I'm looking to get a new truck and have a question about short trips in a diesel.

Quick version: Is it a bad idea for a diesel to make short trips?

Long version: I am looking to tow ~7500# car trailer, mostly in Southern California. This new truck will be a daily driver as well. Most of my driving consists of short trips in town (under 10 miles). My understanding of diesel is that my driving habits aren't so good for the engine and a gasser would suit me better. I have been looking at the EcoBoost and while it looks good on paper, I am not sure that will be the case in my area with every road seemingly a grade of some sort. I will tow the car trailer about 20 times a year. Most of the (round) trips will be under 400 miles, with two at 1k, and one running in around 2k.

 

Short trips are bad for any diesel starting with the 2003 6.0l and up, reason is because of the EGR Cooler, DPF filter (idling causes problems with them). You could get a f-250 gasser.

 

First off, 6.0's don't have a DPF, Egr cooler failure has nothing to do with "short trips". In general, short trips aren't the best thing for a diesel. A V10 maybe a better option for you. Especially when considering maintenance costs of a diesel.

 

I know the 6.0l dont have a DPF I was just generalizing the topic, and yes idling causes problems with the 6.0l, 6.4l EGR valves (causing it to get caked up with exaust soot) there by sticking the valve. Which in turn can cause EGR failure. You can idle a 7.3l all day long several times a week with no problems ( I know this because my company truck is a 7.3l and it idles all the time and never had a problem)

 

The new ecoboost gets excellent mileage with less maintence has plenty of power 365 hp over 400 torque should work just fine fuel is cheaper too.

 

Abendx.... this is the exact reason why I went the gasser route. My normal driving patterns are very short trips with occasional 75-100 mile trips. Going from my house to work is less than 7 miles one way. My kids school is less than 5 miles. I was looking at both the diesel and the gas and ended up only looking for a gasser because my driving habits would have made diesel life horrible. The truck would have hated me! I ended up buying an 08 F250 Crew 4x4 with the 5.4 and couldn't be happier with it. Now I won't be towing a big trailer or anything so the 5.4 is just the ticket for my needs. When I do tow with it, it will be few and far between. I love the truck though.

 

So.... general consensus is a gasser?

I didn't realize they made the V10 still.... my last SuperDuty was a V10 and that thing was horrible on fuel consumption. Mind you, it was lifted pretty big, but I'd like to stay away from a combined eight or nine miles per gallon (and I never towed with that vehicle). I'd like to never see those numbers again, but would accept bad towing fuel numbers if a modern gasser could see more acceptable mileage outside of towing (i.e. 18+ mpg). I wasn't really considering the 6.2 as I assumed it would be similar to the old V10 I used to have and of course, those EcoBoost numbers look really good.

Still taking suggestions and thoughts.

 

I would say get the V-10 its pretty comparable to the new diesels in mpg plus gas is cheaper. V-10's are pretty reliable.

 

True, but lets face it; you don't buy a truck (especially a Super Duty) because they get good mileage, you buy them because they pull like a 40 mule team.

The gas mileage (gas or diesel) is just the price of admission.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I agree 100%. I traded an 07 Expy EL with the same 5.4 engine, but it had a 6spd auto. My info center told me I was getting roughly 11.7 mpg with that truck. The info center in my 08 Crew 5.4 tells me I'm at 10 mpg right now. The 08 has the 5 spd. You'll do better mpg wise with the diesel, but your paying, around here anyways, roughly 50 cents more per gallon. In the end, the mileage vs. cost is probably a toss up, but the diesel maintenance costs are much higher than the gasser. Also one of the reasons I decided to go the 5.4 route.

If you REALLY need to do something to feel good about the mpg issue, than the F150 *might* be the better option. The guys who tow a lot could give you a better idea, but you'll never get great mileage in a Super Duty no matter what you do to it. A 7,000 lb truck shaped like a brick with smooth edges is never going to play good with gas mileage.

 

The 6.2 is a powerful engine you should get about 13mpg unloaded and 7-10 pulling your trailor at 75mph. Should be a good fit for you. I upgraded to the diesel b/c mountains and 300 + mi per day. But would have stayed with the 6.2 if I did not pull a trailor everyday. I also had the lowest gears you could get I belive they were 4.30 . Good luck

 

Even lawnmower doesn't like short trips, but 10 miles is not exactly short trip.
In CA most of the engines are reaching full operating temperatures after 1 mile, so as long as you do less than 2 miles one way, you don't really have to worry about engine working cold all the time.
Choice between diesel and gasser have million replies on this forum. Even V10 and diesel engines are pretty comparable in performance, the economy works as follows.
- with diesel you pay extra up front, than save the money each time you have to fill up and get the upfront extra back at the resale.
-with gasser you pay less up front, than you have to pay extra at each refill and you take huge hit when reselling.
Your money, your choice

 

Not sure how we got to the V-10, as I can't seem to find it as an order-able item? Let's stick to current Ford offerings (6.7, 3.5, and 6.2 engines). Thanks.

I am happy that this isn't becoming a gas vs diesel pissing match, as this question would easily bait the guys that like to play with one another that way. I just am trying to figure out what will tow my load best and still make for a good DD. Obviously a diesel is the best choice for the towing alone, but towing occasionally as I will, it might not make sense from a cost/comfort/reliability standpoint (reliability meaning: Are my short trips going to kill this engine or make maintenance costs skyrocket?).

I have already come to the conclusion that payback in fuel savings will take me 7-10 years.... which is probably longer than I plan on keeping the truck (more likely around five years). So that really isn't a factor, but saving money always is.... within reason (i.e. if it is unsafe or will be so unpleasant to pull with a gasser, a higher entry/maintenance cost to the diesel might be worth the extra).

I wasn't considering the 6.2 earlier, but maybe I should. I was concerned with the EcoBoost.... like I said, looks good on paper, but is it really all that and will the smaller footprint of the 1/2 ton be a problem. Remember.... I am in SoCal where it is mostly long slow grades on seemingly every road.

One of the reasons I was looking at the 150 was that I can order up a fairly loaded FX4 and keep within a happy budget.... a Superduty would likely put me in a much more basic truck. While that is okay.... this is going to be my DD and who doesn't like some creature comforts?

Are my concerns with the 150 handling the load (EcoBoost/footprint) valid? What is the drawback to this combo (am I going to hate life on every hill/onramp/wind gust)??

Thanks! Do you feel that the 6.2 would handle the hills out west well? Would the 6.2 keep those numbers and still maintain comfortable power (i.e. not revving the motor near redline all day long)?

Taking costs and platform out of the mix for a second.... which do you feel is the better motor for pulling, the 6.2 or EcoBoost?

Good info and helps ease the worry of short trips. Do you feel that my driving style would incur additional maintenance costs in the diesel (since I am not pushing it very often and few highway miles)?

 

If I were purchasing a brand new truck with your needs, it'd be a 6.2

 

I agree, Either in the superduty or the half ton. If you get a half ton you can add more stability when towing by adding air bags in the rear. Like these: Air Suspension Kits, Air Adjustable Load Support - TruckSpring.com