How does it compare??
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Well Mine is getting at this moment 11.8 and has hit 15.8 Highway (not in a very long time) and has been in the single digits I drive only Highway and have a F250 sc auto 373 SWR shortbed, That seems to be just alittle low! Add that to over 12 warrant repairs
and I am started to ask why not a duramax!
and I am started to ask why not a duramax!
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Central Massachusetts
Originally Posted by DMAX-HD
And what of those folks who pull 16k or less? What would the recommendation be? 8 ton is a lot of weight.
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Originally Posted by firehawk198
In my opinion it depends how far you tow a year. Towing under 14k for around 1,000 miles I would recommend a Super Duty 250 V10 and depending on personal preferences consider Dmax. My self I would go with the V10 with 4.30’s. --14-15K for around 1,000 miles a V10 4.30’s or a 6.4 with 3.73’s and depending on personal preference a Dmax. Myself I would go with the V10 4.30’s again. 15-16k over2,000 miles a 6.4 250 or 350 with 4.10’s. ---16-18k a 350 DRW or 450 with 4.30’s---18-20k a 450 with 4.30’s.---20-24k a 450 with 4.88’s. In my opinion there is no argument a Dmax has a great motor for fuel mileage. Just do not like the truck, interior or exterior. I would rather pay a little more in fuel to enjoy driving my Ford truck. A couple of my buddies have the Dmax and Dodge's, had to stop them from drooling all over my 450 last summer. If I want fuel mileage I jump into our Escape or when the roads are dry my Ponitiac Firehawk. But if I really want to enjoy towing, a Ford Super Duty. From experience when you have an emergency stop going 65mph downhill the 450 really shows it controlled stopping power.
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ffice
ffice" /><O></O>I guess 1 thing I should mention is that my current dmax is a 3/4 ton with 3.73's and it wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison to some other guys with the 6.4 with 1 tons and taller gears.
I think though if I had a 3/4 ton Ford with the 6.4 that doubled as a daily driver I'd be dissapointed in mpg if 12 was my avg. hwy/cty
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Central Massachusetts
Originally Posted by DMAX-HD
I have no argument the 450 is in a class of it's own and is a sharp truck. I think you are 1 of the few people who actually understand the trade-offs. My experience is only in the 3/4 ton realm. I wish I had need for a 450 they are big and tough looking and they own a very niche market.
I guess 1 thing I should mention is that my current dmax is a 3/4 ton with 3.73's and it wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison to some other guys with the 6.4 with 1 tons and taller gears.
I think though if I had a 3/4 ton Ford with the 6.4 that doubled as a daily driver I'd be dissapointed in mpg if 12 was my avg. hwy/cty
I guess 1 thing I should mention is that my current dmax is a 3/4 ton with 3.73's and it wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison to some other guys with the 6.4 with 1 tons and taller gears.
I think though if I had a 3/4 ton Ford with the 6.4 that doubled as a daily driver I'd be dissapointed in mpg if 12 was my avg. hwy/cty
Good point. My 450 averages 13.46 mpg combo. Most 6.4 owners with 3.73s average about 16 not 12mpg. Some Ford guys that run 75-80mph might only average 12mpg. It is hard to compare two different make trucks. There are also my varieties of apples too. I agree with you if a person was just looking at the closest comparison to yours. It would be the 6.4 with 3.73’s also. As a daily driver the DMAX does average better mpg by a couple I would say. The Fords average an extra 1,000# more than the GM that translates into extra fuel to drag around also. The Ford also does not to be as aerodynamic as the Chevy’s. The DMAX does seem to be better at higher than 2,000 rpms than the 6.4. Auto..Over 15,000 miles a year that translates into $290 more for fuel. If I was going to use it as a daily driver I would go with the 6 speed manual. Ford and GM have different theory as to their truck buyers. That is what is great about competition. We should all win in the long run. Most of the Guys on the Ford web site that are getting the poorer mileage do not have the 3.73’s but have the lower gears that GM does not offer on their trucks. Sure I would like to get better fuel mileage too, we all would. Guys just need to continue to be open minded and learn what they can to make their buying decision that works best for them. Thanks for your constructive input.
Last edited by firehawk198; Feb 14, 2008 at 11:24 AM. Reason: spelling
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: California
Originally Posted by firehawk198
Good point. My 450 averages 13.46 mpg combo. Most 6.4 owners with 3.73s average about 16 not 12mpg. Some Ford guys that run 75-80mph might only average 12mpg. It is hard to compare two different make trucks. There are also my varieties of apples too. I agree with you if a person was just looking at the closest comparison to yours. It would be the 6.4 with 3.73’s also. As a daily driver the DMAX does average better mpg by a couple I would say. The Fords average an extra 1,000# more than the GM that translates into extra fuel to drag around also. The Ford also does not to be as aerodynamic as the Chevy’s. The DMAX does seem to be better at higher than 2,000 rpms than the 6.4. Auto..Over 15,000 miles a year that translates into $290 more for fuel. If I was going to use it as a daily driver I would go with the 6 speed manual. Ford and GM have different theory as to their truck buyers. That is what is great about competition. We should all win in the long run. Most of the Guys on the Ford web site that are getting the poorer mileage do not have the 3.73’s but have the lower gears that GM does not offer on their trucks. Sure I would like to get better fuel mileage too, we all would. Guys just need to continue to be open minded and learn what they can to make their buying decision that works best for them. Thanks for your constructive input.
So when specking out your truck you need to look how your going to use it. If you want a daily driver, then taller gears would be needed for better milage. If you want to haul its max payload most of the time, then lower gears are need. Just depends on what you need the truck for. Then enjoy it.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Central Massachusetts
Originally Posted by 1968gtcs
Nicely put. I to am only getting 13+ on average. I would like to get better, but reality sets in. These are 9000lb trucks with 4:30's that are designed to easily pull a house and its foundation. So 13+ mpg is very nice. I personaly have seen and experienced what my truck can do with a very heavy load. Especially over rather interesting terrain and road conditions. Or lack of roads. So I am very happy with my truck. Just miss my 6 speed.
So when specking out your truck you need to look how your going to use it. If you want a daily driver, then taller gears would be needed for better milage. If you want to haul its max payload most of the time, then lower gears are need. Just depends on what you need the truck for. Then enjoy it.
So when specking out your truck you need to look how your going to use it. If you want a daily driver, then taller gears would be needed for better milage. If you want to haul its max payload most of the time, then lower gears are need. Just depends on what you need the truck for. Then enjoy it.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 311
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From: Houston, TX
Well I was considering buying a new GM over Ford for the increased mileage but I made my decision today. I just bought a job 3 F350, srw,4x4, lariat, blue/tan, with almost all the options for $40K. Great price for an even greater truck! It drives so much better than the 08 chevy duramax that I had for a rental for the past 9days and 2K miles. The mileage may be worse but the package is so much nicer. Anyone in or around Houston looking for a good dealer let me know.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 61
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From: Monroe Michigan
ok here i go...i bought my truck not really for pulling or anything really just to have it. its a SRW Crew cab 4x4 PSD w/ 3.73's right not the temps are cold in michigan and im getting 13 with about 10miles to work country road driving and 10 miles highway driving each way. in the summer i was getting 15 on that same route. took her up north to the bridge awhile back and got 18 on the highway crusing and 78mph i dont thing thats a bad number for a freakin 8200lb truck when my sisters 5.4 F150 gets only 20 just my .02
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 759
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From: Central Massachusetts
Originally Posted by aggiect01
Well I was considering buying a new GM over Ford for the increased mileage but I made my decision today. I just bought a job 3 F350, srw,4x4, lariat, blue/tan, with almost all the options for $40K. Great price for an even greater truck! It drives so much better than the 08 chevy duramax that I had for a rental for the past 9days and 2K miles. The mileage may be worse but the package is so much nicer. Anyone in or around Houston looking for a good dealer let me know.
Congrats, you will enjoy driving every mile with it.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 204
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From: California
Originally Posted by firehawk198
Hi 1968gtcs hope you do not mind, I could not resist showing off what you tow. That is what you call an awesome looking combo you have. My next dream 5ver.
This truck makes pulling the 40' 5ver a dream.
Really alows me to ruff it in the out back.
Yep, cold beer in the 22 cubic foot refer, relaxing in the leather recliner, watch Nascar on the 37' TV. Yep really ruffing it.
aggiect01,
Congrats on your choice. As for the milage it may suck at first until it gets broke in, but after that it will be right on par with what GM and Dodge are getting. I poked around on the Dodge and GM sights yesterday. They are also averaging around 16+- mpg. (free way/in town) So every one is effected by the EPA crap.