When deciding what kind of truck you want to buy, there are a lot of things you should consider first. How you intend to use the truck, for instance, is one. Buying a box truck to tow cars would be foolish, so determine what you need from the truck first. Additionally, ask yourself what kind of motor will suit your needs best.

Generally speaking, a truck will give you more power than any car, but the type of engine within that truck will give you different power and performance. Diesel trucks versus gas trucks is a good debate to have, and there are pros and cons to both. There are many gas and diesel trucks for sale in New Jersey; at HFI Truck Center, we like to educate potential customers, so they can make a good buying decision. Here, we will touch on a few of the main points in the debate over diesel vs. gas engines.

Power

So should you get a gas or diesel truck if you need more power? The short answer is that a diesel motor has more power. Trucks haul over 70% of the freight weight in the country, which means the power and longevity a diesel engine provides is needed. If you need a truck to haul a trailer across town, then a gas engine will do the job, as long hauling is the primary advantage of diesel over gasoline. The amount of torque a diesel engine creates is the advantage. It’s not the horsepower that determines how heavy a load the truck can haul, it’s the torque. If you plan to haul heavy loads frequently and at great distances, then diesel is the way to go.

Cost

Up front, the same model of diesel truck will cost more than a gas one. They also cost more to own and maintain, in part because they are required to have a urea reservoir to keep the exhaust pollutants down. In the long term, though, a diesel engine may end up saving money because of their durability and fuel economy. A diesel engine gets broken in at around 150,000 miles, where a gas one is nearing its end at that mileage. There is a better resale market for diesel trucks, as well. If you plan to keep it for a long time, you will get more out of it and get more money back when it comes time to sell or trade it in. 

There is no right or wrong answer when comparing diesel engine trucks versus gas engine trucks, and a lot of your decision may come down to personal preference. Know what you need out of the truck before you buy—long hauling is the domain of diesel, and quick trips are for gas. In the end, how you choose to use your truck should be the determining factor.

At HFI Truck Center, we specialize in a variety of parts and services for new and used Isuzu trucks. Reach out today to learn more about the differences between diesel and gas trucks, along with everything we have to offer.