First you must realize that diesel on clothes ,gloves and anywhere else will smell but different than the raw unburnt fuel of a cold diesel warming up. Your wifes sensitivity will depend on just how sensitive she is physically vs annoyed by the unpleasant smell which to most people can be unpleasant under certain conditions. I personally find the smell of no lead gas and exhaust from vehicles with catalytic converters much more offencive than diesel but have grown up around them. Is a diesel needed vs a gasser for your application probably not unless your daily circumstances could change to have the need to haul more of the time and want to keep the truck longer. Economics also come into play as the diesel option costs more which could be more fuel budgeted into the gassers fuel tank but results in lower trade in value down the road. If you buy a diesel to be one of the boys and want to play you will never satisfied with the gasser unless a comprehensive gasser club suits your fancy. Only you can justify the financial choices within your wifes limitations and desires, good luck. PK

 

My wife is the first to say when she doesn't like something and she has no complaint about the truck. Once in a while when it is cold and I start it and leave it run the garage she says she smells it but if I move 2 feet back after I start it there is no more smoke in the garage. With that said with what you have planned you really are looking for a diesel. The fuel savings vs a gasser is substantial and the power in the mtns. is far superior after the trip if the diesel is not what you want you will find the re-sale much better than a gasser. You have recieved some good advice and comments and if you buy a CTD this site will support you in all you do just ask. Take your wife for some long test drives and let her find out for herself if it is good for her or not. I don't know how it is at your houise but I do most of the driving and I want a reliable truck if I am heading up the Alaskan Hwy. and through the Yukon territory.After driving a diesel I wouldn't even think about going to a gasser for pulling or hauling anything.

 

Ive got allergies as well - doesnt bother me in the least....never did.

For towing or hauling, you simply cant beat a diesel. A big block is ok, but the milage and longevity of a diesel just isnt there.

As someone else suggested, see if you can take a used out for a few hours or overnight - that way you can really drive it under different conditions and really get a feel for it.

 

not sure about the 3rd gens, but i do know on my 2nd gen. u can get a pretty nasty stink for about 500 miles after u change the oil. the degree of stink varies on the type of oil u use. just somethin to consider

 

[quote author=03CTDCO link=board=11;threadid=22923;start=0#msg215514 date=1070084981]


You'll love that place...dont forget to save atleast 1 day to drive into the Canada side of the park....There is a Hotel
(4got the name) over looking the lake...You have to go
there...happy RVing..have a safe trip and enjoy your new
HO CTD...its a work horse.

[/quote]

The Canadian side of the park is called Waterton Lakes and the hotel is the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Brian