No, the decision is easy, and not everything is about Fuel prices. Diesel does the job better and more effeciently than gas. I hope to always tow with a Diesel till I have a MH that gets a diesel push...
I have an 06 F-250 XLT, extended cab, PSD, that has about 35K miles on it now. About 20K of those miles have been put on since I bought my TT in June.
When I first started towing the TT, I would get 11-14 mpg, depending on terrain. After an EGR issue, the mpg dropped to 10 towing. After staying after Ford to fix the truck, I finally got my the mpg's back to 11-14.
I don't have the slightest problem merging on a busy interstate or taming most any mountain. In addition, the truck is fun to drive with all the extra power.
I did the calculations on a V10 versus the PSD. Taking into consideration the extra cost of the diesel up front, at $2 a gallon fuel, it took over 100K miles to pay for the extra costs in fuel savings. But, at $3, it took less than half the time it took for $2 fuel. If you change the cost to $4 fuel, gasoline is hardly worth considering. If you consider $5 fuel, you should run from the gas engine. Regular maintenance on the diesel is considerable higher, but they were included in my calculations.
Since the dollar is loosing its value so fast, $5 fuel is coming in the very near future. The old arguments about the higher initial costs of diesel is no longer valid. If we have to pay $5 per gallon for fuel, a diesel that gets 11-14 is a lot cheaper to operate than a gas engine that gets 6 to 8.
But, my F250 unloaded on the highway will get 19-21 and I push the speed limits anytime I am unloaded. So, for towing, it diesel hands down for power and economy. Unloaded, it's diesel for economy and the fun of having the power to play around with and not go bankrupt paying for fuel.
So, the short answer is Diesel.....Diesel.....Diesel.....and no, I would never go back to gas.
merlin8735 wrote: I have an 06 F-250 XLT, extended cab, PSD, that has about 35K miles on it now. About 20K of those miles have been put on since I bought my TT in June.
I did the calculations on a V10 versus the PSD. Taking into consideration the extra cost of the diesel up front, at $2 a gallon fuel, it took over 100K miles to pay for the extra costs in fuel savings. But, at $3, it took less than half the time it took for $2 fuel. If you change the cost to $4 fuel, gasoline is hardly worth considering. If you consider $5 fuel, you should run from the gas engine. Regular maintenance on the diesel is considerable higher, but they were included in my calculations.
Since the dollar is loosing its value so fast, $5 fuel is coming in the very near future. The old arguments about the higher initial costs of diesel is no longer valid. If we have to pay $5 per gallon for fuel, a diesel that gets 11-14 is a lot cheaper to operate than a gas engine that gets 6 to 8.
To put it politely, this is inaccurate at the very least.
How about some real calculations.
Diesel option, I will be kind and say $7,000. (It is actually closer to $8,000 on most trucks now).
Fuel costs, diesel averages $.30 higher per gallon in my area. Let's assume $2.90 per gallon for gas, $3.20 per gallon for diesel. These are current prices in my area.
Fuel mpg, lets assume a gasser average of 12 mpg over 100,000 miles, and a diesel average of 16 mpg over the course of 100,000 miles. This would be combination city, highway, towing and empty.
Fuel costs per 100,000 miles, gas(at 12mpg) = #24,166, diesel(at 16mpg) = $20,000. Diesel saves you $4,166 in 100,000 miles at the current prices. You still have not recouped the total $7,000 of your original investment at 100,000 miles! You are $2,834 short. Once you figure in the higher cost of maintenance for a diesel, you are further behind. And odds are that 6.0L PSD you drive will definately have significantly high maintenance costs.
Let's assume you are correct and fuel will be $4.00 a gallon soon. Gas = $4.00, Diesel = $4.30.
In 100,000 miles, gas will cost you $33,333, diesel will cost you $26,875. You still have only recouped $6,458. Again once you consider the higher maintenance costs you fall further behind.
I have said it before, and I will say it again. If you have the money for a diesel and just want one, fine then buy one. But don't try to convince anyone you made a sound financial desicion, just say "I wanted one!" The only people who truly "need" a diesel are those that are fulltiming, or those that are hauling something every day the truck is on the road. To the rest of us, diesels are simply an expensive luxury, and yes I wish I could afford one! At current prices, it takes over 100,000 miles to break even on a diesel.
2005 Surveyor SV-291 Tows smooth as silk!
1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 4x4 5.9L V8 low miles, It ain't pretty, but it's paid for!
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