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Question for Diesel Owners/Experienced Diesel ppl

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aterza

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I am in the process of researching diesel vs gas for my next truck. I would use the truck for daily commute and towing trailer about 6~8 times a year. My daily commute is only 15 miles to work and back and I average about 15k per year. My worries from what I am reading is my short daily commute to work, if I were to purchase a diesel. Or should this not matter? We plan on taking a big trip in 2 years from PA to CA and back and pulling our camper (currently around 6.5k lbs) but might upgrade to a heavier camper. My 2 kids are still in school so we will only travel/camp in the summer. My wife and I are both teachers and travel a lot in the summer to take advantage of the time we have off. So my biggest concern is my short daily commute and owning a diesel. Thanks for any input. You don't have to input about cost of diesel vs gas or that gas would tow just fine with the weight I am at, just the short commute I have. I have been reading all the threads about pros vs cons of gas/diesel, just haven't come across using a diesel with such a short work commute.
 
You would be fine with a commute like that with a diesel mine is 7 miles but if you are only towing a small trailer like that a few times a year then gas would be a better option even if you went to a 10-12k trailer in the future and a gas truck would net you more payload
 
I’m in a similar situation, but I work from home. Only daily commuting is picking kids up from school, about a mile or so from home. I chose gas.

Similar sized trailer also, but planning to upgrade to something around 9-10k. Went with a 3500 CCLB w/ 50 gal for max payload and fuel capacity.
 
aterza said:
I am in the process of researching diesel vs gas for my next truck. I would use the truck for daily commute and towing trailer about 6~8 times a year. My daily commute is only 15 miles to work and back and I average about 15k per year. My worries from what I am reading is my short daily commute to work, if I were to purchase a diesel. Or should this not matter? We plan on taking a big trip in 2 years from PA to CA and back and pulling our camper (currently around 6.5k lbs) but might upgrade to a heavier camper. My 2 kids are still in school so we will only travel/camp in the summer. My wife and I are both teachers and travel a lot in the summer to take advantage of the time we have off. So my biggest concern is my short daily commute and owning a diesel. Thanks for any input. You don't have to input about cost of diesel vs gas or that gas would tow just fine with the weight I am at, just the short commute I have. I have been reading all the threads about pros vs cons of gas/diesel, just haven't come across using a diesel with such a short work commute.
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Bought my 2021 new with the 6.7 Cummins and I make about the same distance each way commuting to and from work. No issues thus far and I recently climbed over 2k miles. Truck is used as a daily and a heavy hauler when needed.
 
While not a Ram, my Crew lead has a 13 Powersmoke that he daily drives appx 4mi each way. He's never had issues however he did mention he'll take the scenic route if it's in def regen. I run 24mi to work so not much help there. This is only my second diesel with the first being a 06 Jetta TDI. I love the torque, mpgs and tows soooo nice! Buts it's definitely a compromise when it comes to extra maint costs. Thankfully GENO'S helped ease the sting on that.
 
I have a 2021 3500 DRW diesel and I work from home. My wife is a teacher so most of our travels are in the summer also. I’ve towed a 10k travel trailer 8 times this year and have had zero issues. There are some posts here that I have read that state if you don’t put 100 miles on it daily it’s going to destroy it. I’ve had zero issues with mine. I will state towing with it is an absolute game-changer. Unless the government regulates diesel trucks out of existence, I will probably never go back to a gasser.


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I would be less concerned about commuting with a diesel than all the other gas vs diesel points.

For me, the biggest reason to own a diesel is the tow capacity. I pull 12-16K in the mountains and wouldn't own a gas truck. If I pulled 10K, I would be driving a Hemi and probably a 2500.

Hemi trucks with the 8-speed ZF are certainly more commuter friendly.
Trailer less than 12K is no trouble for the Hemi. Some pull heavier but never see big mountains.
Hemi truck will have less towing capacity but more payload. That's a big deal if you're looking at a 2500 which is going to ride better than the 3500.
Hemi = less maintenance
Hemi = no DEF
Hemi = less wear and tear on front end components. The CTD is notoriously hard on ball joints.

There are certainly more pros and cons, but those would be the primary points.
 
Imo commuting in a HD truck of any sort is a real drag. It’s massively expensive and no fun. You could probably buy a small sports car and the HD truck and not be out financially.
 
I just got back into a Cummins, my 6th one now. Here are my impressions so far:
the Hemi is definitely easier to drive in town, especially compared to my previous Cummins rigs. I had a 2018 and 2019 Hemi 6.4, they drove very well, especially my 19 with the 8 speed, loved that truck. My last Cummins was a 2016 Laramie, that thing drove, rode, and handed horribly. I especially despised the dead pedal delay that Cummins had back then, absolutely dangerous!

The only downside I had to my Hemi’s was the fuel economy, I never passed a gas station! Now I’m in a 2021 dually Cummins and I am pleasantly amazed! This thing is everything my 2016 wasn’t. The ride quality is very good, it handles better, gobs of power, and NO throttle delay! Drivability is outstanding in town, and this thing is huge! It is my pull vehicle for camping, but I also use it in town, so will see how the emissions do. I have a 2021 Durango R/T that I can putt around town in if necessary. So far, I have zero regrets grabbing a new Cummins.
 
I appreciate all the comments. Hopefully truck prices can become normal in the next year or so. For now I will have to stick close to home with my current set up. I am over payload on current truck and don't want to push my limits to far. Thanks again for being a great community.
 
aterza said:
I appreciate all the comments. Hopefully truck prices can become normal in the next year or so. For now I will have to stick close to home with my current set up. I am over payload on current truck and don't want to push my limits to far. Thanks again for being a great community.
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The prices are not inflated really its just how the HD market has become in the last 15 years
 
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