Gas Vs. Diesel

[MJBaldwin]

I am kind of looking for a newer truck right now I have an F150 really liked the truck for what I have used it for never really had a problem with it. I tow the average stuff boat in the summer and misc stuff here and there. I am just wondering what the advantages or disadvantages of owning a diesel would be. Im looking at a Duramax if i do decide to go that way. I drive about 25 miles one way to work and about 20 of that is the highway. Let me know what you guys think. Pros and Cons would be great. Also I do live near Fargo/Moorhead so we see -0 very often in the winter...

[Scott K]

If you dont need the diesel, stick with gas. Everything diesel cost more, oil changes, repairs, air filters, suspension parts wear more often due from the extra weight.

[CJH]

If you dont need the diesel, stick with gas. Everything diesel cost more, oil changes, repairs, air filters, suspension parts wear more often due from the extra weight.

^ This. Generally speaking, for the average Joe, a diesel is overkill and will cost you more than you would ever make up towing. Now if the automakers decided to put a smaller diesel in a normal full size truck, then it might make sense - if you put a ton of miles on. GM was going to come out with a Baby Duramax before they got in trouble, just for this reason.

Good Luck!!

[heat checker]

Take the price of the fuel div by avg mileage for each truck. This will be your fuel cost to drive each truck. Most times it figures out to a slight(1 cent or less per mile) advantage to the deisel. Not enough to pay for the deisel on just economy. Stick with the gas unless you need the pulling power.

[RangerJack]

If you're into ice fishing, and leave your truck on the lake in below zero weather, a gas engine will be your engine of choice.

Nothing like gelling up on the ice in the middle of nowhere.

[Scott K]

Fuel gelling isnt as common as it use to be. There is many additives in the fuel now to prevent it, and with the new systems that heat the fuel. With the correct viscosity oil, and fuel for the temperature, I would trust the diesel in the cold, as much as the gas.

[Powerstroke]

I trust my diesel completely in any cold weather. It has started at -23 without being plugged in. About the only thing that will hurt you in the cold is a weak battery, which will hurt you no matter what type of fuel it uses.

If you don't have the need for the towing ability and you don't plan on keeping it awhile, get a gasser. I really like seeing the better fuel mileage all around and the routine maintenance is easy, but repairs can be costly.

Its easy power and sheer size cannot be duplicated, but most of the half-tons are getting it done nowadays with a gas motor. I would go there.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

I would agree if you aren't towing HEAVY stuffs, a diesel its not worth it. If you get something ford, I'd stay away from the 6.0, They are not a grocery getter vehicle, and need to be driven hard, with weight. We see allot of people driving diesels (6.0) but not using them for their intended purpose, and ends up costing them ALLOT of money. the new 6.7 is a great engine, lots of torque, but its not worth it if your not using it.

I would suggest for the most bang for you buck is a Eco-boost 150. Go test drive one they tell us what you think. doesn't hurt to go test drive one

[Scott K]

Quote:

I would suggest for the most bang for you buck is a Eco-boost 150. Go test drive one they tell us what you think. doesn't hurt to go test drive one smile

It hurts a lot to test drive one, it hurts the check book! Those trucks are sweet, and it is hard to walk away and not buy one after you have test driven one. I have a buddy that is a die hard diesel macho man, test drive one, and he came home with it. He says the Ecoboost is much more fun to drive then the diesels.

[Powerstroke]

That is something I would do.....and then I would be sleeping in my new truck because my wife would have my head. Man I want one of those Ecoboost F150's.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

So You could get an Eco-boost Explorer(on the lots). Turbo 2.o, or a focus ST, again Turbo 2.0(may be out next year), or wait for the C-Max with a turbo 1.0 inline 3(speculative)?

The smile factor pays for those Turbos....... and then the tires goes POP....

[Scott K]

I got the chance to drive a Focus 2.0 Turbo this summer, during a training class. Lets just say all those foreign kids cars with all of the mods have some stock competition! I wanted to drive the Explorer, but it was hooked up to a machine on the dyno. I did get some literature on the 1.0, and it sounds like it compete well with the VW,and Hondas for fuel economy, and performance. The 1.0 is suppose to be about the same as what the present 2.0 has for power.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

The 1.0 is suppose to be about the same as what the present 2.0 has for power.

Yup. 1.0 T. replaces the "4 n/a", the 2.0 T replaces the "v6 n/a" and the 3.5 T replaces the "v8 n/a" and the 5.0 T(?) replaces the "V10 n/a(?)" The 5.0 is still speculative if its going GTDI.

[landscaper]

I am in the works of getting a new truck. For my landscape business i would be towing a 22 foot heavy duty trailer. Mostly towing a bobcat or getting pallets of block. Right now i pull it with a f-450 with a V-10 and even driving the f450 i get 8 MPG if i am lucky!!!

The truck will Also be a FAMILY vehicle daily "winter" driver for my wife.

My picks of trucks are for either the f-150 eco boost or f-250/350 with the 6.7 diesel. I know the 6.7 would be "safer" pulling but i am not sure which truck to get...?

[Ryan_V]

I have a diesel... 08 dodge.... And love it. I tow a camper in the summer, but other than that, its just a driver. Yes fuel is more, but its also getting better milage than a3/4 ton gasser. I dont drive alot of miles, so maintainance isn't an issue.

[Scott K]

I am in the works of getting a new truck. For my landscape business i would be towing a 22 foot heavy duty trailer. Mostly towing a bobcat or getting pallets of block. Right now i pull it with a f-450 with a V-10 and even driving the f450 i get 8 MPG if i am lucky!!!

The truck will Also be a FAMILY vehicle daily "winter" driver for my wife.

My picks of trucks are for either the f-150 eco boost or f-250/350 with the 6.7 diesel. I know the 6.7 would be "safer" pulling but i am not sure which truck to get...?

I would without a doubt recommend the F350 with the 6.7 in your case. The f150 Eco boost will pull it without a problem, but I think you will be much happier going with the F350.

[delcecchi]

Wouldn't that depend to some extent on the proportion of towing to daily driver?

[JOHNBIGDOG]

I would have to agree with the amount of towing with the diesel, Its going to cost ALLOT more to operate that 6.7 that the Eco boost.

Every oil change 13 quarts of oil,(oil changes determined by pcm, Ford does not have a service interval) D.E.F. 4 gallons(from what I've seen), and the fuel. plus other maintenance.

This truck is not like previous trucks, it tells you when to change oil, fuel filters, check coolant, add DEF (and if you don't add the right DEF will de-rate to an idle only condition) Its built to last but you have to take care of it and follow the Ford SEVERE maint. guide.

*Diesel Exhaust Fluid*

[CJH]

So You could get an Eco-boost Explorer(on the lots). Turbo 2.o, or a focus ST, again Turbo 2.0(may be out next year), or wait for the C-Max with a turbo 1.0 inline 3(speculative)?

The smile factor pays for those Turbos....... and then the tires goes POP....

[tonkapat]

Just my opinion but I would shy away from trucks with first year motors as they are unproven.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I would agree. I have the Ecoboost, and while it is a fantastic truck, I don't think I'd regularly tow such a heavy load.

[LightningBG]

I am in the works of getting a new truck. For my landscape business i would be towing a 22 foot heavy duty trailer. Mostly towing a bobcat or getting pallets of block. Right now i pull it with a f-450 with a V-10 and even driving the f450 i get 8 MPG if i am lucky!!!

The truck will Also be a FAMILY vehicle daily "winter" driver for my wife.

My picks of trucks are for either the f-150 eco boost or f-250/350 with the 6.7 diesel. I know the 6.7 would be "safer" pulling but i am not sure which truck to get...?

The Eco-boost f150 is rated at 5000-5500 lbs towing. I have a feeling your trailer and bobcat are going to be close to or over that. I'd be more worried about stopping it more than getting it going.

[Scott K]

The Eco=Boost is rated to tow 11,300 pounds, I dont know where you got the 5500 pounds from? But regardless a skid loader on a heavey duty trailer, along with some blocks, can easly push over 15,000. Like I said the truck can do it, with no problems what so ever, but if you are towing more often then not, and using it for business, go big. If DOT pulled you over, or worse yet, you got in an accident and injured someone with your business truck while you were over loaded, you are just asking for a large lawsuit.

Here is a couple neat little videos

[LightningBG]

The Eco=Boost is rated to tow 11,300 pounds, I dont know where you got the 5500 pounds from? But regardless a skid loader on a heavey duty trailer, along with some blocks, can easly push over 15,000. Like I said the truck can do it, with no problems what so ever, but if you are towing more often then not, and using it for business, go big. If DOT pulled you over, or worse yet, you got in an accident and injured someone with your business truck while you were over loaded, you are just asking for a large lawsuit.

That is a good question. I was looking at the Car and Driver specs. It said Eco-boost on the top of the specs, but I think that was a mistake. The regular 6cyl looks to be in the 5000s, but you're correct, the Eco is up in the 11s. My bad.

[tonkapat]

On the ecoboost do the spark plugs shoot out the hood or just not come out. Will the cam phasers last just past the warranty again. If the eco is so great why does it have the worst powertrain warranty for trucks of the big three.

What I really question is a vct engine where the truck computer tells you not to change the oil for extended periods (8000 to 10000) The 5.4 3v would sludge the oil well before that.

only time will tell