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The more you tow the more a diesel makes sense. But in order for the diesel option to pay for its self would mean you are towing many thousands of miles every year.
I will not buy another Ford gas truck with 3.73 gears. I’m not sure why that ratio is even an option. I pull my 8600+ pound travel trailer with 3.73 gears and I don’t feel that they are enough to take advantage of what the 6.2 is capable of. And I have stock 245 tires. I can’t imagine how much worse it would be if I bought the taller tires I’d like to have.
With proper gearing I don’t think the stock gas truck gives up much to a stock diesel. Up to a point. A point most people with a diesel never reach either. If that makes sense.
As big of a diesel fan as I have been (my last three trucks) I can’t imagine buying a newer one. The cost to purchase, maintain and repair is just ridiculous. The emissions have taken something simple and reliable and totally ruined it.
I have a new 11K fifth wheel and pull it with a 6.2L/3.73 geared F-250 just fine in Western Washington mountains quite frequently. It will maintain 60-65 in the mountains but it is maxed out in my opinion. If you go gas get lower gears and know you will be close or at its limits. Diesels are extra costs and worth it if you plan on towing a lot. I only tow a half dozen times in the summer months and have a short commute to work all year so a gasser is worth it to me.
My suggestion is you should pick your camper first.
After that decision is made, purchase the appropriate truck to tow it.
Pay close attention to the camper pin weight for the trucks payload requirements, and the max loaded weight of the camper to determine the tow capacity required for the truck. Most of the time the trucks payload will be the limiting factor.
hopefully this helps with your decision.
My suggestion is you should pick your camper first.
After that decision is made, purchase the appropriate truck to tow it.
Pay close attention to the camper pin weight for the trucks payload requirements, and the max loaded weight of the camper to determine the tow capacity required for the truck. Most of the time the trucks payload will be the limiting factor.
hopefully this helps with your decision.
Absolutely! I'll also add that I can't speak to exhaust brake options on the Ford PS, but having driven Rams for twenty years you will appreciate the extra braking power on your first downhill grade. Lots of good info on the FTE..
If you want a diesel and can afford what goes with it then do that. I'd look at an f350 and skip the 250 too unless you have registration issues. I've got a 10k pound travel trailer and my rig pulls it as fast as I care to go. This morning we headed out and headed east over one of the Cascade mountain passes (Santiam at 4800') and I could pull it as fast as I cared to go. On the down hill side locking out 5-6 gear kept the speed at bay. The down side to the 6.2 is mpgs but I can buy a lot of gas for the difference. If I was pulling say 12k I might want the diesel but 10k is no problem and I don't pull enough to warrant. This truck pulls better than the 7.3 psd it replaced. We are on a 9 day vacation and loaded pretty heavy with firewood and stuff. Very impressed with how the truck ran. Good luck.
I have towed my 9.5K travel trailer with a 2012 F250 gas 6.2L with 3.73 gears throughout WA, OR, ID and MT. The power is quite sufficient for the load I am towing. It is a well designed durable gas engine - just don't be afraid to let it rev on the steep climbs.
The 4.30 gears would be nice but unfortunately are hard to find unless you order them on a new one.
07-13-2018, 10:17 PM
