Hot Shotting -Diesel or Gasoline?
You probably already are aware that hot shot services most all use diesel equipment. Can I do hotshot hauling with my gas truck? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each? And the one question always asked…. Why is diesel sometimes cheaper and other times more expensive??
First of all then to answer the first question direct, yes you can use your gasser to do hot shot loads….however-
Your fuel consumption could be twice the cost. You new pickup may feature cylinder deactivation and this may mean the average MPG your truck is rated at is higher than your dads old pickup from yesteryear.
This however goes out the window once you are hammering up a mountain highway pulling 15,000 lbs and you are now getting 6-8 mpg
A gas engine life expectancy is about 200,000 miles before needing a serious overhaul. Yeah I know your cousin’s 2000 Toyota has 500,000 miles but he ain’t using it for hot shot trucking.
A diesel engine can run upwards for a million or more miles before requiring major diesel repairs. Of course this requires meticulous maintenance, responsible driving and not running 700 hp tunes
Gas benefits-
The price of fuel has many factors governing it. The price of a barrel of oil, refinement costs and supply and demand.
Diesel is closer to raw crude oil and thus requires less refining. This save refining costs however when the price of a barrel of oil gets high and diesel requires more of the crude product in it’s content the price of diesel goes up.
Also supply and demand dictate cost. When the economy is hot and people are demanding goods there’s more trucks burning more fuel and therefore more demand. When fall hits and home heating kicks in then home heating oil, a twin of diesel fuel, is in demand therefore the price goes up.
So should I use my gas truck or invest in a diesel hot shot hauler? The decision is yours but for safety, fuel economy and power you will want to definitely consider the value of a diesel engine to power your hot shot trucking enterprise.
First of all then to answer the first question direct, yes you can use your gasser to do hot shot loads….however-
Your fuel consumption could be twice the cost. You new pickup may feature cylinder deactivation and this may mean the average MPG your truck is rated at is higher than your dads old pickup from yesteryear.
This however goes out the window once you are hammering up a mountain highway pulling 15,000 lbs and you are now getting 6-8 mpg
A gas engine life expectancy is about 200,000 miles before needing a serious overhaul. Yeah I know your cousin’s 2000 Toyota has 500,000 miles but he ain’t using it for hot shot trucking.
A diesel engine can run upwards for a million or more miles before requiring major diesel repairs. Of course this requires meticulous maintenance, responsible driving and not running 700 hp tunes
Gas benefits-
- lower initial purchase cost
- cheaper parts possibly
- cheaper oil changes
- more mechanics offer gas engine service
- no fuel gelling in cold weather
- every gas station offer gasoline
- contains more energy than gasoline. (Higher MPG)
- lower CO2 emissions
- longer oil change intervals
- higher compression allowing for downhill braking
- non flammable. (Transfer tanks allowed on ferries)
- better resale value
The price of fuel has many factors governing it. The price of a barrel of oil, refinement costs and supply and demand.
Diesel is closer to raw crude oil and thus requires less refining. This save refining costs however when the price of a barrel of oil gets high and diesel requires more of the crude product in it’s content the price of diesel goes up.
Also supply and demand dictate cost. When the economy is hot and people are demanding goods there’s more trucks burning more fuel and therefore more demand. When fall hits and home heating kicks in then home heating oil, a twin of diesel fuel, is in demand therefore the price goes up.
So should I use my gas truck or invest in a diesel hot shot hauler? The decision is yours but for safety, fuel economy and power you will want to definitely consider the value of a diesel engine to power your hot shot trucking enterprise.