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If you’re thinking about buying a truck for the first time, one of the top considerations is whether to buy a gas truck or a diesel truck. The big three domestic manufacturers offer diesel versions of almost all of their truck models. Recently, diesel options are even available on some midsize trucks.
ProSource Diesel takes a look at some of the pros and cons of diesel trucks versus gas trucks to help you decide.
Anything over 500,000 is generally considered high mileage for a diesel truck. The fact is, when diesel trucks are well-maintained, they can easily go up to and beyond 300,000 miles. An overworked gas truck is not likely to last this long. Once a gas truck gets close to 200,000 miles, it’s typically considered a high-mileage vehicle and won’t command much resale value.
Many diesel parts can be easily replaced or upgraded to keep the engine going longer. The engines themselves are more durable and diesel fuel actually lubricates the engine as it runs. In contrast, gasoline is a solvent that dissolves oil and slowly wears down the engine.
1995 Ford F-250 HD XLT Power Stroke 4×4 – Image courtesy of and copyright Bring a Trailer
Cost is definitely one of the top considerations when buying a new truck, and there is a difference between how much diesel and gas trucks cost. The fact is, diesel trucks do cost more upfront. That has been true for some time and is unlikely to change.
Generally speaking, you’ll probably pay at least a few thousand dollars more for a diesel truck over a gas truck. However, considering that diesel trucks tend to last longer and hold their value more, those extra upfront costs are likely to be mitigated in the long run.
2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty Platinum Crew Cab Powerstroke 4×4 – Image courtesy of and copyright Bring a Trailer
Fuel prices are high across the board these days, and that includes diesel. However, the good news is that diesel trucks tend to get much better gas mileage than gas trucks. The EPA doesn’t publish MPG numbers for HD trucks, but independent real-world tests have shown that diesel HD trucks get roughly 8 MPG more than gas trucks of the same size and configuration.
When it comes to light-duty trucks, it’s easy to see that diesel options usually get at least 5 MPG more than gas versions. The other area where this is beneficial is towing. Your MPG will always go down when your truck is towing, but diesel trucks tend to achieve better MPG than gas when towing. In short, the average diesel powerplant gets up to 35% more MPG than a gas powerplant. (check out which diesel gets the best MPG here)
Another factor in considering a diesel truck or gas truck is the insurance costs. You might not realize that diesel trucks cost more on average to insure than gas trucks. Premiums are usually between 10% and 15% more for diesel trucks.
The reason for the additional cost is that diesel engines are more expensive to produce, which also raises the price of the vehicle. Insurance coverage that covers the value of your diesel truck will generally be more than the same coverage on a gas truck.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V-8
Currently, the best diesel truck for towing is the Ford F-350 Super Duty with a diesel V8 engine. This truck can tow up to 32,000 pounds. Due to the additional torque generated by diesel trucks, they can typically pull more weight than a gas truck of the same type. Diesel trucks are also more efficient at towing. You won’t lose as many MPG while towing as you would with a gas truck.
As previously mentioned, diesel fuel is more like an oil that lubricates diesel truck parts in the engine. The demand for diesel has gone up in recent years and the excise tax on diesel fuel is much higher than it is on gas. This tax is 24.3 cents per gallon, while the federal excise tax on gasoline is only 6 cents per gallon.
2020 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab Cummins 4×4 – Image courtesy of and copyright Bring a Trailer
Some states have already declared a future date to end the sales of new gas and diesel vehicles. However, no one has come up with an outright ban on vehicles that are already on the road. The feasibility of banning internal combustion engines is up for debate, but diesel has some advantages over gas in this area.
It’s less expensive to produce than gasoline and it has a much longer shelf life. Diesel fuel is useable for several years, whereas gas only lasts a few months after production.
In conclusion: If you intend to tow with your new truck, a diesel truck is almost always the better option. You will pay more upfront for a diesel truck, including on insurance, but you’re likely to save money in the long run when you consider the better MPG and a longer-lasting engine. The other benefit of diesel trucks is that there’s a huge aftermarket for upgrading and tuning. You won’t need to settle for the stock power you bring home from the lot.
Rely on ProSource Diesel for a wide range of diesel performance parts, including OEM and aftermarket diesel parts. We sell Cummins parts, Duramax parts, and Powerstroke parts, including kits, tuners, fluids, heavy-duty truck parts, and much more.
