Hey guys,

I'm looking at going into the 5th wheel world so I'll need to upgrade my '89

I've never owned a big diesel and have a couple question regarding some options when I use the Ford build app

There is an option for an Idle Shutdown timer. What exactly is this all about? The information with this option doesn't provide much. There are also a bunch of time options (5, 10, 15, 20 minutes)

Operator Commanded Regeneration - the information is more descriptive for this one, but I'm curious how big a deal it is. What is considered long idle period? Even more confusing when I consider they are selling an option to shut the vehicle down after a period of idle

Rapid Heat Supplemental Cab Heater - how long does it take for the engine to heat up enough to get the cab heater going?

I'm looking at 5th wheels that will be around 12 to 15,000 lbs. I noticed in some other discussions to consider the 4.3 gears.
3.31 seems to be "standard" and I can choose to get that in a locking axle. I don't know what that is.
The other gear choice is 3.55 locking/non locking.
What would be my best choice for towing and yes plenty of hills?

(just changed the build option to gas and the 4.3 is an option for the gas only)

Owning a diesel sounds like there is more to worry about, deal with, etc. Is that just a misconception on my part due to not really knowing what its all about?

Thanks for the feedback

- Brad

 

You need a Diesel, IMHO. With the 3:55 rear end. No compromise.

4X4 is good for when you get in those Camp Grounds that are about half mud and half sand. Or a mixture thereof.

The idler is for people that like to leave their Diesel sit and idle for too long. Or walk away from it and forget it's running. Idling a Diesel isn't good for it. Especially the EGR cooler.

The gas motor ain't gonna do it for you, IMO.

I've got 10,000k GVWR pull behind so I can get away with a gas motor if I choose to.

I don't believe you can.

Then there's the consideration of where you're gonna tow. Diesels, being Turbo-Charged do MUCH better in altitude.

Not disrespecting the Gas Motor. Just that the Diesel seems make more sense.

Don't make a $55,000 mistake. Do it right the first time.

Just my $.02

And worth even less

 

thanks Big Tow. Yeah, I'm not questioning diesel, I'm just trying to understand some of the options so I buy wisely.

Sounds like the 3:55 is the way to go.

Back to the idle thing - so normal commute traffic you might get caught up in isn't the issue, its dummies leaving their engine running while parked for extended periods of time? I think I can probably pass on the idle shutdown option

What about the manual regeneration?

is the locking rear end part of the fact that I selected 4x4? What is the benefit compared to non locking?

 

Brad,

All of these trucks come "standard" with an idle shutdown timer. If you leave the engine running in Park for 15-20 minutes, the engine will shut off. A message will appear on the screen about a minute before that happens warning you. You can also prevent the engine from automatically shutting down by changing a setting in the message center, but that setting would have to be set each time you start the engine.

What you are seeing is an option for a different length shut down timer. I'd ignore that option altogether - its really a fleet option - and I don't think hardly any of us here opted for it.

Operator Commanded Regeneration (OCR) is only available on lower trim level trucks - XL and XLT - and allows you to perform a stationary regeneration any time you want. It is good for vehicles being used as a fire engine or ambulance - or owners who want more control over when regens occur. Without this option, the truck decides when it will regenerate. Most all of us simply let the truck decide. Regenerations do not have to be completed in full; no harm comes to the truck if you shut it off mid-regen.

The supplemental heater is electric and adds a small amount of heat into the cab very quickly. The diesel engine tends to take awhile to warm up in cold weather. For example, if I drove 20 minutes with ambient temps hovering around zero degrees, the temp gauge would not show any reading - full cold. However, by then the engine was warming the coolant to an extent and the supplemental heater was doing the rest.

If you live in a Ford-designated "cold weather" state, you will get this heater, along with a block heater and an alternator upgrade, free of charge.

I would say the supplemental heater is a useful feature, but not critical unless you live where it is very cold.

Diesel engines give you a standard 3.31 axle, an optional 3.55 axle, or an optional 4.10 axle (F-350 dually) or even a 4.30 axle option (F-450 only).

The 3.31 is probably the best "fuel economy" axle but the 3.55 gives you a little higher towing capability. One useful option is the electronic locking rear differential, optional with either axle.

As for diesel overall - they are pretty reliable these days. Long periods of idling speeds up the interval between regenerations and can start to clog the EGR cooler more quickly. More regenerations uses substantially more fuel, accelerates oil dilution with fuel, and speeds up the interval between required oil changes.

When I first bought a diesel, I worried about idling time, regens, etc...but I'm on my third one and hardly give it a thought now...

But, don't be naive and think all is perfect with diesel. There are several items on the engine that *if* they fail could cost a small fortune.

 

You got it - idling in traffic will be fine, then engine is not going to shut off on you. Obviously, idling is idling whether in Park or Drive, so either way more idling speeds up the interval between regens, but I wouldn't worry about it unless you are going to sit for 2 hours in traffic every day.

As for the locking diff - it is an option on 2WD or 4x4 trucks. There is a **** on the dash and you can lock or unlock the rear diff, in 4x4 or 2WD. When the diff is locked, power is forced equally to both rear wheels instead of just the one with the least traction. It is a very useful feature for off-road use, when you might get stuck in snow, are snowplowing, etc.

 

like?

can you define small fortune?


thanks for the other info btw

 

Your approaching dually territory with those weights. If you get a 15k pound trailer with 2k pound pin weight your pretty much out of payload. Oh, and get the diesel.

 

I had the infamous 6.0 liter navistar time bomb. A small fortune in my case was an 8000 dollar bill for new injectors, oil cooler and head gasket work... some other things I've tried my best to forget.

The 6.7 is a better motor by every stretch. If / when a diesel motor does take a dump on you, it can be VERY expensive.

Wouldn't stop me from buying one of the current ones.

Assuming you are looking at 350's and up. You'll be over your payload towing the 5er with a 250 diesel.

 

If you plan to idle for any amount of time, the high idle option is easily wired up and according to the diesel mechanics at the dealership I bought my truck, running it at a high idle of around 1300 rpm's basically eliminates the additional EGR clogging and problems associated with a normal extended idle. Plus it warms up the truck much faster.

 

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...U_r1_Sep20.pdf

^^Towing Chart

http://assets.forddirect.fordvehicle...F9DD7D92F9.pdf

^^ "Specs" brochure. Careful of all the 'Up To" wording.

Long box, short box makes a difference

Look below at my buddy's rig. Yes, he's towing that monster with a SRW Ram 2500. Yes, it's overloaded, IMO.

And yes, he is somewhat insane.

But he pulled it through the Rocky Mountains last year after he left our little get together. Put 11,000 miles on it.

And that Ram makes less power than your 6.7L Diesel F-250 will.

 

I'm only looking at 350's with 8' bed and the upgrade tow package options. The choice on SRW VS DRW will be made as I narrow in on the exact trailer we will get. I'm hoping to avoid DRW

 

thanks for those links

 

Gas sucks, the 6.7 engine is pretty dam solid and you have a warranty. The only time I would be worried is buying used.

 

Yer welcome. My other buddy, who's sitting with us in the above pic, drives this every day for a living.



The insane one that tows that Battleship with his Ram 2500 used to own and operate a smallish Trucking Company. Maybe ten Tractors and assorted Trailers.

So it's not like either one of them just rolled into town.

Would I do it? HELLS nah!

You're gonna be fine. A DRW is a PAIN in the ****.

If you need one, you need one. If you don't need one, don't get one.

But if you do -- YMMV. As usual, I could be wrong

 

WTF is being hauled in that trailer? Thats a lot of axles, must be some serious weight