Well as stated in my earlier posts I traded my 01,7.3,3.73s auto 4x4 super cab on my new 08 3.73s auto crew cab lariat 4x4. I must admit I did this with a little reservation on how will this new 6.4 pull. Up until I pulled I was totally impress with everything. People would ask me "How do you like it". My reply was "Great" but the only thing this 6.4 has to prove to me is how will it pull my 32ft fifth wheel. This weekend I took a short approx. 250 mile trip. Well you can now scratch the word "Great" and replace it with "Awsome". All of my concerns and doubts have now been put to rest. This baby purely strong armed that r.v. Now I know what your next question is going to be, "How's the m.p.g.? I only have 1000 miles on it and I'm a firm believer in not getting too excited about fuel mileage until it gets about 10000 on it as I know it takes a some miles to get a diesel really broke in (just my opinion). I found if when driving the interstate a 75 (which was absolutely no problem) which put my tach over the 2000 mark the mileage started to drop. But if I would stay around the 65mph mark it would gain on the m.p.g. So what we did was drive to our destination a 75 and return at 65. Both trips were identical type wheather and basically flat. We did the math ( I dont trust the calcs in the clock) and we got just shy of 9.5mpg at 75mph and 11.3mpg at 65mph. I always accelerated slowly and gently up to my cruising speed and really tried to keep my foot out of the turbo. Any passing on the interstate was with the cruise on, slow,long passes. Weight of my fifth is 9800 empty with a potential of 12000 fully loaded. I have not weighed this set up but my best guess is that the fifth is somewhere around the 11000lb mark. All things considered at this point I'm very happy. Like I stated earlier Im not going to get too excited about the mpg until I have some miles on it. Oh I almost forgot I have not checked the mpg running with no weight on the truck yet. The transmission on the 6.4 compared to my 7.3 is really nice!!!
badblueoval4life, I know what you mean man, I only had 76000 on my 01. It was a very difficult decision letting my 7.3 go. But I personally feel that all of fears are gone. One thing for sure.... the 6.4 is a great truck but someone is going to get a great 01.
Thanks for the post. I am waiting for my boat to get out of the shop to pull with mine. I was a little hesitant but had no choice but to go with an 08 b/s my 06 was totaled due to an accident with the boat and trailer behind it.
Now I feel more confident when I finally hook up the boat and trailer.
I towed with my new '08 for the first time over the weekend and I had similar experiance. I have a 12,000 lbs. boat I tow through the hills about 70 miles 1 way. I was extremely pleased with how well it towed and how well it rides. Mine is bumper hitch, no 5th wheel, so I assume I get a few more bumps than you. There is 1 hill I would get down to 45 mph with my 6.0L and with the 6.4L, I ran up it at 70 mph and had plenty left in her. It downshifted out of overdrive and held steady all the way up. Boost was around 30 so I know it had more left. MPG was right in line with my 6.0 - right at 9 mpg. If I slowed down, I know it would be better.
mileage may be just a little less than my 7.3 BUT my 6.4 is not even close to being broke in yet. My 7.3 was not modified and I feel after I get this 6.4 broke in it will be a very close competitor to my 7.3 in the way of towing. At least I feel alot better about it anyways. As stated earlier i cant say how it compares to the 6.0 as I never had one. All I know is so far I am pretty impressed with the towing ability of this baby!!!!!!
DL weigh at a Cat scale, it is easy to do about $8 , you will be surprised how heavy you are with all your stuff. Fuel mileage: 190.83 gallons for 1665 miles all towing 16,650# from a cat scale Gross 25,350#, the computer showed 9.1 and hand calculated 8.73. Usually drove up to 5 mph over the speed limit under 60 and tried not to exceed much over 65, except in W. VA where it was 70 mph and kept it lower than the speed limit on some really rough roads and bridges. It also surprised me coming off traffic lights in heavy traffic, ¾ throttle had to look behind me to be sure the camper was still there (well almost) it really pulled strong and had no problem staying with traffic between lights. If you want fuel mileage go with a 250 standard cab with 3.73’s, If you are going to tow heavy go with either the 350 4.10s, 4.30s if heavy or a 450. From what I have experienced the 4.30’s will have no problem even over 20,000# towing. I wouldn’t think you would need 4.88’s unless you are towing 22,000# plus. Complete report on another 6.4 post
__________________ 2008 F450 4x4 4.30's Dark Toreador red delivery 4-05-07 13.46 mpg mty 8.64mpg towing 16,950# over 4,800 miles
99 F350 V10 DRW 3.73's 5 speed stick traded 11.5mpg
1995 Firehawk 315hp 6 speed 06 Escape 22mpg
93 40th Anv. Vette, 2006 Armada, Kountry Star 5'th wheel 40'
Great to hear the pulling power is so good on the '08. Now how about slowing everthing down? Is it going to need an exhaust brake for those big downhills? I am used to my exhaust brake on my Dodge but hear the '08 Super Duty does a great job of slowing everything down without one. Comments?
Great report, DL! Thanks for taking the time to post it.
Dang I can hardly wait. I was to pick up my F450 on Friday, but the dealer discoverd a small dent that needs to be fixed so now it looks like another week.
Great to hear the pulling power is so good on the '08. Now how about slowing everthing down? Is it going to need an exhaust brake for those big downhills? I am used to my exhaust brake on my Dodge but hear the '08 Super Duty does a great job of slowing everything down without one. Comments?
See my other post towing 16,650# on the 6.4. tow mode downshifting was really amazing. I've always driven standards because I like the way yo can also control slowing down. The Ford Auto does a better job than I ever could. Really like the way it had control coming off exit ramps on down hills to the stop sign. Great job Ford.
__________________ 2008 F450 4x4 4.30's Dark Toreador red delivery 4-05-07 13.46 mpg mty 8.64mpg towing 16,950# over 4,800 miles
99 F350 V10 DRW 3.73's 5 speed stick traded 11.5mpg
1995 Firehawk 315hp 6 speed 06 Escape 22mpg
93 40th Anv. Vette, 2006 Armada, Kountry Star 5'th wheel 40'
Great report, DL! Thanks for taking the time to post it.
Dang I can hardly wait. I was to pick up my F450 on Friday, but the dealer discoverd a small dent that needs to be fixed so now it looks like another week.
Darn it Big Sky, That is because you were delayed repainting it again. Ya right! You of all people are really going to appreciate you new F450. It is really an fantastic truck towing.
__________________ 2008 F450 4x4 4.30's Dark Toreador red delivery 4-05-07 13.46 mpg mty 8.64mpg towing 16,950# over 4,800 miles
99 F350 V10 DRW 3.73's 5 speed stick traded 11.5mpg
1995 Firehawk 315hp 6 speed 06 Escape 22mpg
93 40th Anv. Vette, 2006 Armada, Kountry Star 5'th wheel 40'
See my other post towing 16,650# on the 6.4. tow mode downshifting was really amazing. I've always driven standards because I like the way yo can also control slowing down. The Ford Auto does a better job than I ever could. Really like the way it had control coming off exit ramps on down hills to the stop sign. Great job Ford.
