I presently have a Toyota tundra which has been a great truck for me. My family is outgrowing the towing capability of the truck and we need more room. I want a F 250 or 350 in a crew cab SRW 4x4 and I am unsure if I should go V10 or diesel. My question is if I can only affored a used truck up to a 2001 or possibly 2002 should I consider buying the diesel?? My wife wants a fifth wheel (30ft) and we have a 28 ft boat which we just bought (5000lbs). We have a travel trailer now (27ft) and we do a seasonal camp site which the camper stays put from march till october and we will move the boat about 7 times a year other than that it also stays at the camp grounds. So for that amount of use and me driving to & from work (65miles total) would the diesel be better or a gas motor (v10)? Thanks so much in advance for your help.

Clint

 

I say you should go with the powerstroke, just about everyone I have talked to who owned a V10 say they dont get very good milage, Also the diesel costs a little more to mantain, but it will last much longer the V10. I drove a friends V10 and wasnt impressed by the power either, But I am biased since I own a powerstroke. Go drive each one and see what YOU like best.

 

I Work At A Dealership And Hear A Lot Of Complaints About The V10 For Gas Mileage. Its A Good Engine Though. Has Plenty Of Power And Torque.
Be Prepaired To Get 6-10 Miles To The Gallon With It. The Powerstroke Is A Little More To Maintain But Will Get Better Mpg. Also The Powerstroke Will Probably Last A Feww Hundered Thousand More Miles Then A V10.
In My Opinion I Would Get The Diesel.

 

Dealership here local has to give away the V10, and they have a hard time keeping the new PSD's, even at 45-50+K each...The diesel is the only choice anymore with how well the PSD's run and what you can do and get even more from them if you wish.

 

I'd have to vote for the PSD too - but then again I'm biased too 'cause that's what I have! I can't speak for any comparisons 'cause I've never even ridden in a SD with the v10 - but there's no reason that you shouldn't be happy with the PSD! And like was already said - you'll be able to keep it around a lot longer too.

 

My brother has a '99 extended cab with a V-10. He and Ford split the cost of a replacement engine at 60K miles due to severe piston slap. My uncle has had two, a '99 and now a 2003, both V-10's. After I got my used 2000 last year with PSD, they both realize how their next ones will be powered.

Not gasoline.

SpringerPop

 

I would go with the psd also for the fuel mileage and power, only downside (at least around here) is the price of diesel lately. Up to 2.65 at most stations.

 

I agree on the mileage thing and the truck will be garaged so in the winter its no big deal. I will be primary driver and it wont be used to much as a grocery getter but more as a weekend warrior running up I 75 to the camp ground and to a few boat meets for the club I am a member of. I would really like to do this once for the next 5 years or so, so thanks for the input.

 

Well, if you want to do this once for the next 5+ years, the diesel is definitely a good choice. The PSD's are a great engine, extremely reliable and great power. The '01-'02 range or trucks you are looking at would be best since they still have the 7.3L and it would have the highest stock horsepower compared to earlier models. I think about anyone you could talk to that has a 7.3L would say they never regretted getting it, and that it was a good choice.

 

One thing too about the PSD and the turbo - it's immune to altitude power loss. When you're pulling that 30ft 5th wheel over the mountains it will have the same amout of HP at the summit as at sea level. The V10 cannot make that claim. It'll be huffing and puffing to get up the slope. The other good thing about the diesel is you can convert the Exhaust Back Pressure Valve to be used as an exhaust brake. The big trailers will push you down the hill at a very alarming pace and all you have is the service brakes on the truck and trailer. They heat up QUICK when you have a heavy load. I have owned two 460's and one diesel. I will never again own a gas powered truck.

 

Clint40 , welcome to FTE ! I think you will be happier with the 7.3 . Remember the F250/350 is a real truck and as such will not get any where near the mileage your toy does , nor will you be able to zip into a parking spot ... But when it comes to pulling that 5ver the wife wants or the TT or boat , that's where the Power Stroke will shine ! There is also the comfort factor , your family will have more room to stretch out on those long trecks up north . We pull a 30' Aljo with our crew cab dually and get between 13 and 15 mpg while towing . We lived in Greenville Mi. and went "up north" as much as possible !

 

Black in my opnion that mileage you listed is pretty dam good. When I towed my boat back from Cleavend Ohio doing 50 mph all the way I got 10 mpg with my tundra. The truck didnt seam to labor to much at that speed but the boat is big enough that it didnt feel safe to me because of the schear hight and width of the boat. I has a 98 Dodge ram 318 1/2 ton ext cab and honestly my tundra pulles much better than that ever did but due to the lack of bulk in the truck and at 5000 pounds the boat needs something bigger to pull it with and surely the 5th wheel will need it too. I dont nee to pull at 80 mph but to keep with traffic would be nice and to have more size to pull with will be a joy. So thats it boys Im looking for between a 2000 and 2003 powerstroke in a crew cab and prefer a long box (lariet or xlt) and I like lighter colors (white or silver 1st choices, gray 2nd choice and lastly black just because they look so awesome clean) I have to say though Im a clean freak and black will just kill me to keep it nice but for the right deal Ill get my workout in shining the truck.I would like to be 25000 or less and realistic mileage and condition, as I said Im picky and keep my stuff nice and maintained and I am in Michigan and will travel up to 100 miles or so. I would like to mention to all in this forum that I ocassionally sell a detail product for auto/boats/planes that is called WAXING FRENZY by hammerhead products. If you like your vehicles to shine and something that is easy on and easier off you should give this stuff a try. I have both the wax and spray wax detailer and will make a deal to any of my new friends here @ FTE

 

Kiss this thread goodbye

 

I just wonder what kind of responses you got from the guys over in the V-10 forum?? Was it equally as one sided?

 

Big red it was one sided but the main thig on there was noise of the motor. I know the diesel is a bit louder but nothing that bad in my opnion but I drive a diesel every day at work and those are louder than any f250 or 350. I just want to make sure I am going in the right direction and sould I say this will be my first ford in 24 years of driving. Thanks again for the help.