I'm trying to sell my excursion and buy a F250/F350. My familiarity with engines ends after 2005 (where my excursion research ended). I'm looking at newer Super Duty's, 2005+. My price range keeps me under $20,000 (lower the better). My main question is, I found a nice looking 2011 F250 CC/SB with the 6.2L and 170,000 miles. They're asking $15,500. I have done a little reading, but not enough on the 6.2L. Is it reliable? Would that many miles scare you? It was a one owner, fleet maintained truck out of the rust belt (being in the rust belt this is a good thing).

I haul firewood to heat our house in the winter and we will be buying a Travel Trailer in the near future. The TT I'd like to keep under 9,000 lbs ( I actually like the lighter hybrid TT's). It will NOT be a daily driver. I have an older Camry for driving to/from work. But I will drive it at least twice a week, because well, I like driving trucks. I need the F250 over a F150 because I have 4 boys and we will max out the payload eventually after adding tongue weight. Also, as I'm sure you all know, the interior space in a super duty is no comparison to a f150, and on cross country trips this trumps all). We will probably camp every other weekend in the summer in and around Ohio, so there's some slight hilly areas. However, at least every other year we will be taking a trip out west to the mountains. (also why I'm not considering the 5.4L). Our first trip out west will be in two years when my third son is cured and done with his treatment for leukemia.

I have considered the 6.0's and have done much research concerning them, but I think in the end, I just want the truck to run. I don't want to be screwing around with it all the time monitoring all the little details.

Anyway, I know I rambled on a bit here, but would like everyone's input. (Don't tell the Excursion forum guys I'm leaving them....)

(If you're wondering why I'm getting rid of the Ex, well, we live in a rural area, and my boys want to get involved in 4H and such, and the firewood hauling, and taking bikes to the bike trail, and hauling bikes while camping...,.a truck makes all these things easier than a SUV. )

 

If you're concerned with payload You might want to consider the f350. I got my f350 6.2 2 years ago and couldn't be happier. Mileage is decent and the 6.2 motor is a very trouble free motor. Lots of talk on here about what gears to go with. If your going to tow real heavy or want big tires get the 4.30's. I got the 3.73's and have towed a 11k trailer in the mountains with no issues. If you want a truck and don't want to worry about when it will break down next the 6.2 gasser is an excellent choice IMO. I wish all the best for your son and your family!

 

I also came from a 2000 7.3 ex... I went with an F250, 6.2, 3:73 gears. My truck has the snow plow prep package and the 11,000 ish gvwr package. It's an F350 suspension with an F250 badge really.

You can always swap springs if the rear sags too much under weight. I tow my 24' enclosed race car trailer all the time and I have no issues.

 

I've got a 2011 F350 with the 6.2l; only about 87,000 miles on it though. No issues with the engine. Tow a 8,000 lb skidsteer occasionally - handles it fine.

 

Thanks for the input! Do you guys think a 5.4L will suit my needs? The mountain towing will probably be only once a summer, maybe less. (Bighorns, ROckies, etc). If I decide to drive it more, is the mileage any better? I only ask because there are literally a 100 near me for sale with the 5.4L, and many of them 05 or newer. And only 2 in my price range with the 6.2L and both are XL models . But I'm fairly easy going and don't need all the extra stuff (except for power windows and seats if I can get them).

Which brings up a new question, is it fairly straightforward to swap seats from manual to power? I'm short and like to sit a little higher than the manual seats are set at.

Thanks again, I just LOVE FTE, everyone is always so helpful!

 

You sure you want to just dump firewood in the bed of that nice truck? A open utility trailer to haul firewood or motorcycles and the associated stuff would let you keep the Excursion with all it's interior space. $2k-3k for a small utility trailer, insurance on our trailer is $46/yr!

I've had a small utility trailer that I dumped 6' logs in to take to a burn pile with our Jeep.
Now with our 1999 F350, We just put the branches and logs in the back, but the 350 side is much taller to lift over. But our truck is a beater, so a dent/scrape doesn't bother me, but I'd feel uneasy using a nice $20k pickup.

 

Shhh!! I've already been down this road!

I use a trailer now for hauling firewood, its a pain. The other main reason we are getting a truck over keep the Excursion is we like to take our bikes camping. Its extremely difficult to haul 6 bikes in an Excursion while towing a camper. And yes I've considered hauling them in the camper...but the bikes will be banging around back there damaging stuff... And...its also difficult to haul firewood for camping in an excursion.

Believe me, I've been tossing this around in my head for well over a year. I thought the Excursion would fulfill my needs, and it does most of the time. But a truck is just what we need. And another point, my 2000 Ex isn't getting any younger...

 

Gotcha.

Even using a pickup, I'd suggest a Thule 4 bike hitch mount carrier. They also make an adapter for using it with a trailer, it keeps the bikes from rattling, if you wrap a towel with bungee cords around the bikes it keeps them from scratching each other.

 

I've seen people put their bikes over the tailgate (over a mat/blanket) and they stay fairly well. That's what I was considering doing.

 

10characters

 

We just bought a 2012 shamrock 233s so we will be keeping the Excursion instead of finding a truck. I think it will be better this way. Putting the bikes in the camper won't be horrible I think. The room of the Ex can't be beat! I'm probably gonna have a "pro" mechanic give it a good inspection before we take a long trip this summer; it's a 2000 v10 with 145,000 miles. A little rusty but drives fantastic. Gonna need new tires soon, a rear sway bar, & depending on how it pulls the camper, a possible spring swap in the future.

Again I appreciate all the input in this awesome group.

😁

 

Just get a Thule or Yakima rack for the top of the EX, then you can carry the bikes up there out of the way.

 

heh, I'm 5'7". That's not happening LoL.