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How many miles a week to justify a diesel?

I have the 6.4 because it does everything I need it to do, like tow a 12,000 lb trailer. I use to manage a fleet of vehicles and I can tell you we had 20+ year old diesels that never needed a major repair. Then the def and emissions started and we ended up spending $6k for repairs, nothing associated with the def or emissions systems is cheap once that warranty expires. Do you need a diesel? If it's a long term commitment like you said are you comfortable with a possible large repair? Only you can answer those questions. Good luck.
 
For me I only have the diesel because it pulls whatever I want to put behind it. It’s not my daily driver. I have a 2001 Tacoma 2wd for that. I wouldn’t buy the diesel for my daily driver if you don’t need it.
Just my 2 cents worth.
 
I have daily drove a 6.7 110-120 miles a day since 2018. my 2024 ram just hit 1 year of ownership and im at 28k miles. none of my diesels have had issues other then the 2021 with a failed trans at 99.400 miles which was replaced under warranty.

As for the maintance cost, its honestly not that much more. 12 quarts of oil over what 6 in a gasser? and the fuel filter every 20k miles. Trans fluid change at 60k miles. Crank case filter at 70k miles. all the work is easily done yourself.
 
I was once in your shoes (sort of). After renting a 2024 Ram 2500 6.7 and putting over 1,500 miles on it, I’m not changing my mind back to the gas option. I have to rent another one this weekend.

I’ll be doing a 1,500 mile round trip once every month.

All miles were unloaded.

Heavy towing will be seasonal (1 to 3 times during track season at long distances).
 
Our 6.4L has a noticeable less horsepower than our 6.7L at our altitude. Sitting here at home at 8,000 feet. Everywhere around within a day's drive is at high altitude. Got to think twice about passing on the highway with our 6.4L, versus, the 6.7L with the Aisin it's got plenty of power. This is probably different at sea level where the HP is rated.
Screenshot_20250903_070350_Altimeter.jpg
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
2016-2018. Wonder what the 2019-2020(21?) did to those numbers with all the problems those trucks had.
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So going back to your original post that I replied to…it’s a false statement. The 6.4 depreciates faster than the 6.7

The 6.7 holds value better as a percentage of original cost, not just because it costs more upfront. Diesel trucks like the Cummins retain a higher resale percentage due to demand, durability, and towing capability. The market pays more because they’re worth more—not just because they started higher.
 
DarkHorse8 said:
So going back to your original post that I replied to…it’s a false statement. The 6.4 depreciates faster than the 6.7

The 6.7 holds value better as a percentage of original cost, not just because it costs more upfront. Diesel trucks like the Cummins retain a higher resale percentage due to demand, durability, and towing capability. The market pays more because they’re worth more—not just because they started higher.
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A big portion of the HD gas trucks sales are $50k work and fleet trucks. Most of the loaded $100k trucks are cummins trucks. You better be getting better resale or you’ve gained nothing from a $12k motor option that takes more expensive fuel, def and has more expensive maintenance.

If you NEED the diesel truck, a gas truck won’t do. That’s where the premium price comes in. OP doesn’t seem to NEED the diesel so it’s not a smart choice. The diesel costs more over its life.
 
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The fuel cost is likely a wash, or may actually be in favor of the diesel depending on prices in your area.

A friend and I have similar trucks. Both 2024 2500s. He has a CC with the Hemi, I have a MC with the Cummins. Our commutes are pretty similar. Fuel mileage is not. Despite mine being quite a bit heavier, mine gets significantly better fuel mileage. He told me he's lucky if he gets 12 mpg. I regularly see 17 as my weekly average.

Yes, oil changes will likely cost more, and you've got an extra fuel filter to deal with on a more frequent basis, but I wouldn't classify that as a huge cost. DEF is another factor, but I can fill my empty tank for under $20 and be good for lots of miles. Not a huge cost. I'm not sure any of those eat into the fuel savings over a year.
 
my 2018 and 2021 both averaged 21-22mpg driving all highway unloaded to and from work.

my 2024 HO 3500 gets 19.1 when im lucky.

average speeds are 80mph on the highway. 15 miles of my 55 mile drive is country back road
 
Belzelbub said:
The fuel cost is likely a wash, or may actually be in favor of the diesel depending on prices in your area.

A friend and I have similar trucks. Both 2024 2500s. He has a CC with the Hemi, I have a MC with the Cummins. Our commutes are pretty similar. Fuel mileage is not. Despite mine being quite a bit heavier, mine gets significantly better fuel mileage. He told me he's lucky if he gets 12 mpg. I regularly see 17 as my weekly average.

Yes, oil changes will likely cost more, and you've got an extra fuel filter to deal with on a more frequent basis, but I wouldn't classify that as a huge cost. DEF is another factor, but I can fill my empty tank for under $20 and be good for lots of miles. Not a huge cost. I'm not sure any of those eat into the fuel savings over a year.
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You left out the part where 10k more truck is $200/ mo on an average loan
 
Bull Creek said:
Our 6.4L has a noticeable less horsepower than our 6.7L at our altitude. Sitting here at home at 8,000 feet. Everywhere around within a day's drive is at high altitude. Got to think twice about passing on the highway with our 6.4L, versus, the 6.7L with the Aisin it's got plenty of power. This is probably different at sea level where the HP is rated.
View attachment 89313
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Seems irrelevant to the OPs question, though I admire the fact that you throw out the elevation you live at as often as possible. For some reason.
 
farmingdalesfinest said:
Let me rephrase my question. I put the same question on FB that's below and most people are only looking at the 9 mile commute but I am also driving for work 2-3x a week 110 miles round trip. So my total mileage a week on average is 250-350 miles. Would this be enough to justify a a diesel and not cause issues with it? I am not looking to justify buying it either I have no experience with diesel and want something that will last a long time with this potentially being the last vehicle I ever own.

My local dealer has a Tradesman Diesel that has been on the lot long enough that they are offering it for only 2 k more than a 6.4 Big Horn that I was looking at. The biggest difference is the diesel has the towing cameras and only the black steel wheels with the stupid small 245 tires. The Big Horn is the midnight edition and heated seats. If I got the Tradesman I would immediately replace the tires to something that would fill the wheel well better.

I really never thought about diesel because of how much more they usually are and then the additional cost of diesel while not towing often. It would be my daily driver and work is only 9 miles from my house but 2-3x a week I drive round trip about 110 miles. I am curious if this is enough mileage to justify to additional maintenance cost as well as the higher fuel cost and DEF? I have never owned a diesel but have read that short trips are going to cause issues over time.

Looking forward to your answers.
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Why are you looking st HD trucks? what’s your use case?
 
Rockcrawlindude said:
You left out the part where 10k more truck is $200/ mo on an average loan
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Yeah, I guess. But that can also wash in the end, but will depend on the terms of the loan. You'll also have higher resale with the Cummins. Might not be enough to totally make it up depending on the interest rate of the loan, but it's not a straight $10K or $200/month either.
 
I am trying to understand why the Tradesman comes with those small tires?
 
Miles isn’t the justification.

Towing power is the first. Towing range with 50 gal tank is second. Towing refuels at truck stops is the third.
 
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