Does anyone want a Dodge diesel option?
Record Breaker
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 41
From: Bismarck, ND
I can appreciate your views however let me detail why I will never buy another new vehicle, especially a Diesel. It is Auto manufacturers greed and they seize on any thing that will sell new, and then under value trade in pricing. I thought Diesels were the solution with promises of increased mileage and durability. We bought two Diesel 1 ton trucks the additional $5000.00 would be reflected in trade in value if in good condition. THe trucks had a four year life and were maintained at the dealership bought from. They had constant EGR valve problems, at one point I had to wait over a week while one truck was fixed, the week was because there were 27 other diesels sitting in the lot waiting for the same part. Additional fuel costs 10 to 15 cents a gallon ate into the mileage, which was on average five miles per gallon better, if the truck was used so it had highway miles in its route. Around town the gas trucks were getting three miles per gallon less than the diesels. At the same time we had another truck pratically a duplicate of the diesels but gas that was bought one year earlier. When the three trucks were traded on newer ones the year older gas truck was worth $1000.00 less than the diesels with the explination there was no market for the diesels. Keep in mind the gas truck was a year older wich made it have around 30,000 miles more than the diesels. If the game was honest there would not be all the write ups we see. Yes these were business trucks but the bottom line is the more spent on vehicles the greater the gross margine has to be to maintain a profit. In short it does not make sense financially to buy Diesel products in this country.
Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
From: Pa. now
My guess is those were 6.0 powerstrokes, they had a poorly designed egr system. There is a guy here with a 2010 cummins getting 24mpg highway and 19 city unloaded with 18mpg highway pullin' 20-25k loads. All he did is get a programmer with an egr and dpf delete. Which since ND has no inspections is easy to get away with. Prior to the mods 13 city 16 hwy unloaded. They have great potenial, I agree with mantisman, the epa has a place but they've stepped over the line.....
Last edited by 89newbie; Jan 21, 2012 at 06:45 AM. Reason: spellling
Professional
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Is fuel still a problem in the US? I had to fill at high-pressure truck stops with the Ford Diesel I drove from home to MN in the early 90's. Thought it was strange since every gas station has diesel in Canada, at least in Western Canada (Ontario and East is a different fuel market; different refineries, they get oil from Saudi and Venezuela).
Someone mentioned diesel fuel economy hasn't changed much in car/truck, but if you check the older engines vs newer ones, same as gas ... way more power instead of way better economy. Best thing about diesel trucks is if you haul a load and especially tow ... fuel consumption doesn't change hardly at all empty or working hard. If you don't need that, you may not need one.
The trucks are really popular here with oilfield and heavy equipment workers ... employer will pay you a per diem if you have a slip tank and fill it w/diesel, and will agree to let you fill your tank at the bulk station w/diesel and they pay, or you can top up if anything's left in the slip tank at the end of your shift. I know guys getting $150/day extra for having the slip tank; even the cheapest employer pays at least $50/day.
Ram dealer in town just had a guy in the paper, traded in his 08 Diesel 1-ton dually with 600,000 miles (1 million km) on a 2012. That's the second time, first one was an 04 with 540,000 miles (900,000 km). He hauls fifth wheel with it. Oil and filters at the Owner's Manual interval, never broke anything on either of them.
Thing about diesels is they have to be clean .. fuel, air filter, the works. The Big Rig filters are cheap and they usually make them in a size you can fit on these trucks ... Caterpillar fuel filter is $10, twice as long, they have the right oil in bulk at a good price, that kind of thing. They don't take neglect like a gas engine will.
Last edited by Johnny2Bad; Mar 22, 2012 at 02:57 AM.
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia, Canada
I have heard rumors that Dodge and GM have been working on 1/2 ton diesels for a couple years with a possible roll out for 2013. I would be all over a 1/2 ton diesel as long as the mileage is better than my gas pot. I don't have any need for a 3/4 or 1 ton but would love to reap the benefits of a more economical diesel in a 1/2 ton that is still capable of towing my 7000 lb trailer.
