Hi everybody. I'm looking at a 2014 f-350 platinum. It has 48,xxx miles on it, power stroke motor, and is priced at 47k. Are there common problems I should be looking for on these trucks? Is 47 a good price? Seems reasonable to me for a diesel. What kind of fuel economy can I expect with this truck?

Id be trading my 14 Sierra 1500 6.2 which has 45,xxx miles. The Sierra has been a good truck but I tend to go over payload quite a bit when hauling firewood. I've been thinking of adding helper springs to keep things more stable, but that still doesn't make it legal. I've only had the truck a year and don't want to loose my *** on trading. I also think I'd have to get rid of my Camaro to afford payments on the new truck.

 

You can probably find a new 2016 in a XLT or Lariat trim with the 6.2 for that money.

 

I paid 43k for my 2016 F350 crew cab long box lariat 6.2.
The day I brought it home

And now

 

Looks good! What is that in your bed?

Also to the original question at hand. Have you considered installing air bags? The newer systems have built in polymer pads that require no air when not needing them for loads. Making them more maintenance free, vs always requiring air in them.

 

true, but driving 20k miles per year getting 10-15 mpg would suck, especially in the summer when I'm used to getting 30 in the camaro. At least the diesel would be getting similar mileage to my sierra and diesel is cheaper than the premium gas my sierra requires.

 

but the Ford 6.2 Gas want 87.... and NO point getting 89 or higher.

working is working.. so diesel does not get that much better fuel mileage Working.
my 2012 has 150,000 miles and still towing .. no issues.

8k for diesel engine. is a lot of GAS.

now if you were Towing 16k.. YES.

 

You could buy the new 6.2 and an Elio (google it)and be money ahead. From day one the 6.2 will be more cost effective plus being new, no worry about previous owner abuse. It's the same scenario (20+k a year) I had when I had my Fusion and 2000 F250. Drove the Fusion and the truck sat and went to crap from sitting too much. Now down to one vehicle, less insurance, plates, maintenance, with the 350 as my daily driver and tow vehicle and couldn't be happier. Most likely you would get a better rate on a new vehicle loan. It appears you are a bow tie (Chevy) lover so it may take time to convince you!

 

Having to pump premium would hurt.

 

Understood that ford doesn't require premium, but my gmc does at $3.19 a gallon.
I do tow occasionally but not over 8k. I see a TT in my future and would prefer my truck to not be a limiting factor.

I wouldn't call myself a chevy lover, but my Camaro has been the best vehicle I've owned. When I bought my Sierra, I was actually looking for a RAM and stumbled upon the Sierra.

I don't think I would overlook the gm hd truck though with the 6.0, especially given they spanked the almighty 6.4 hemi up the Ike gauntlet.

yeah it was like 80$ to fill up my tank the other day.

 

Enjoy your Diesel..

whatever brand you decide.

my opinion...
Ford is the work horse.
Ram is the nicest looking
Chevy has the ODD looking wheel arches...

and I was a Chevy dealership mechanic all my life. "now Retired".

 

If you have your heart set on a diesel, then go for it. In a way, it sounds like you already made up your mind before asking, which is totally fine. You really don't want to be regretting what you bought, as you are now with the Sierra (not enough payload).

If your primary concern is being able to run the F-350 with a bed full of firewood, I wouldn't worry about the helper springs. The 350 should come with them already. If you're worried about "legal payload" limits (some do and some don't here on FTE), then with the platinum diesel (you didn't say what cab), you will be taking a payload hit over a gas truck (the diesel engine weighs more so - taken off your total payload available).

And you don't say, so I'm assuming it is a SRW truck, and not a DRW truck? Better look at the payload rating stickers on the specific truck you're buying. You could be in for a shock.

If you're happy with your current truck in all other regards, what about getting a trailer to haul wood in? Just trying to throw you some options.

Sorry if you have to get rid of your other daily driver, even more reason to make sure you're really getting "The One" you want and need. Good luck, and pics when you get it.

 

I would have to agree with the new F350 in the 6.2 gas. The diesel costs more to maintain, and the extra weight of the diesel engine actually lowers the carrying capacity of the truck, as Slowpoke mentioned. Most people don't realize this. Definitely check your payload stickers. Mines over 4,000 pounds. The diesel will of course tow/pull more but unless you are towing a very large tt it's probably not necessary. I bought a 2016 F350 Crew Cab 4x4 XLT with the 6.2 gas this past year and paid less than $45k for it nicely equipped, and couldn't be happier. If your willing to get rid of a truck you have only had a year and your Camaro it sounds like you have already made up your mind. Trailer idea is a good one as well. Platinum edition may be a little overkill for a wood hauler. We traded in a 2012 F150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat with the Ecoboost engine and it was actually more than our 2016 F350 XLT was 4 years later. We realized we really didn't need heated and air conditioned leather seats, for example and a number of other Lariat features that in four years we never used, but that's not to say you wouldn't. Good luck.

 

if carry weight... as already stated..

ford or other brand... the low end trim can carry more weight.
diesel can not carry more weight over Gas. with same package. as diesel adds 800 plus in weight.. so less to carry.

my "xl" with camper and tow packages can carry the most of all 250.. same with 350..
add ON the upscale trim.. LESS carry and tow...
same with 4x4 over 4x2.. 4x4 is more weight to truck. and carry less.

look and compare the drivers door weight limits... TAG.... before buying anything.

YES I have been wrong before... so check and re-check.

 

I agree with what y'all are saying. Diesel always has less payload. Platinum is also overkill for my needs, just saw this truck when driving by a dealer the other day and thought price was reasonable. King ranch trim would be more my style, anything that's not all black inside. I do use the cooled seats in my sierra when we go on long camping trips in the summer. Those aren't a requirement but heated seats and leather are required as it's my winter dd. Leather is easier for me to keep clean.

If I could find a new king ranch gasser that might be up my alley.

 

I'm another 6.2 gas guy, love my truck, and for a number of reasons, I would not own a new diesel. But to answer your original questions, that price seems right on par. The 6.7 is a great motor, and just as reliable as any diesel of the big 3. There is no comparison when towing between gas a diesel. I'm sure you understand the maintenance involved with a diesel, and it's very important to keep up with it. Contaminated fuel could cost you 10k to replace the entire fuel system, and it happens. The truck has two fuel filters, change them and drain the water like your suppose to, and you "should" avoid that problem. You will have dpf and regens to deal with. But it's not like the 6.4 that would self explode, or the 6.0 that was plagued with problems. The 2011 did have some valve and turbo issues, but they were resolved. As far as fuel mileage, that can vary a lot by a number of factors. It will definitely do better on the hwy, a comparison I can give you is my truck and my bosses truck. Both ccsb 4x4. He can average 19-20 on the interstate as long as he keeps under 70, above that, it plummets fast. I can average 13-14(have a best of 17). But around town daily, I get 12.5 and he gets 14.5. You say you don't want your truck to be the limiting factor in a camper, my truck is rated to tow 12,500lbs. A 10k lbs camper is a hell of a camper. My 30' bumper pull is under 7k. Loaded up with a golf cart in the bed, my load was 8500lbs, and I averaged 9.5mpg across 1600 miles and the truck performed great. I may have gotten 12mpg with a diesel. Hope this info helps.