What motor do I need?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Washington
What motor do I need?
We are looking for a new truck to tow our toy hauler (tow behind). It tips the scales at about 11,000 lb and as much as 12,000 lb loaded for a long trip.
We will not be using the truck that much; I currently put on about 4,000 miles a year. When you're only towing the trailer about a dozen times a year the extra cost of a diesel is a bit much to chew.
Can I get away with a gas motor or do I need to use the diesel? We do have one large pass to cross when we use the trailer.
We will not be using the truck that much; I currently put on about 4,000 miles a year. When you're only towing the trailer about a dozen times a year the extra cost of a diesel is a bit much to chew.
Can I get away with a gas motor or do I need to use the diesel? We do have one large pass to cross when we use the trailer.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 951
Likes: 20
From: SW Indiana melon fields.
With so few miles per year I can't ever see you justifying the extra 6K or so for a diesel. From what many here say, the V10 will almost pull with the diesel and you don't drive it enough miles for the fuel usage to be much of an issue either way. Go with the V10 gasser.
BTW, I have an '08 with a V8. I don't tow at all, but need to haul 2-3K in the bed every now and then. The truck handles it just fine.
BTW, I have an '08 with a V8. I don't tow at all, but need to haul 2-3K in the bed every now and then. The truck handles it just fine.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
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From: Millersville, MD
You DO have to remember, the "extra" cost of the diesel will come back to you when you sell!!! If you plan to drive the truck 'in-between' tows, the better mileage of the diesel will also come back in profit! The V10, which you WILL need if you buy a NON-diesel, only gets 10-11 MPG NOT towing.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I would probably have said V-10 because you say you won't use the truck very much. Except that you drive a diesel now, and with that experience I'm gonna bet you won't be happy with a gas motor. Either motor will do the job. I just hate to see you kicking yourself later.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
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From: So Oregon
You DO have to remember, the "extra" cost of the diesel will come back to you when you sell!!! If you plan to drive the truck 'in-between' tows, the better mileage of the diesel will also come back in profit! The V10, which you WILL need if you buy a NON-diesel, only gets 10-11 MPG NOT towing.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,617
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From: Denver, Co
Go with a V10 & 4.30 gears. When driving it, remember that the Ford Triton modular motors "like" their RPMs.
Yes, you can recoup some of that ~$6,000 "investment" in a diesel if you decide to sell/trade it, but you will likely never get it all back.
All anyone has to do is bounce between the V10 & 6.4L forums, and they will see that the 6.4L is not doing much better than the V10 in fuel economy. Having watched both for quite some time, I would say that the average reported fuel economy favors the V10 unloaded and the 6.4L in heavy towing/hauling.
Saying that the V10 will only get 10-11 MPG empty is not entirely accurate. I average 13's driving in Denver, and that is with my semi-heavy right foot and the heavy, 20" tire & rim option included with the Harley-Davidson package. And, no, it is not modified...100% bone stock.
Saying that the V10 will only get 10-11 MPG empty is not entirely accurate. I average 13's driving in Denver, and that is with my semi-heavy right foot and the heavy, 20" tire & rim option included with the Harley-Davidson package. And, no, it is not modified...100% bone stock.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
What's your location, and how tall is the pass? Will you be driving the pass each time you tow, or do you go to other locations? Do you have much experience with gas engines, or mostly diesel?
Bottom line, the gas engines will get you where you need to go, maybe slower, maybe faster, maybe in the slow lane and maybe not. You don't NEED a diesel to tow 12k lbs. The V10 truck has the same tow rating as the diesel and a higher payload, so if you need a little extra cushion payload-wise the gasser will give that to you and will provide the same towing capacity.
Bottom line, the gas engines will get you where you need to go, maybe slower, maybe faster, maybe in the slow lane and maybe not. You don't NEED a diesel to tow 12k lbs. The V10 truck has the same tow rating as the diesel and a higher payload, so if you need a little extra cushion payload-wise the gasser will give that to you and will provide the same towing capacity.
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From: Washington
The hill is a slow speed pull do to the corners. I would say 35 mph or so. I think its about 7 miles long and 3,500 ft elevation difference. These are VERY rough numbers. My 7.3L non-turbo I have now has little power for the open road and is my first diesel truck. I have spent my time in the driver’s seat of many large pieces of equipment over the years so diesel and gas are both in the comfort zone.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: CA
A NEW truck, or new to you?
If NEW then move fast if you want gas as rumors are the V10 engine may be discontinued (I hope these are just RUMORS as it's the only big block gasser left among the pickup class)
The 6.4 engine seems largely fine but is new. 05 and onwards 6.0 was a good engine too. Can't go wrong with any of them unless you get unlucky. Most reliable new diesel is the duramax as it's had least dpf-related issues as it's been on the market nearly ten years improving each year. However, if you're a dyed in the wool ford guy that ain't gonna work
If NEW then move fast if you want gas as rumors are the V10 engine may be discontinued (I hope these are just RUMORS as it's the only big block gasser left among the pickup class)
The 6.4 engine seems largely fine but is new. 05 and onwards 6.0 was a good engine too. Can't go wrong with any of them unless you get unlucky. Most reliable new diesel is the duramax as it's had least dpf-related issues as it's been on the market nearly ten years improving each year. However, if you're a dyed in the wool ford guy that ain't gonna work
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
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From: So Oregon
Based on that "hill" and it's a 35mph sort of roadway it won't do you any good to be able to get up it any faster, so the diesel isn't a help. With that amount of miles I'd buy two trucks, with V10s, that way you don't have to put all those miles on one truck, you can have a commuter and a tower.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
The hill is a slow speed pull do to the corners. I would say 35 mph or so. I think its about 7 miles long and 3,500 ft elevation difference. These are VERY rough numbers. My 7.3L non-turbo I have now has little power for the open road and is my first diesel truck. I have spent my time in the driver’s seat of many large pieces of equipment over the years so diesel and gas are both in the comfort zone.
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