Will fuel prices dictate you selling your CTD?

[DavidGardner]

I have an 95 reg cab that I bought new. It is paid for and it will do anything I want to do with it. I tow a 26 ft travel trl. with it and it does just fine. I will never get rid of it until the wheels fall off of it. It has 175,000 pluss trouble free miles on it and dosent owe me a thing. If I rolled it out in the street tomorrow and set fire to it I would be money ahead. I now find that I drive it less because of the price of Diesel (2. 75 per gallon in my area). But when I need it I need it! Soo I will drive it less but I will keep it.

 

[TSpecht]

I'll not sell the truck, shoot, it just arrived at the end of last October. It's not even broken in yet. I use it for basic transportation far more often than I use it for towing. In fact I've not had the opportunity to hook it to my boat yet. Compared to my last truck empty vs. empty I'm still coming out about even in terms of fuel cost per mile. True, diesel is a bit more expensive for now, but I was using a significant quantity more gasoline. It's amazing in fact, I use the same amount of fuel but it now gets me through 1. 5 or 2 weeks' normal driving instead of 0. 5-1 week normal driving under similar conditions...

I have considered buying a motorcycle for the summer months though. I've wanted to try it for some time, however, I've got no experience with those at all, wouldn't know what to get, and then there's a matter of paying extra insurance, investing in another vehicle, the maintenance of that vehicle, etc...

I find it amazing how it's magically President Bush's fault for the past 30+ years of environmentalism and NIMBY, along with OPEC, and China's increased demand for fuel (especially diesel fuel since their construction industry is cranking out new infrastructure for them 24/7 virtually anyplace you'd care to look. What are the options? Tell OPEC unless they open up their supply further we'll nuke them? Economic sanctions? I'm not exactly sure what Mr. Bush can do in this situation to help us out. Sure, he can demand price limits, but then when you severely limit the profit margin in the industry you're probably going to convince more refineries to close their doors because of it.

 

[rkressg]

Never would I even think about selling my truck. I will drive it until the wheels fall off. The only thing I do different now is drive less.



The best part is, the truck is paid off. Now, why would I want to acquire more debt when I finally paid this thing off.



-Rich

 

[CTD 600]

I wouldn't sell my truck. That is non-sense.



Nobody has hit on the very fact of oil not being produced very much longer (20 years as of current figures. ) Say there is no more gasoline or diesel fuel... Think about the possibilities of a gasoline motor. What kind of conversions can be made? Hybrid-battery operated? Anything else?



Now look at the diesel motor. What kind of conversions can be made? Biodiesel,Biosoy low nox, propane driven, assorted cooking oils. Anything else?



If and when there is no realistic way of producing gasoline and diesel anymore which engine would you rather have?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

If and when there is no realistic way of producing gasoline and diesel anymore which engine would you rather have?

something with a mechanical injection pump



Forrest

 

[DPinkston]

This is my rational as to why I'll never part (willingly) with my Ford/Cummins hybrid. I have a truck, my wife has a car, and we have a spare (73 Mustang). I work full time at a factory as does she. A truck is a necessity in my part-time business. It just does not make sense economically for me to buy something else that gets better mpg and park or sell the truck. If you add up the cost of insuring a new vehicle, the interest, depreciation, monthly payments, the maintenance, it just doesn't compute for me at least. Plus, there is nothing I can think of that can go wrong with my truck that would require me to pay $70+ an hour labor to a shop to fix. My truck does all I need it to do. I figure I am saving money. I have really grown to be tightwad in recent years. Been listening to Clark Howard and Dave Ramsey too much.

Yes, current diesel fuel prices suck. I whine about it all the time, but the big oil companies and the politicians simply ask if I would like some cheese to go with my whine. :{

Danny

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I've thought about the alternatives and will keep my truck. I had a Ford gasser and only got 10mpg. I had a toyota 4x4 and only got 20mpg and it was a real tin can. I need the truck for hauling firewood for two homes, for vacationing, and for hauling the camper. I got to have 4x4 for the winter and for hunting. I would like to get a used VW TDI after the truck is paid off.



I was wondering about propane assist advertized in TDR. Anyone have any thoughts about this type of system. Anyone running this system? Installation price? More economical?

 

[HeavyHauler]

I'm just having to grit my teeth when I go to fill up - frankly I'm furious about the high prices and I just wish I truly knew who was to blame for this nonsense. When I got my truck, I remember getting fuel for $1. 27/gal at the Flying J in Franklin, KY and it's now $2. 00/gal up there. So that's over $25. 00 more per fill up. This would have made me think twice about buying my truck, but it wouldn't have changed my mind I don't think.



But after running some numbers, at the current prices here, it would cost me $16. 66 to drive 100 miles in my old '96 Dodge 360 gasser. Now, with diesel at $2. 159 here, it still only costs me $11. 36 to drive 100 miles in my dually. I know that a lot of you guys are getting screwed big time on fuel out west, but with my numbers, I find it hard to believe that anyone could justify selling their CTD on the higher prices of fuel. I'm still saving a considerable amount of money. You would have to find a gasser that got an average of 18mpg to equal what I'm paying right now to drive the same amount of miles, and that's nearly impossible in the full-size truck world, plus no other truck can do what the Dodge Cummins can.

 

[macdaddy]

Nobody has hit on the very fact of oil not being produced very much longer (20 years as of current figures. )



Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

The things people get a hold of



Mac

 

[klenger]

When I was in high school in the late 60's, one of my teachers was predicting that oil would run out it 20 years. That seemed like a reasonable number at the time. Who knows what the future is, but things are a changin'.

 

[rbattelle]

When I was in high school in the late 60's, one of my teachers was predicting that oil would run out it 20 years. That seemed like a reasonable number at the time. Who knows what the future is, but things are a changin'.

They told me exactly the same thing in school in the late 80s.



-Ryan

 

[lil red cummins]

no.



this is my transportation, hobby and fun rolled into one.



jim

 

[Coolslice]

Interesting. When I posted this question I was thinking of selling to go to a smaller truck with a smaller engine. There is no way I would go from a CTD to a V-10, a 360, or a 5. 3 obviously. I know everyones situation is different, but if I were to sell for a Tacoma that gets 22mpg I would save a ton of money. Some of you guys are reporting 20-22mpg with a 600! If I were getting those numbers I wouldn't have even asked this question. I'm avg. 13 to 15 mpg which is right on par with most people I know. I guess thats why it looks better for me. If fuel doesn't come down some soon in the warmer months I will consider selling the CTD.

 

[JFaughn]

I would only just buy more CTD,good MPG for a big truck,longer lasting eng. and you can make your own fuel for about . 45 a GAL.

 

[RJOL]

I know many of you have to have a diesel and don't have any choice. My question is for those who do not have to have a CTD. Is there a certain price that fuel could reach that would make you sell your CTD?? I know I came from an old Tacoma that took $25 to fill and got 19 mpg mixed. Now the new Tacomas have much more room, power, and get 22 mpg. They are starting to sound pretty sweet as diesel fuel continues its climb. It's starting to look like the time of $90 fill-ups with a truck that gets an honest 14. 5 mpg are on its way. I personally love my CTD, but I want no part of that. What do you guys think. .

Just as sure as the sun rises and the price of diesel going up... comes a "new" tread about selling your "fuel hungry CDT. " :{



First... When your Tacoma can pull my 12K fifth wheel up a grade without having to be pushed, let me know, and I will take a look at it and it's performance specs.



Second... If you really don't need a 3 1/2 ton truck why would you buy it. If it's just because you like a big diesel truck, but don't really need it... then be happy...



Third... It rarely ever pays to sell a vehicle you have owned for a while to buy something that gets better mileage. You will probably never recover the depreciation cost. .



Finally... The price of diesel is abnormally high right now, especially in the Northwest. However... this is just a temporary problem, as diesel costs a lot less to produce then gasoline. Watch the price of gasoline over the next few weeks or months and maybe you will be less tempted to "jump ship. "

 

[Coolslice]

Just as sure as the sun rises and the price of diesel going up... comes a "new" tread about selling your "fuel hungry CDT. " :{



First... When your Tacoma can pull my 12K fifth wheel up a grade without having to be pushed, let me know, and I will take a look at it and it's performance specs.



Second... If you really don't need a 3 1/2 ton truck why would you buy it. If it's just because you like a big diesel truck, but don't really need it... then be happy...



Third... It rarely ever pays to sell a vehicle you have owned for a while to buy something that gets better mileage. You will probably never recover the depreciation cost. .



Finally... The price of diesel is abnormally high right now, especially in the Northwest. However... this is just a temporary problem, as diesel costs a lot less to produce then gasoline. Watch the price of gasoline over the next few weeks or months and maybe you will be less tempted to "jump ship. "

Ahhh. I'm not saying the CTD is fuel hungry, although I think mine is relatively speaking compared to what others claim. I didn't say I could pull a fifth wheel, but I don't need to so thats a mute point. I wouldn't suggest even trying it. I was just wondering if others are feeling like I am, obviously they aren't- with some even being offended by my suggestion. It's all good.

 

[RJOL]

Coolslice... No offense was taken on my part... I just sometimes wonder why people put threads, like yours, on the forum... .



Do you really expect that most CTD owners on the TDR don't know why exactly they bought their trucks for and what they wanted them to do?



I don't care if your getting 20mpg or 14mpg with your CTD, you will not match even 14mpg with a gasser, unless you plan to only ride around in it empty.



If your current truck is not what you want... get something different... It's as simple as that...



Why not go to the KIA Rio forum and ask if they are happy with the load carrying capabilities of their ride, or do they think that they should have bought a 3 1/2 truck...

 

[Coolslice]

Coolslice... No offense was taken on my part... I just sometimes wonder why people put threads, like yours, on the forum... .



Do you really expect that most CTD owners on the TDR don't know why exactly they bought their trucks for and what they wanted them to do?



I don't care if your getting 20mpg or 14mpg with your CTD, you will not match even 14mpg with a gasser, unless you plan to only ride around in it empty.



If your current truck is not what you want... get something different... It's as simple as that...



Why not go to the KIA Rio forum and ask if they are happy with the load carrying capabilities of their ride, or do they think that they should have bought a 3 1/2 truck...

Don't sweat it man. You TOTALLY missed the point. I did the best I could to explain it several times, but I guess all that you take from it is that I am trying to say something negative about the CTD.

Do you know the website address of that KIA forum, I want to see if they take offense so easily?

 

[WyattEarp]

fuel prices haven't detered my use of the dodge but has changed my driving habits, less trips and only if i absolutley need something and well today i :{ drove 45-50 mph to town and back that was so hard, i actually for the first time in awhile got passed by other vehicles, oh well. whether or not im making any head way by driving slower i couldn't tell ya but right now diesel is 2. 15 here and at 73. 10 a fillup i can afford to drive slower, better than more trips to the pump.

Any of you number crunchers out there that might take a shot at possibly telling me if im doing any better by driving 45 let me know.

 

[Macmc01]

Thanks Why I am Looking for another diesel. My poor old 64 only gets 12 if I am going down hill with the wind. When I had my 95 diesel it got 16-20 depending on the driving (Lead foot).



Love the Diesel

Mac