Newbie questions...
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New User
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Los Angeles
Newbie questions...
Hi all.. I'm keeping my eyes open for a good deal but wanted a few questions answered first if I could. I've currently got a '96 Chevy C2500 and would like to eventually move to the PSD on either an F250 or F350 crew cab. One area that I'd like to find out is whether I can tow a 22' fifth wheel trailer (I don't recall the weights off the top of my head) with the 4x4 variety or not. I was under the impression on the Chevy side that their 4x4 trucks (some of them anyway) were not rated for towing (without damaging the rear-end -- I heard that somewhere but never verified it).. Is this sort of thing true for Ford trucks or can I tow the trailer and still do some off roading (limited only by the long wheelbase -- don't need to get high centered)?
Also -- is there any big differences between the 6.0L, 6.4L and earlier 7.1L diesels and what sort of milage can be found for city driving,etc?
I think that's about all I can think of for now.. My brother's got a 2000 F250 PSD that he picked up last year and is fairly happy with it -- first time diesel guy for him..
Also -- is there any big differences between the 6.0L, 6.4L and earlier 7.1L diesels and what sort of milage can be found for city driving,etc?
I think that's about all I can think of for now.. My brother's got a 2000 F250 PSD that he picked up last year and is fairly happy with it -- first time diesel guy for him..
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
The 4x4's can tow anything the 4x2's can, HOWEVER, the 4x4 is heavier which reduces the weight you can safely tow.
Depending on what years you are looking at, we can figure out what you can tow.
As you go from the 7.3 to the 6.0 to the 6.4, the diesels produce more and more torque, but also the mileage does go down as you go newer.
The 7.3's are not as strong as the 6.0 or the 6.4, but get the best mileage, and many will say the 7.3 is THE BEST diesel Ford ever put in the Superduty. But don't let that stop you from getting a 6.0 or a 6.4. The only thing would be to stay away from the first year or two of the 6.0, like 2003-2004.
Of course, if you get a tuner, any of the diesels will put out a LOT more power than you'll ever need
Take a tour of the diesel forums, there is one for each generation of engine. Lots of threads about reliability, mileage, tuning, lots of reading.
When you do find a truck you are interested in, visit the OASIS thread (at the top of the Superduty forum) and post the VIN and your email address (read my posts at the top of the thread about how to include your email address). This will tell you of any warranty/recall work done to the truck and you can make a sound decision on whether or not the truck is trouble or never been touched.
Good luck, and feel free to visit the NEW MEMBERS thread at the top of the forum also
Depending on what years you are looking at, we can figure out what you can tow.
As you go from the 7.3 to the 6.0 to the 6.4, the diesels produce more and more torque, but also the mileage does go down as you go newer.
The 7.3's are not as strong as the 6.0 or the 6.4, but get the best mileage, and many will say the 7.3 is THE BEST diesel Ford ever put in the Superduty. But don't let that stop you from getting a 6.0 or a 6.4. The only thing would be to stay away from the first year or two of the 6.0, like 2003-2004.
Of course, if you get a tuner, any of the diesels will put out a LOT more power than you'll ever need
Take a tour of the diesel forums, there is one for each generation of engine. Lots of threads about reliability, mileage, tuning, lots of reading.When you do find a truck you are interested in, visit the OASIS thread (at the top of the Superduty forum) and post the VIN and your email address (read my posts at the top of the thread about how to include your email address). This will tell you of any warranty/recall work done to the truck and you can make a sound decision on whether or not the truck is trouble or never been touched.
Good luck, and feel free to visit the NEW MEMBERS thread at the top of the forum also
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
The 4x4's can tow anything the 4x2's can, HOWEVER, the 4x4 is heavier which reduces the weight you can safely tow.
Depending on what years you are looking at, we can figure out what you can tow.
As you go from the 7.3 to the 6.0 to the 6.4, the diesels produce more and more torque, but also the mileage does go down as you go newer.
The 7.3's are not as strong as the 6.0 or the 6.4, but get the best mileage, and many will say the 7.3 is THE BEST diesel Ford ever put in the Superduty. But don't let that stop you from getting a 6.0 or a 6.4. The only thing would be to stay away from the first year or two of the 6.0, like 2003-2004.
Of course, if you get a tuner, any of the diesels will put out a LOT more power than you'll ever need Take a tour of the diesel forums, there is one for each generation of engine. Lots of threads about reliability, mileage, tuning, lots of reading.
When you do find a truck you are interested in, visit the OASIS thread (at the top of the Superduty forum) and post the VIN and your email address (read my posts at the top of the thread about how to include your email address). This will tell you of any warranty/recall work done to the truck and you can make a sound decision on whether or not the truck is trouble or never been touched.
Good luck, and feel free to visit the NEW MEMBERS thread at the top of the forum also
Depending on what years you are looking at, we can figure out what you can tow.
As you go from the 7.3 to the 6.0 to the 6.4, the diesels produce more and more torque, but also the mileage does go down as you go newer.
The 7.3's are not as strong as the 6.0 or the 6.4, but get the best mileage, and many will say the 7.3 is THE BEST diesel Ford ever put in the Superduty. But don't let that stop you from getting a 6.0 or a 6.4. The only thing would be to stay away from the first year or two of the 6.0, like 2003-2004.
Of course, if you get a tuner, any of the diesels will put out a LOT more power than you'll ever need
Take a tour of the diesel forums, there is one for each generation of engine. Lots of threads about reliability, mileage, tuning, lots of reading.When you do find a truck you are interested in, visit the OASIS thread (at the top of the Superduty forum) and post the VIN and your email address (read my posts at the top of the thread about how to include your email address). This will tell you of any warranty/recall work done to the truck and you can make a sound decision on whether or not the truck is trouble or never been touched.
Good luck, and feel free to visit the NEW MEMBERS thread at the top of the forum also
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From: Frederick, MD
You can also go to this website: https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...ng/default.asp
there is some info on the later year towing guides
there is some info on the later year towing guides
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From: Los Angeles
Thanks guys!
I was looking at some of the 2004/2005 models -- seems to be lots of 2004's on the market.. Perhaps your comment possibly indicates why. I did some research and I believe the trailer we've got has a dry weight of somewhere in the 6k range if that helps. Better milage is good and eventually I'd like to have this run WVO like my brother does -- works pretty well. I'm not sure if that narrows down the choices yet or not..
Can you clue me in on a Tuner? Is this one of the devices that allows me to adjust the computer or something else..?
I'll check out the other sub-forums for the various diesel models.. Thanks for the tips!
I was looking at some of the 2004/2005 models -- seems to be lots of 2004's on the market.. Perhaps your comment possibly indicates why. I did some research and I believe the trailer we've got has a dry weight of somewhere in the 6k range if that helps. Better milage is good and eventually I'd like to have this run WVO like my brother does -- works pretty well. I'm not sure if that narrows down the choices yet or not..
Can you clue me in on a Tuner? Is this one of the devices that allows me to adjust the computer or something else..?
I'll check out the other sub-forums for the various diesel models.. Thanks for the tips!
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
Hi all.. I'm keeping my eyes open for a good deal but wanted a few questions answered first if I could. I've currently got a '96 Chevy C2500 and would like to eventually move to the PSD on either an F250 or F350 crew cab. One area that I'd like to find out is whether I can tow a 22' fifth wheel trailer (I don't recall the weights off the top of my head) with the 4x4 variety or not.
As already stated, you can definitely tow with a 4x4. The tow ratings are almost the same as the 4x2, just reduced a little bit for the extra weight of the front wheel drive. Usually around 500 lbs or less difference. But be careful when shopping, and avoid trucks with lift kits larger than 4" or so. That complicates towing a fiver. Your 22' fiver is a small one and must be about as light as you can get, and any Superduty F250 should be able to easily handle it. The tow ratings went way up around 2005. Check the manuals at the link Senix gave you, download a few years, and you'll see where they improved the ratings. I say that because you may have a 22' now, but when you see how easily a PSD pulls it you are going to want to upgrade. Might as well plan for it now.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
Tuners can help to increase power and fine tune trans operations. Key is get a tuner that does both so you don't hurt either the motor or the trans.
I can comment on mine. I am running the banks 6-gun. It does a good job within the safety limits designed by Ford. It will modify both eng and trans, but within Ford design limits.
There are others so I am sure soon others will comment on there experiences.
I can comment on mine. I am running the banks 6-gun. It does a good job within the safety limits designed by Ford. It will modify both eng and trans, but within Ford design limits.
There are others so I am sure soon others will comment on there experiences.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
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From: Whittier, CA
Don't run a tuner on a 6.0 if/when you tow. Tuners are fun, but mostly spell trouble when towing. And you won't need it anyway, you'll have plenty of pulling power.
Tuners are safer on the 7.3 and can safely get you power comparable to the 6.0.
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From: Frederick, MD
Good advice! When I tow I don't run the tuner but on the lowest setting which is pretty much a stock setting.
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From: Los Angeles
Thanks again for the info.. I've downloaded the towing guides of interest and will review them to narrow my search.. It's nice to hear that I can tow with a 4x4 and be able to use it for that purpose while on a trip.. BTW -- any suggestions on whether I should stick with a long bed or short when paired up with a crew cab? My current chevy has the long bed with extended cab (probably ~12" shorter than the crew cabs on Fords) but am tempted to just get the short bed to make it easier to fit in the driveway and also have better turning radius -- the radius for turns on my chevy is about 3 car lanes wide -- otherwise I need to use reverse or jump the curb. Hopefully Fords are better in this area -- but it won't matter if not..
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
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From: Whittier, CA
The '05 and up has a much tighter turning radius, due to a suspension redesign with coil springs.
As for long vs short bed, you already know about sliding hitches and probably have an opinion on whether you need one. All I can say is, I see more short bed Superdutys pulling fivers than long beds, some with sliders, some without. It can be dealt with either way.
As for long vs short bed, you already know about sliding hitches and probably have an opinion on whether you need one. All I can say is, I see more short bed Superdutys pulling fivers than long beds, some with sliders, some without. It can be dealt with either way.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Whittier, CA
FX4 was sometimes a trim level, and sometimes just an off-road package, so it depends on the year. But for the most part it gets you skid plates under the fuel tank and transfer case, shocks made by Motorcraft but labeled Rancho, off-road tires, and a nifty decal on the hind quarter.
No, I would not exclude FX4, but I would not hold out for it either. The shocks are not much good, and you can buy the skid plates to add on.
No, I would not exclude FX4, but I would not hold out for it either. The shocks are not much good, and you can buy the skid plates to add on.