Hi everyone, new to the forums. Here is my dilemma, I have a 2008 F250 PSD CC that I absolutely love! I purchased a 40 foot 5th wheel that has put me over my weight ratings. I have been searching for a replacement truck and have found a F450. The new truck has everything my current truck has, except it has a 4.88 rear.
To me this seems like overkill! My 5th wheel weighs in at 14000. I have towed my rig to Florida and averaged 10 mpg keeping my rpms under 2000. Does anyone know how different the 450 will be? and My truck has 29000 the 450 has 58000, is it true mileage on a diesel isnt considered high if under 100,000? Thanks for any replies.

 

It is overkill. My F450 takes 6% grades on overdrive (6th) with 7000 lb payload. That is 17,000 lb total weight and very seldom I have to reduce the gear.
Good news if it is diesel, the higher rpm are not affecting mpg as much as it would on gasser.
One of my diesels is above 300,000 miles, the other is slightly below. Just broken-in

 

The truck I am looking at is a 2008 F450 PSD. It has 19.5 in tires set up with a reese signature series 24k 5th wheel hitch it even has navigation. Every option I have in my F250 Lariat plus the nav. Dealer wants my truck and 2500 cash. Seems good to me just don't know about the 4.88 rear, would much rather have the 4.30.

 

What is the worry with the 4.88 gears? Just curious.

 

Wanted to know if there was any noticeable difference in mpg. I get between 9 and 10 towing with my current truck, 4.88 seems like I would get much less. I guess I'm lookin for feedback on the F450. I was looking at F350's for so long don't what people think about the 450.

 

F350 are coming with 4.88 differential as well, while this is the only option on F450.
Sure 4.30 would give you extra 1 or 2 mpg empty, but than would require more shifting when towing -meaning loosing fuel in the process.
The best would be install gear vendor, but this is not cheap. Pickups are not coming with 20-some gears like semitrucks, so I think you worry too much.

 

Seems like you are getting a good deal. I wouldnt think the 4.88 would kill it that bad.

 

Eh? I have an '08 F450 and it most certainly has 4.30 gears in it. I had to look hard to get it, but 4.88s were not the only factory option in that model year.

Gear Vendors is not recommended for towing heavy, but then again their own website contradicts itself a bit on that subject.

 

My camper generally weighs in around 16.5K and towing it to Florida from Ohio I averaged about 8.5 MPG hand calculated thank-you-very-much.

I believe the 4.88s can hurt, or help, your fuel mileage depending on where you do the bulk of your towing. If you run a lot of hills they'll probably help out a bit, but if you run mostly flats they'll probably hurt. You'll be turning rpm you don't need and burning fuel to do it, unless you feel like slowing down.

My '08 weighs in at 9,400 lbs with me and a fuel bag of fuel, and with the 4.30 gears I can squeak out 16 mpg or so unloaded on the highway and sticking to a max of 65. This is with 4.30 gears.

What's the pin weight on your 5th? Is it a toy hauler? I'm assuming it is since it's a 40 footer. If that's the case and you actually care about the numbers you may need the 450. Mine has a pin weight of 4,300 lbs with no toys to speak of in the back, which leaves me a cushion of 600-800 lbs of capacity on my rear axle. If your pin weight is nowhere near that you might be ok with an F-350 instead.

Or...you can just do what a lot of guys do and haul it with your 250, weights be damned, because "I've been haulin it that way for years and it pulls it jusssst fine".

 

4.88 were the only gears available when my truck was manufactured.
My "shoebox" flatbed weights over 10,000lb with me and 1/2 tank, yet I can squeeze 14 mpg out of it.
Comparing those 2 the 4.30 gears don't do much as my flatbed is having way bigger drag than regular bed. I am not even saying that 10 years younger engine should be giving much better economy on its own.
Again, I think we are splitting hair here.

 

I have a komfort 3530bh. 15500 gross. Ready to camp its 13500. I have taken it from NY to FL once the other trips local. My F250 can pull it but I know I,m over my grawr. The pin is 22% empty at around 2600 pounds. Thus my dilemma. On Long Island not much of a market for used duallys. Hard to come by. The truck I am looking at was a trade in, one owner. Its power train warranty is expiring in 3000 miles so I figure that's why it was traded. My F250 when towing gets 9.5 to 10 while towing 19 unhooked. I cruise at 64 mph which puts me at 1800 rpms with the 3.73's. I don't drive over 65 especially with the 5er, so its good to hear there isn't much of a difference. Hopefully driving it out of warranty will be ok. Sorry for the long post, thanks for the input.

 

On other forums people say stay away from job 1 trucks. How do you tell? Can you tell by the date the truck went into service?

 

If the year is somewhat newer 08+ there is a site to look up the original window sticker. I believe at the top of that it will say Job 1,2,etc.... Search something like "window sticker" or something like that. Then you can get that info. Worked for my early 08 when I bought it last year.

 

Nevermind thats totally wrong. Mine says nothing about it.

 

Have you done any mods to your f450? I have same truck and get 12 mpg unloaded at best and that is easy on the skinny pedal. Are you getting 16 mpg stock.

Thx, sorry for hijack.