I don't know what engine problems the chassis cabs have. My truck hasn't been to the dealer's since the day I took delivery. This dealer sells a lot of chassis cabs with flatbeds for farm use. I asked them about chassis cab engine problems and they said they havn't had any. Oh well, I suppose I just put the hex on myself. I say again, I wouldn't change a thing about my truck, including the rear end ratio. But, that's just my opinion. I think any truck you choose will be the right choice for "you". Good luck and let us know what you decide.
'
Jim

 

I just brought home my new '12 F-450 KR that I ordered in early September. I traded an '08 F-450 KR pickup that also had the 4.30 gears. Too soon to know what the mileage will be but the best my 6.4 got was 14 mpg unloaded and maybe 9.5 loaded. I'm expecting the 6.7 to get at least 16 mpg unloaded. I really can feel a difference in these engines, no turbo lag with the 6.7. Hope this truck turns out as good as my '08.

 

Just completed 5800 mile trip. secondary roads and interstates, combination of lots. of hills and lots of flat,s. high elevations and lower elevations, 55-70 mph's. 450KR large slide in camper, towing an enclosed car trailer with a 4000 lb car in it. Gross combined at 22520Lbs. avg mpg on trip computor 9.7. Only the odd shift to 5th on 6-7% grades.
Awesome puller!

 

I run 75-78 mph loaded or empty when on Interstates.
Loaded with 18k# 5er 8.8 mpg
Empty 18 -19 mpg
Around town 12-14 mpg

Drop off 5-10 mph and you add 1-2 mpg empty
and about 2 mpg loaded

Starcraft had a F 450 and recently traded it for a F 350. Where are you Starcraft?

Let us know what you decide. Good Luck!

 

Have a 2011 F350 crew-cab dually with 3.73s and am getting 19 mpg unloaded at 70 mph highway, 15-16 mpg combined. I tow many different size trailers so that figure is all over the board.

 

I have 16k on a 2011 450. It is a way better rig than my 08 450, EXCEPT it does not have anywhere near the weight rating of an 08 450. The 11's and 12's pickup 450's are the 350 Tow Boss's in the 2008-2010 era. Same gross +/- but wide front axle and a great turining radius. The 2011-12 cab-chasis can still get the 12,500 # rear axle, and 37k GCWR that the 08-10's had.

I pull a 16k high profile 5er and get 9.5 to 10.5 at 65mph. Yes I had a short pull at 11 mpg, but there were no regens that one time.

I don't even know the 5er is there, on the flats (FL), going up a mountain (CO), or down a hill (WV or VT). LieOmeter shows consistently 5% better than actual MPG's.

I have never seen 15 mpg for a whole tank empty at 65 - just too many regens. Yes I have seen 17 for 1/2 a tank, but the regens catch up to me.

Empty around town I try to avoid. If a grocery hauler with short run times, I don't think ou will get 10; takes too long to warm the bugger up. However, I have run empty at 30-45 mpg with some stop and go for 4 hours at a clip and and make 16.

Highway empty 65-70 I have seen 17 on the lieOmeter for 100 mile or so, but never for a full tank (during regens you get about 8 mpg's for 10 minutes or 10 miles whichever is longer). Generally I can count on 14 mpg if running empty at 65.

Ignore Ford's towing comparisons if you pull a 5er. A 5er has much hogher pin weights than most properly loaded lowboys for hauling equipmewnt or supplies. The weight rating on the rear axle on the 2011 350 is the same as the 450, so pin weight is the limiting factor. After 2010, all you getin a "pickup" is the better turning radius. If you pull a buldozer on a flatboy and get the dozer on the trailer axles, the pickup can pull the loads that Ford towing comparisons suggest. For heavy pins on a 5er, cab and chasis is probably needed.

If a 350 will work for you pin weight wise, you don't pull a long trailer where the turning radius matters, and you run light or empty a lot, wait for a 350 because empty and light running mpg's will be much better. However, if in doubt about those 3 items, a 450 in stock in the right configuration is instant gratification, and will only cost you a bit of fuel. Get a great price on a 450 and who cares. However, if you have a heavy pin weight (above 4k) you probably would be better off waiting for a cab-chasis with the 12,500# axle. PS, it will take 100k empty running highway miles to pay for putting an overdrive into a pickup or cab-chassis 2011 450 - if you get that overdrive for $3,600. That overdrive will give you the net gears of a 350, but you can't use it towing- it only saves mpg when empty.

Good luck Great rigs...

 

Thank you all very hellpfulll...i had a great offer from dealer for a 350.

 

I just sig a F 350 DRW Crew 4x4....the wait till Decembre gone be very long!!!! so exited!!!!!

Thank all for your good info was very helpfull to read tha forum.

 

Congratulations on the new truck. Yeah the wait is a killer, but the first time you lay eyes on the new truck you'll be SOOOO happy. I hope it doesn't take too long, mine was 12 weeks. The longest three months of my life. Wait a minute boot camp was a long time too....


Jim

 

Doing the same trip I've done several times with my 450 I got .4 mpg LESS with the new 350. Even less mpg on the hills when I really go on the throttle. The only way I got a little better was cruising at 55-60 mph on the flats when I was able to get between 17- almost 18. The minute I got out of traffic and rev'd it back up to 70 ish it went back down. Around town is a bit less then my 450 as well. Both are good trucks but so far other then insurance reasons I'm now leaning to liking my 450 better. I see another trade in my near future

 

Thanks for that info, Just knew I should've gone with a 450!

 

I sure like my 450, mainly for the steering as truck and trailer is tight in my yard,
Is there any truth in that they "free up" after 15-20K ?

 

i AM JUST OVER 20K SO I SHOULD SEE SOON.