So I was excited to buy my first Ford 4 weeks ago and went with the F250 Powerstroke! It's a beast.

I had a trip planned in mid-October already to drive my new truck and pull my 19' toy hauler camper that way's 5700 lbs and was putting my 900 lb Harley in it. I tried the best I could to get close to the 1,000 mile break in completed. I got 700 miles on it before the trip

I was disappointed from the get go.. I hooked up the camper and my F250 squatted about a few inches. I saw the hitch was rated 600 lbs but the tongue weight on my camper was only 570. Very disappointed the F250 Super Duty with tow package had such a soft rear suspension. The truck bounced on Indiana and Kentucky roads especially the concrete ones. The power was there though, just didn't like the squatting and bouncing. The Fuel mileage sucked.. averaged 9.5 mpg. I burned up 220 gallons of fuel to travel from Indianapolis to Daytona Beach and back. I was expecting 11-12 mpg. I sure hope it's just because the 6.7 wasn't broke in yet.

And here's the worst part. The service engine light appeared at 1700 miles. I had another 900 miles to go before I was home and it's still on today. It doesn't flash, it just stays on. Truck seems to be running fine.

What's everyone's experience with the suspension and gas mileage pulling something.

 

The soft F250 was a shock for some of us who pre-ordered the 2011 in early 2010.
The fix is air bags.

9.5MPG is low. That's about the only thing that doesn't seem right.
I was pulling 7,000 lbs this weekend and was in the mid 14's.
11-12 is what I would expect too. I don't have any averages under 11 MPG.
My mileage was better when new but that's a well-discussed complicated story for the 2011's.

 

Yeah, your fuel mileage is way off. I suppose it has something to do with the Check Engine Light. As for the squatting, it's a common problem that Ford has addressed in the 2014s.

 

Have you taken it to a Ford dealer to see what the code is? Yes, the F-250's squat a bit and there is a TSB to help address it. Your mileage is low tho...how fast were you going? Perhaps the engine light has something to do with it.

I get 11-12.5 mpg towing my 5th wheel. I installed airbags as well.

 

I made it to Florida without the service engine coming on. I kept at 70 mph. Was down to 9 mpg in the mountains of Tenn. up to 10 mpg in Florida. Service engine light came on when I was coming home. Stayed at about 9.5 mpg on way home. I was still in Florida when the light was on and had about 1700 miles on it. I just got home late last night. I drop the Truck off at the Dealer in the morning.

 

Fuel mileage is definitely off. Probably due to the engine light.

For reference, our fifth wheel weighs in around 15.5k and I average 10-10.5 pulling it at 65 mph.

 

What gear is in the 4x2?

I am seeing 9.5-10 with my 2012 drw, 3.73's

 

I would say that it's mainly your extra wheels that would account for that mileage and gearing. I would assume the OP has 3.55 or maybe even 3.31s.

 

3.73. I see variable mileage, depending highly on wind. Recent trip from Houston to Alabama netted 8.5 the first tank (10-20 mph winds), then 11.2 (calm, to slight tail wind), then 9.9 (slightly breezy).

 

Ford Custmer Srevice called me to confirm the TSB for the 250 squat is customer pay only
it is only a cosmetic fix. So I dont know how some people say they got it for free.

 

I didn't see any changes to the rear suspension on my 2014, still had the 2" block. What do you think Ford changed?

OP, my 1st towing experience was like yours, bouncy and unacceptable. The idea of having make imporvements to a brand new $60k truck to tow a trailer is a bummer. On the positive side, an air bag system is much better suited to complement a soft leaf pack.

 

What about a w/d hitch?

 

You mileage will improve, mine did. I had about 3500 miles on it when we went to Florida averaged 10.5 with my 28 foot travel trailer. The mileage went up to 12.5 at around 12000 miles. Last trip was 13.5 and I have around 14000 miles on her now.
My weight bars level it out pretty good. Will need airbags if we go with something heavier.

 

Yes my 2013 F250 6.7 has 3.55 gears. I went to the Dealer today about the Service Engine light. It was something to do with the Catalyst or something. There was a TSB this month on the 2013's. they did an update to the Powertrain Control Module. Cleared it up.

Lets just hope the more miles I put on it the better gas mileage. The next trip to Florida is in January. I will hope for improvement, just won't have high hopes.

I will most likely get airbags installed before hand. Which one do you recommend?

 

Bsharp76,

I'm glad to see your dealer was able to get your light taken care of. Let Crystal and I know if you need any help in the future!

Ashley