Ok, the only thing I saw posted on this topic pertained more to the price of gas vs. diesel so I decided to post a new topic along the same subject, gas vs. diesel. I know that in the long run diesel engines can pull more but lets say that for the purpose of this discussion, it pertains to pulling 15K lbs or less. I have always had gas powered trucks and pulled boats but looking into the RV lifestyle I am interested in researching diesel trucks as an alternative. So here are my questions based on either fact or heresay, so I want to know from you guys based on experience: 1. I have always heard that a diesel truck rides harder, rougher, whatever you want to call it, than a gas truck, is that so? 2. Are diesel trucks noisier than gas trucks while going down the highway? 3. Are diesel trucks more smelly meaning odor and gas emissions than gas? 4. I know that diesels can outlast gas trucks in terms of mileage, but how much more so if both were taken care of properly? 5. Does diesel trucks require more maintenance both from preventatitve care and breakdowns? 6. Is there a price difference between gas and diesel trucks. Although I have always bought gas powered trucks, since I never considered diesel I never even did a comparison. 7. Whats the best or worst thing you like about owning a diesel truck.
igotjam said
03:15 PM Aug 1, 2010
5) Diesels have way more oil in the crankcase...my Ford uses 15 qt. You also need a regular fuel filter change with diesel.(not as often with gas)
6) A diesel option when buying a new vehicle will add $ to the purchase price.
Racerguy said
03:38 PM Aug 1, 2010
My opinion and my opinion only #1-no #2-no #3-no on newer ones #4-not much difference #5-? maybe #6-yes( $ 4500.00 on my Dodge) #7- The low end power and torque is better.Torque is more important than horsepower to get moving.Better fuel mileage(although govmt. doing their best to ruin that with emmissions rules).
Luvglass said
04:56 PM Aug 1, 2010
1. The ride is totally determined by the suspension, and a truck that can pull 20K will ride harder than a truck that can pull 10K. Has nothing to do with the engine per se. 2. a little bit, but liveable. 3. no 4. at least twice as long. 5. no, but it is a little more expensive 6. About $5K 7. Best is reliability and towing power, worst, is ride, because of suspension needed to tow 17K.
The choice, quite frankly, should be determined by the weight you have to tow. If I could find a gas engine truck that would reliably tow 17K I would own it - but there are none.
Since I want my home to be comfortable to live in, I have a 36 foot, 17K trailer. And since I want to stay on the road for a long time without putting myself in danger, I drive a diesel dually rated to tow 18K.
That's the bottom line.
Good luck,
rjenkins wrote:1. I have always heard that a diesel truck rides harder, rougher, whatever you want to call it, than a gas truck, is that so?
2. Are diesel trucks noisier than gas trucks while going down the highway? 3. Are diesel trucks more smelly meaning odor and gas emissions than gas? 4. I know that diesels can outlast gas trucks in terms of mileage, but how much more so if both were taken care of properly? 5. Does diesel trucks require more maintenance both from preventatitve care and breakdowns? 6. Is there a price difference between gas and diesel trucks. Although I have always bought gas powered trucks, since I never considered diesel I never even did a comparison. 7. Whats the best or worst thing you like about owning a diesel truck.
Mallo said
08:22 PM Aug 1, 2010
rjenkins wrote:
Ok, the only thing I saw posted on this topic pertained more to the price of gas vs. diesel so I decided to post a new topic along the same subject, gas vs. diesel. I know that in the long run diesel engines can pull more but lets say that for the purpose of this discussion, it pertains to pulling 15K lbs or less. I have always had gas powered trucks and pulled boats but looking into the RV lifestyle I am interested in researching diesel trucks as an alternative. So here are my questions based on either fact or heresay, so I want to know from you guys based on experience: 1. I have always heard that a diesel truck rides harder, rougher, whatever you want to call it, than a gas truck, is that so? 2. Are diesel trucks noisier than gas trucks while going down the highway? 3. Are diesel trucks more smelly meaning odor and gas emissions than gas? 4. I know that diesels can outlast gas trucks in terms of mileage, but how much more so if both were taken care of properly? 5. Does diesel trucks require more maintenance both from preventatitve care and breakdowns? 6. Is there a price difference between gas and diesel trucks. Although I have always bought gas powered trucks, since I never considered diesel I never even did a comparison. 7. Whats the best or worst thing you like about owning a diesel truck.
15K or less...
1. Diesel trucks ride harder, rougher etc. Since Diesel engines tend to be in the heavy duty trucks with upgraded (stiff) suspensions then yes they ride harder / rougher but if you buy an equal size truck with the same susppension in a gasser it will be just as rough a ride.
2. Yes.
3. Not so much.
4. I have 205K miles on the one we use to tow with it is ten years old I expect to get another five to ten years out of it easy.
5. Depends on the truck there are things that have to be done on any tow truck you use.
6. Yes.
7. Best thing about our truck? It tows our 13K fiver very well and gets 10 mpg while doing it. Worst thing about our truck? Everything that's a negitive about the truck are all things that woudl be negitives if it was an F350 DRW with a gas engine so ...
It comes down to what you want to tow with.
flyone said
12:23 PM Aug 2, 2010
My opinion
1. engine has nothing to do with the ride, equal trucks Gas/Diesel ride the same.
2. (Older ones) maybe a little, newer ones are much more quite than they used to be.
3. No, not to me.
4. If both taken care of properly, generaly a diesel truck should out last gas truck by quite a while--at least I would hope since I have one, IMO ask a mechanic.
5. No, no more maintance however they may be a little more expensive to repair when they do need work done.
6. Yes
7. The best thing is the power vs. the fuel mileage, power enough to pull heavy load--empty I get 20 MPG Hwy. I get better fuel mileage with my diesel towing than I did with my gaser when it was not towing.
picolina said
07:40 PM Aug 2, 2010
This is a good question!
To me at first it was a power thing, and I knew that we needed it to tow our FW. I can tell you that we where scared about all those things that you are wondering about, my husband even more than me!
But, to our surprise, we love it! No, it does not smell bad. No it is not noisier than an gas truck. As any other vehicule you must take care of it if you want it to last, but I was told that it can last at least twice as much as a gas truck.
As for comfort, I can ride in that truck all day and I am less tired than after spending the same time in my Mercedes. So yes, it is very confortable.
And the towing power? Its there!
rjenkins said
06:10 AM Aug 3, 2010
Thanks for the feedback everyone, thats what I was looking for. Always good to hear from people with the experience............ R
I know that in the long run diesel engines can pull more but lets say that for the purpose of this discussion, it pertains to pulling 15K lbs or less.
I have always had gas powered trucks and pulled boats but looking into the RV lifestyle I am interested in researching diesel trucks as an alternative. So here are my questions based on either fact or heresay, so I want to know from you guys based on experience:
1. I have always heard that a diesel truck rides harder, rougher, whatever you want to call it, than a gas truck, is that so?
2. Are diesel trucks noisier than gas trucks while going down the highway?
3. Are diesel trucks more smelly meaning odor and gas emissions than gas?
4. I know that diesels can outlast gas trucks in terms of mileage, but how much more so if both were taken care of properly?
5. Does diesel trucks require more maintenance both from preventatitve care and breakdowns?
6. Is there a price difference between gas and diesel trucks. Although I have always bought gas powered trucks, since I never considered diesel I never even did a comparison.
7. Whats the best or worst thing you like about owning a diesel truck.
#1-no
#2-no
#3-no on newer ones
#4-not much difference
#5-? maybe
#6-yes( $ 4500.00 on my Dodge)
#7- The low end power and torque is better.Torque is more important than horsepower to get moving.Better fuel mileage(although govmt. doing their best to ruin that with emmissions rules).
1. Diesel trucks ride harder, rougher etc. Since Diesel engines tend to be in the heavy duty trucks with upgraded (stiff) suspensions then yes they ride harder / rougher but if you buy an equal size truck with the same susppension in a gasser it will be just as rough a ride.
2. Yes.
3. Not so much.
4. I have 205K miles on the one we use to tow with it is ten years old I expect to get another five to ten years out of it easy.
5. Depends on the truck there are things that have to be done on any tow truck you use.
6. Yes.
7. Best thing about our truck? It tows our 13K fiver very well and gets 10 mpg while doing it. Worst thing about our truck? Everything that's a negitive about the truck are all things that woudl be negitives if it was an F350 DRW with a gas engine so ...
It comes down to what you want to tow with.
To me at first it was a power thing, and I knew that we needed it to tow our FW. I can tell you that we where scared about all those things that you are wondering about, my husband even more than me!
But, to our surprise, we love it! No, it does not smell bad. No it is not noisier than an gas truck. As any other vehicule you must take care of it if you want it to last, but I was told that it can last at least twice as much as a gas truck.
As for comfort, I can ride in that truck all day and I am less tired than after spending the same time in my Mercedes. So yes, it is very confortable.
And the towing power? Its there!