O/T Diesel vs. Gas

My gasoline powered 3/4 ton Chevy is about to pass 400K in a week or two. As much as I drive and haul/tow heavy loads I get a lot of people telling me I need to have a diesel. And I almost bought one when I got this van in Oct. of 2006. But I thought and thought and couldn't figure a good reason to. They cost quite a few thousand more. Strike One. Yes, they get a little better mileage, (I get 19 on the Hwy), but diesel costs more so that pretty much equals out. Seems like I'm always hearing about the pumps going out and that's thousands to repair. Strike Two. A lot of people say they last longer, and I would generally agree, but at 400k and mine runs like new, can a diesel do better than that? Plus, with gas you don't have to worry about cold weather jelling and dirty nasty bad fuel clogging filters. Strike Three. If mine were a freak and the only one that's lasted this long that would be one thing, but I know of two other guys where I work that have more miles than me, over 500k, with original motors and trannys. These new engines are bullet-proof. Mine's got the little 4.8 in it, not at all meant for towing a lot, but that's all I've done. I wonder how much the Lucas has helped. I'm not one for snake oils, but everyone I talked to said good things about, from fleet truck mechanics to my uncle, the all-around Mr. Fix-it. Lucas in the oil, tranny, fuel, and rear end. Tranny started whining at 150k, shops told me I'd better fix it quick, (of course), 250k more miles and she still whines, and I love that sound, and I love my Chevy Van!

If you love that gas rig that much,and have had such good luck,you better stay with them.I,however prefer a diesel.(89 dodge cummins)

I have a 2001 Chevrolet K1500 4x4 (5.3L) with 140K and it has pulled some nasty loads too. The only repair in almost 10 years was a fuel pump... I accept that as normal maintenance.

Here are some towing pics.

Towed my little 9,000+ lb trackhoe 100 miles 1-way when I bought it.


In this pic, I towed these culverts 210 miles 1-way. They are 1300 lb each.


This was a nice load with my Farmall 504, Loader, Loaded tires, and Root Rake. I estimate at least 10,000 + trailer.


If you like your 4.8L van, keep it. I have been down the diesel road do not see advantages for the occasional tower. If one was "hot-shotting" then maybe. But for the "Regular Joe" or the High School Rodeo crowd, I cannot see a diesel pulling out on top once price, fuel, and repairs are factored in. I have pulled a JD 350 bulldozer with this truck before 50-60 miles. It let me know it was there and I respected that. We made it safe and sound.

CT

my dodge diesel pulls heavy all the time , 3 axle trailer with a 9k tractor on it. It will probally never get 500k on it it has 270k now and it's a 96 . gets 11 mpg towing , 17 to 19 empty but it's hardly ever empty . cost 5k more new for the diesel . wouldn't be worth it now that diesel is higher than gas .

Prior to the '70s gas shortage, the price of fuel was my motivation for going to Diesel. As it worked out, I was fortunate to have never waited in a fuel line.

Now it is all about fuel security. I have enough fuel to last me the rest of my life, and as a side benefit, procured very cheaply. My 6000 gallons would only last you a year so this less of a benefit to you.

Diesel can be stored indefinitely. Gas can't.

On top of that, I don't want to have to learn about the complex systems in a modern gas engine.

The only difference between a modern gasoline engine and a modern diesel engine is spark plugs. Both versions are way too complicated for the average shade tree mechanic to diagnose and repair.

I do not understand light duty diesel maintenance costs since about model year 2000. You can buy oil and fuel filters for your average semi-truck or farm tractor for about half the cost of light duty, and the filters are much larger on the HD engines.

karl f

I just bought a 04 chevy 2500HD with the 6.0 and it had 240,000 miles. Ive put 4000 miles on so far and if you didnt know the miles you would never know. It runs and drives and looks like a new one. I pulled my 18 foot trailer with my H on this past weekend for the first time and could hardly tell it was back there. Tons of power there.