine. The GM is the same way; I like the 6.0, but know I'll miss the diesel torque.
Basically, if you don't haul heavy(or often), commute a lot and make ocassional hardware runs, a gas motor fits. In fact, a light duty, small engine truck is the best vehicle for that purpose; strong frame, more robust components and more simplified mechanicals(than a car) should outlast any car on the road. If, however, hauling and towing (often, heavy or both) are your thing diesel is now the only serious choice, with all the big inch gas engines gone.
Just my 15 minutes; I'll get off my soap box now.
2008 Ram 3500 SRW
2006 Salem 32SRV
***looking for a better truck this fall***
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Biggziff
Upstate, NY
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Joined: 12/28/2004
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davisenvy wrote:RUFFSTUFF wrote:dubdub07 wrote:You drive any diesel with only 5500 lbs and you should see mileage in the 13-14 range. Maybe higher.
Not mine.
How funny! My dad and I just got back from a dirt bike trip to CO from NC. With his 2010 F250 with the 6.4 Powerstroke across Kansas, Superchips on mpg tune, 60mph, hand calculated 15.6 mpg was the best we could get. We had two 250lb KTM dirt bikes in the bed and that was it. My 07 Duramax gets 21-22mpg with Superchips Tuner set on Performance Tow. Boy did those DPF's screw things up.
My 11 F350 6.7 regularly gets 23 MPG empty. The 6.4 has a reputation for being thirsty.
Me and my 3 girls
2013 Cougar 293SAB
2011 F350 CC SWB 6.7
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twolson
Chicago
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Joined: 01/21/2012
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I am struggling with making a decision between diesel and gas for or tow vehicle. Will be pulling a 5er.
I have owned 3 big trucks, all diesel of course, and I'm frankly leaning towards gas. I love diesel engines they are incredible machines, but i am frankly burned out on the diesel headaches, especially the NEW diesels, DPF, regens, maintenance? Diesel engines reach a point in their life where they need to be babied in the shop and they become this sucking vortex pulling cash out of your pocket.
$9000 price difference will buy us 2700 gallons of Gasoline and take us 21,800 miles while towing at 8 MPG. Time to replace the DPF filter, $2000...ummm Duh.
On the road and off the beated path of interstates why do I want to hunt down diesel fuel, find some, and the wonder if maybe it, been in the underground tank for a year, and full of algea.
I frankly don't have a problem dropping gears and slowing down on an uphill grade, after all I'm not driving my car and I don't expect it to run up the hill at 70. I am a truck driver, I think like a truck driver, so dropping gears and slowing down is no big deal.
What ever truck I get diesel or gas, it is going to be my retirement truck, to full time.
I want to own the truck, don't want the truck to own me.
MHO
Tom
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Hannibal
Gas Station
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Joined: 04/12/2002
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Sounds like you already know your answer. I came to the same conclusion in '04.
'10 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
'07 KZ Jag 28JFSS.
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frankraney
clovis
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Joined: 04/24/2011
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I to struggled with this for a while. I ended up getting the Chevy 2500HD. It can not be beaten with the pulling power and payload capacity. Nothing will touch it. If you are going full time, it's the only one to drive. Most full timers stay put for a couple weeks at a time or more to sight see or just relax. The only problem I have witht the diesel is the DEF (california smog crap. It was reporting wrong for a while and I had a hard time finding DEF when I left Ca. Your figures are acurate, and if the gas will pull your rig with ROOM TO SPARE, and you like it, it's your decision. Just remember, gas engines do not have the power and wear out faster.
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RUFFSTUFF
Kingsland, GA
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Joined: 06/18/2010
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I don't need a diesel truck every day, but for the times when I'm towing, I'm glad I have one.
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cefloyd 1961
kentucky
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Joined: 01/12/2012
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I have a 2004 Hd2500 6.0 gas and i get 12-14 mpg when i am not pulling anything I had a 2006 sydney outback 31ft bunkhouse travel trailer and when we pulled it to myrtlebeach we got 9-10mpg going down and 7-8 mpg coming back I just got my 1st 5er it is a 40 ft sandpiper 345 RET the dry weight is 10983lbs and the GVWR is 14175lbs and I have no idea yet what MPG I am going to get on it this one yet.We are taking it out this weekend for our 1st outing so I can let you know when I get back the truck does ok pulling it when we went and Got it in Ohio I couldnt tell a diffrence pulling it and the outback except I did not have all the movement you have with a TT the 5er pulls alot better.
2006 f350 superduty 6.0.. 2012 sandpiper 345RET loaded
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