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Old 11-30-2011, 06:20 PM   #1
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I'm upgrading from F150 to F250 or 2500. Diesel or Gasoline

Diesel or Gasoline. Diesel costs about 6 to 7 grand more upfront, Diesel fuel is just shy of a dollar per gallon more than gasoline. What do folks here think.

I really want to ask Ford, Ram or Chevy but I feel I don't dare. I have been a Ford man all my life but the Rams look really nice inside and out.
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Old 11-30-2011, 08:24 PM   #2
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Hi Paul,

I went through this same thought process when I bought my 05 F350.

Hands down the diesel has more low end torque at a much lower RPM. There is no getting around that. And the new Ford 6.7 V8 diesel is a monster with 800 ft # of torque.....

My V10 3 valve 6.8 is a good puller with the 5 speed Torque shift tranny and the 4.10 rear axle. In my case I was after 21,000# GCWR for towing reserve and with the right cargo capacity to go along with it. If your looking new the 6.2 V8 has replaced the 6.8 V10 in the smaller trucks.

The 6.8 3 valve V10 has
Horsepower (SAE net)362 @ 4750 rpm Torque457 lb.-ft. @ 3250 rpm

The new 6.2 V8 gasser
385hp @ 5500 rpm and 405ft lb @ 4500 rpm

The new Gasser revs higher to get close to the same area.

For your camper, the diesel will hands down not be a problem. The gasser will do it with gears. The 2012 6.2 V8 with 4.30 rear axle is rated at 22,000 # GCWR.

You can do good pulling with either the diesel or the gasser. The thing that swayed me was the gas was easier get and more available then Diesel and I can get more cargo capacity in the truck with the gasser.

If you are going to be doing a lot of west coast higher elevations, then the diesel with the turbo will be better.

Good luck. This is a tough call and a personal preference.

John
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Old 12-01-2011, 08:27 AM   #3
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We bought this truck new to tow the 2499 so I made the deliberate choice to buy gas. It is a second vehicle and most of its mileage is towing. I've never regretted buying gas--well maybe a little on one or two mountain passes--and would do so again, largely for personal reasons. At the same time, I'm sure no one who bought diesel regrets it either. We've traveled with my brother who then owned a Dmax and Titanium 5er and the extra power of diesel has to be experienced to believe it. Actually the times I would most like a diesel are when traveling into western headwinds where driving a gas rig is exhausting for the engine and driver. Hills and even mountain passes come and go with little drama, but headwinds never let up.

Unless you've already decided you want the stronger suspension and axles of the 3/4 ton, I would check out Ford's latest F150 with V8 and the eco boost V6. Your 5.4L is a bit of a dog and pretty dated technology. I think you'll be surprised by the latest and greatest in gas engines. My neighbor tandem tows a 5er and fishing boat with a 2011 eco boost. I'd question whether the F150's rear axle is up to that task, but he says the power is at least as good as his old 454 Chevy. See if a dealer will loan you one long enough for a test tow, or rent one for a day.

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Old 12-01-2011, 12:38 PM   #4
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I'm not going to start the "Big Three Issue", because all three have good points, but if you decide to go new diesel, I beleive Ram is the only one not requiring the use of Diesel Exhaust Fluid. In my area, cost and availability of the DEF would make this a biggie for me. It's weird, but the last time I looked the 2500/3500 pickups do not use it, but the cab/chassis models with the same engine do need it.

FYI, I went from a '01 5.2 powered Dodge 1500 4x4 to the '04 Dodge 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 W/the Cummins and it pulls the T276SR like a dream.

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Old 12-01-2011, 01:32 PM   #5
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I haven't pulled our 2753 with anything but our 2007 Sierra 2500 Duramax/Alison, so really have nothing to compare to. BUT I do know that it's easy for me to forget the trailer is back there, even in the mountains in southwest Virginia. There's a thread here somewhere that discusses people's various fuel mileages, and you could dig that up and see what you think. We got 13.5 mpg on the last trip. We started in the mountains of southwest Virginia, and ended in the rolling hills of eastern PA. The fuel light came on as we pulled in the driveway, so it was a tank of total towing.
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Old 12-03-2011, 08:45 AM   #6
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I have several times wished we had a diesel, because there are some fuel stations where it is much easier to get in and out with a trailer, if you need diesel.
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Old 12-05-2011, 12:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DianeScraps View Post
I have several times wished we had a diesel, because there are some fuel stations where it is much easier to get in and out with a trailer, if you need diesel.
Hahahah. Yeah! I've run into that too. Most recently at a truck stop near Ft Meyers FL. 4 beutifull wide pull-through lanes for deisel and a clustered 2 lanes righ after a curve for gas. Was just wonderfull turning 50 ft of rig through there.

Anyow, JohnB pretty much nailed it. Gas is a bit easier and works well for us as we don't tow alot. It just doesn't feel as powerfull cause the RPMs have to scream to get to full power.

Deisel engines add alot of weight to the truck, use 2 batteries, burn oil by design and require a bit more mainenance BUT they last forever with that maintenance and give that "Feels like the trailer is not even there" feeling cause all the power is in the low RPMs. Also, Turbo is standard on a Deisel which is great for high altitude.
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Old 12-06-2011, 11:02 AM   #8
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This subject is as timeless at the old reliable 5th Wheel verses Travel Trailer threads which populate all the RV forums.

My 04 Dodge Diesel gets outstanding towing mileage...15-16 mpg in cruise control.

I can easily find diesel fuel everwhere I have ever traveled with it.

I pay about what premiun gas costs most times.

My truck tows as if it was having fun doing so...

and get ready now...it sounds like a real truck is suppose to sound...

Now go git yurself one and be happy forever after.

Ain't opinions just grand...
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Old 12-17-2011, 08:49 PM   #9
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I've looked at the big 3 and thus far am going with my old standby Ford. After 50 years my brand loyalty just won't let me change.

The gas F250 Super Cab 4x4 with the 6.2 L, 6 speed auto trans and 3.73 gears will tow 12,200. The Ram 2500 Quad cab with 5.7 and 3.73 will tow 10,500 if I checked the numbers correctly.

Got the '06 F150 all cleaned up today and am going to talk trade this week. At 69000 she is just getting broke in.
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Old 12-26-2011, 07:07 AM   #10
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Our strategy was to buy used diesel to avoid higher new price. We found a 2006 2500 Dodge Cummins Laramie under 50000 miles and certified. I wanted 2 wheel drive and short bed. We added the 100,000 dodge bumper to bumper warranty independent of dealer we made purchase from, they are thousands cheaper on Internet thru another dealer, and have had zero issues in the last 18 months and 35000 miles. I used Blackstone labs to analyze both transmission and engine oil first changes and both were better than expected.

I originally towed with a 2004 Dodge Durango Hemi. For our purposes, I much prefer the Cummins and it provides for our future move from a 2363 to a 286SR. By my calculations we saved 18000-20000 given the longevity we expect. Mpg has ranged from 10.7 in northern Arizona Mts to 13.8 on coastal plain in NC and VA. Durango ranged from 7.5 in VA Mts to 10.8 on coastal plain. The diesel is double the miles between changes. The fuel filter is more critical but everything else has been similar. The approach has worked for us...good luck!
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Old 12-29-2011, 05:11 PM   #11
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Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

We have opted for a 2012 Ford XLT F250 with 6.2L gasoline engine and six speed trans driving through 3.73 gears. Towing capacity 12,500. Sterling Grey Silver color with some goodies. It will be a very sharp TV for the sunline.

We will make the switch tomorrow at the Jefferson City Ford Dealer, get the hitch all set up on it then off to Texas Hill Country for a few weeks to escape the snow. Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Luckenbach etc.

Very happy with the deal we got for the 2006 F150 with 69XXx miles. It was just a bit too wussy for the Sunline especially for the mountain travel we plan for next summer.
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Old 12-30-2011, 03:58 AM   #12
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Hope you put some easy miles on this truck(500-1000) before you tow with it. Let it break in a little. You will love this truck, I got a new one last year at this time. I gave up a08 F150 with only 24,000 to buy this but what a difference in the towing, and I am only pulling a 2363 Lite. Ed
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Old 12-30-2011, 08:38 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Galaxiedriver View Post
Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

We have opted for a 2012 Ford XLT F250 with 6.2L gasoline engine and six speed trans driving through 3.73 gears. Towing capacity 12,500. Sterling Grey Silver color with some goodies. It will be a very sharp TV for the sunline.

We will make the switch tomorrow at the Jefferson City Ford Dealer, get the hitch all set up on it then off to Texas Hill Country for a few weeks to escape the snow. Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Luckenbach etc.

Very happy with the deal we got for the 2006 F150 with 69XXx miles. It was just a bit too wussy for the Sunline especially for the mountain travel we plan for next summer.
Very nice choice. I would have bought the exact vehicle down to the color if I ever decided to change. I've never had a problem towing with the F150 that I have, including up to 8000 lbs boat or equipment trailers. Actually, even in fairly good mountains (Mass Pike) the truck has never had even a slight problem maintaining speed. The heavy, longer Sunline that you have would be more of a challenge with weight AND wind resistance combining, though. Best of luck with a great choice!
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Old 12-30-2011, 01:45 PM   #14
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Congrats on your new vehicle.....hope you have many happy miles towing!
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Old 12-30-2011, 10:01 PM   #15
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Congrats on the new truck!
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Old 12-31-2011, 05:51 PM   #16
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Paul,

Congrats on your new truck. By that tow rating you gave it sounds like a 2 wheel drive standard cab or maybe an extended cab. Out of curiosity which cab style did you get?

Here is one thing to "feel" for the very first time you hitch up the T276SR and go for a tow with F250. When rolling out the driveway for the first time, just feel the left to right stability and solidness in the truck towing the camper. I'm sure you will find it noticeable. You may only notice this large of a change for the first few tows as soon it will become what normal feels like and hard to relate it back to where you where on the F150.

You picked a great TV to line up with your TT. For sure let us know how it goes and how that new 6.2 engine works.

Best of luck to ya

John
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Old 12-31-2011, 09:23 PM   #17
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We brought the new TV home today. She is very smooth and quite. Love the Sirius and Sync. I can tell it to call people and it does. I can request a certain song and it plays it via my MP3.

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Old 12-31-2011, 09:39 PM   #18
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Paul, Cool looking truck!

Yes, the sync is really neat. I have is in our 2011 Fusion.
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Old 12-31-2011, 09:46 PM   #19
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Thanks John. I gave the wrong tow capacity earlier. It is 12,200, not 12,500. Still well over my fully loaded 276SR. It is the Super cab, 3.73 gears, 6.2 L gas with 6 speed automatic. I love that dark gray metallic paint. Jan has requested a step stool to get in and out.

I hope to get the hitch all set up tomorrow. I may have a question or two about that but the manual looks like it covers everything.
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Old 01-01-2012, 09:20 AM   #20
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Paul,

Yes, the 4 wheel drive added weight removes a little tow rating but not much. You can turn sharper. I'm amazed on how sharp I can crack my truck. But you still have anm engine and drive train rated at 19,000# GCWR. That is the key. You have a good puller there and reserve capacity too.

The only unknown to me at least is the Ford new 6 speed tranny and the 3.73. Some guys have reported that in their new 6 speed Suburbans with the 6.0 engine and the 3.73 the tranny is hunting a lot more then the old 4 speed. In the GM case, to help get out of that is going to the 4.10 or the 3.55 rear axle. Need to get the RPM's up higher.

But there are other factors in play here then just the 6 speed and 3.73. One if the how flat is the engine torque curve and at what RPM? and then there is tire size? If you are on 16" tires or 18" or now a days 20" that all plays into this equation. The tires are part of the actual gear ratio. You may not find this problem at all because of the tire diameter and the torque curve of the Ford reacts different then the GM's. Only time will tell.

To the hitch, odds are high you need to slide the hitch head up and down the hitch shank to level out the TT as the F250 is a lot higher off the ground to start with then the F150. And then the WD bar tension and hitch head tilt will most likely need to be adjusted as the head height just moved and more so the 1/2 ton suspension compared to 3/4 ton suspension is night and day. And the Super Duty truck receiver is tons better on the F250 then the F150. A lot less twist in the SD receiver.

These are all standard and expected adjustments going from 1 TV to the next.

You may be past this already but with the TT level and the truck on level ground, shoot to have the tow ball a good 1" to maybe 1 1/4" higher then the top of the TT ball coupler. adjust the shank to get this to start off with. You can only get as good as 1 bolt hole. This helps take care of the truck squat. For your truck suspension and I'm assuming 1,000 to 1,200# WD bars this will be just about right on. The rest of the adjustment will be hitch head tilt and WD bar tension.



Any help you need on the hitch, post away. A side pic of the hitched up TV and TT from truck reat bumper to the start of the side of the TT walls is a perfect pic to explain what you have and what you are seeing. It make it a lot easier to type words to the exact hitch and setup you have.

Good luck.

John
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