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WHY buy diesel pickup?

T

Toms1650

Member
I currently have 4 2007 HD 3500 4x4 4 doors autos w/373 gears Chevy diesels, one is a dually. One of the four also doubles as my daily driver. I have never avg more than 16mpg with any of them. They all pull trailers. heavest trailer is 16k. I also use mine to haul farm tractors. Heavest tractor is a Oliver 2050 @ 12k-14k alone. Anyway after I learned the hard way to stay away from biodiesel in the winter (all 4 shut down and not running/ all from different fuel stations) the trucks have been good. I am tired of looking for fuel out in the middle of nowwhere and I am thinking of getting a new F350 srw 4x4 with the new 6.2 gas. I can only get 373 for some reason the factory will not supply 355 gears. Has anyone else got this setup? If so what are you getting for mpg? I was hoping to get 12mpg. I do not see the reason to pay more for the diesel engine, and then pay more for the fuel. I do get a break on diesel fuel due to the amount we use in a month (fleet 100 trucks).
 
Got a new F250 set up the same way. Just running around with no towing and some city driving it gets an average of 14.3. Did do one trip of about 400 miles towing about 19500, trailer and two tractors and it dropped me to 8.1. Some of this was in some pretty hilly area. Dont have the torque that my Duramax had, but did a pretty good job. One thing is I bet she dont jell and make me walk in the cold.
 
What about the $5,000 premium you paid for it in the first place? You cant burn enough fuel through it to ever even think of paying you back. Repairs are insane on them too. Wait another year or two & enjoy the urea injection thats largely unproven/tested & $$$ to repair, it"ll be fun fillin that little tank @-20f too i bet. Seems like a bad plan to me, i just dont see where the advantage is unless your running illegal off-road fuel in it.
 
get you a dodge with the 5.9 cummins in it and get 20 to 21 mpg empty. thats what my 05 3500 gets with 373 gears. i get 12 to 13 with 15000lb load fo pulling tractors. if it is hilly it gets around 10 mpg but still better than i have heard from the other two brands. i had a 06 f350 with 6.0 diesel and it only got 15 on road empty with 410 gears and about 7 loaded. love my cummins and havent had any problems with it at 110,000 miles. no programmer on it either straight from the factory except straight through 4 inch exhaust.
 
It has been long proven that a well maintained diesel engine will last much longer than a well maintained gas engine. I believe that is the number one reason.
Torques are typically higher, HP is getting up there, and lower RPM's than a gas (one killer of engines is high RPM)
Here is an article that may help you understand why paying more for a diesel engine makes sense it you are towing loads.
http://www.trucktrend.com/features/tech/163_0210_diesel_vs_gas/index.html
 
I've got an F250 with a 5.4 gas, 3.73 gears, automatic and it gets 12.5 mpg empty, 12.4 with a gooseneck and a decent load, down around 11 loaded to the gills. Compared to my 2001 Dodge with the 24 valve Cummins, 5 spd, and 4.10 gears which gets 17 or so empty and 12 loaded heavy. GVWR is better on the Dodge but I'm with you on the costs. I paid a 5000 dollar premium for it when I bought it new, pay more for fuel, and at 160,000 miles dropped over 4 grand in the top end alone. Local NAPA says they can put me in a long block 460 for less than that. This is my last diesel pickup. When its gone I'm going to keep one gas 250/2500 pickup, get a used International 2 ton diesel with air brakes, and then something cheap for a daily driver.
 
I give you that the Cummins is a good engine, I just do not care for the truck it is in. You know some men like blondes some like reheads. I really like the Ford, have owned all three brands (notice toyota is not an option) and just happen to enjoy the Ford more. When you like something it clouds your judgements on what faults the truck may have.
 
Well that is what I am thinking, I no doubt believe that the diesel from any brand would outlast a gas. I do not plan on keeping it for 400,000 miles. If it lasts for 200k that would be fine for me. I want to unload it by then anyway. In 2.5 years I put 100k on the chevy so it is not like I do alot of driving. Figure the gaser would last me for 5 years and then I could get another new one.
 
Funny that has always been how I define a good truck- one that does not make me walk. I understand that I will have about half of the torque, I think I can still pull w/400 torque. This more than we had in the 70/80s and I think trailers were pulled then.
 
The 2 advantages I see is mileage loaded and torque. I've had 3 dodge/cummins trucks, a chevy with a 350, and the 04 duramax I have now. I liked the cummins engine for low end torque and excellent fuel mileage (18-21 unloaded). Chevy gas was ridiculous (about 6 towing) and the 454 vortec's I'd been around are gutless, even the 01-02 6.0's. The duramax does ok, i really like the allison auto. I've been hauling my pulling tractor and trailer (9 ton) and it seems to do ok for power and gets 11 mpg. I've even hauled some decent loads of hay ( 6000# trailer and 11 5x5 rounds) I've come to learn all trucks have their problems and all of the big 3 have advantages/disadvantages to their engines. I dont think i would go back to a gas for my type of towing but If i quit hobby farming and tractor pulling Id go with a 1/2 ton. If going to replace truck,the only thing better might be an L9000 ford LOL.
 
I fully understand it IF you're gonna pull it every day, all the time. the resale is higher also. But for the vast majority of people it just dont add up money wise. And in the far north they are a pain at minus25 & lower temps, even the newest stuff.
 
It's 2010 not 1980. Gas engines with 300,000 miles with just plugs and filter/oil changes are the norm.
Ever price common rail diesel injection components after the warranty expires? Variable vane turbo, exhaust filters, urea injection, egr, and all the extra complex parts? We are not talking anymore about a Cummings two valve with a plain turbo and a Bosch P pump.
A 3/4 or one ton gasser is not the simple engine.
rpms doesn't mean anything for a highway pickup. It's not a 24/7 genset or irrigation pump.
Just how much of the higher priced diesel does the truck have to burn to just break even on the cost of the diesel and HD auto trans option?
The main attraction to diesel is burning off-road tractor fuel. Plus adding a programmer for lots of smoke and extra power.
 
He needs to order the manuals that state that owning a diesel pickup is simply a status symbol.
Until Hurricane Katrina, diesel was lower priced than gas. The cost combined with increased power and longevity made it a no brainer for diesel.
Diesel fuel was something of little use until diesel engines caught on many years ago. It still cost less to produce even with the added stuff in it.
How do the gas companies get by for so long with lying to us?
 
Those specific points are valid, however, it is emerging technologies that improve engines.

Just think about before electronic ignition and fuel injection. Almost any person could work on their vehicles with common tools.
Then comes the new stuff and unless you had the money to buy expensive testing and calibrating equipment, you had to pay someone else to work on it. Last time I checked, an electronic ignition module cost way more than a set of points and condensor.

The old FORD 7.3 diesel before intercooler and turbo is pretty simple. It also lacks a lot of power and efficiency.
The biggest single killer of justifing a light duty diesel today is the greedy oil companies supported by a corrupt government.
They even made statements that diesel prices would drop even more as more vehicles burned it. Not so. They just jacked the price up based on a hurricane and NEVER brought it back down.

As for the capacity race that is ongoing, once you past 10K or 26K (depending config), you need special license, extra insurance, etc.

No question there are a few crazy people that try to run "red" fuel, but tanks can be dipped at anytime by DOT. Not a wise thing to do unless you have stacks of money to give away and an extra driver's license. If they find a mere trace, your goose is cooked! And yes, they have heard all of the excuses like "someone else drove this truck and did it."
 
You are like my neighbors used to be, they didn't have it so they didn't need it.I guess I will be a "Big Shot" and keep my dodge dsl! Offroad fuel never goes into my pu, the fine isn't worth the the money you save. Say what you want about status but I want a truck that will run at interstate speed loaded so nthat I am not a hazard to me and everyone else. Bring your gasser and see if you can keep up.
 
Come on fellers, you just don,t get it! The best reason is so you can put big chrome stacks up thru the bed, smoke chip it and play-like a big trucker at every stoplight while stinking and polluting!
 
One of the biggest factors on the High Price of Diesel is that there is more tax on it than on gasoline. At least here in New York!!
 
bought 2 Ford pickup's at work a year ago
V10, auto, dually, 4x4, 4.10 gears
hung 10' snow plows on them
one did a 800+ mile round trip with 150 miles on it avg 8.2 mpg pulling 28' enclosed trailer
plowed snow last winter with them, plenty of snow more than in a long time
mile indicated droped to 4.8 and 5.1
one since then has drug a tracked loader,12k, around numerous times, more than enough power to handle it.
currently indicating 10.1 mpg with 10,200 miles on it
rarely gets more than 8 miles from the shop
maybe 2 50 mile trips a week, so all short haul
either one pushes snow way better than the Chevy dually with 6 liter gas and same plow, most of the time in two wheel drive while the Chevy has to be in 4 wheel drive
Ron
 
I have a Dodge mega cab with the Cummins. I had the computer tweaked to be able to idle up the engine and let it run parked for extended periods. I am in the Real estate business and the ability to let the AC run while we are in looking at houses was invaluable The cooler I keep my clients the happier they are. I have idled as much as 8 straight hours in 100 degree heat and the AC stays cold. You will burn up a gas motor doing that. It's a 2 wheel drive so I get upwards of 25 MPG on a trip and 20 around town. That's why I chose the Diesal
 
(quoted from post at 20:41:01 11/09/10) I have a Dodge mega cab with the Cummins. I had the computer tweaked to be able to idle up the engine and let it run parked for extended periods. I am in the Real estate business and the ability to let the AC run while we are in looking at houses was invaluable The cooler I keep my clients the happier they are. I have idled as much as 8 straight hours in 100 degree heat and the AC stays cold. You will burn up a gas motor doing that. It's a 2 wheel drive so I get upwards of 25 MPG on a trip and 20 around town. That's why I chose the Diesal
Click to expand...

Law enforcement vehicles quite often DO just sit and idle for very extended lengths of time, and those engines DO NOT burn up, and those engines are NOT diesels.
 
(quoted from post at 10:39:22 11/10/10)
(quoted from post at 20:41:01 11/09/10) I have a Dodge mega cab with the Cummins. I had the computer tweaked to be able to idle up the engine and let it run parked for extended periods. I am in the Real estate business and the ability to let the AC run while we are in looking at houses was invaluable The cooler I keep my clients the happier they are. I have idled as much as 8 straight hours in 100 degree heat and the AC stays cold. You will burn up a gas motor doing that. It's a 2 wheel drive so I get upwards of 25 MPG on a trip and 20 around town. That's why I chose the Diesal
Click to expand...
ep, rustyfarmall, it doesn't have jack to do with engine fuel type...it is all in the cooling system.

Law enforcement vehicles quite often DO just sit and idle for very extended lengths of time, and those engines DO NOT burn up, and those engines are NOT diesels.
Click to expand...
 
Alot has to do with your location. For flat landers where torque isn't as important for pulling long steep hills, gas is just fine.

I have a Duramax and my dad has the same truck with the 6.0L gas. There is no comparison. The duramax is near effortless driving and towing on any terrain. The gasser has to work harder to go slower. It shifts twice as often and simply isn't as enjoyable to drive.

Now most all of our driving is in the hills of the Allegheny Mts, I would probably be singing a different tone if the driving was in the plains.
 
Thats $5,000 for the engine and another $1800 for the Allison.with taxes its over $7,000.I heard its even more now
 
kyhayman I'm with you. I've got a Ford F250 super duty with the 7.3 Diesel. It has a lot of miles on it now and has been breaking down constantly lately. The body is getting rusty and that will probably give out before the engine finally dies. Everything on the engine is very expensive to fix. Usually three times as much or more than a gas engine. It takes 15 quarts of oil and a filter the size of a 2 quart coffee can everytime I change oil. I like the rest of the truck. My next truck will probably be a Ford F250 with the 5.4 gas motor. I just can't see getting another diesel, unless I was a professional hauler running up and down the roads every day with a big load behind me.
 
looking for fuel? carry a xfer tank with you... kill that problem.

my 99 f450 has a 50g transfer tech tank in the bed behind my tool boxes. if I have to drive more than 700-900 miles ( unloaded ) or 400m ( full load ) to find a diesel station.. then tha's not a truck problem.. that's a marketing problem for those selling diesel. I usually also carry 2-4 5g emergency tanks in the rear of the truck along with spare bat, winch and whatnot when going on a haul. had an occasion to almost need to use the reserve fuel going thru lousiana after the bad storms a few years ago.

having driven lots of gassers and diesel.. I doubt I will be buying a gasser again, at least not for a while. I'd opt for a 5-10yr old good condition diesel vs a new/newish gasser any day. my 5.9gasser in my dodge is no match for my 6l diesel in my f250 not even close.. on pulliong and lugging power... and the f250 even has 3.73 gears...

my f450 (7.3 l) has 4.88 gears. won't win any speed contests.. but pulls good.

soundguy
 
Back in '03 I bought a Ram/Cummins that delivers 20mpg running around bareback. Mileage with trailers varies with the trailer and the load, but it's done everything I ever asked of it.

Six months later, bought an '04 Stratus for a daily driver. It's always delivered near 30 mpg.

At the time, regular gas was about $1.85, diesel $1.25. When new, allowing only for fuel costs, it was a tossup as to which was economically more efficient to drive.

My, how times have changed! Again, talking just fuel cost, the Ram costs half again more to fire up than what the Stratus does.
 
My Houston PD buddy has trashed several gas motors over the years. Idling in the heat is hard on them and the AC will not cool as well as when sitting as when moving. Diesal is clearly superior in this respect. I have a 2000 Freight liner with 960,000 miles with out any major engine work yet. My 94 Pete went 1.4 million miles befroe I toasted the motor. In the summer time I run the AC 24 hours a day, idle time is approx 14 hours a day. Gas motor will not do that.
 
My 1995 Dodge Cummins 12 valve consistantly gets 18-22 miles per gallon , 320thousand miles , Hard work miles Too ! . KEEP ur Gassers ,, and Oxygen sensors and all the ModernB/s junk that is SUPPOsED to make them Run better ,,, I have spent out my Rear trying to keep the Modern B/s gasser vehicles going ,, If they are over 10 yrs old and 150 Thousdand miles , A guy is better off to wad it up and throw it in the trash ... And Find a Diesel,,, the extra price for fuel far outweighs the cost of keeping the gasser running right
 
Try burning off road tractor fuel in one around here and you will be paying a hefty fine and possible jail time. The DOT is on the side of the road checking pick-ups every week. I have been stopped 3 times and fuel checked in the last two months.
 
(quoted from post at 23:32:20 11/12/10) My 1995 Dodge Cummins 12 valve consistantly gets 18-22 miles per gallon , 320thousand miles , Hard work miles Too ! . KEEP ur Gassers ,, and Oxygen sensors and all the ModernB/s junk that is SUPPOsED to make them Run better ,,, I have spent out my Rear trying to keep the Modern B/s gasser vehicles going ,, If they are over 10 yrs old and 150 Thousdand miles , A guy is better off to wad it up and throw it in the trash ... And Find a Diesel,,, the extra price for fuel far outweighs the cost of keeping the gasser running right
Click to expand...

Lets get you out of the distant past with simple P pump Cummings up to 1998-1/2,1998-1/2 to 2002 with the mostly reliable ISB mechanical pump. Compare a 2011 gasser with a 2011 diesel.
Ever look under the hood and see how much simpler a 2011 gasser is. Vs. a variable vane turbo, with high pressure piezoelectric injection, exhaust filter, glow plugs and urea injection.
How much fuel do you have to save to pay for the diesel option new and break even at about the time warranty expires.
Then save more fuel money to pay for the diesel repairs after warranty expires.
Good luck to you diesel owners still living in the era before electronic emission diesels instead of being in 2010.
 
The cummins 5.9 is the only medium duty diesel available in pickups. I prefer the 12 valves from 1994-98. They are utterly bombproof and have no electronics. I have 2 of them. Both have dump beds. Trip mileage is 18-22 at 60 mph. The dodge chassis has problems, front ends and trannys are weak points. I have owned all of the diesels in the big three but a good condition 12 valve is unbeatable. I bought a new Dodge cummins after I sold my 12 valve 98, kept it 2 years and sold it and bought a 12 valve 97. I really like Fords and Chevys but their engines don't match up to the cummins.
 

Thank you. With two feet of wire and a big wrench I can haul my backside home at 18-20MPG if the electrical system takes a dump. I love my 90 Cummins.
 
Thats funny... I dont see alot of 300K gas pickups around. I have a 2003 Cummins with no exhaust filters or urea tank or variable turbo 320hp stock with 20 mpg average.
 
(quoted from post at 00:21:12 11/15/10) Let me know when you can walk onto the dealer lot
and purchase a new 1998 Cummings powered pickup.
Click to expand...

The all-new Ford-designed, Ford-engineered and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine has helped drive Super Duty's sales performance in 2010. In September, the engine was recognized by Ward's Automotive as Best Diesel Truck Engine after rigorous testing against competitive trucks.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ford-Super-Duty-Does-Heavy-prnews-1471801824.html?x=0&.v=1
 
i have a 12 valve cummins myself, its going great after 225,000 , as far as weather to buy a gasser or a diesel, to me it boils down to what you need the pickup for, if its just part time use like going to the box store on the weekends, to the dump once in awhile, or pulling a smaller tractor to the shows a few times during the summer a gasser is just fine, but if you drive all the time,or farm or ranch, and are constantly hauling critters and machinery, or have a large rv trailer nothing beats a diesel, more bottom end tourque, longer engine life, better fuel economy, for the cummins me experience is the newer 24 valves have more power, the old 12 valves have fewer problems
 
Here in Iowa, diesel fuel has cost more than gas since before I graduated from high school in 2003. I've always figured it's a toss up; diesel last longer but repairs cost more and higher priced fuel but better milege, gas needs more attention but less expensive parts and less milege but cheaper fuel.

Past couple months I've been considering parting with my Cummins and finding a gasser. As often as I pull heavy loads and as much as the truck sits, I could afford to pay at the pump a little more often. Problem is my truck is paid for and I know what work needs done to it.
 

For someone as full of opinions about what is wrong with everyone else's opinions as you are B&D, looks like you'd realize it's "Cummins", not "Cummings"...

Just FWIW...
 
Don't pick on him, he knows everything including things that have not even been discovered or invented.
He knows a lot about how to spell equally as well. LOL
Buike & Dear, Cummings, on and on it goes.

Maybe he needs to buy the spelling manual instead of showing his brilliant abilities on here?
 
(quoted from post at 21:47:50 11/16/10) Don't pick on him, he knows everything including things that have not even been discovered or invented.
He knows a lot about how to spell equally as well. LOL
Buike & Dear, Cummings, on and on it goes.

Maybe he needs to buy the spelling manual instead of showing his brilliant abilities on here?
Click to expand...

1-800-522-7448
 
Why yes I actually did, they asked me what I wanted it terms of colors and I gave the number you always give when someone who just purchased a tractor and doesnt have a manual but needs instant help. Just because you may not own a diesel, dont rip on those of us who do. Its not for show, or to keep up with the neighbors, I use it to pull. And it will last longer than a gas. If you jealous of other people thats fine, just keep it to yourself.
 

Jealousy is not the word that comes to mind, but since this is Thanksgiving day, I will just be thankful for the 2001 K3500 dually with the 8.1 and 6 speed manual that is paid for and cost me $5,000 less than the Duramax would have. Oh, and I pull with it also.
 
It's about cost per mile over the lifespan of a vehicle. Many folk don't bother to pencil out those numbers.

If you "really" need a diesel pickup to haul heavy loads. Look at a GMC 4500 product. Price is reasonable and their capacity makes 1 ton dually look like a toy.
In 2013 or so when the direct injection V8 gassers go into the new GMC chassis. There will be even fewer diesel advantages even for the true trailer towing users.
If you are using your truck half the time to haul 10,000+ pounds. Just how long is that truck really going to last? Not 300,000 miles like the typical diesel which is driven like a car.
The chassis, suspension,brakes and driveline early wear out can end the trucks service life before the diesel pickup option is amortized.
 
I have driven several 4500 series trucks and they are not quite as handy as 2500 in some cases, A Cummins equipped truck hauling 10,000 all its life will last over 300,000. What are the advantages of a direct injection V-8 gas?
 
Higher compression ratio for efficiency and burns gasoline which has cleaner combustion than the heavier diesel oil.
Easier to meet gasoline emissions requirements than diesel emissions.
You can thank the eco nazis for almost regulating the light highway and light off road diesels out of existence.
Gasser has no turbo, no variable turbo vanes,a moderate pressure injection system. No glow plugs, no exhaust filter. No urea injection. No $10,000 extra upfront purchase price.
 
I understand that variable vane turbos have more moving parts and therefore are more prone to failure. Regular turbos run for many miles and most of the time will see 200,000 miles. I like the diesel for the economy. I can get 22 mpg with my truck. Not so for later diesels say after 04. I dont think my truck has glow plugs but has a grid heater in the intake. They dont give much trouble. Our Bobcats have individual glow plugs and the dealer rarely has problems unless really high hours. I like the diesel for the economy, and in a good hard pull the diesel is second to none. I am sick and tired though of people who say that diesels are hard to start in the winter. We plug our tractors in and they always start. My truck will start at -35 sitting in the wind with no engine heater, just pre start heater. I do see your point though. But as far as DI gas engines making it into farm tractors of any size, I dont think it will happen, at least I hope it never does. I do see your point of view.
 
...and just about everything today has a variable geometry turbo... and an EGR valve and a pile of other crap... which goes back to the original point... you ain't getting a simple, reliable diesel like you could before '07.

Rod
 
I can't say for certain but I'm about 90% sure that it does. Variable geometry turbo's are pretty well standard on all these engines that have high output's relative to their displacement. The IH DT466 also has a variable geometry unit now instead of the simple old T-04 Garrett... with the corresponding reduction in reliability...

Rod
 
That 6.2 is gonna seem awfully darned lame.

Don't know anyone who runs diesel because of fuel mileage. It's the raw power, torque and longevity that makes 'em shine.

If you haven't traded yet, ya better jump in one of those 6.7s and give 'er a spin. :>)

Allan
 
Look into "Ford Ecoboost". Direct-injection turbocharged gasser.

The new diesels are more complex. But don't say that the urea is unproven. It's been used in Europe for years.
 
Status huh? You're right.. every time I roll in somewhere with my powerstroke, someone always makes a comment under their breath that I really must be someone important to own a 9 year old diesel truck that I traded a 3 year old gasser to obtain. Yup.. sounds like status to me too. The more of your posts I read, the more I realize that you don't have a stand to take. You're consistently going to take the opposite stance on whatever issue is presented to keep the pot stirred up. I think you try to cover your lack of education / experience with some things by searching the internet and doing a lot of copying and pasting with a little mixing of the words so you can be "original". It's okay to post in your "opinion" when you don't know something for sure, or to not post at all because you truly have no idea. To be a subject matter expert of something you know nothing about, well that's a whole other thing entirely.
 
Yes most diesel pickups are purchased for status. They certainly are not being used a heavy cargo and hauling equipment. They are mostly commuter vehicles that never leave the pavement or have the paint worn on the hitch. Others are a kids hot rod and smoke show with a programmer.
Have a look around.
Enjoy your old truck and the repair bills.
 
A lot of them are bought for status, a lot of them aren't. I know a guy with a 3/4 ton that does a lot of extreme camping and has a 4x4 with the big tires and a lift kit. He purposely bought a gas engine because if the diesel required major work it would cost more than the truck was worth to fix it. Can't argue with that and it takes a long time to make up for the extra cost of a diesel. A lot of people like the original Cummins though because it gets good mileage and is reliable and simpler. Dave
 
Yes it does, but the vanes are fixed. There is a sleeve in the outlet of the housing that moves back and forth over the vanes. IF I understood what I've read about them correctly.
 
gas is for push lawnmowers.. and old old antique tractors. diesel is for real trucks and tractors.

I have a ford 6.0psd that would pull the guts out of my dodge 5.9 gasser not even a close competition.. not even ballpark.

diesel engine is gonna give you up to double the life of the gasser and be better at low end torque.

having driven small and big gassers and small and big diesels... there isn't a huge difference in fuel economy penalty and engine size when you look at loads. In fact. my 6.0 psd gets better milage pulling 7k than my 5.9 gasser does as the gasser has had to struggle in hilly areas. and I likemy 7.3 psd better than either... keep it under 70 and it still gets decent milage ( 4.88 gears ).. 6.0 is 3.73... not sure on the dodge.. but it is tall too.. feels similar to a 3.x

if finding fuel is an issue, get a transfer tech tank in the bed. I have one in my f450 with 7.3 psd.. is a 50g tank. when i go on an out of state run to grab a tractor I typically go loaded for bear. i take all tools I might need to do minor and medium repairs, jacks, stands, winches, spare battery. electric compressor and air tank.. enough tie-down strapping for twice my trailer size, and I carry usually 4 5g jugs of diesel, and one of gas ( I usually am fetching old gassers ). between truck main tank, bed tank, and my emergency reserve.. I've made some trips out of state and back and never hit a fueling station.

i can remember one trip during a bad storm season when lots of places were closed on I10 and I was at the point in some bad stalled traffic areas that I was within 'miles' of pulling into the emergency lane and having to add my reserve fuel, and hope the next couple exits had fuel. luckilly while looking for a place to pull over an exit appeared with an operating fuel station. did near the same on a trip to texas.. was 2am and I stopped in a city to rest a couple hours before picking up a load in the morning.. was on less than an 1/8 and lotsa places were closed and many out of diesel. again.. 20g of reserve fuel got me loaded and to the next city where fuel was. with that capacity of main + bed+reserve.. you can plan fuel stops pretty safely with 100-200 miles leeway for a safety margin if you want to. while that used to be a consideration for me a few years ago.. fuel stop planning is now an afterthought with that 50g transfer tank in the bed...

soundguy
 
First off I love the low end torque of Diesel Pickups. But the sad truth is a gas motor makes economic sense, unless you drive 50000 mi per year. My son has 2- 7.3 Ford 4 door 4X4 a 97 and a 02 plus 2 Dodges a 89 Diesel 4X4 reg cab and a I think a 98 12 valve 4X4 extended cab. What did we haul our tractor to Tunica with, my 03 Ford 5.4 extended cab F250. It got 10 mph pulling a 25 ft gooseneck, our tractor just weighed 5000 lb. But there is just one hill between our house and there. Goreville hill flat out in second 67 mph. With no hills it just drives better and is quieter than a Diesel. I just wished it would smoke when you get on it. LOL Vic
 
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