Every week somebody walks onto the lot and asks the same question: should I go diesel or gas? The answer depends on what you're actually doing with the truck — not what sounds cool on paper.
We keep both on the lot at Dykes Motors because the right answer is different for different buyers. Here's how to think about it if you're shopping for a used truck in South Mississippi.
When Diesel Makes Sense
If you're towing heavy — a gooseneck trailer, a piece of heavy equipment, a camper over 8,000 lbs — diesel is where you want to be. That low-end torque makes a real difference when you're pulling a loaded trailer down Highway 49 or across Jones County back roads.
Diesel also wins on longevity. A well-maintained 6.7 Power Stroke or Duramax will run 300,000 miles without breaking a sweat. That's why guys running construction crews between Hattiesburg and Laurel buy them — the truck outlasts the payments by years.
Right now we've got several diesel trucks on the lot, including a 2018 F-350 King Ranch 6.7 Power Stroke and a 2020 F-250 Platinum 6.7 Power Stroke. Both are the kind of truck that's still working hard at 200k miles.
When Gas Makes More Sense
Here's what nobody on the internet tells you: if you're not towing over 8,000 lbs regularly, a gas truck does everything you need for less money upfront and less money at the shop.
Diesel maintenance costs more — fuel filters, DEF fluid, injectors, turbo maintenance. On a used truck that's out of warranty, one injector job can run $3,000-$5,000. A gas V8 just doesn't have those costs.
For daily driving around Covington County, running to the farm supply store, hauling a utility trailer on weekends — a gas half-ton like an F-150 LARIAT or a RAM 1500 Big Horn is the smarter play. Lower purchase price, cheaper fuel right now, and simpler maintenance.
The Real Cost Comparison
Let's be honest about it:
Purchase price: A comparable used diesel runs $8,000-$15,000 more than its gas twin
Fuel: Diesel gets better highway MPG, but diesel fuel costs more per gallon in Mississippi right now
Maintenance: Diesel oil changes, DEF, and fuel filters add $500-$800/year over gas
Resale: Diesels hold value better — but only if they're maintained
If you're not towing heavy at least a few times a month, the diesel premium never pays itself back. Buyers from Petal, Purvis, and the Hattiesburg metro area figure this out quick when they run the numbers.
What Mississippi Roads Do to Your Decision
Our roads beat trucks up. Between the heat, humidity, and some county roads that haven't been graded since last summer, your truck works harder here than it would up north. That actually favors gas trucks slightly — simpler drivetrain means fewer things to go wrong when you're bouncing down a clay road in Smith County.
But if you're pulling equipment to job sites across Raleigh, Taylorsville, or Mendenhall on a daily basis, the diesel earns its keep.
The Bottom Line
Buy diesel if you tow heavy, regularly. Buy gas if you don't. Don't let anyone talk you into paying a diesel premium for a truck that'll mostly see pavement and a deer stand twice a year.
Come see both options on the lot. We'll walk you through what makes sense for how you actually use a truck — not how the internet says you should.
Dykes Motors
3069 Hwy 49, Collins, MS 39428
(601) 641-5475 | dykesmotors.com
