For starters, I'm not starting a "bash on diesel" thread but do want to know, why the 6.2L?

My truck ownership has evolved in the last 5 years from a '90 F150 Supercab/ 6.75' bed 5.8L 4wd then a '11 Ecoboost Supercrew/5.5' bed 4wd to now a '16 F250 6.2L Supercrew/6.75' bed 4wd. All three trucks I've loved and hated for various reasons but really do like the F250 as a family, towing vehicle. Owning our '90, I just wanted/needed a run around truck. The '11 was a compromise that I downsized from the '90 and a Subaru Legacy to one, newer, safer vehicle. Having the '11 allowed us to borrow my parents travel trailer and catch the bug. A few months later, we bought a 24', 7500 pound trailer that maxed out the F150. After having mechanical trouble ($6k @ 71k miles) with the turbos in the Ecoboost and a family having "one more on the way" we bought the F250 for the higher payload and better handling of the trailer. For the next 10+ years, we will be the proud owners of a '16 F250 (And I'm happy with that). However, I do know that a 6.7, 6.4 or even a 6.0 diesel would out-tow my truck, but I love the simplicity of the 6.2.

Pros:

• Proven durability
• Simple and sweet, "there's no replacement for displacement"
• Plenty of power for towing under 10k pounds
• Relatively inexpensive initial and maintenance costs

Cons:

• We pay at the pump
• Slower uphill towing

What say you?
Why the 6.2?
Will you jump to the 7.3 when available?

 

for me the 6.2 offered the towing capacity that i needed in the summer for camping. I had looked at numerous trucks but the dealers in my area wouldnt budge on the diesels and many wanted way to much money in my opinion. I would have loved a diesel but my avg daily commute is like 9 miles and there are weeks were i never drive above 45. diesel is about 60 cents more a gallon here.plus the truck i got was really low mileage and well taken care of.

 

I also made the natural progression of moving from the F150s to the SD for a tow rig. After going through TONS of threads on the various forums, the majority seem to suggest that a diesel is required to tow most larger 5ers. I went back and forth before finally deciding that I really wanted the simplicity of a gas engine due to my daily driving habits. Ended up with a 2016 F350 with the 6.2. I drive less 12 miles each way to work and having kids, a ton of very short trips here and there. I tow maybe 10-12 times a year and most of those are less than 75 miles away from home in the Midwest. For my situation, the 6.2 just made sense. My rig is 40ft long and about 12,500 loaded up with a 14k gross weight. Do I wish I had a diesel sometimes when pulling up longer hills? Yep. But I just let it rev, drop it to 55 mph and everything is good. The 6.2 also seems to have a fairly good reputation as being a reliable engine if taken care of and there is very little required maintenance. Pretty much just change the oil regularly and you're good. I'll be taking a good look at the 7.3 when the full specs come out as it should have a nice bump in torque over the 6.2 with the lower maintenance costs of a gasser.

 

I dont tow. I dont need the extra maintenance cost.

 

I've had nothing but bad luck and expensive bills with diesels in the past, even pre-emissions "legendary" ones like the 7.3L and older VW TDI. No need to go through that again when I don't tow heavy enough for it to make a difference. Lately the fuel prices have become fairly close but over a several year average, diesel is so much more expensive near me that the fuel economy bonus is virtually cancelled out cost wise.

I know some guys buy diesel just for the drivability/torque and I respect that, but I have less need for it personally. I prefer 600 lb-ft propelling 3300 lb over 1000 lb-ft propelling 8000 lb anyways....

 

Having owned diesels for over 20 years I'm kinda over it now that the larger displacement gassers are out there. Less maintenance and less initial cost is/was a big plus for me. My truck is an RV so it sits a lot. I also like the simple 6.2 and for my needs, it does the job and has exceeded my expectations. I plan to keep this rig well out of warranty and I don't trust the newer diesels that far. The 6.2 has plenty of power for my use and so far MPG's are the same as the modded 7.3's I've had (empty or towing). No plans or need for a new 7.3 gas. Diesel is great if you need it. I simply do not, not for towing up to 12K anyway. Just push the skinny pedal down and listen to the V8 sound.

 

what at the pump...?.

a few miles per gallon more ( diesel ) but 60 cents more per gallon...

I like in a RV Park... so gas vers diesel is almost daily... not anger... just talking..

if under 10,000 pound trailers... Gas is the way...

case in point...
friend just went from Texas to Georgia.. for a New enclosed cargo trailer 7x16 twin axle
going there his diesel got 19 mpg.not towing... returning with an Empty new trailer.. got 12..... ( trailer is about 3,000 pounds )

my 6.2L not towing get 15-17.. ... towing a loaded 9,000 pound travel trailer..gets 8 -10..

where is the savings.. my 2012 gas to his 2016 diesel.

 

For me gas made sense for a few reasons....

• Max of 5000 miles a year driven, most of it towing. I don't rack up the miles or have the duty cycle that makes the expense of the diesel worth it for me.
• I don't tow heavy - MAX GVWR of my RV is 8800 lbs. Well within the specs for the 6.2.
• F250 - 3100lbs of payload in the 6.2 configuration - half that with a 6.7. I wanted the F250 so that when I move to AZ in a couple of years I don't get hit with the uncreased taxes for having a '1 ton' truck.
• Regular maintenance is much less than with the diesel (again, i only run 5000 miles a year)
• This Forum is full of issues with the diesels whereas the 6.2 forum is a rather sleepy place. 6.7 is pretty reliable overall, 6.2 seems more so.
  • I have no concerns with keeping the 6.2 once the warranty expires. Having 6.7 outside of warranty would concern me
• I have towed my RV 1200 miles so far this year and am getting exactly 10mpg with a mix of flat and rolling hills. the 4.30 gears make a difference. RARELY see more than 3000rpm when going up a grade. It's not a race...i find a comfortable gear and speed (usually 60 mph) on the climb and it pulls the hill just fine. On the flats, Usually run 68 or so.
• This is my 'retirement truck' and I will keep it until the wheels fall off. Resale did not play into my calculation. The $8k I saved going with the 6.2 will grow nicely in my investment / retirement accounts. Much more than 'investing' in a diesel. If I ever have a major repair or an engine replacement needed, still half of what i would have paid for the diesel upgrade.

Diesels are great for those that tow heavy and/or have the funds to deal with any issues down the roads when outside of warranty. I have owned each of the Big 3 diesels, Duramax, Cummins, and Powerstroke. They were great but, I unloaded each of them just as warranty was expiring simply due to the number of visits each had to the shop while under warranty. I also used to put 20k miles a year on them. The F250 is not my daily driver so my situation really seemed most suited for gas. Mile for mile (again i will only put 5000 a year on it) It will cost me less to operate.

 

i have had diesels for the past 35 years. when it came time for another truck, i decided to try the 6.2.
i still have 4 diesels, besides the 2014 6.2 truck. but all me diesels are 7.3's, 2 IDI's, and 2 powerstrokes.

 

For me I needed a bigger truck for work in the oilfield. I was driving a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 ccsb 4x4 and it was leveled with 33s. I operate heavy equipment so my daily had 100 gal diesel transfer tank, tool box stuffed with tools, air compressor, and various oils and fluids for everyday maintenance. I was riding around almost on the back bump stops and if I need to pick up a trailer I was bottomed out with fuel.

I always learned you dont need the nicest things and sometimes you cant always get what you want. I originally went to go look at an 02' 2500 dodge diesel low miles for $14k and when I got there they signed papers on it to someone else. On the way home I stopped by the ford dealer for the wife to look at the fancy f150s when the salesman started talking to my wife, she tells him I'm looking to buy a truck... he took me straight to the base model f150s for 40k and I told him he lost his mind and I needed a bigger truck for 40k. They had a new 12' model f250 6.2 xl ex cab LB fx4 that was up my alley. It was a year old and they where pushing 13' and getting ready for 14's. I made the deal with them for $33k out the door with the extended warranty so I really couldn't complain as the same truck but diesel was $48k. Fuel wasn't an issue since we had company gas cards.

I don't use it for work anymore (i have a company truck) and it's a driveway queen now. My company truck is a 2019 f250 4x4 lariat with the 6.7l and I really love it. Honestly I still really love my 6.2 and it's fun to drive on the weekends, but 10mpg still sucks with 35s and leveled. As much as I really like the idea of the "Godzilla" platform I dont think I will buy one.

 

It makes no sense at all unless you tow heavy. The 6.2 is far more reliable and way cheaper to buy, operate and maintain. And that's without any 'unforeseen' issues (ahum) the diesels have.
And.. the gap in price between diesel and gas might even increase at the end of the year when the marine industry will switch to low sulfur fuels and putting the squeeze on diesel supply.

the upcoming 7.3 gasser ? Unless Ford wants to hurt it's own diesel sales, I don't see it being THAT much stronger than the 6.2. Right ?

 

Retired. Most trips under 5 miles a few days a week. Tow the 9k plus camper less than 12 times a year. Truck handles it great no lack of power. Can find a local shop to work on it if needed. Just made sense to me.

 

I'm done with diesels:

 

* The smell of diesel fuel on your hands and shoes
* More expensive oil changes
* More filters to change (especially out on the road in winter because your truck stalled)
* Managing fuel in the winter
* Potential for very expensive repairs
* The hit on payload

Diesel guys here in Minnesota carry an extra fuel filter in their truck because of stalling in the winter. Not fun changing the filter on the side of the road while traffic comes by spraying you with salt brine. We had a tough winter; lots of -25F (actual) and worse. The diesels that did start then stalled 2 miles down the road and the owners got to walk home in that weather. This is reality; not bashing. I saw it happen to some of my friends.

I don't want to have to deal with these issues. 6.2 with 4.30's pulls our 11K 5er just fine; including the mountains. There are maybe 2 days a year that a diesel would be nice (for us). The other 363 days, I'm glad I don't have one. I do understand that diesel benefits and that there are those who truly need one.

 

My loaded trailer weight is just under 10K and regularly tow in the mountains of WA, OR, ID and MT. I never lack for power even at 8000 feet - the 6.2l just gets it done. Possibly interested in the new 7.3 in a few years or so depending on real world reports, mpg, and reliability info. If not the 6.2 with the 10 speed transmission would be on my list - more gear choices to keep it in the sweet spot.