Buyer's Remorse?

[bob257]

I love my new truck, but... never owning a diesel before I'm wondering if I did the right thing. Now I have to worry about fuel gelling, whether or not I can use biodiesel, plugging it in during the winter and, if the fifth wheel that weighs 11,900 dry is too big for the truck! The RV was listed as 3/4 ton pull ready. I guess I should have done the 3500 duelly but the 2500 is nicer to drive around town. I only pull MAYBE three times a year and not usually far. Was I crazy to do this? Will I look back and think I was foolish or think that I did the right thing and love the truck more? Is this just a first time diesel owner doubting his decesion?

 

[AWeiman]

when i bought my wife a ctd almost a year ago now i had some of the same questions. was it the right move. looking back now i dont regret it. i have always thought that if a person wanted a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, just to have a truck it makes more sense to own a diesel. more fuel efficient, more reliable, more long lasting, and more power when you need it. take it from someone that bought one for daily driving, enjoy it. thats my . 02

 

[mberry]

I love my new truck, but... never owning a diesel before I'm wondering if I did the right thing. Now I have to worry about fuel gelling, whether or not I can use biodiesel, plugging it in during the winter and, if the fifth wheel that weighs 11,900 dry is too big for the truck! The RV was listed as 3/4 ton pull ready. I guess I should have done the 3500 duelly but the 2500 is nicer to drive around town. I only pull MAYBE three times a year and not usually far. Was I crazy to do this? Will I look back and think I was foolish or think that I did the right thing and love the truck more? Is this just a first time diesel owner doubting his decesion?

You shouldn't have to worry about fuel gelling unless it get's very cold where you live. Even so, any of the readily available additives will offer good protection. You don't "have to" plug in the truck at night if you can or have to drive it far enough to get it to operating temp. You can use a blend of biodiesel. I can't answer that as I prefer to stay legal on my towing weights and I have no idea what the specs are for your truck.

No, you weren't crazy to do this in my opinion and I believe after you've spent a winter in your truck and spring-summer pulling your trailer you'll know you did the right thing. Just my opinions.

 

[nunya]

Lots of people out there doin just what your doin so just do it and enjoy it. Winter is not an issue, plug in if it gets in single digits. Only had fuel gell once, it was -40 outside, go figure! Now relax and take a ride.

 

[Jim W]

Bob,

I too am a first time diesel owner, but since I pull a 5er I felt I needed a diesel. After pulling our first 5er with a 2001, Chevy 2500HD, 6. 0L gaser. I pulled this camper twice with the gasser and had a very very very difficult time in getting the truck filled up with gas when the camper was attached. This made up my mine that I was going to get a diesel in 08 before I pulled again.

The Chevy only got 7 to 8 miles a gallon when pulling with a 26 gallon capacity tank. I could only get 208 miles to a tank full. My diesel when stock would get between 9 and 10 miles to the gallon and with a 34 gallon tank the range is 306 miles between fill ups. I have never regretted buying a diesel truck.



Now some questions for you to consider. One do you need to run Bio-diesel fuel? Could you use regular diesel fuel?

When the temperature drops below 20 F ambient, start using Howe's winter fuel treatment or something like it. I have started my truck with no issues in -25 F ambient air temps with no problem.



My camper GCVW is 11,500 LBS and I am pulling this with a 2500HD Dodge Mega Cab. I am no where close to this GCVW when towing the camper. I do not tow with fresh water and waste water in the camper on the interstate highway system. The only time I have this extra weight is in the camp ground and you are only driving at 5 to 10 MPH so you should be safe at that speed.



I would run your truck and camper fully loaded, for camping across a scale to find out your true weights. This will list front axle, rear axle, tailer axle weights and GCVW of both truck and camper.

Jim

 

[Missouri Mule]

Your engine should handle a small percentage of biodiesel in it. Look at your owner's manual and see if it has any thing in there about bio-diesel.



Your owner's manaul should have your GCVW in it or it mite be listed on plate on the door frame. But 11,000 to 12000 lb trailer seems right for newer trucks, my 96 is 16,000 GCVW.

 

[Tim1]

Bob, I keep both my trucks plugged into a trickle charger 24-7. They like that trickle to keep the dual batteries up. The 97 will not drain, but the 03 will if left a month off the charger. Works for me. Tim

 

[p-Bar]

Don't use Bio it's not worth it . and just put a Superspring on it that way the spring only works when their is a load in the bed . I pull a 14k 5er no problem

 

[jeepit]

As far as fuel gelling. . it's not gonna happen as others have said unless excessively frigid . I took a small glass jar and put diesel in it and it sat outside my garage 1 winter. Never gelled. Got down to -15, Didn't even cloud up. You can add additive if needed but I never do anymore. And it does get cold here in Wisconsin. Most fuel depots will change the blend in winter anyway.

 

[av8r]

#1 rule in winter fuel: Buy fresh fuel. Buy where the semi trucks keep the fuel turnover high.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Usually the diesel suppliers will mix Number 1 diesel with Number 2 diesel so it won't gell in the winter time. Shouldn't have problem unless an unexpected cold front moves in.



Us CTD owners in the south could run into trouble if we travel north during the winter our fuel mite not be winterized.



The one time I headed to KC for Thanksgiving I filled Mule up when we stopped for the night at a hotel so I had cold weather diesel in the tank. I also had a bottle of Power Service in the truck.