Possible new truck

[DEickhoff]

Everyone, I am thinking about trading in my 2007.5 CTD for a new truck (2500 Larime Longhorn, long bed). Can't make up my mind if it should be diesel or gas. So I am wondering what the pluses and minuses would be. How well is the DEF working? Are there any problems with the newer trucks?

Here is the positives/negatives I have so far (with my limited knowledge):

Positive:
Fuel mileage is about the same between gas and diesel.
With the diesel, I have the ability to tow another 5vr if I end up with one.
I love the Cummins engine.

Negatives:
DEF
EPA Crap may cause issues.
Higher cost of diesel compared to gas

Any help would be great.

Dawna

 

[rynosback]

Dawna,
I think the main question is what do you need the truck to do for you. Will you be with in the working, towing and hauling limits of the gas engine? If so, why spend the extra 8k?

 

[DEickhoff]

That's just it. Right now I don't have a trailer but this summers project is to haul in dirt (for the front yard) and purchase a smaller 5vr or tow behind trailer with a four wheeler for camping trips.

 

[JHumphries]

If near future plans involve a trailer, especially a heavy one, then diesel sounds like the answer. I don't know how the DEF systems perform in Alaska, but ask yourself this: Have you had any problems with the current after-treatment system on your truck?
The DEF is supposed to be much better for people like me who don't tow or work the engine regularly. The new engine tuning produces significantly less soot with DEF, resulting in less DPF cleaning cycles and better fuel economy to boot. The downside is the trucks seem to have a thirst for DEF while towing.

 

[rynosback]

That's just it. Right now I don't have a trailer but this summers project is to haul in dirt (for the front yard) and purchase a smaller 5vr or tow behind trailer with a four wheeler for camping trips.

Well then you have a couple of scenarios playing out the way I look at it.

1. You buy a gaser and then need a CTD in a couple of years. You take a hit on the value
2. You buy a gaser and never need the power of a CTD. You save a bit of money up front and down the road
3. You buy a CTD and need it in a couple of years. You read the crystal ball correctly and bought the right truck for your needs in the future.
4. You buy a CTD and never bought that trailer. You spent a lot more cash up front and higher maintenance costs for no reason, but bragging rights that you own a CTD. Which from I have read gives you the right to drive with your mirrors in tow hall mode all the time.

So only you or a sikick can answer this question. But heck if I'm spending your cash, go big or go home.

 

[Sticks]

I can assure you that the mileage with the 6.4 hemi is NOT better than the CTD. Pretty dismal actually. I am averaging about 12 mpg city, I might get lucky and break 15 on highway trips.

Now the better MPG of the CTD will take some 300k miles to pay for the $8k upcharge. The newer diesels are bio fuel friendlyish (I still don't advise it) so you could cook your own or run a bled and save some coin.

There are a couple of us that have/had Cummins trucks and switched over to the new Hemi trucks so you can keep up with how we have been doing. Those threads are in the Other Vehicles section. I for one still dislike the downshifting on slight grades and the fact that I am now that guy whose speed varies 5-10 mph with the cruise on driving on gently rolling hills. It just will not hold the set speed, and downshifts after it loses 5mph.

In all honesty I would be in a CTD truck if I could have afforded the $8k upcharge. Maybe when mine hits 100k miles and the warranty is gone I will be able to trade up. Right now I am still $7k upside-down and almost 1/3 through the warranty mileage. Paid $42 out the door, truck is trade in valued at $32K

 

[jjdiesel]

Where the diesel will really shine is when you're hauling. So during your summer project of hauling dirt, you'll be miles ahead of a gasser in economy...close to twice as good. And again, if you do get a rig, the mileage with a diesel will blow away the mileage of a gasser while towing...the more weight, the more a diesel benefits you. I think your major consideration is how much you will tow (or really work the truck) in the future. The more you work your truck, the quicker you'll make up the difference of the up-front increased cost of the diesel. Plus, you won't wear it out near as quick!

 

[rscurtis]

Don't be swayed by the current price difference between gasoline and diesel fuel, it won't last.

 

[Jim W]

.

In all honesty I would be in a CTD truck if I could have afforded the $8k upcharge. Maybe when mine hits 100k miles and the warranty is gone I will be able to trade up. Right now I am still $7k upside-down and almost 1/3 through the warranty mileage. Paid $42 out the door, truck is trade in valued at $32K

I have an 08 6.7L 2500 Mega Cab that I bought new in Nov 07 for $49,000 out the door. I have been offered $32,000 for mine the other day; private party. I still am thinking about this but I do not want any vehicle payments right now. So maybe I won't sell right now.

Another thing to remember about diesel fuel is there is more efficiency of use in the fuel burned than gas in a gas engine. See this articular from Truck Trend:

Fuel Economy
Advantage: Diesel
Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline. One gallon of diesel contains approximately 147,000 BTUs of energy, while a gallon of gasoline only has 125,000 BTUs. This means it takes more gasoline to equal the power output of diesel, making diesel engines more efficient per gallon of fuel burned. Also, because diesel engines use the more efficient direct fuel-injection method (fuel injected directly into cylinder) compared to the port fuel-injection setup in gas engines where gas is mixed with incoming air in the intake manifold, the diesel system has little wasted or unburned fuel. Diesels also use about one third as much fuel at idle as gasoline units. Even though there are no official EPA-mileage figures for 3⁄4-ton and bigger trucks, we've seen diesels get six to eight more mpg than similar-weight gas pickups. Over the life of the truck, this advantage could be significant, especially if you drive a lot of miles.

Read more: http://www.trucktrend.com/features/tech/163_0210_diesel_vs_gas/#ixzz3RMALkWON

Jim W.

 

[Wertles]

I specifically waited for DEF to be added to the trucks before I bought mine. Not any where near a negative, only positives. The money saved in oil changes and less re generations more than pays for the DEF used. I have the highest setup for DEF usage possible, ie 3500 crew cab, dually with 4:10's and most of the time there is a trailer behind it. Have to fill it up every 6000 miles or so. No big deal.

 

[rynosback]

I can assure you that the mileage with the 6.4 hemi is NOT better than the CTD. Pretty dismal actually. I am averaging about 12 mpg city, I might get lucky and break 15 on highway trips.

Now the better MPG of the CTD will take some 300k miles to pay for the $8k upcharge. The newer diesels are bio fuel friendlyish (I still don't advise it) so you could cook your own or run a bled and save some coin.

There are a couple of us that have/had Cummins trucks and switched over to the new Hemi trucks so you can keep up with how we have been doing. Those threads are in the Other Vehicles section. I for one still dislike the downshifting on slight grades and the fact that I am now that guy whose speed varies 5-10 mph with the cruise on driving on gently rolling hills. It just will not hold the set speed, and downshifts after it loses 5mph.

In all honesty I would be in a CTD truck if I could have afforded the $8k upcharge. Maybe when mine hits 100k miles and the warranty is gone I will be able to trade up. Right now I am still $7k upside-down and almost 1/3 through the warranty mileage. Paid $42 out the door, truck is trade in valued at $32K

But with the gasser, you can get a lifetime power train warranty.

 

[NikkiStark]

Diesel engines have excellent longevity, and that's always a plus. However, if you plan on using your truck for shorter trips (over the entire lifetime of the truck) or won't consistently need to tow anything, it's worth thinking twice about a gasser. Either way, just get the truck that will work best for your needs--that's the only way to really decide where to put your money

 

[DEickhoff]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all the reply's. I think I have made my decision.....it will be another CTD. This will be the third one I have owned. Hindsight what it is, I sure wish I never got rid of my 98 5.9l 2500. She was a great truck.