Hello All!!!
Looking at new trucks I can get a 6.0 super crew 4x4 for
39k or a v-10 for around 32-33k This will be my second vehicle
i have a 30ft trailer that i will tow mabey 6 times a year,but the power & acceloratiion is mind blowing.
Cant see spending 45,000 for a truck thats not a main driver
HELP!!!!!!
DAN

 

Dan,

You didn't state the fully loaded weight of your trailer. My V10 F350 pulls my 28 ft. 7,000 lb. + enclosed trailer and track car with ease. I took a trip pulling the trailer through CA and had no trouble with the Tehachipie Pass and the Grapvine.

The main reason for buying a diesel vs. V10 are
- high/max towing weight
- towing altitude (turbo diesel is good in the mts.)
- long towing distance (10s of 1000 per year)
- plan to keep the truck a long time

You'll find countless threads about how to calculate the payback based on fuel costs. Some folks buy the diesel just for the sound and smell, others don't due to the sound and smell.

You will not find one answer, you'll find many opinions.

Rich
2002 F350 V10 4x4 AT

 

Rich,

That was a great reply I thought for sure you would counsel to buy the v-10 because you have one like many others would. I have the diesel myself but don't haul or tow anything

I'm one of those people who bought one for the sound

As you already know Dank the 6. is a lot more and you have to decide for yourself if all that extra cost and the additional cost of maintainance will be offset by the increased economy and improved towing capabilities.

I just have to say those 6's are ROCKETSLEDS

 

I have an '02 cc 4x4 V10, have over 53,000 miles on it. I infrequently tow an equipment trailer (8600#) and a 30' TT (9100#) Just finished a 3400 mile trip to Grand Canyon/S. UT area with the TT and it has about convinced me to look at the 6.0

Had a lot of problems with headwinds this trip, resulting in mpg at times of 4.9-5.5. Overall was about 7.8, but coming back (east) I got as high as 10.4. (All calculated, not computer) The biggest problem is the 29 gal tank. When getting 5.5 mpg in the AZ area, you need to stop too often to top the tank, in fear of getting low when too far from a station.

I purposely ordered this truck with the 4.30 gears, and it WILL pull the trailers real well--almost at no time was I in a situation when I could not gain speed up hills if I wanted to. The engine is quiet and smooth, and when in campgrounds, very quiet when idling.

I believe the 6.0 is around $6500 when the 5 spd auto is figured in--it will take a lot of miles to equal $6500, even if you get 15% better mpg with it. But the extended driving range may be worth it.

Solo driving gets about 13.0 at 65; 12.0 at 70; 11.5 at 80.

 

I will admit that the main reason why i bought a Diesel was for the sound , but the other reason was for fuel milage. I two my racecar in a 28 foot enclosed trailer about every other weekend in the summer , and the milage is great. I have two buddies that both own Excursions like mine , but with the V10 , and they are always saying how they wished they bought a Diesel, due to their low Milage numbers.

But , to each their own..........

 

I can't decide either. I need a new truck and have needed one for 2 years Prices keep increasing on these SD's and I still haven't bought one. I tow an open equipment trailer that is about 4,000lbs loaded pretty much 5 times a week, but not over great distances. Maybe 100 miles a week. If I had something to tow it with though, I'd probably have an enclosed trailer that would weigh a little more. I'd like to be able to tow my car to the occasional race, maybe even out of state. I drive alot though, about 30,000 miles a year. So roughly 20% of the time it would be towing.

Between the 6.0 and V10, it looks like about $6400 difference with the rebates. 87 octane here is about 30 cents a gallon cheaper than diesel. On paper, the V10 might be the better truck for me. Here's some stuff I always think about just about the time I get ready to buy:

Would I rather make a bigger truck payment or pay as I go with the gas

What if I buy a V10 and it's one of the gas eaters and gets like 7mpg towing that small trailer and like 9 with nothing at all. What if it doesn't like the cheap gas

What if I buy a diesel and it's a hog? And does hardly any better than the V10.

Can I live with diesel envy when a diesel pulls up next to me?

 

Get off the pot and get one or the other, really does not matter as the PSD or V10 are both great engines and will do the work. If you get the 10 then you will be a V10 lover, if you get the oil burner then you will still have a big **** eating grin every time you smoke down the road.

Actually the right running gear for towing is much more important than either of these great engines. If you will be on steep grades a lot you should opt for the 4.10 or 4.30 gears, but if mostly flat land then the 3.73s are good gear set

Go ahead and add all the extra crap up front, it only adds a small amount to the payment... I am talking engine heater, back up warning, movable pedals, heated mirrors, heavy suspension, and skid plates... get every option available for the series truck you order.

Why, cuz every SuperDuty owner I know who went in to the dealer and tryed to get the truck $$$$$$ down ended up NOT getting neat little goodies and then wished he had this or that feature and realized later that all of them combined don't cost as much as putting on some aftermarket version.

 

Hi Dank,

Welcome to FTE. You will find alot of info. and good advice here!

I think that since this is a second vehicle and you will only tow 6 times a year, than the V10 may be the better choice considering the up front cost of the 6.0. That is the main $ point.

Also, if you go for the V10, you may want to strongly consider the long bed for the larger fuel tank (38 gal.).

Good luck on your choice, either way, you will love the Super Duty!

Mike

 

I was talking to the Service Manager at a local Ford Dealership and his advice was to wait a couple of years for them to get the bugs worked out of the 6.0. He said it is a great engine and is destined to be one of the best Ford has ever offered but they still have a few engineering glitches to work out.

Based on his recommendation, if you have to buy a new SD this year (or next), I'd suggest going with the v10. If you can wait a year or two and $$$ is not part of the equation, it sounds like the 6.0 would be the way to go.

For me personally, the v10 suits my needs just fine (very little towing & alot of off road miles - hunting and fishing). I get 12 around town, and 15-16 on the highway (calculated).

 

Why not buy a well-maintained, used 7.3.??? Cheaper than new, and already a proven powerplant.. When the 6.0's get dialed in, (a few years??) you can trade it in then.. ..and you may decide to stick with the 7.3...!!!!

 

Well, guys, I have a '00 250 4X4 with a 7.3 PSD. The mileage is 17 even with 130K miles on it. The pickup speed is great and the truck is very strong. I won't go back to gas. I am actually getting better mileage on this diesel than I did on a gas ranger 4X4.

And personally, I think that it would be better to get a used diesel than wait for them to fix the 6, or buy a gas hog.

-good luck and happy trucking

 

IMO,it boils down to this.
How much are you willing to spend on a truck?

 

I love my New V-10! I went threw the same dilemma decideing which one to get.
I drove both. Not one 6.0 PSD drove the same. Out of the 10 I drove, only one felt strong and shifted right.
I also heard all the horror storys about the 03's, and buy backs.
You also have to considar the $6000 differance. And the $1000 rebate differance at the time, now only $500. Also higher maintance for the 6.0 PSD.

Drive both and do your research.

 

I have the solution to those wanting the sound of a diesel but don't want to spend the extra money. You can order "Sounds of a Powerstroke Diesel." on cd, pop it in your radio while driving and have the best of both worlds. You will be the envy of all of your frinds with this purchase.


2002 Black F-250 XLT SuperCab 4x4 Auto 5.4

 

Well a diesel will give you all the power you need, good gas mileage, long life, and the reliability. The V10 will give you pretty bad gas mileage, high maintenance, and less power? My 7.3 powerstroke gives enough power to tow over the sierra's at 70 mph constant.