I am in the market for a 250/350, diesel, super cab, 4x4, long bed truck for pulling my boat. I also want to put a camper on the truck so maybe have to go with the 350 dually. I could use a 2006 or later model.

I have heard about some of Ford's diesels as being a maintenance challenge. Although I have been a Ford owner for over 40 yrs I don't want to pick a bad year engine. My current truck is a F-150, lariet, 4x4 with the 5.4L which is a good truck.
Which truck would you consider if you were in my shoes?

 

Completely depends on your price range! Many here will swear by the old 7.3s, but since the last one was made in '03, they are getting a bit old now.

Most will tell you to stay away from the early 6.0s, like the '03-04 models. The later 6.0s seem to be very reliable, and powerful too.

The new 6.4s seem to be starting off better than the 6.0s did, but they have a few issues. Most were resolved very early off and have been fixed since then. This engine is very tough to work on, with many procedures requiring removing the cab from the frame.

 

Crazy001 summed it up best.......

 

I have always liked Ford but, this input would make me want to maybe look for something with a Cummins. I have two 5.9 Cummins in my boat and I like them.

 

I heard one of the funniest lines this weekend about choosing a vehicle....

My father-in-law told me he buys Ford's becasue he rides on the inside of his truck, not on the motor.

At work we have one 2006 Dodge 3500 2wd Dually, and while the motor has been reliable, the truck is falling apart.

I just bought an '08 Super Duty, while I considered a Chevy for exactly 0 seconds, I did look at a few dodges and when it comes down to it (motors aside) I would just hate to have to ride inside of that cab every day.

FWIW, I think the 2008 Dodges I drove acutally had a 6.7L I6, not a 5.9L

 

We could really start the debate and see if you would consider a V10 instead.......

 

If you will be pulling a boat with two Cummins, (plus camper?) I suggest the 6.4L diesel in an '08 or '09. At least F350, and think about F450. It's a great truck. Just don't come back crying about the mileage, because it ain't pretty. But it's worth it.

 

It depends on the size of the camper you want. If you go Chevy or Dodge you will more than likely need a dually unless you want a really small camper. They just cannot haul that much weight. if you go over an 11'5 camper you will need a dually no matter what you buy and you are supposed to have a dually on anything over 10'5 with slideouts.

I have an 11'5 with a slide out on a SRW 6.4 liter. I tow a 10,000 lb enclosed trailer attached to a 4 foot extend a hitch from Torque Lift.

If you buy Ford, do not even consider the V10 for this set up. The torque is necessary and a gas engine does not have it.

 

I hope I didn't mislead anyone--My boat with two cummins always stays in the water. What I would be using the truck for is probably a 8-10' camper and pulling a 25' fiberglass 6000# boat now. I may later get a 8000# 29' boat down the road.

 

Yeah, I went back and read your post again, and was scratching my head.

I had an opportunity to pull my FIL's 29 foot searay this weekend, and although it was a short interstate run from Slidell, La to Bay St. Louis MS, my truck did a great job. I am pretty sure his boat is around 6,000# dry, but you sound like you are already doing that with your F150.

In any case welcome to the board.

 

I would say the V10, but that is what i always say.
They are great pulling motors.
If you want a PSD, I would say a tried and true 7.3.
They are all getting old, they have not been made in 6 years.

 

Thats funny, My V10 has never had a problem with that much behind it.

 

come out to Washington state with your V10 and I would love to see you out pull me up a mountain. Texans always say a V10 works better than a diesel for them. Of course it does. No hills, no elevation. Out here they are puking at the first sign of a hill and change in elevation. Plus hows your mileage with all of that weight. I remember getting 6 to 8 in mine a few years back and I don't believe much has changed in that wonderful statistic.

 

Thanks very much for all the info. I do like the diesel for mileage and torque. What years did the 250/350 have the 6.4? Have there been many problems with that engine? Thanks again -- you folks have a great forum. I have been using boat diesel forum for some time a like it for maintaining my cummins. Just for info the 370hp cummins are in a 2000 Albin TE35.

 

Well these newer diesels certainly will win NO awards for there great fuel mileage,,,not in the Ford trucks anyway !!

But I will have to agree with Jasfaa somewhat,,,,We were in to Nova-Scotia headed from Parsboro to Advocate Harbor,,,following the coast the road gets Hilly and curvy,,,my 04' F-350, V-10, 6-speed w/4:30's with a load in the Bed,, and trailer en tow,,,I was right down in 2nd gear,,pulling those short steep hills,,,switchbacks at the bottom,,,she would not pull it in 3rd,,ran out of steam,,,,,only time ever I saw the V-10 loose that much on a hill,,,I just could not get the revs up,,,making the sharp curve at the bottom to pull the hill.

Now I dont know how a diesel engine with the 6-speed would have handled it either,,,But I know my 06' 6.0 with the TS trans would have handled it no problem.