Seeking feedback- Gas tow vehicles

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

These are interesting comments that I can relate to. I personally have a Cummins Ram and a 3.5L Ecoboost F150. My wife daily drives a Ram 1500. Getting in to hers after driving mine all the time, I'm absolutely miserable. I can't stand how lazy it is on comparison. This week, she is driving the F150 while we attempt to fix her HVAC system yet again, and I'll have a hard time getting it back from her when her truck is fixed.



If you would have asked me 10 years ago what my dream truck would be, I would have said a Ford Super Duty with a Cummins swap. Today it would be if Ford would offer the 3.5L Ecoboost 10-speed combo in the Super Duty line. I'd be all over one in a heartbeat.

A super duty weighs thousands more than an F-150. You would be in the boost all the time with that little motor, and mileage would be as bad or worse than a big gas engine. It wouldn’t be peppy like you’re imagining.

[ROC-REQS]

Originally Posted by Tail_gunner

... So I'm pondering my options, find out how much a paint job costs, or just get a different truck. In about 2 years, I'll be retiring and won't be driving back & forth to work anymore. So a new truck will last me longer than I'll last for the truck.

Tail_gunner,

Depending on how much $ you're willing to spend, IMO getting a quote on a full paint job and rust proof undercoating on you current truck and comparing that to the cost of a new truck would definitely be worth the effort.

Also with your retirement pending, what impact would it have on you if you had a truck loan to pay off during your retirement years if you bought a new truck?

Just some food for thought.
Good luck in your decision.
I'm sure what ever you decide, it will be the right one for you.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by NewBlackDak

A super duty weighs thousands more than an F-150. You would be in the boost all the time with that little motor, and mileage would be as bad or worse than a big gas engine. It wouldn’t be peppy like you’re imagining.

That very well may be the case. But, I'd love to be the beta tester for one. I firmly believe that with 4.30 gears and the 10-speed, it would do darn well.

Can you tell in just love that little Ecoboost.......lol

[SkyBound]

I would love to see how a small V-8 EcoBoost would do in a SuperDuty - perhaps a 4.5L twin turbo? I'm sure Ford considered that when redesigning their gas powerplant for that line, and opted for the 7.3 big block instead for a valid reason, whatever that may be. Either way there is something to be said for the EcoBoost design and performance.

I agree that the 3.5L would not be a great match for the current SuperDuty - not because of a lack of power - but because of the fuel efficiency trends. It was designed for efficient operation in the half ton platform/weight regime, and as we all know it starts getting thirsty when put to work. Running unloaded in a F-350 would be like a F-150 towing a mid sized trailer, and those turbos push the power at the cost of fuel.

[Midnightmoon]

All valid points. However, it begs the question of how much that mileage penalty would be. Instead of a 20 mpg engine in a 1/2 ton platform, would it be a 16 mpg in a HD, or 12 mpg, etc? I'd really like to know. Compared to what a 6.2L or now a 7.3L may get, it just might be competitive.

I don't want to take the OP's thread too much further off topic, but I'll just add that not only am I sold in the EcoBoost technology, I'm really impressed with the small displacement forced induction technology vs. big CID in general. My Sprinter Van is that tiny little 2.1L 4cyl twin turbo diesel. The power and efficiency of that van out of that little package is nothing short of amazing to me.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

I would love to see how a small V-8 EcoBoost would do in a SuperDuty - perhaps a 4.5L twin turbo? I'm sure Ford considered that when redesigning their gas powerplant for that line, and opted for the 7.3 big block instead for a valid reason, whatever that may be. Either way there is something to be said for the EcoBoost design and performance.

I agree that the 3.5L would not be a great match for the current SuperDuty - not because of a lack of power - but because of the fuel efficiency trends. It was designed for efficient operation in the half ton platform/weight regime, and as we all know it starts getting thirsty when put to work. Running unloaded in a F-350 would be like a F-150 towing a mid sized trailer, and those turbos push the power at the cost of fuel.

This I agree with. A 4.5-5L with mild boost could get good unloaded mileage, and still have the power to tow.

[nynethead]

your 2011 has years left on it why would you replace unless it is high mileage. I am still pulling with my 2006 chevy 2500HD with the LBZ diesel. only 163,000 miles. did need to replace the brake lines 2 years ago and the fuel lines 2 months ago, but I am not getting rid of this truck unless it dies, can't afford a new one.

[Phil]

We have been pulling a 7000lb tt for years with a Ram 2500 5.7 hemi. We love it. We have been all over the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas with no problem. On the flat we average 10-12mpg (hand calc) towing.

[Nodaker]

Back to the op's original question, My '09, chev 6.0, 6spd, 4.11, 2500HD, pulls our '15 Jayco 321rsts with no issues. To Alaska in 2016 with no problems. Generally mileage is in the 8-9 range; occasionally with climbing elevation and headwind it gets down to 6.x; conversely, elevation drop with tailwind can get 10-11.

Both towing capacity and payload are within specs but toward upper end.

I'm sure a diesel might pull 'easier' but the gasser has no problem when you let it rev like it's designed for.

[tinlizzie23]

I have been towing our 11,000 lb Designer 5er with a 2003 F350 V-10 gasser since we got it. At that time, Ford diesels were about $6,000 more than V-10s, and I had a recommendation from an owner who bought 2 identical trucks, except one was a diesel, the other a V-10. He recommended the V-10, so we bought one, and have never been sorry. Don't know the camper is there most of the time, and we get around 12mpg towing and 14mpg not towing. Couldn't be happier with the V-10 gasser.

[Gunslinger]

Just throwing it out there. You'll get your diesel option money back on trade on.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Gunslinger

Just throwing it out there. You'll get your diesel option money back on trade on.

This is very true.

[putz]

You have to look at the big picture on your choice of engines.
Every one talks about fuel mileage but they forget about stopping
that heavy weight.
I live out west which has lots of high mountain roads.
I have a diesel because it has an exhaust brake.
My 2014 Ram diesel has two settings regular and auto.
When set in auto with speed control on I don't have to touch
the gas/diesel pedal when going down a very long hill.
The exhaust brake just comes on a short time to slow the
vehicle to my set speed.

[Yooper906]

That's a good point that has worked out well for me. Resale is great on diesel trucks.

[kblast523]

Here, build ya' one! https://www.ramtrucks.com/build.ram_...X9,PR4,2ZA,APA

[GraftonGuns]

Gunner, I have a 2016 F-350 Lariat Crew Cab with the 6.5' box, It's a gasser with the 6.2 liter engine. It is also my daily driver. I get 12-13 mpg combined. I have got over 13 on straight level road. Now, when I tow my 5er I average around 10 mpg combined. I can't see spending close to $10K for a stinky smelly Diesel. Oil changes are really expensive not to mention the cost of Diesel fuel plus the DEF additive. Yeah, They run at a lower rpm and have a lot of torque but, I'm happy with my Gasser....

[Fleetman]

Too much weight to safely and economically pull. If you can’t afford or don’t wish to step up to diesel which averages 12 mpg vs gasser 7 mpg, you will forever be sorry. You can purchase a great used diesel for a lot less and be happy, I did.

[Wyldink]

My oil change at the dealer for a 2017 F250 SD is 99.50, not that expensive.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by Wyldink

My oil change at the dealer for a 2017 F250 SD is 99.50, not that expensive.

Mine is $109 for 3x oil change/tire rotation/car washes on my 2500 6.4 RAM.

[Sk734]

I fulltimed for 2 years with a 2011 Dmax dually pulling a16k 5ver excellent setup. Now 2014 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0 with 410 gears pulling a 10k 5ver excellent setup. I plan to move up to GVWR 5ver of 12k.
Diesel are excellent at pulling but costly to run and repair. I can put a new motor in my truck for about $4,000. Right now I have 73k on the clock and expect to get 250+ out of this motor. I don't know about you but I don't run many mountains but it will make the grade if necessary. Good luck with your choice.