There are diesel trucks you can buy, and there are ones that use gasoline. How can you choose between the two options, though? You may not have ever taken the time to think about these choices in detail.
There are nice, big truck parts available from online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores, but before you reach a point where you need to buy them, you’ll probably want to choose between a diesel truck and a gasoline-powered one. Our helpful guide should make this decision easy for you.
Reasons Why You May Want a Diesel Truck
When you talk to someone who owns a diesel truck and ask them why they bought it, the first thing they might mention is the vehicle’s longevity. The reality is that most diesel trucks stay on the road longer than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Of course, this is provided you take good care of them.
There are two main reasons for this. The first is that you get a stronger engine block with the average diesel-powered truck. The engine block is also of a simpler design. The simplicity makes it less likely that anything will go wrong with the engine block as time passes.
Some Potential Diesel Truck Drawbacks
While diesel truck owners will quickly point to these vehicles needing less maintenance, on average, than a gasoline-powered truck, they will also readily admit that when it comes time for the vehicle to receive repairs, it’s usually more costly. Gas engines use sparks to ignite the cylinder’s mixture. This means that the parts of a gasoline-powered truck do not need to be as heavy as those you’ll find in a diesel engine.
The heavier diesel-engine parts cost more, so they also cost more to replace or maintain. This is the trade-off you get with a diesel vehicle if you opt for one over a gasoline-powered alternative.
Which is the Right Choice for You?
When choosing between diesel-powered trucks and gasoline-powered ones, you should consider what you plan on doing with the vehicle. How much do you plan on driving it? If you’re only driving it occasionally or not using it for work, then getting a gasoline-powered one probably makes the most sense.
With gasoline-powered trucks, you’re getting a much lower upfront cost than you’ll have with diesel-powered ones. The lower maintenance cost is also a key benefit you should consider.
If you’re logging a ton of miles on your truck and hauling and towing heavy loads most of the time, then a diesel-powered option is probably the way to go. If you also want to keep your truck for several years rather than swapping it out regularly, you will probably want a diesel-powered one for that reason as well.
The diesel engine should work well for you if you’re mainly driving in the city, making short trips, and dealing with big loads. A gas-powered engine should serve you better if you’re doing a lot of highway driving or not planning on using your truck as a work vehicle.