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A friend of mine is about to pull the trigger on a new truck - he currently owns an immaculate '97 F250 and will be keeping it too. He will be using the new one for one purpose - to carry his Lance Slide-in Camper to and from wherever he'll be camping. It will be parked the rest of the time. He has no money issues so he can buy either truck without making a difference to his finances. Need opinions for him!
2011 - F450 CC Dually w/8 foot bed - King Ranch w/Lariat Package - 6.7L Diesel - power everything - Camper Package - price after all discounts is around $59K.
2010 Leftover - F450 CC Dually w/8 foot bed - Lariat Package - 6.4L Diesel - power everything - Towing and Camper package - price on the lot is $38,500.
He asked my opinion because I have the 6.4l - I figured I'd give him a little more to read. I told him I'd take the 2010 and invest the rest for the future. Please give your honest opinion?
Dchamberlain- the F450 is not available with a gas engine.
I'd say the 2010. It is a far stronger truck with the Dana S110 rear axle, 10lug 19.5 alcoas and about 500lbs more metal.
The 2011 F450 pickup loses all of this and is basically a rebadged F350 dually with a bigger rear spring pack and widetrack front end. It's remains a very nice and capable rig but it's not a true 1.5 ton anymore unless you order and build the chassis cab version.
Of course, both will handle any camper with ease with their great GVWR and the new 6.7 has far more power than the 6.4 and better economy with the six speed. However, since it's for a camper rather than a TT, towing power isn't essential so a 2010 should be just the ticket.
i don't buy into the story diesels don't sit well....never had any issues with any of our site trucks which can go up 4 weeks without being used when things are slow
If you're in a dry climate its not as bad, and the newer diesels don't have the turbo sticking issues the 6.0L did. When I bought my 6.0L wrecked it had sit for a few months and the turbo veins were rusted in place. It was in Portland, OR and it rains a lot there, so that probably contributed to it.
If you're in a dry climate its not as bad, and the newer diesels don't have the turbo sticking issues the 6.0L did. When I bought my 6.0L wrecked it had sit for a few months and the turbo veins were rusted in place. It was in Portland, OR and it rains a lot there, so that probably contributed to it.
4 weeks isn't that long, either. An RV hauler can sit 6 months or more, depending on how it's used.
I carried my 3000 pound Lance on my F-250 with the Camper package without any trouble. Depending on the weight of the OP's camper, I would look at the possibility of an F-250 or an F-350.
4 weeks isn't that long, either. An RV hauler can sit 6 months or more, depending on how it's used.
I carried my 3000 pound Lance on my F-250 with the Camper package without any trouble. Depending on the weight of the OP's camper, I would look at the possibility of an F-250 or an F-350.
I hear you, but anyone leaving something sitting for 6 months without running it round the block is either lazy or posted overseas...anyhow, was merely pointing out the reputation of diesels turning to dust when not used as daily drivers is a myth
For a camper I wouldn't choose to run a 3/4 ton unless I already had the truck, you'd be over the 10,000 GVWR with just 2200lbs which is nothing given the camper, people, fuel and supplies...a 350 SRW with an 11,500 GVWR would be the minimum truck I'd buy for the job, but for something that top heavy a dually is safer...
I Dont run my diesel alot, hence me just hitting 90k miles no problems. Its just like any other vehicle you have to run them to keep the batteries and the lubricants moving about. Mine sat for 6 months and the batteries died that is about it. that was my fault.
Tell your friend after he is done reading up on them get out and drive them both for a bit.
4 weeks isn't that long, either. An RV hauler can sit 6 months or more, depending on how it's used.
I carried my 3000 pound Lance on my F-250 with the Camper package without any trouble. Depending on the weight of the OP's camper, I would look at the possibility of an F-250 or an F-350.
First, his doesn't sit that long - he usually does 3 or 4 day weekends and our season is longer than 2 months as someone stated earlier. We just got back tonight! Second, I agree with your thought - I have an '08 F-250 with a small 8'6" Lance and it handles it fine but if I got on a scale, I'd probably be over GVW too. He's got a big 11 and a half foot Lance that is HEAVY - that's why he wants the F-450 dually. Thanks for all the replies so far!
It is going to be hard to find parts in the long term, and when you find them, out of warranty, they will not be cheap.
It also have some pretty obvious issues from the 6.0 generation that were seriously tackled and solved in the 6.7.
There are a few 6.7 issues, as with any new engine, but in the long haul, 6.7s are going to be plentiful as Ford will likely keep it on the same basic design for 5 to 7 years before a major refresh.
The quality of the 6.7 components are good --- unlike the indifference of the 6.4 as Navistar realized they are going to lose Ford.
Something unquantifiable about a workforce on their last legs, about to be laid off, that hits morale, and with it, minor little things that make the difference between "over the top" vs. just "ok".
Don't even think of taking a chance on the 6.4... at any price.
I would take the motor, in crate, with all the emissions gear, given to me free.
But don't expect me to pay $5,000 for it when I can buy a 6.0 right up to 2010 model year that is far less troubled.
It is going to be hard to find parts in the long term, and when you find them, out of warranty, they will not be cheap.
I have owned the 6.0 and now a 6.4. I do not consider the 6.4 to be a troubled engine. I have had no trouble with either engine but I must admit to keeping my fingers crossed with the 6.0 while reading all the troubles others were having. I don't have that feeling with the 6.4.
As for parts in the future Navistar is still producing the 6.4.