The gas guys get the last laugh when the diesels are on the side of the road in failure mode or worse.
Until they start making HPP's and injectors that can handle nasty wet diesel fuel, we're going to see more and more big gas engines coming back. I'm startled that consumers aren't insisting on it. We're not seeing as many failures in heavy semi trucks. Downtime and repairs cost more than gasoline, even if you're buying twice as much gasoline.
There must be a disconnect between what the internet experts predict and what reality dictates. Because in real life, I see plenty of individuals and businesses operating diesels all over the freaking place. I still see local buses and delivery trucks using them too. I can't drive down my local highways without running into a whole bunch of diesel HD's towing or hauling commercial setup's. Either my eyes are playing tricks on me or the average joe hasn't gotten the memo that its time to ditch his diesel truck.
For the all the complexity of modern diesels, gasoline engines are unlikely to replace them in certain vehicle categories. They are not efficient for carrying loads, and when fuel prices go back up, people will appreciate that even further. CNG, diesel, hybrid are the viable options going forward. Electric still has a ways to go before its ready to start replacing internal combustion engines in work applications.
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I just pulled this sample out of the second filter on a 300 Kw John Deere today. (new HPP, common rail engine) I got at least 2 quarts of fuel out of the filters like this. Pretty safe bet it made it's way to the engine. If you had this in your diesel truck, you'd be making a "I hate brand X truck, lemon." thread on a forum somewhere right now. That JD engines filters, are way bigger and better than ours. (6090)
Hopefully the filter clogged with algae and rust chunks before this made it to the HPP and injectors. Looking at $14,000 repairs easy, if that's the case. And no warranty from this point forward. This is southern Michigan.
First bad batch of off road diesel in the N Mid West that I've seen in a decade. Possible leaky fuel tank, or water soaked fuel tank with a rusted top.
So because 1 diesel engine of 1 particular brand is having fuel quality issues that means all diesels have that problem? This is a pretty laughable insinuation. FWIW, high-pressure common-rail diesels are used all over the world, including in 3rd world countries with horrible fuel quality. As long as the proper maintenance is done (scheduled filter changes) the injectors should last a good long time before they need replacement.
I really don't hear of too many injector issues in North America (they certainly happen, but its not common). The on-road fuel is generally of good quality, and many modern diesels are coming with redundant filtering systems.
This is a great thread.
We have a Tundra 2017 as a demo vehicle with a MOD (1100 lbs) camper. Love everything about it except how much it likes fuel and has such a lousy range, empty or loaded. Carrying extra jerry cans of gas really sucks.
If the payload is not heavy I wonder what the real world fuel economy of a Hemi Ram 3500 would be as a comparison to the Toyota?
The 6.4l Hemi will net a bit less mpg. Mid teens is about the highest you can expect with that engine. 11-12mpg is very common for combined driving.
The 5.7l Tundra will get a few mpg better, but its efficiency is mediocre compared to the other 1/2 tons...mostly because Toyota went overboard with the design: lower gearing, bigger rear axle, bigger brakes, a gasoline v8 that is powerful but thirsty, ect.
