Need engine and towing advice.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
My personal opinion would be to get a diesel. There is nothing wrong with driving a diesel as a daily driver. As others have said the maintenance costs are much higher . The fuel mileage is much better with a diesel. I tow a 11,000 pound 5th wheel(when loaded) and a horse trailer weighing around 8,000 to 9,000 lbs loaded. I have the crew cab long box with 331 gearing and it has plenty of power to do anything I want . The advantage of the long box is 37 gallons gas capacity instead of 22. I can tow 400 miles if I want to stretch it to almost out of fuel. (I don't do that often)I get around 18-19 miles per gallon empty and 11-13 towing most of the time. Good luck with a decision you can make for yourself.
not cheap ($1200-1500).
Sam
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Go diesel if you plan on towing a 5th wheel. Consider a F350 SWR 72" long box for fuel capacity and more space in the bed of the truck. If you are towing over 14,000 might want to consider the dually. Decide on the trailer first then buy the truck that will tow the trailer safely, just saying as that's what I did. Diesel's are expensive to maintain, filters, oil changes, even fuel cost more than the gassers. Diesels are built for towing those heavy toys not for running back and forth to the mall and grocery store. Decisions, decisions....... Let us know the truck and trailer you bought.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Recently made the diesel/gas choice myself. Had a 2002 7.3 Ford that was done (body; not the engine). The new 6.2 was close for pulling our 5th. We know we want to go bigger on the trailer. So the CC LB 6.7 is in the driveway. The power of the newer diesels is simply incredible. And I just completed 650 miles of sold driving. Averaged 18.7 mpg. Towing seems to be 11.5 - 12 with 10k behind me.
Agree with another poster. Get the 350 for the added carrying capacity. Its a no-brainer. And look for that larger fuel tank as well.
If I were you I would look for a 2011 and up Ford. But watch the numbers. By the time you buy a nice used truck, possibly higher used financing rates, and possibly a additional warrenty. you may be in new truck territory. The older 08-10 6.4 Fords are know to use lots of fuel while the 03-07 6.0 Fords have a reputation of problems as I'm sure you know.
Vote: F350 CrewCab, Long bed, Single wheel, 3.55 gears.
If your going to be over 13-14k pounds consider the dually. And then a truck camper (slide-in) for your photography. You can get into more places with a TC generally speaking.
Agree with another poster. Get the 350 for the added carrying capacity. Its a no-brainer. And look for that larger fuel tank as well.
If I were you I would look for a 2011 and up Ford. But watch the numbers. By the time you buy a nice used truck, possibly higher used financing rates, and possibly a additional warrenty. you may be in new truck territory. The older 08-10 6.4 Fords are know to use lots of fuel while the 03-07 6.0 Fords have a reputation of problems as I'm sure you know.
Vote: F350 CrewCab, Long bed, Single wheel, 3.55 gears.
If your going to be over 13-14k pounds consider the dually. And then a truck camper (slide-in) for your photography. You can get into more places with a TC generally speaking.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 4
From: Lakehills, TX
Just don't be confused and interpret "invoice" pricing as the dealer actually paying Ford that much to put that vehicle on their lot. There's a lot of headroom there, especially for these trucks.
Official Ford Rep
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 6
Hi Ron,
If you haven't already, I recommend checking out our Certified Pre-Owned site to locate the perfect truck for you. You can enter in your specific search criteria and get a list of available trucks in your area. Take a look and let us know what you decide to bring home: Used Ford Cars, Trucks, Crossovers, Hybrids, SUVs, Minivans & Vans | Ford Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles | Ford.com
Crystal
If you haven't already, I recommend checking out our Certified Pre-Owned site to locate the perfect truck for you. You can enter in your specific search criteria and get a list of available trucks in your area. Take a look and let us know what you decide to bring home: Used Ford Cars, Trucks, Crossovers, Hybrids, SUVs, Minivans & Vans | Ford Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles | Ford.com
Crystal
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: MI
I have towed with both gas and diesel powertrains and all of my future tow vehicles will be diesel. I don't mean to suggest that the gasser can't do it but for pulling heavy and especially if you're pulling hilly terrain the diesel will cruise and stay in gear while the gasser will be losing speed and searching for the right gear.
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Joe Kucinski
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
The gears... The current F450, is essentially the old "tow-boss" package (4.30 gears, and a few other mods), but uses the same chassis/axles/brakes/tires/wheels (these all used to be bigger - the same as the F450 chassis cab)
The F350 DRW gets 3.73 ratio, so you are spinning 15% more rpm's at a given speed with the F450.
The only real benefit I see of the '11+ F450 (outside of the higher capacity), is it has the wide front axle (better turning radius)
The F350 DRW gets 3.73 ratio, so you are spinning 15% more rpm's at a given speed with the F450.
The only real benefit I see of the '11+ F450 (outside of the higher capacity), is it has the wide front axle (better turning radius)
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 2
From: Altamonte Springs, FL
That better turning radius is what sold me on it. Towing, the F450 seems to get about the same as the F350 until you get over 60 mph. My 450 is my only cage (vehicle). Most of my local traveling is done on motorcycles. Thus I don't worry about the mileage in suburbia.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
It will also be much more noticeable when the truck isn't towing. In fact if you are towing heavy (and not over 60mph), the deeper gears will probably help.
In that regard, its a lot better than the old F450, which weighed close to 10,000lbs with its uprated axles/wheels/chassis before putting any weight on it.
In that regard, its a lot better than the old F450, which weighed close to 10,000lbs with its uprated axles/wheels/chassis before putting any weight on it.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Lots of good advice, opinions and experience in these replies. I appreciate it. I currently have two used trucks I am going to go take a look at. One is a 2004 F250 Lariat with a turbo diesel, 48,200 miles and asking $21,500. The second is a 2004 F250 King Ranch 6,7L turbo diesel $31,500 with 17,000 miles--a dually. I am pretty excited to look a the 350 I think it would really do the job.
Thanks again for the advice.
Ron
Thanks again for the advice.
Ron