I'm going to start off by saying I cannot justify buying a diesel otherwise I would nor can I find one that isn't over priced with high miles so here we are. I currently own a 2000 F250 regular cab 4x4 with the v8 and I love it and it does everything I need except when I tow larger things it really revs. I own a boat repair business and some of my customers boats are getting a little large for the truck (10000lbs with trailers and fuel etc) I'm not towing them across county just around town and back and forth to the boat ramp. I've kind of been in the market for an extended cab and recently found a beautiful 2000 F350 extended cab lariat 4x4 with the V10 with super low miles. My concern is that the gas mileage is gonna kill me. I think towing the v10 will probably do better on mileage so I think that might be better. I'm just worried that ill get rid of a truck I truely love and be disappointed.

 

If you have to worry about mileage with a truck than it probably will kill you. Drop down to the V10 section and search mileage only you can or can't justify the difference.

 

Take if for a test drive and ask if you can use it to pull a boat around since that is what you'll be using it for. That's how you'll be able to make the best decision on it.

 

Rule #1 when towing, do not expect high gas mileage. The V10 will get about 1-2 mpg less than the 5.4 Wen I used to pull with my old F350 V10 it has no isses pulling almost 15,000. I saw about 7.5 mpg on the hills and 9 on flat highway. If the truck has 4.30 gears that will help the fuel mileage a little bit.

 

I don't think you're going to see much of a difference in fuel economy assuming your driving is the same. Take a look at some real-world data:

Ford F-250 Super Duty MPG Reports | Fuelly

You'll note that the V8 trucks tracked here on Fuelly average worse fuel economy than the V10s that are tracked here! This is a limited data set though, and usage will vary widely, the V10 is definitely a less-efficient engine in a given driving scenario. But the difference isn't that large, and the ~25% increase in torque and horsepower is. In the nearly ten years that I've been here on FTE I have never heard of someone with a V10 who wished they got the V8. There are lots of folks who wish they got the V10 though!

 

Not sure what the logic is but if pulling is your game, nothing works like a diesel. Once you've gone to a diesel, you won't go back.
Sure they're more money, sure maintenance is important, sure piece of mind is important... and costs money.
No free lunch here.

 

Why not? I did!

 

If its just across town & back either one should be fine. If its a business truck can't you write off the vehicle & fuel anyway? Also since its a business you want to stay under your vehicles legal limits or it could be problems in an accident.

 

Problems in the cold weather?

Reason I ask is that not many people of whom I make inquiry would go back.

What diesel engine did you have, an early six-oh?

Pop

 

Nope, I had an '08 6.4L and '11 6.7L truck. While I really liked both I wasn't interested in owning either one out of warranty. Both trucks were absolute animals when hooked to a trailer, but they were a bit excessive for the amount of towing that I do.

My Excursion is an old dog compared to my last two trucks, but it handled a 15,000 lb trailer really well. I don't climb hills as fast as I used to, but I get there without being awake at night worrying about what it would cost me if it broke. Nothing against diesel trucks, but I don't need one for my infrequent towing, and having two kids with special needs made me rethink my financial priorities.

 

I won't go back to Diesel either.

 

Sounds like you guys had the wrong diesel. The new ones are just a hassle, in my opinion.

To the original poster, if you can find yourself a decent truck the the 7.3 diesel you would be happy. It would tow whatever you hook to it, and get decent mileage doing it.
(much much better than either the 5.4 or the 10) The cost of diesel fuel is more, but my lifted F250 with 315 tires and 3.73 gears gets over 17 MPG on the highway.

The only downside is maintenance is a bit more expensive. (4 gallon oil changes)

Its a great motor though, and IF you can find one you wouldn't be disappointed.

 

What about a Cummins?

 

BLASPHEMY,

 

Me too.

For the situation you've described (short trips across town, under significant load), I don't think a diesel makes sense. Pulling a load like you've described for short trips (without adequate warm-up time) will likely lead to problems for most oil burners.

They have their place, no doubt about it. But probably not for what you've described. IMO.