Four Excellent Diesel Trucks to Look for When Shopping Used

The term “diesel” has come to be synonymous with “the best” or “the ultimate.” You might have heard younger generations describe food as being “diesel” or a performance they saw at a concert as being “pretty Diesel.” Twenty-something-year-olds might not exactly know where the term originated, but they are onto something: Diesel is the cream of the crop when it comes to fuel and engine types. At least, that’s what many car experts would argue. Cars with diesel engines can run for an estimated 20 to 30 percent longer than cars with regular gas engines. That’s because diesel is thicker and burns much more slowly than regular gas.

So we’ve established that diesel is one of the more robust types of fuel out there. If you’re looking to pair it with the most robust type of vehicle, you’ll want to look for a great truck. And if you really want to get a serious bang for your buck, you should consider looking at used diesel trucks for sale. With many of the automobile’s top manufacturers, like Chevrolet and Ford, offering diesel trucks, you can get a vehicle that’s known for longevity from a brand known for reliability. Here are four of the best used diesel trucks you can buy on the market today, and when you’re ready to find that perfect used diesel truck, come see us here at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford and we’ll be sure to help you find the diesel truck you’re looking for.

The 2007 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD

The Chevy Silverado is famous for its incredible towing and hauling capacities and impressive longevity. Some say this truck can go for 300,000 miles before requiring any significant repairs or part replacements. When Chevy put the 2007 Silverado 3500 HD out, it had a distinctly luxurious feel compared to previous models. In fact, 2007 was the year when drivers saw a major redesign of Chevrolet’s full-size truck line. Under the hood of this pickup, you’ll find the 6.6-liter Duramax LBZ, which kicks out 360 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. It’s considered one of the more powerful diesel engines out there, so you won’t struggle when maxing out the truck’s towing capacities.

Speaking of which, those with serious and frequent towing needs, like pulling a boat, horse trailer, or other massive equipment, would do well with this truck. Those who won’t need to haul things that large or trailer anything often can do fine with the 2500 HD. But if your life and work involve attaching something massive to the back of your pickup, the 3500 HD is the way to go. It’s versatile, too, with nearly limitless ways to set up the cab/box/trim orientation to be heavier on the passenger-friendly or cargo-friendly side. On the inside, there are tons of ways to customize how things look with various dashboards, along with available heated leather seats, navigation, and an optional moonroof. So while this can certainly handle tough jobs, it’s also a joy to be inside of.

The 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 HD

The Dodge Ram has long been a staple of work sites and just about anywhere that best-in-class towing and hauling abilities are called for, and the 2018 3500 HD is no exception. For the diesel option here, you’ll enjoy a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six turbo-diesel engine, which is mighty powerful. In fact, this pickup truck can tow up to 31,210 lbs, so it can easily tow massive trailers, boats, RVs, and more. With its 930 lb-ft of torque, it’s up for almost any challenge.

It’s also a great investment; some say it can go for up to 350,000 miles before requiring major repairs or parts replacements. If you snag one of these, you likely won’t need another truck for a while. It’s got some fun features that will make you want to keep it for many years to come, like the backup camera (standard on all trims) that makes it easier to back this massive truck out of parking spots and LED bed lights that help you see what you’re hauling in low light settings.

As this is a relatively newer used truck, you can expect more modern infotainment features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, that let you use your favorite smartphone apps inside the truck on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, along with access to the useful Wi-Fi hotspot feature. Rams are typically known for thoughtful storage compartments, and this model delivers on that expectation. You’ll get integrated cargo boxes, in-floor bins, and a fold-flat load floor strategically placed throughout the truck for maximum storage. Lower trims lack imagination in the interior design department, but if you get the Limited Tungsten Edition, you can see premium interior materials like leather seats and wood accents.

The 2017 Nissan Titan XD

The 2017 Nissan Titan XD is a full-size pickup but handles like a compact one. Those who need only modest towing and hauling capacities and prioritize easy maneuverability should look into this pickup. It has a 5.0-liter V8 engine available on all of its trims, which kicks out 310 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque. It can haul a payload just shy of 3,000 lbs, so if you want to bring something light on your excursions, it can get modest towing jobs done. One thing that drivers love about this truck is just how many ways there are to configure it. There are a total of three cab sizes along with two bed lengths (6.5-foot and 8-foot) and a customizable cargo box, so whether you’re focused on passenger volume or cargo volume, you can make this truck work for your needs.

Nissan also brought several performance-forward and aesthetically pleasing packages to this year’s lineup. These include the Heavy-Duty Front GAWR package, which offers stiffer front springs making the car more snow-ready, and the leather package, which, as its name promises, enjoys leather throughout the interior and power seats. Then there are the Chrome and Texas Titan Edition packages, which are enhanced with chrome. Finally, there’s the Platinum Bed Utility package, which gets a rear-bumper step, a power-locking tailgate, and storage boxes in the bed. The 2017 Titan has also been applauded for its super-comfortable zero-gravity seats and for having loads of storage space behind the front seats. However, it lacks in the infotainment department.

The 2000 Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty

We’re taking it back pretty far with this truck; however, with some saying this truck can go for over 500,000 miles before facing major issues, we say it’s earned a spot on this list. If you can find one that’s only got a few hundred miles on it, it still has a lot of life left in it. This truck has an impressive 7.3-liter Powerstroke diesel engine and is said to tow just about anything without showing any signs of struggle. It offers smooth handling and a surprisingly quiet interior.

It’s truly a fan favorite and earns nearly five out of five stars in all categories (including performance, value for money, and reliability) from major review sites. As a four-door truck, it’s a comfortable commuter car, too. If you need a truck that can tow and haul like a champion and work as your everyday vehicle, this is a worthy choice. Available with four and rear-wheel drive, this truck is ready for a variety of situations, too, and can make for a good off-roading vehicle. All in all, it’s a reliable, sturdy workhorse that doesn’t compromise on comfort.