HI Everyone,

I'm new to this board so let me just start off by saying Hello, My name is Chad. I live in Colorado. I get the Fencepost and thats where I received this link. MrTruck seems like a great site so I hope to learn alot more about trucks. Thanks in advanve for the coments.

I'm looking to buy a used full size truck, considering gas or diesel. We want a longbed crew cab, auto, but might settle for a extra cab that has the 4 doors. Don't plan on doing any towing, but want a truck that has enough power to tow a light trailer if need be. Fuel cost and relibleity are my main prioritys. Also cost of repair is important. These factors are more important to me then make. "But it does need to be American. lol" Please help me if you have any advice so that I can refine my truck search. Thanks again for all th help.

Chad

Hello Chad .. Welcome to the forum.
The gas v diesel debate could go for months ... The proper question is 1) what do you need? then 2) What do you desire?

Your Colorado location does put a different twist on the decision. All the current big three diesels are turbo-charged. The turbo makes a difference in your mountains towing heavy loads. A light trailer, a few times a year... not so important

Cost wise, my choice is gasoline. The diesel option is $4,000 plus. Some folks will say the trade in value is higher. Okay... I'll accept that, but then do you buy a truck to trade-in or use it? Diesel's maintenance & repair costs are higher too. Cold weather starting a diesel is tough.

Thanks for the info. I have few more questions.
What gets better gas mileage, diesel or gas? What diesel truck gets the best gas mileage? I know the Dodge is a 6, but does that equate to better mileage? Do diesel engines last longer?

Thanks again for the help.

Chad

You will always get more miles per gallon from diesel fuel than gasoline pulling the same load. It's simple, there is more energy in a gallon of diesel than a gallon of gasoline.
139,000 BTU/gal vs 114,000 BTU/gal to be exact.

If you had a steam powered truck burning #6 fuel oil you could get 150,000 BTU/gal from your fuel.

But the problem is more than just miles per gallon. What about fuel cost and availability? Diesel costs more in NC. Cold weather driving? Etc,...

Which engine last longer?... Depends. a diesel runs slower and is built heavier. The long haul trucks are designed and built to go the long haul. One can't extrapolate their longevity to a pick-up. A pick-up truck may have a diesel engine that lasts longer. But, the rest of the truck is the same as a gas engined p/u. It is not worth much to have a strong running engine if the transmission just fell out.

Your needs & resources will dictate which vehicle is best for you. I use a gas hog of a honk'in big dually to pull my horse trailer. It pulls it well and will pass anything except a gas station. So, daily I drive a little econo box car around town and to work. Will that work for you? maybe...