That's the best answer I have seen so far. I'll tell you right now that my truck spends 95% of its time just being a DD, only running around unloaded. A couple of times a year when I go to farm shows, I'll throw the Gator and a bunch of junk on the trailer and that's as close to a workout as it gets. Do I really need a diesel for what I do?, of course not. But all it took was me driving a stock 160hp 1st gen to realize that there was no way I would ever buy another gutless gasser again. If you want the diesel, then get the diesel. You'll never have to worry again about what you can tow or carry, they're far more reliable than a gasser, they have a longer life span, they'll get great fuel mileage to boot, and nothing compares to how fun they are to drive at cruising speed because of the sheer torque that these monsters put out.

 

The thing is, even with a 2500 Hemi you have to be worried about weight. With a CTD you decide you want a big 5th wheel, deck for toys, etc no problem. A hemi will do OK but if you can afford a CTD why not. Most of the time I could get away with a 1500, but it is nice to have a 3500 and not worry about weight(to a point), heck even hauling 1500lbs or so in the box would wear out a 1500 stuff a lot quicker.

Last winter I went to the scales with my sled deck on and two sleds and couldn't believe how much it weighted, I was not far off to both of my axle ratings...Dodge's weights are not very accurate.....

As far as the specs, I have it saved and just post that instead of typing it out each time, I could post the one from the start of 1st gen but it would be very long

 

This is what a Smarty can change. It's called TM (Torque Management) You can do TM with a manual but it is not as effective due to the loose nut behind the steering wheel...LOL With an auto you have more adjustablilty to especially with the new fully electronic 68rfe's.

 

No doubt, that's the way I feel. This is going to be my first "personal" full size truck and if I am taking the leap I am going both feet. Right now I have a double cab tacoma and I can't tow the trailer. I'm the guy that has his buddys tow "our" toys all over the state. I drive a f-250 gasser at work and I would own that truck...2 wheel drive and 13 mpg on the average, not towing. I have enough experience to know a gasser works and sucks fuel while towing, and a diesel just cruises and for the type of person I am...I can't handle single digit fuel economy, it would affect my syc.

 

Well, I seen single digit towing with the 2000. But on the other hand I grossed out at 22000 lbs, 9.7 to 10.2 mpg.

I can't really say what kind of millage the 2006 is going to get. The new motor is not broken in yet. With 600 miles on the motor it is getting 15.8 at 70 mph empy, and hoping it comes up about 3 mpg.

If I can get all the hitch, trailer brakes and etc in before the 16th it will make if's first loaded tow weighting in around 21000 lbs.

Rodney

 

I know the feeling with fuel mileage, it was one of the biggest reason why I trade my 04 1500 in on the 06. My 1500 wasn't able to get any better than 13 mpg in any kind of driving, hwy, city, fast, slow, that was it. Now don't get me wrong it was a fun truck to drive, but my view is don't even attempt to tow anything with a gasser because it's pointless, and why drive something that gets mpg like that not be able do anything with it.

With my 06 I'm getting 15 - 16 in 60 city/40 hwy driving, and as high as 17 all highway. May be even better than that in all hwy driving but I haven't done an all hwy trip lately. To me that kind of mpg for the truck I have is excellent. The 1500 had the 4.7 V8, 4.10 rear end, was 2wd, had a tonneau cover and as I said all it could do was 13 mpg. The 06 is 4wd, has much worse aerodynamics with the DRW's and the open bed, weighs almost double the weight of the 1500, has a 4.10 rear end, and I can do 3 - 4 mpg better. If I had a 3.73 rear end then I would be even better off.

 

Could you please expand on this statement.. How and what problems are related to this????

I have had 3 ram diesels, a 92, 97 and my current 04. None of witch have I ever pulled anything or even loaded up the bed very heavy. All 4x4, Autos. mild mods, yet I have had NO eng/ trans. problems. If anything, I have only had to replace some steering/ driveline components from previous owners use/ abuse.

I also do not "NEED" such a large heavy duty vehicle either. BUT call me wierd, I like driving it and i always get diesels because I use a friends BIO for freee / almost free.

So, it's actually MUCH cheaper to drive and have fun with than any econo-box. my Smarty JR. much more than makes up for any trivial loss of power/ millage when on the Bio!!

 

I was towing my 21 foot toy hauler with my 2001 Suburban 1500 4x4 Auto with 3.73 for a couple of years before I got my rig. I was in 2nd gear a lot and spent a lot of time at 3500+ RPM.

I would get between 10 and 12 MPG hand calculated driving this way and doing 65 to 70 MPH which was never a problem.

Going the same places, speed, and towing the same thing with my CTD, I only get 9 to 10 MPG hand calculated! What a disappointment! Granted, it tows much better, easier, and with plenty of power, but it is a fuel pig. I don't get any further towing with the CTD than I did with the 1/2 ton on a tank...

At least I'm not potentially tearing up the Suburban anymore. I never had any issues with it and maintained it very well with synthetics and all, I sure worked the heck out of it for a couple years. I had an exhaust and intake on it and the only thing I ruined was the Autoride air suspension due to the tongue weight (replaced those since the new rig).

I'm not sure if I should be impressed with the 1/2 ton suburban or dissapointed in the CTD...

 

WOW! You guys sure take things personally!

My comments were directed at OP who was considering a diesel for economy. If you REALLY look at the economics, and JUST the economics and not the coolness factor, of owning a diesel truck there is a strong argument to buy a gasser IF you don't need the heavy towing capacity of a diesel.

And I'm NOT talking about 1/2tons here either. I'm comparing a 3/4ton gasser vs a 3/4ton diesel. If towing under 10K either will do the job adequately and the money you save on the purchase price of a gasser will buy a LOT of gas!

If you specifically want a diesel then go for it. I personally only tow heavy, (13K), 6 times a year. I could do it with a gasser but I'm HD mechanic by trade so I naturally gravitate towards diesels. However when I bought my last truck I did seriously consider a gasser as for what I paid for my used '03 I could have bought an almost new 3/4ton mega cab.

The comments about diesels having problems if not worked hard were in regard to the new trucks with the DPF systems and not the older trucks.

Hope everyone feels better now.

 

well get ready for gas to be higher then diesel

 

Not to redirect the topic but...
Looks like it is happening around here. I am kinda thinking it's because of all the vapor upgrades for gasoline pumps that the price on gasoline is actually rising about the diesel.

Anyone else have any additional knowledge?

 

I ran the numbers last summer to compare my CTD to the same truck with the Hemi owned by another man. So long as diesel cost no more than 50-cents/gl higher, fuel cost was a wash. In other respects, our trucks were used the same (trailer type and frequency), and the conditions in our regional areas were similar. Naturally, the diesel will work longer than the gasser, all other things the same. It is superior on the road pulling a load (got to love the cylinder compression ratio).

For true economy look at the way the truck is used 80-90% of the time. Do you make money with it (can you depreciate it, or write off a substantial amount of annual miles per IRS rules?), or is it entirely an expense? Part time HD use is better with a half-ton, IMO, in dollars & cents.

I bought mine used (three model years, 120,000 miles; paid cash), got a great deal on it and the trade; wrote off a fair number of miles, etc. I have very little into the truck, overall.

I bought mine based solely on the following:

2WD
NV-5600
Year of Manufacture

I average right at 19 mpg city, and get over 20 on the highway. The truck would be unaffordable, IMO, otherwise. My 2001 gasser got 11 mpg city and couldn't pull the hat off my head. The trade-off with this truck is lousy ride; it's slow (using all gears and economy shifting driving [all miles between 1700-1900 rpm; do not exceed 68 mph]), and it rides like hell. Then there's parking.

My actual operating cost is 57-cpm. If you know how this figure is arrived at then the question of "economy" is not opinion.

Diesel only really makes sense if you keep it 300,000 + miles or 12-years or greater. HD use is only marginally realistic as a reason to buy a truck used mainly as personal transportation (ego). A truck is something meant to work . . if it isn't, then it is a poor choice. Same with gas to diesel.

Good luck.

 

2006 with auto trans and 3.73 rear. I get 13 in town, my 2003 Duramax that I traded in got 16-17 in town. Last weekend jumped on the freeway for 25 miles and got 20 with the Cummins.

 

I agree. True economy is not really subjective. When you put feelings, preferences, and ego into the equation then you can make it out to whatever you want. Nice to see someone with some data to validate the economy between the options.

 

They had a test in one of the mags a while back (truck trend?) and they compared the ford's (both 2500's) one gas one diesel. they said driving empty the truck wouldn't pay for itself untill like 140,000 miles or something? But if you towed a lot it would pay for itself in like 80,000 miles or something? All on the price of fuel, ect. here diesel is still higher. I only have 36,000 miles on my truck but there all towing, or hauling, not much empty weight. so for me I consider the truck worked.

However with what I tow now, I would have gotten a 1500 with a diesel. They will I"m sure be built a bit heavier than just the standard 1500 (not sure with coils and towing) you'd have to have some kind of heavy over load spring. But gas over diesel, daily driver, gas (at least in colder climates) nice when the car warms up in 1 minute to 160 degree's and the truck takes 30 miles