Diesel vs Gas

[cowboydoc]

If you buy the basic 235 85R 16 E range tires you can get them pretty commonly for $100 or less. Like Doc mentioned I can get the Generals for $79 and they last very well.

If you jump to the 265 or 285's then they do get pricier but still it's apples to apples as if you buy a gasser in a 3/4 or 1 ton you're still going to have to buy new tires in the same sizes.

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( if you buy a gasser in a 3/4 or 1 ton you're still going to have to buy new tires in the same sizes. )</font>

You are absolutely right, Richard. I didn't mean that as a diesel only issue. Of course, you can't get a U.S. made diesel pickup in less than 3/4 ton. Also, if you are getting quality load range E tires mounted, balanced, road hazard guarantee, lifetime balance, and free flat repair for $79 each, you may have the bargain of the millenium. Off the top of my head, I'm not sure what size tires are standard on my Dodge, but I've only replace with the same size that came on it. 245s sounds right. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif The best wearing, riding, and bargain tires I've found are Dunlops from NTB. They end up being about $130 "out-the-door." I've tried Kellys, Goodyears, and BFGs, but none last or ride any better than my Dunlops. ...just my experience.

 

[Phred]

I run copper discovery IIs in E rating on my F250 and I think I paid about $60 a piece for them.
Work great and no problems.

Once you have towed with a diesel you will realize the difference. Night and day.
I will never buy a gas burning truck again.

Fred

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I love my Duramax. But, and this but is of Rosanne Barr proportions, nothing sounds better than a big block breathing deep.

If I had the 502 in my truck I'm sure my fuel mileage would be cut in half. The pull on a hill would be less.

But bygawd I do miss the big block ability to instantly light up the duals when hitting even just a little water. I also miss seeing the gearheads turn when I came down the road. With the diesel everyone looks the same. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you have a truck and it's to do work then diesel is the way to go. If it's a truck because trucks are kewl then having a diesel is like fender skirts, an acquired taste.

 

[ScottAR]

DOT question, I just replied to the end of the thread so anybody jump in.
I'm seriously considering purchasing a dually. A F550 dually pickup to be exact. The DMV says I need comerical tags which is fine. I need a general idea on what I can tow without needing a CDL.
This is strictly not for hire for now. I want a 10,000lb trailer.

The requirements as I understand them are a towed trailer over 10,000 lbs. from the Arkansas DOT page. Does this mean 10,000 lbs. or 10,001 lbs. Or should I ask someone offical? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

The truth is you should always ask some one official. It has long been my understanding though that it is 10,000 #. If you want to stay under the trailer manufacturer (if New) can rate it at 9,999 #. Dave

 

[cowboydoc]

It's going to depend on the different states. Most states you're fine if you are around under 26k total and not hauling commercially. If you are hauling commercially you always need a CDL. One question though. Why get a 550 if you are only going to haul 10k? That's like using a sledge hammer for finish work.

 

[RobertN]

I've told thias story before... Over a year, or so ago, two Dodges came through the Sacramento shop my Dad works at. One, a '99, had turned over 700,000 miles. The other, a '98, had over 500,000 miles, with no major maint on them. Both were Cummins motors.

They do have less maint than a gasser. That's the nice part. The bummer part, at least around here, is Diesel is not a bargain. It does stay more stable in price than gas though. While prices were high for gas, diesel was less. Now regular is getting cheaper than diesel.

I do though, get better mileage than either of my old gasser 3/4 tons, with my Cummins Dodge, even with the auto, 4x4, and 4.10 gearing.

If you are looking at the Ford, look at Dodge and Chevy too. I am mostly a Ford truck person, but have been really happy with my Dodge. I like the Cummins motor best. The Duramax Chevy is nice too. All of the "Big-3" have great offerings.

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 160k is still good mileage though. What year is it ? REAL tough to match the fuel economy of the cummings. )</font>

My Dodge is a 1996 and the Cummins is a standard 12 valve turbo. It is just as strong and responsive at 220k as at 20k. I have done some pretty heavy towing with it, but primarily I drive it 70+ miles one-way to work on nice 4-lane highway. Maybe because the Cummins is so heavy the brakes take a beating. My OEM set went at 45k. I was in a hurry and went to Midas for my second set and I got their "lifetime" brakes. At only 22k more miles, I heard the unmistakable sound of metal-to-metal and pulled back into the Midas shop. They told me I had to have two front rotors at $595 each because my rotors were too worn to turn. I told them I wanted a second opinion and took the truck home where I put my own micrometer on the rotors and found they were fine. I had them turned and have been doing my own brakes ever since. The pucks I put on my disc brakes now last about 60k miles. This is just anecdotal evidence and others may have a completely different experience. I'm probably a little over-sensitive about my brakes. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[ScottAR]

3 reasons.
1. I want to be able to tow a full size backhoe (hopefully in the near future)
2. This one is pretty reasonable considering the going price for most 3/4-1tons these days.
3. I think it's neat. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I called the local office today and they said I would need commerical tags or farmer tags. Since I don't have a farm, that means commerical. This is starting to look like more than I bargained for. May have to keep looking for a 250/350 that's reasonable and upgrade to a backhoe hauler later.

 

[F350Lawman]

Don't feel bad here in NY ANY truck over 5,000 lbs in weight needs commercial tags. Yeah, that's right, an F-150 gets commercial plates. Now with commercial plates you can't park in the city, go on many roads and forget about bridges or tunnels. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif..........

But there is a way around it. If you put permanent seats in the bed and get a cap it is now a suburban class vehicle. All you need to do is supply a new weight slip from the scales after you do the "modifications", no photo needed.

My F350 is a registered suburban, with regular plates /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

There may be similar loopholes in other states.

 

[ScottAR]

This stuff is very confusing to a neophyte such as my self. Makes me wonder if legislator's get paid by the word. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[bgott]

I run B.F. Goodrich Commercial T/A 245/75-16 "E"s that I get from Sam's club for, if I remember correctly, $94 or so each. Great traction in the rain and they seem to be wearing well. If I was on the highway exclusively I might think about those high dollar tires but I'd just be wasting my money driving around Houston. I blasted through a pothole that was at least a foot deep and probably more the other day and didn't slip a belt in the tire that hit it, that impressed me.

 

[F350Lawman]

Actually some nice women working at Motor Vehicles (yeah it's an oxymoron /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)clued me in. I started ranting about how I was going to be the only one at the horse shows with a commercial F350. She insisted F350's need to be commercial because they weigh over 5,000lbs. I kept saying that I see them all the time with regular plates! After some going back in forth she said "well they must have added seats and a cap and then weighed it"...wink-wink.

I told her I would be up all night doing the modifications and would see her in the morning with my weight slip...wink-wink

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Would gearing influence mileage? what is the best set-up? I have a limited slip 4.10 rear in my current truck and the mileage isn't that great. (Ranger 4.0 4x4 auto)

 

[Egon]

Jinman:

I have the same year truck but only 160,000 kilometers on it. The last 100,000 have been with camper on and towing a 10k rated trailer that just may get overloaded the odd time. I'm on the third set of front pads and change them myself.

Egon

 

[Egon]

Doc:

Tires are the same but the diesel may be heavier and be used to tow/haul heavier loads which may wear tires faster.

Egon

 

[Docsknotinn]

I have heard nothing but good stuff on the older cummings. Thats great to hear you guys are up on that kind of mileage. On other forums I almost never talk to any real high mileage guys as the Duramax is still pretty new. I am probably not the best person to ask about a gasser Vs Diesel. I am just way too biased /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I love the smell of Diesel in the Morning /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I probably get a lot better mileage out of my brakes due to all the highway miles I drive. If your rotors are $600 each I probably would have fallen over and hit the floor when they told me that. HOLLY SMOKES ! Thats really steep. On the up side it sure must be nice to keep a truck that long. I think the trouble with the commercial plates must be the cost of insurance. Thats got to be really steep. Last year here Diesel was 6 cents a gallon MORE than regular all year. This year its been at least 15 and as much as 25 cents a gallon less. This is why I want a aux tank. Dave

 

[cowboydoc]

Commercial tags and a CDL are no big deal. I sure wouldn't let that distract you from the truck if it's that good of a deal. What is it and what's the deal?

 

[Docsknotinn]

Just make sure you get a quote on insurance before you buy /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif The plates and CDL are no biggie. I think Ford offers a Cummings option on the larger F-series. BIG HP /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif