Posted by MF Poor on August 19, 2011 at 07:15:30 from (98.19.94.1):
In Reply to: New trucks posted by Dave from MN on August 19, 2011 at 05:07:59:
I've got an '04 2500 4wd,QC, long bed, Hemi, auto. Also have an '04 2500, 4wd,QC, short bed, auto. Both were bought new in November of '03. I thought my business would grow more than it has. I bought one of each to determine which type I'd buy for additional trucks I thought I'd be buying in the future. Then the economy tanked. Business has held steady, but not grown. I still have both trucks.
Both have gooseneck hitch. Both do a fair amount of towing. (usually around 8500 to 9000lb combined weight trailer/cargo) They're hooked to a trailer about 35 or 40% of the miles they log.
Diesel has an advantage on acceleration with load, and does better in hills. Gas will run right along @ 65/70mph. No complaints. I usually drive the gas and one of my employees drives the diesel.
From that point, I do like the proverbial constipated mathematician....I work it out with a pencil.
Initial purchase price is was $4400 more with the diesel. Routine maintenance is quite a bit more w/diesel. diesel gets better milage when towing. I've replaced batteries 2 times already on diesel, just did the FIRST battery in hemi. Repair cost has been quite a bit higher on the diesel. Filter & oil change cost is nearly double on diesel.
We log expenses in great detail, starting with purchase price right on through latest tax and license expenses. Mile for mile, the gasser has been LESS EXPENSIVE to own and operate per mile over the long haul, to the tune of roughly 10%. (Hemi has 177,000+ and HO diesel has 151,000+)
The hemi is quieter, and less trouble overall. Diesel wears tires faster (primarily FRONTS)
When the trailers get loaded to their maximum capacity, the diesel does shine a bit. Average driving, not so much.
Once you get beyond to engine/drive train, the trucks are essentially the same, so items like air conditioning, electrical systems, body and interior trim, ect, wear out at the same pace. No advantage to either.
I've considered trading both in on new trucks. (about a year and a half ago. Diesel has a SLIGHT advantage on trade value so long as miles aren't high. (under 150,000) Even with the diesels ability to run on past 250,000 and higher, the truck under the diesel is only worth so much. Not that many people go shopping for a truck with 300,000+ miles.
All things equal, I'd rather drive the hemi.
If you're made of money, tow every time the truck starts out the driveway, and trade trucks before they start to wear out, diesels are great. Otherwise, things begin to equalize between the 2 in short order.
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