Three heavy-duty diesel trucks towing different trailers on the highway, representing Cummins, Duramax, and Power Stroke engines in a 2026 comparison

Cummins vs Duramax vs Power Stroke (2026 Guide): Which Diesel Engine Is Right for You?

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Posted in Buying Guides & Research, Engine Platforms (Cummins, Duramax, Power Stroke)

Choosing between Cummins, Duramax, and Power Stroke isn’t just a brand preference — it’s a decision that affects towing performance, reliability, maintenance costs, and long-term ownership satisfaction. In 2026, modern diesel engines are more powerful and refined than ever, but they also come with increased complexity due to emissions systems and tighter regulations.

This guide breaks down the real-world differences between the three major diesel engines, explains what matters most depending on how you use your truck, and helps you decide which diesel platform is the right fit for your needs.

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Used diesel pickup truck parked at an industrial warehouse, representing how smart diesel truck buyers approach financing

How Smart Diesel Truck Buyers Approach Financing

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Posted in Buying Guides & Research

Buying a used diesel truck is different from buying a typical car. Diesel trucks are heavier, more specialized, often older, and usually purchased with a specific job or long-term purpose in mind. Because of that, the way financing works — and the way it should be approached — is a little different as well.

With constant headlines about interest rates and the economy, it’s normal for buyers to feel unsure about timing. In practice, the most successful diesel purchases come down less to chasing perfect conditions and more to understanding the truck, the financing structure, and how the two work together.

This guide explains how smart diesel truck buyers approach financing today — with clarity, context, and confidence.

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Used diesel truck towing a trailer on a Texas highway illustrating highway miles versus short-trip use

Used Diesel Trucks in Texas: Highway Miles vs. Short Trips — What Actually Matters

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Posted in Buying Guides & Research, Uncategorized

Used Diesel Trucks in Texas: Highway Miles vs. Short Trips — What Actually Matters

If you’re shopping for a used diesel truck in Texas, mileage is probably the first number you look at. But mileage alone doesn’t tell the full story — especially on modern diesel trucks equipped with DPF, DEF, and advanced emissions systems.

In reality, how a diesel truck was used matters far more than how many miles are on the odometer. Highway miles and short-trip miles affect diesel engines in very different ways, and understanding that difference can help you avoid expensive mistakes.

This guide breaks down what actually matters when comparing used diesel trucks for sale in Texas, and why use pattern often outweighs mileage.

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Used diesel pickup truck being inspected inside a professional dealership service bay

How We Evaluate Used Diesel Trucks Before They Go on the Lot (And What Buyers Should Look For)

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Posted in Buying Guides & Research

Buying a used diesel truck is very different from buying a typical gas vehicle. These trucks are built for towing, long miles, and sustained load — which means problems don’t always show up in a quick test drive. At North Texas Truck Stop, we evaluate every diesel truck with real-world use in mind, not just whether it “drives fine around the block.”

This post explains how we evaluate used diesel trucks before listing them, and what you as a buyer should be paying attention to — whether you’re shopping with us or anywhere else.

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A premium used diesel truck photographed at dusk, representing what buyers should consider when buying a used diesel truck in 2026

Buying a Used Diesel Truck in 2026: What Actually Matters (Mileage, Hours, Emissions, and Use Case)

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Posted in Buying Guides & Research

Buying a Used Diesel Truck in 2026: What Actually Matters (Mileage, Hours, Emissions, and Use Case)

If you’re shopping for a used diesel truck heading into 2026, you’ve probably noticed two things: prices are still elevated compared to pre-2020 levels, and the quality gap between trucks has never been wider.

Some diesel trucks with high mileage are excellent buys. Others with lower mileage can be money pits. The difference isn’t luck — it’s understanding what actually matters when evaluating a used diesel.

This guide breaks down how experienced diesel buyers think about mileage, engine hours, emissions systems, and use case — and why focusing on the wrong metric is the fastest way to make an expensive mistake.

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Technician performing diesel reliability checks as part of the NTTS Reconditioning Standard on a premium used diesel truck.

The NTTS Reconditioning Standard: How We Deliver Premium Diesel Trucks You Can Trust

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Posted in Buying Guides & Research, NTTS News & Updates

The NTTS Reconditioning Standard: How We Deliver Premium Diesel Trucks You Can Trust

At North Texas Truck Stop, every diesel truck we sell goes through a reconditioning standard that goes well beyond typical used-vehicle prep. Since 2008, we’ve sold and reconditioned more than 15,000 diesel trucks, and that real-world volume is where our process was built.

NTTS isn’t just a dealership—we’re a diesel family. Under our roof, we have two generations of diesel knowledge stretching back to the 1960s. Over the decades, we’ve watched diesel engines evolve through multiple generations of design changes and an untold number of new regulations. That long view is where our modern diesel expertise comes from. We understand how these platforms have changed, which components tend to fail, and which fixes hold up over time.

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Winter diesel survival guide image featuring a modern diesel truck in cold conditions with the North Texas Truck Stop logo.

WINTER DIESEL SURVIVAL GUIDE: DEF, Regens, Cold Starts & Fuel Gelling for Modern Diesels

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Posted in Diesel Maintenance & Ownership, Emissions & DEF Systems, Troubleshooting & Diagnostics

Updated for 2025: How winter affects modern diesel trucks and what owners need to do to protect DEF systems, DPF, batteries, and fuel systems.

When temperatures drop in North Texas and across the country, modern diesel trucks start behaving differently. Cold starts get tougher. Regens happen more often. DEF warnings pop up (learn more about 2027 DEF laws). And if the weather gets bad enough, untreated diesel fuel can even gel. Whether you drive a Cummins, Duramax, or Power Stroke, winter conditions expose the weak spots in any emission-equipped diesel.

This guide breaks down why these issues happen, how to prevent them, and what every diesel owner should do when winter hits. If you’re shopping for a used diesel truck, this information will help you understand what matters—and what doesn’t—when evaluating a winter-ready pickup, especially when browsing used diesel trucks for sale in Texas.

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2025 Chevy 2500 diesel truck in a snowy field with exhaust vapor and winter regeneration blog title overlay

Why Your Diesel Regenerates More in Winter — And What You Can Do About It (2025 Guide)

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Posted in Diesel Maintenance & Ownership

Cold weather brings out the worst in diesel emissions systems, and if your truck suddenly seems to be regenerating more often, you’re not imagining it. Winter has a direct effect on DPF soot loading, exhaust temperatures, and how the engine manages incomplete combustion. In this guide, we break down exactly why regens increase when temperatures drop — and what you can do to keep your diesel running clean and efficient through the colder months, especially if you’re comparing used diesel trucks for sale in Texas during winter conditions.

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Ram diesel particulate filter sitting on a shop floor used as a visual reference for DEF system and emissions components in a diesel truck.

DEF System Deep Dive: How It Works + Symptoms of Failure

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Posted in Emissions & DEF Systems

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) isn’t optional anymore — it’s the backbone of every modern diesel truck on the road. Whether you’re running a Power Stroke, Duramax, or Cummins, the DEF system controls emissions, protects your aftertreatment, and keeps your truck out of limp mode — something buyers should understand when comparing used diesel trucks for sale in Texas.

When it fails, you feel it fast.

This guide breaks down how DEF actually works, why failures happen, and the real symptoms that tell you something’s going wrong — NTTS style: clear, practical, and built from real-world diesel experience.

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Ford F-250 diesel truck towing an enclosed trailer on the highway at sunset.

Modern Diesel Engines in 2025: Torque, Longevity, Efficiency & Real-World Performance

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Posted in Diesel Maintenance & Ownership

Modern diesel engines continue to dominate the heavy-duty truck world in 2025. Truck owners still rely on modern diesel engines like the 6.7L Cummins, 6.6L Duramax, and 6.7L Power Stroke for real-world work, long-term durability, and unbeatable torque — especially when evaluating used diesel trucks for sale in Texas that are expected to tow, haul, and last for the long term. Despite changes in emissions technology and fuel standards, diesel remains the backbone of towing, hauling, and commercial use.

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