I have a local service business. I have a 350 which gets about 11 mpg. I am thinking about a 150 for lighter duty jobs. I need the 8' bed for all our junk, (along w/ 4x4, super cab, automatic, gas engine). (I wont pull anything heavy w/ this truck). (I will occasionally need to haul about 1 ton of material, which either truck can handle).

On the 150, the 8' bed puts me into the 5.4L engine (w/ 3.73 limited slip axle ratio).

On the 250, I would get the same engine and axle ratio, but it comes with a non-limited slip axle ratio.

The only main differences I can tell between the 150 and 250, is that the 250 would weigh 1200 lbs. more.

Or I could order a 2011 250 but that would have a 6.2L engine (and 3.73 Non-LS axle ratio.

So which truck would get better mileage around town?
Are there any pros or cons to either option?
What effect would the limited slip vs. non-limited slip have?
Would the extra 1/2 ton of weight have a huge impact on gas mileage?
I realize we're only talking a mpg or two here, maybe I'm nit picking. I am assuming that ford tests their mpg's with the smallest engine, bare bones truck they offer, which is why I am wondering if the bigger engine, etc., takes it way out of the 14 mpg they claim.

Thanks.

 

Can't answer your question directly, but my '05 F150 shortbox FX4 gets 14.5mpg around town empty and up to ~17mpg freeway loaded.

My '10 F350 diesel is getting about 13.5mpg around town empty and high-15mpg loaded on the freeway under the same conditions, and it weighs almost 4 tons empty. I've got about 7500miles on the clock so far and it still seems to be breaking in as the mpgs are slowly creeping upwards. The regens really eat into fuel consumption if the truck isn't taken on freeway runs occasionally.

In all, it's about a wash in terms of fuel cost per mile in my case

I'd say the 5.4 in the F250 will drink more per mile... it's a heavier truck to move around. The user manual for my F150 says something about every 400lbs of extra weight costs it about 1mpg

 

I went from a 1995 F-150 Super Cab 4x4 to a 2007 F-250 Super Cab 4x4.

The F-150 had a 302, 4R70W transmission and 3.55 gearing.

The F-250 has a 5.4L, 5R110W and 3.73 gearing.

Fuel mileage is about even. The F-250 gives up maybe 1/2 MPG unloaded on steady highway cruising. Giving up that 1/2 MPG got me a truck with over twice the towing and hauling capability.

As for I do not find this at all true. My average MPG seems to be equal to ro a little better than what is reported from V-10 owners with comparable trucks. Again, a V-10 has yet more capability than my V-8. Equal or slightly less fuel mileage is a good balance if you need the extra power.

Diesel...well, older ones work better. Newer diesels are saddled with EPA mandated hardware that kill fuel mileage. I am anxious to see what the new engines will do, since Ford did place emphasis on fuel mileage for the 2011 trucks.

My opinion, if you're not towing, an F-150 will be fine. You don't need the heavier frame, bigger brakes of the F-250. Even if fuel consumption is roughly equal, you'll probably end up paying less for licensing fees, insurance and maintenance.

 

So far I agree with whats been said the F-150 with the 5.4L will get the better mileage and probably be cheaper to insure if not maintain.

On the subject of non-limited slip diff vs limited I will always say get limited especially if this is your work vehicle even if its 2wd.

The example I use is over this winter at the U-haul where I work at we had trucks stuck for days simply because we couldn't get both wheels to get enough bite to move. Sometimes it can be the difference between getting to work and having to call for a tow.

IMHO.

 

Not sure why you list the F250 with 5.4L and "non" limited slip 3.73. Mine has a 3.73 LSD. I can squeeze 14mpg in town but that's avoiding rush hour and driving like I have no brakes in flat Florida. Interstate at 70mph is hard to break the 17mpg ceiling in mostly flat Florida but I haven't had it on a good interstate trip without cold weather winds blowing. Should do better this summer. I considered the F150 HD as well. I went with the F250 for the HD C channel chassis, twin I-beam IFS in the 4X2, 10.5" Sterling rear axle and 9200 lb GVWR. Cost was about equal to a comparably equipped F150 HD and with the F250 you can get the crew cab where the F150 HD you get a long bed ext cab. I see countless F150's around construction sites that seem to take a beating and keep on working. Our fleet of 5.4L F250's and E-250's get abused daily and keep on working hard. I don't think you'll go wrong with either in my humble opinion...

 

From what you posted of your needs the F150 will easily handle the task. Since your not looking for a Crew Cab then your not forced to the SD line-up just to get an 8' bed. Getting the F150 will be cheaper to insure and should be mostly cheaper parts when needed. Even though Ford's limited slip isn't that great it's better than nothing. I also think you will eventually see better mileage out of the 1/2 ton compared to the SD.

 

What kind of buisness?

 

I recommend the F150.

I found the MPG difference between my '08 PSD and my '07 5.4L F150 to be significant. I averaged between 18-20 on the highway and 14-16 around town in my '07. My '08 F250 averages 11-12 around town and 15 on the highway.

The F150 will ride better, handle better, and be cheaper to operate. I only upgraded because I wanted something that towed 10,000 lbs better, which is why I got my F-250.

If you don't need the payload capacity or towing ability I'd stick with the half ton!

 

I use to have an '06 F150, but I now have an '04 F250. Both had the 8' bed, both with the 5.4L V8. My biggest problem with the 150 was the cost. I bought the 150 new, and the 250 used. The 250 weighed more and got worse mileage (10-12mpg with the 250 vs. 12-14 with the 150), but the 250 could haul more and tow more. I run a landscaping business, and the F250 was definitely a better investment. As my business grew I was able to buy trailers which the 150 wouldn't have been able to pull, but the 250 can.

But I do miss the comfort. The 150 was much more comfortable of a ride than the 250.

These are just my experiences. Hope it was some help to you

 

That pretty much sums it up. I live about 8 miles from work and wanted a big truck with a V10 so I could live with less than stellar mileage. But I can assure you that if I had a longer commute or didn't tow stuff, I'd have an F150 right now. They're great trucks and well worth a second look.

 

Don't be afraid of taller gears also (4.10's). These will help in town MPG's as well, but you'll give up 1 or 2 MPG's on the highway. I'd agree with the F150- it'll definitely handle anything you plan to throw at it given the info provided.

 

I would go with the 2011 option.

 

throwing it out there -
have you consider the older trucks?
a late 80s (square headlight) f-series truck can be picked up for around 1k - and those things with that inline 6 cylinder engines that last forever, keep your workers from speeding, and get really good gas mileage.... parts are plentiful too!

I do feel that if you are driving around town - a manual transmission would give you the biggest increase in mileage - esspecially when you are following a buick or oldsmobile! (yes its an old people joke... ha ha?)

 

I have a a/c business and it has been my experience that the 150's do not hold up to working them, the brakes don't last long and the wheel bearings ball joints and stuff fail sooner than normal. Don't want to start a debate, it is just my experience.

 

I have an 08 f250 and get 10-12 mpg locally and best I've done on hwy is 14. I had hoped for a little better mpg. I thought about trading it in for a 150 for mpg reasons. From what I've read, they'll get better gas mileage and can tow just about as much (right configuration). Payload is where you take a hit. I agree that they probably won't hold up if you tow/haul regularly, but for "normal" use I think it would be ok. In the end I am keeping my 250 because the extra 10k it will cost me to get a f150 I want will buy alot of gas.