Am I better off getting a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton pickup, for uses described?

[Z-Michigan]

To the OP, I'd give a strong thought to keeping what you have, one of the best combo's ever made. Cummins and Dodge are celebrating 25 years together. Don't be afraid to dig in and do some of your own work.

Oil changes are a small cost, but we spend almost $90 (?) just in materials (3 gallons Rotella-T synthetic and a filter) per change.

The drivetrain combo is great, but it drives like a truck, we don't need quite as much towing capacity, and I'd rather have something with an independent front suspension, really good ABS (not just mediocre 3-channel) plus stability control and side airbags. The truck is and will be a daily driver because I can't rationalize owning three vehicles, and I drive our smaller, but surprisingly not much more efficient, Honda Pilot to work. I do some of my own work on tractors, mowers and past cars, but it's hard to do even an oil change on the Dodge (you need 4' long arms) and I'm not anywhere near up to dropping a 1000lb front axle to replace joints. Hopefully the Dodge will make someone happy plowing snow and pulling 12k, but not fetching groceries.

 

[Monster5601]

So now it's your turn, how are they not pricy?

I'm not challenging, just curious since I am currently shopping for a new tug vehicle for a fifth wheel RV.

 

[MikePA]

I'm not challenging, just curious since I am currently shopping for a new tug vehicle for a fifth wheel RV.

Exactly. You asked a simple question, "Could you tell me how diesels are more pricey and how much is pricey?"

You made no claim, nor did you imply, they were not pricey.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Exactly. You asked a simple question, "Could you tell me how diesels are more pricey and how much is pricey?"

You made no claim, nor did you imply, they were not pricey.

Here is my take.

I own a 2006 F350 diesel and a 2012 F150 Ecoboost.

F350 gets 17 mpg average. Fuel is $3.95 per gallon. Oil change every 5000 miles per the manual since it's used to only tow, severe duty, and cost $80. Tires are $1600 and last 35,000 miles. So cost per mile to operate is: $.295 per mile.

F150 gets 18 mpg average. Fuel is $3.10 per gallon. Oil changes every 7500 miles also per the manual the way I use it, mainly as a tow vehicle, 30% as a computer vehicle. The cost is $40 for a oil change. Tires last 60,000 miles and cost $1200. So the cost per mile is: $.197 per mile.

Pretty clear cut.

Chris

 

[Z-Michigan]

Here is my take.
I own a 2006 F350 diesel and a 2012 F150 Ecoboost.
F350 gets 17 mpg average. Fuel is $3.95 per gallon. Oil change every 5000 miles per the manual since it's used to only tow, severe duty, and cost $80. Tires are $1600 and last 35,000 miles. So cost per mile to operate is: $.295 per mile.
F150 gets 18 mpg average. Fuel is $3.10 per gallon. Oil changes every 7500 miles also per the manual the way I use it, mainly as a tow vehicle, 30% as a computer vehicle. The cost is $40 for a oil change. Tires last 60,000 miles and cost $1200. So the cost per mile is: $.197 per mile.
Pretty clear cut.
Chris

Very helpful, thank you.

Guys, keep this civil, I'm absolutely not trying to a Ford vs. Chevy bench racing type thing. I basically have my answer, but welcome any additional comments on the 1/2 vs. 3/4 ton, for these uses, question.

 

[jix]

My money is on the Dodge 1/2 ton, gasser for economy if it is a grocery getter with rare excursions into heavy towing. The 5.7 L Dodge hemi is reasonable on gas mileage in the MDS mode, but it will bankrupt you for fuel economy in towing on the highway or in city traffic. the Pre '97 diesel 4 speed manual is the ticket fort heavy towing, but it costs a lot at the garage. Trucks are never a cheap way to go, no matter how you do it. In a perfect world you need a truck for the grunt stuff..and a car for all the rest..and deep pockets any which way. Can't keep an engine in a GM, nor a transmission in a Ford heavy truck.. Dodge is the best compromise, but diesel, not so much.Yeah, tough, rugged, strong...but with a big price tag. Last good truck I have owned was a '47 IH one ton with a big six in it..hard on gas, but you could not wear it out or bust it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Very helpful, thank you.

Guys, keep this civil, I'm absolutely not trying to a Ford vs. Chevy bench racing type thing. I basically have my answer, but welcome any additional comments on the 1/2 vs. 3/4 ton, for these uses, question.

That is exactly what I gave you. I look at two numbers.

Direct operating cost. Gas, oil, tires, brakes, batteries, ect.

Total operating cost. Purchase price vs 5 yr residual value, insurance, unscheduled maintaince, ect.

Before I buy any new vehicle I look at what they cost new 5 years ago vs used prices today. Let's say truck A and B were both $45,000 new and truck A is now worth $20,000 and truck B is fetching $27,000 that's a big part of the decision. Then I look at sites like Edmonds to see the service history. While it's not an exact science and model year changes bring differences it gives you a starting point.

Long of it is the cheapest to buy is not always the cheapest to own.

Chris

 

[s219]

The truck is and will be a daily driver because I can't rationalize owning three vehicles, and I drive our smaller, but surprisingly not much more efficient, Honda Pilot to work.

My daily driver was an Acura MDX, twin to your Pilot but with a little more HP. I was getting 18-20mpg per tank before my wife took it over as her daily driver. I replaced it with a GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab, 4x4, standard bed, with 5.3L V8 and 3.42 gears. It's giving 19-21mpg per tank, as good or better than the MDX and it's a much better fit for my needs hauling lumber, getting hay, etc. Quieter and more comfortable too. I should have switched to a half ton pickup years ago. Any of the new half tons will fit the bill, just choose engine wisely if real-world fuel economy is important.

 

[CJONE]

Bottom line is if you are going to work a truck get a diesel. Picking up stuff from the store, towing 8000lbs and occasional work is not what a diesel was made for. Z you have a great truck but you are using a sledge hammer to drive nails with! I love my diesel but it does not get hooked to a trailer unless it is over 10K. I know either the Ford or GM 1/2 ton set up properly will do what you need. Can't comment on the Dodge because I have not worked a new one. All of my trucks now are either a crew cab or extended cab with a 6.5' box. That's what I will get next year also. CJ

 

[Z-Michigan]

My daily driver was an Acura MDX, twin to your Pilot but with a little more HP. I was getting 18-20mpg per tank before my wife took it over as her daily driver. I replaced it with a GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab, 4x4, standard bed, with 5.3L V8 and 3.42 gears. It's giving 19-21mpg per tank, as good or better than the MDX and it's a much better fit for my needs hauling lumber, getting hay, etc. Quieter and more comfortable too. I should have switched to a half ton pickup years ago. Any of the new half tons will fit the bill, just choose engine wisely if real-world fuel economy is important.

Before the Pilot I had a 2007.5 Suburban with the 5.3L and DoD. I got about 16.5-17mpg in ordinary driving and 18-19 trips and freeway. The Pilot gets 19-19.3 in the same ordinary driving and 20-22 trips and freeway. Not much of an improvement! And I know the newer Suburbans with a 6-speed auto should be even better. I am impressed with Chevy V8's and not so impressed with Japanese SUVs. But I won't go farther on this tangent.

Picking up stuff from the store, towing 8000lbs and occasional work is not what a diesel was made for. Z you have a great truck but you are using a sledge hammer to drive nails with!

We bought it in January 2006 with plans for frequent towing up to 9-10k. Uses change, plans don't always pan out, etc... but we have done some things with it that are not really 1/2 ton things, or at least not for the 1/2 tons that were being sold in 2006. We've changed and the specs and equipment of pickups being offered has changed, at least a bit. Now it's time to adjust for what we're actually doing and likely to do for the years in which we'll own the next truck.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I think you'll be impressed by the advancements in the 1/2 ton trucks since 2006. Brakes are the biggest improvement in my opinion. The brakes on my '14 Silverado are similar in size to what the HD's had on them from 2004-2010.

 

[nova3930]

I think a 1/2T will do everything you want.

Now it may not be a possibility, but another option to consider is the one I went with, namely 2 vehicles. I've got a car for my daily commute and an older Dodge 3/4T for the towing I do. Overall for me it was far more economical to do that than it was to get a 1/2T due to the length of my daily commute. The trick is finding an older truck in decent shape that you can pay cash for....

 

[roadhunter]

Exactly. You asked a simple question, "Could you tell me how diesels are more pricey and how much is pricey?"

You made no claim, nor did you imply, they were not pricey.

We all know what the tone of his comment meant. Here it is again. Keep in mind this guy has a diesel tractor and UTV so he knows oil changes are more expensive and he passes by gas stations so he knows diesel is more expensive. Everybody knows diesel engines are an expensive option at the dealership.

I assume this is with respect to a gas engine. Could you tell me how diesels are more pricey and how much is pricey?

 

[motownbrowne]

We all know what the tone of his comment meant. Here it is again. Keep in mind this guy has a diesel tractor and UTV so he knows oil changes are more expensive and he passes by gas stations so he knows diesel is more expensive. Everybody knows diesel engines are an expensive option at the dealership.

I assume this is with respect to a gas engine. Could you tell me how diesels are more pricey and how much is pricey?

Actually, since he put his words in writing and didn't say them out loud, we don't "all know what the tone of his comment meant". That's part of the problem with this internet thing. It's hard to gauge tone, sarcasm, etc.

If he says he wasn't trying be a jerk, who are we to say he was?

Also, @Chris, jeez, what kind of tires are you buying?? My E-rated BF Goodrich ATs cost $750 cash out the door. Michelin's were 1200. Those are 235/85/16s for my f-250.

 

[dodge man]

Hey, were forgetting one important reason to get a diesel, because you want one. To be honest, that's why I own one. I do use it for a truck but not every day. I'm sure a 1/2 ton would make more sense for me also but there have also been times I've overloaded and over worked a 1/2 ton in the past. Kind of the same thinking on why to buy a Corvette. A cheap economy car would make more sense wouldn't it?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Actually, since he put his words in writing and didn't say them out loud, we don't "all know what the tone of his comment meant". That's part of the problem with this internet thing. It's hard to gauge tone, sarcasm, etc.

If he says he wasn't trying be a jerk, who are we to say he was?

Also, @Chris, jeez, what kind of tires are you buying?? My E-rated BF Goodrich ATs cost $750 cash out the door. Michelin's were 1200. Those are 235/85/16s for my f-250.

I just bought Goodyear Wrangler Tires and they were $289 each. Add tax, mounting, balancing, and TPMS rebuilds and it goes up quickly.

Also, you are running skinny 235 's on 16" wheels. My F350 has 305/65/17's and my F150 has 275/70/18's factory. I don't think any modern 1/2 ton runs anything small than a 17" wheel. Each rim size you go up you might as well add $50 per tire to the price.

Chris

 

[RollingsFarms]

Dang and here I was thinking I got a pretty good deal the other day from the local tire place on some 275/70/18 Nitto Trail Grapplers for 1700 which included a leveling kit and everything associated with buying tires.

 

[nc redneck]

I am in the same process due to some non English speaking driver running a stop sign in front of me last week. Other driver received ticket and DMV report came out today showing other driver 100% at fault. My 2001 3500 DRW diesel/Allison is totaled. Bought it new in 01 it had 70 k miles on it.
I have a 2013 3500 with 3000 miles on it my RV hauler and Saturday ride.
My thinking on the the 1500,2500 discussion is wife and kid pull small 2 horse goose neck aluminum trailer with replacement truck. I have no doubt that 1500 would do the job and if it was just me moving tractors and equipment I would go that way I did it for several years with 1500.
In the event of panic stop, flat trailer tire or violent lane change. I believe the 2500 will be safer and a better choice for them.
I pulled a 16,000 lb 40 foot 5th wheel with 01 3500 for many years. It did it but I was always on edge and needed to " sit up in the seat " as some say. New 3500 handles it easily.
I would vote 2500 just for wifes sake .
Scott

 

[bosshoss]

Then you've got the upfront cost of the diesel in the first place. Maybe you aren't counting that in the "pricey to run" formula, but you gotta account for it somewhere.

While a Diesel adds $8k or so at purchase over a 1/2 ton gasser. From what I see the Diesel will be worth about that same $8K more when it is a used truck 1-10 years later. You have to consider that also if you consider it upfront.

 

[RobertN]

"E" rated tires on the 3/4 ton are more expensive... Brakes too. Pretty much all parts on 3/4 ton are more expensive...

I assume this is with respect to a gas engine. Could you tell me how diesels are more pricey and how much is pricey?