5.0 is junk imho, no real power to speak of in stock form. Driven many 351ws and cant complain.

 

The 300 will get the same mileage as a 302, all else being equal. The 300 makes almost as much low end torque as the 351w but lacks the horsepower.

If I were you, I'd think about the straight six.

 

Im with Andy.... Six or 351. Stock 5.0's belong in cars.

 

The current 5.0 in my truck gets 13mpg everywhere all the time! The 5.8 I had in the same truck also got 13mpg city but had loads more TQ where you need it.. below 3000rpm, and got close to 18mpg highway.

 

I am up to 12.5 MPG average on my 1992 F350 4x4 w/5.8L engine and E4OD transmission. Not bad on a stock engine with a 3" y-pipe and 3" single exhaust. The latest fix was replacing the black TFI with the proper gray one. My truck uses a push-start PCM, but someone had installed a CCD style TFI. Everybody is happy now

 

I'm gonna toss another vote for a 300...Not that I'm biased or anything....

 

I've had both in a 4x4 and both got me around 13 mpg. I prefer the 5.8 over the 5.0

 

The 302 is a great motor. Mine has nearly 300,000 miles on it. I would rather have a 351 though. It has more low end power and gets around the same mileage. I will be swapping at some point. Having said that, my truck with its 302 has always been able to do what I asked of it.

 

I've got to throw in with Andy, Wes, and Bankrupter... I've had all three engines in multiples between my family, friends and myself.

Point blank: The 302-351w get about the same gas milage in stock form so I'd go with the 351w if those are the only choices.

The 302 loves higher RPMs to make power which make it a great car engine or a good high gear 2wd commuter truck. If I was considering towing at all I wouldn't even think about a 302... they can pull but they just don't have the torque at low rpms which is what a truck needs.

That being said... I can't praise my 300-I6 enough. They are ultra reliable and won't leave you stranded anywhere. You can expect an easy 300K before any major repairs if they are properly taken care of. They do have tons of low end torque to be able to pull whatever you can put behind them, but b/c of the lack of higher rpm HP you won't be doing it fast. My 300 takes me and my buddy from work hunting all the time and will pull a bed and trailer full of wood with ease.

Anyhow I'd say it all depends on how much you'll actually be pulling the camper, and the size of the camper itself. If your going hunting and on "honey do" errands more than pulling the camper I would get the 300 and just deal with the extra few minutes the 300 will cost you when pulling the camper some where. But if you have a bigger 5th wheel and go on extended camping trips with lots of driving I would probably get the 351w to tow the camper a little easier. Either way I would leave the 302 alone... Like previously suggested they are better left in cars!

 

I had a 94 bronco with a roller 5.0 and it had more power and got 1 mpg better than my 89 5.0. Although it was fine empty (no load), when I put a trailer behind it I would rather have a 351.

Never had a 300 though, but have heard good things about them. Mostly from what I heard people want them for off roading, or strictly towing.

But I still vote for the 5.8

 

5.8. That's all I got.

 

another vote for the 300 ive never had a motor problem and i ve put it through its paces... like these guys have said not much in hp but will haul anything you want it to......interesting little fact here i talked to an engine builder that has been building motors for 50 yrs he says the 351W is just as good of motor as the 350 chevy just not near as many ppl like to build it up cost and what not

 

5.8 is the way to go. My 5.8 gets the same mileage as my moms 5.0 (my 96' vs her 95', both super cab short bed 4x4s, mine is 3.55 hers 3.31?, mine E4OD hers 4R70W). Mine pulls much harder. The 5.8 makes more torque and power than either the 4.9 or the 5.0.

 

I did a 5.8 swap in my 1988 F-250 4x4 light duty and wow, what a difference. The speedo was trashed so I couldn't tell how fast I was going, but my sister couldn't catch me up an 8% grade in her Tundra!

 

I have a 92 F150 300" 4x4 and my stepdad has a 94 F250 both pulling the same loads, yeah I'll take the 300" 6.. sure it's not as fast, but better fuel economy and it seems more low end torque..