I am looking for a larger truck to pull my 24' 2Horse Aluminum trailer. Was told to look at a Ford 250 V10 with the 410 (?) something... from 2003 to 2007,,, I know nothing about Ford trucks,,,, and not sure if I need a V10,,, I'm 61, female, and would appreciate any help (in details I can understand please). Thanks in advance.
Ms. Tina

 

I had the V10 in my 2001 F350 and it was a gas hog. It had power and got the job done but it was horrible on fuel. You would probably be better off finding a good diesel truck if your looking to haul your trailer all the time. Not to mention the diesel wont be high in the rpms and shifting all the time like the gas v10 will.

 

Exactly what Bikerman5345 said. It will get the job done, but will be hunting for gears, running high in the RPM band and sucking down fuel very quickly.

I seriously considered a V10 for pulling a camper when I bought my 2000 7.3 diesel. After a little TLC on the 7.3, I have never looked back and it has turned out to be one of the best purchases I have ever made.

 

I'll take the the opposing view. While I agree the fuel economy when towing isn't great, you need to ask yourself how often, how far and how fast you will be towing? In my experience, you will see around 50% better economy with a diesel when towing. Maybe 15% better unloaded. Diesels cost more - in some cases with newer diesels ALOT more - to maintain, the trucks are more costly to purchase, and diesel can be more expensive than gas. My V10 experience is that it is much quieter than any of the older diesels, even if it is spinning at 3000 RPM or more, has plenty of power, and maintenance is cheap. I tow 12k plus with mine (3.73 rear end) and it has no issues pulling that load, including some steep grades at high altitude in the Rockies. I get a pretty consistent 15 MPG unloaded, the diesel F350 with the same rear end we had got 17 doing the same route.

 

Welcome Ms Tina!
If you could supply a bit more info we can provide a bit better advice.
How much does that 24" horse trailer weigh loaded up?
How often and how far will you be towing it?
What type of terrain will you be typically towing the trailer through?
The V-10 in the years referenced is actually two different variations of the motor, it is a 2 Valve up until '04 and it is a 3 Valve from '05 on. The 3V motors have a little more power and a 5 speed transmission (auto) vs the 4 speed behind the 2V motors.
The "410 something?" mentioned references the rear gear ratio, 410 being the optional 4.10 ratio vs the standard 3.73 ratio. The V-10 likes to rev, it makes its best power at mid range RPMs (that seems to really bother some of the diesel folks....), so numerically higher gear ratios are the V-10's best friend. a 4.10 ratio will pull better than a 3.73 and a 4.30 will pull better than the 4.10.


My Excursion has the 2V V-10 and 4 speed auto trans, we use it almost exclusively to tow our 11,000lb travel trailer. With my 35" tires and 4.88 gears it is nearly the same as having 4.30 gears and stock sized tires. We typically see 8 to 9 MPG when towing on our mostly highway trips all over the East including the biggest mountains the East has to offer. With the effective 4.30 ratio and our almost 19,000lb combined weight it does not hunt for gears, it will downshift out of OD when it needs to climb the bigger hills though. It does just fine for us, we may not be the first to the top of every mountain but we aren't too far behind the folks that feel the need to be there first. But if towing horses I don't think you will be looking to win any races with the truck and trailer.

 

I would also consider a 2011 and up F250 with the 6.2 gas motor with 4.30 gearing.


A lot of this depends like said above, what is the trailer wt loaded that you will be towing and how far/often.


Also when looking at trucks, ensure it has a trailer brake controller and the tow mirrors. Does not make sense to get the truck and then have to go adding all the stuff when they are out there equipped as needed.

 

I may be the exception to the rule. Had a F250 with the 5.4 V8 towing our travel trailer and the mileage sucked (6mpg) when towing then switch to a F250 with the V10 and consistently got 12mpg towing. Both trucks gave about the same 16mpg empty. As far as the motor reving, not an issue. These are modular engines designed to rev high. And I never had an issue with the transmission. As someone else said, they will downshift out of OD but then they go. If it is constantly downshifting best to hit the OD switch.