On the jobsite, a heavy duty pickup truck comes in handy hauling cargo and crew, towing equipment, and standing up to a hostile environment day after day. Debate continues to rage about which power plant, diesel or gasoline, stands tall in terms of value, power, durability, and emissions. Diesel power is the standard for heavy equipment worldwide, due to its cheap fuel, high torque, and low maintenance, while big block gasoline engines are an American favorite on the job and on the street.
Research subjects for the comparison are from Dodge,<a href="http://www.carseek.com/reviews/ford/">Ford</a> and GMC, all of whom have both a big block gas engine and a diesel near-equivalent in their large pickups. Opinions about diesel power are as varied as they are about the existence of Bigfoot, with one exception, hard data we gathered from truck manufacturers and the EPA. We researched engine specs, fuel economy, emissions, and MSRP and stacked diesel against gasoline. Where data was sparse, we relied on opinions from real truck owners. The following chart displays the research subjects and some of the raw data that was compared.
Analysis: What it All Means
The initial investment in a diesel-powered truck can involve several thousands of dollars more than a comparable gasoline pickup truck. How can owning a diesel truck make up for that immediate handicap except by saving you money along the way. While MPG numbers do not seem to be a factor, consider the cost of diesel fuel compared to more expensive gasoline. You might also save money on maintenance, with the only regular maintenance on the diesel being religious adherence to the every 3000 mile oil change, since oil gets dirtier than in a gas motor. Diesel exhaust is less corrosive on exhaust systems than that coming from gasoline burners, and without an ignition system, tune-ups on diesels don't break the bank. The following graph summarizes the comparisons we made on the trucks in the survey. The significant differences in torque and initial outlay are at opposing ends of the cost/benefit debate.
Not all perks are financial though, with operating a diesel truck you reap the reward of serious torque, nearly double what the gas vehicles can muster. With great torque comes great responsibility, as you will soon discover when a crew member gets his TRD stuck in a ditch. Longevity is where operating a diesel can pay off, with the heavier motor lasting hundreds of thousands of miles longer than the lightweights.
Diesel-powered vehicles have had a somewhat tarnished reputation for discharging exhaust that is dirty and malodorous. That perception is fading however, with the implementation of tougher emission standards, manufacturers like Chrysler are proactively using afterburner processing in diesels including selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and filters to trap the finest particulate matter. For the sake of future owners, manufacturers are staying ahead of the EPA in terms of meeting their standards, which are getting more stringent every year.
Gas vs. Diesel: The Information Changes Every Year
Now you know something about the factors that surround the diesel/gasoline issue. While convincing evidence for either team is not clear cut, it appears that for trucks that actually get their wheels dirty and need the extra power, diesel may be the way to go. Economically, owners who keep their <a href="http://www.carseek.com">new cars</a> and trucks longer than three or four years will reap the benefits to a greater degree than those who must have a new truck in their driveway every year. The debate rages on.