I'm thinking of getting a F250 for pulling a toy hauler. Have 2006 F150 now. Will weight about 9000lbs. Would I be better off with the gas (5.4) or 6.4 diesel. heard that the diesel doesn't get very good on fuel. Gas might not be much better. Would have the 3.73 rear end. Looking at a 2008 or 2009. Would only pull it about 3 times a year. to Fla. From chicago area.

 

If u don't need the diesel then just get the gas. I did some figures on how much u save on gas when using the diesel.
I based everything on 10000 miles per year and the gas getting 10 mpg and the diesel getting 15 mpg.
The diesel in a 2011 truck is $8000 more then the gas. At the above numbers it would take 9.5 years to save enough money in fuel to pay for the engine. And that was with diesel fuel only .25 more per gallon. The extra does not include any additives u use with the diesel fuel. And also it does not take in account the extra costit is for routine maitance. So my thought was unless u need it or really just want a diesel, the gas motor is the better choice.

 

You get the diesel because you need it for the towing capacity.

I would think a toy hauler would weigh considerable more unless it is a Tag along.

What toy hauler?

Also what you need to figure out how else you use the truck. Diesels do not take kindly to lot of city driving or short trips.

 

That was kinda my point. You get a diesel because u need the power not for better MPG's. They do have their need in some situations. That's all I was saying, I have seen a lot people on here say the diesels are better because of the gas milage, that is so, and they do last a lot longer too. So if u do need it then don't shy away from the extra cost. But don't buy it to try to save money, I just don't think that will happen.

 

think 6.2.....

 

Stock 6.4s for the most part get bad mileage for a diesel because of the emissions components. Unless you are going to be hauling this all the time, I would get a gas truck, V8 or V10.

With as high as diesel is now and where it was in 08, I think it's safe to say that diesel will remain 30-60 cents more per gallon and that the margin gets wider as the price of oil increases.

Mike

 

In last 25 years diesel have been more expensive than regular maybe 4, maybe 5 years. Current ULSD might be staying more expensive for a while, but at this time of the year and with this weather the higher diesel prices are because lot of it is used for heating.
The prices will stabilize once the heating season is over.
Gas owners always "Forget" to mention resale value. Whatever you pay more up front for a diesel, you will get back at the time you sell it. Quite often even more.

 

Thanks for the info. Just hope the 5.4 or 6.2 will do the job. The hauler is track and trail and goes in at 5900 dry wt.

 

In the last 10 years, diesel fuel use has skyrocketed. Diesel will stay high because people continue to buy more and more of it. With oil prices higher it will remain high. I can not recall in the last 4 years more than a handful of times when diesel has been less than premium.

Why would I mention something that is a wash. 8K more up front for 5K more in the end. That's a 3K loss on top of normal depreciation. Show me where you get more than the intial cost often more. Even if it's an even wash, it's still a wash and actually you still lose money because that's more money to finance, insurance, and pay taxes on.

Mike

 

Where do you get those numbers from? I paid 8k for my diesel 5 years ago. Observing the prices now, I could ask 10k for it (I keep it in top shape).
Dare to compare used V10 prices 5 years ago and now?
Fuel prices? Right now at 15 mpg on diesel it cost $280 to travel 1000 miles. At 10 mpg with V10 it cost $375.
Making 20k a year you are saving almost $2000 a year on fuel alone. Add the extra time, fuel and vehicle wear-out for all those extra trips to gas station.

 

Ok with those numbers it will take 4 years just to pay the extra $8000 just with the fuel cost. So how much are the additives you put in every tank of gas. What about the extra cost just for a oil change. I'm don't know the interval at which you get it done, is it more miles for the diesel? I saw at the dealership it was $149 of a oil change, and only $49 for gas. That's 3 times the price if at the same intervals of 5000 miles, that's a extra $400 per year just for the oil changes. I was just saying earlier, don't buy a diesel thinking you are going to save money, buy it because you need the extra power.

 

I bought my PowerStroke initially as a replacement for Chevy with 454 gas engine.
The only motivation for me was fuel savings. Oh yeah, making 5 fuel stops daily with Chevy was pretty annoying. Oil changes on my diesel add 4-5 cent a mile.

 

I've been researching buying a toyhauler for some time, and what I've found is that they're often heavier than the listed weight. You wont know for sure without getting it weighed, but most of the time a diesel or a v10 is required. Even shorter toyhaulers (25' range) can get up to 10k lbs really quick with water, gear, and toys.

On the fuel issue, I must not be the norm, because since fuel prices fell back to a manageable level after 07/08 diesel has been about 5 cents cheaper than regular here. This is the first time since then that diesel has passed the cost of regular gas and it is currently 3 cents more.

Kajtek, you aren't too far from me, is this how the bay has been, or is Nor Cal just weird?

 

9k... 3 times a year... I'd say a gasser would be just fine although I would recommend going for the V10 I know several folks who haul that much with the 5.4. 3.73 with a 5.4 though might be pushing it. Nice thing with the 08 and 09 your looking at if you get the V10 it will come with the 4.10's minimum. Also if your getting one of the larger combos like a crew cab / 8' / 4x4 I would realy think about the V10. Reg cab or say ext cab with short bed might be a little less weight for the 5.4 just a thought.

 

A one way trip to florida from chicago for me was 1050 miles to jacksonville , so thats at a minimum. 3 X that round trip is in excess of 6300+ miles a year towing a load of 9000 lbs besides a truck weighing quite a bit less than that. Even more if you go deeper into florida. Answer is you absolutely need a diesel , which has way better mpg than any gasser , because of the load you will be pulling. The costs dont factor in, cause plain and simple, you need a diesel.