Considering a 2014-2018 2500 CTD

[LeoC4]

I'm considering the purchase of a 4th Gen 2500 CTD to replace my existing 1/2 ton pickup (2006 Nissan Frontier) which won't last forever. I can justify the 2500 CTD for two reasons: hauling firewood and pulling an 8k travel trailer (not yet purchased) in my senior years. This will probably be my last truck (the goal is the truck outlasts me). I currently average about 6,000 miles per year. I only drive once every 3 or 4 days, traveling 20 or so miles roundtrip.

The question is: will my current usage cause harm to the engine / exhaust system? The utility trailer weighs about 4,000 lbs when I deliver firewood.

Your advise is appreciated.

 

[nlambert182]

Harm to the engine? No. The emissions system? More than likely. That's not enough use to keep it cleaned out.

My suggestion for your use case is to get a 2500 with a 6.4L Hemi. You won't need more than that and you can avoid the emissions headaches.

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[tron67j]

I second the Hemi. The threads have a lot of discussion about how diesel engines need to be driven quite regularly to have them work properly and your projected use wouldn't get there. Also, a 2500 with a diesel loses quite a bit of payload capacity which impacts towing capacity.

Your trailer is well within the range of a 6.4 Hemi 2500, and in your use would be cheaper in the long run.

I have had gasser 2500s for years and never wished I had a diesel and that is pulling all sorts of travel trailers, material dump trailers, boats, etc. all over including up in the mountains.

 

[chaosh1]

Get the CTD, Its gonna be fine. Love mine as it tows very well even with my 10k lb travel trailer. The fact that you will be towing really helps with the life of the CTD, that is where it excels.

 

[nlambert182]

Get the CTD, Its gonna be fine. Love mine as it tows very well even with my 10k lb travel trailer. The fact that you will be towing really helps with the life of the CTD, that is where it excels.

I am a BIG CTD fan and swear by them. But let's look at reality:

The OP said they average 6k miles per year and an average trip is 20 miles. That will kill the emissions system on a CTD. It likely won't be fine. A 4k lb trailer won't be enough to work a CTD. An 8k lb trailer won't work it hard at all.

Yes, when he uses it to tow it will do fantastic. But the short (and empty) trips are going to cause problems for the emission system eventually. It's almost a guarantee that you can take to the bank.

I've personally owned 3 over the course of the last decade+ and all 3's emissions systems took a dump at ~120k miles. I put about 12-15k a year on them, but over 50% of that is empty miles. They don't like it.

I also spent many years working for a diesel shop that did the warranty work on the CTD. The ones that did great were the ones that were always towing heavy. We'd often see 250k+ on stock equipment. The ones with problems were the mom and pop trucks that putted around town. I've had trucks in with less than 60k miles to get DPFs, etc.. replaced.

 

[Harley Harrold]