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How many miles a week to justify a diesel?

I’ve had both, the maintenance/fuel argument is a wash imho. Diesel gets better fuel mileage, offset by a marginally higher fuel price (dependent on where you live in some cases), maintenance on the diesel (oil, fuel filters) is a 2:1 interval vs the gasser so negligible more cost there. They both have their place. Since I’ve had my diesel, no way will I go back to a gasser and I use mine as a DD’r and to haul my TT around. I say get what you want/can afford and be happy.
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
OP mentioned needing a truck for commuting not really for towing ..
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He seams to be looking for a capable truck that will not take much of a hit with amount of miles he’s going to be putting on it.

I think after all and said done, he wants to know which truck will last the longest in terms of engine mileage.

The answer is clear.
 
my .02 cents (I have driven nothing but Ram Cummins the past 25 years):
If you are driving 55 miles one way (I assume nonstop) 2-3 times a week---you should be good. Especially if you are on a 4 lane where you can run it 70-80 MPH for a few consecutive miles.
ALWAYS "try" to get engine to operating temp every time you run it--meaning you can watch engine temp gauge, and you will know when the thermostat opens---typically around 204 degrees....(when thermostat opens engine temp will drop from around 204-205 to around 190 in a few seconds)
 
DarkHorse8 said:
He seams to be looking for a capable truck that will not take much of a hit with amount of miles he’s going to be putting on it.

I think after all and said done, he wants to know which truck will last the longest in terms of engine mileage.

The answer is clear.
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This /\

I currently have a 2014 1500 and it's been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I now have 145k on it and am thinking about replacing it while it still has some value. I don't care for the new 1500's, I don't like the F150 and will never own another GM product when i was a die hard fan boy. I owned about 30 GM vehicles in my life and only 2 made it to 100,000 the Yukon Xl but lots of issues and a Trailblazer that was awesome unfortunately someone ran a stop sign and T boned my wife while driving it and it was junked with 135k on it. But when my wife's Venture van has a cam break in half 1000 miles out of warranty and they wouldn't help with it only to find the repair would cost almost what KBB said a running van would cost we junked it. Itt was meticulously maintained and then my Yukon XL started burning 1 qt of oil every 1000 miles at 36k and GM says that's normal is insanity. Then due to the multi displacement shut off I had the sludging issue they are know for even with 5000 mile or 50% oil life changes using Mobil 1 synthetic oil and ultimately the head gasket went at 110k. I was able to trade it in for more than I thought I could get in a private sale for the 1500.

I loved my solid front axle trucks when I was younger. I had 2 full size Blazers and a Dodge W100 for work. I want to have durability above all else. The 2500 has a stronger front suspension and doesn't need a leveling kit to run 35's while also giving more ground clearance for hunting. I will be towing 3-5x a year an approximately 9-10k trailer with archery targets and displays for various shooting events that the United Bow Hunters of NJ sponsor. I wouldn't have thought about the Diesel except for first longevity of the engine, second better gas mileage than the 6.4 which my son bought one a month ago and is getting 18 highway and 14 local which is about what my 1500 with 35's is getting and finally the least important thing for me is resale value down the line if my needs change.
 
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Rockcrawlindude said:
You left out the part where 10k more truck is $200/ mo on an average loan
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That may be for some. But the Tradesman with the diesel is less than $2k more than the Gas Big Horn. The main difference other than the engine is the Tradesman doesn’t have electric heated seats and the stupid small tires. The Bighorn has the night edition so it has 20” wheels and painted body color bumpers while the tradesman has the matte black bumpers as a contrast to the body color. So not big differences. They both have the same camera systems and the 12” screen radio which I honestly prefer the simpleness of the radio in my 1500. I really hate touchscreens but today that is pretty much the only option.
 
farmingdalesfinest said:
That may be for some. But the Tradesman with the diesel is less than $2k more than the Gas Big Horn. The main difference other than the engine is the Tradesman doesn’t have electric heated seats and the stupid small tires. The Bighorn has the night edition so it has 20” wheels and painted body color bumpers while the tradesman has the matte black bumpers as a contrast to the body color. So not big differences. They both have the same camera systems and the 12” screen radio which I honestly prefer the simpleness of the radio in my 1500. I really hate touchscreens but today that is pretty much the only option.
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That sounds like a well equipped tradesman.

I looked at a big horn night edition truck. It was pretty with all the body color trim and blacked out accents.

I didn’t like the full console. I did like the 8.4” (this was back in ‘19) so I found a tradesman with the 8.4” and bench seat. I did a night edition conversion on it. my wife wishes I had heated seats but other than that the t-man works great.
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
That sounds like a well equipped tradesman.

I looked at a big horn night edition truck. It was pretty with all the body color trim and blacked out accents.

I didn’t like the full console. I did like the 8.4” (this was back in ‘19) so I found a tradesman with the 8.4” and bench seat. I did a night edition conversion on it. my wife wishes I had heated seats but other than that the t-man works great.
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My sons Big Horn is Patriot Blue and is absolutely the nicest truck I have ever driven. I have a friend who has a King Ranch F250 and other than the leather seats it looks and feels like a lower end interior. My son has the fold down middle in the seat like my 1500 while the one I am looking at has the full center console which for me is not a selling point because I am a big guy at 6'2 and 275lbs. I prefer not to have my right knee touching anything so prefer the fold down console that is in the diesel too.
 
I have averaged ~1400miles/month on my Cummins. 76 miles one-way to work 5-8 times a month. Unfortunately only 9% of the miles are towing miles. No issues thus far (50k total miles) with my emissions system....but I am rolling 50k now so it's probably programmed to take a dump any minute now.
 
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