Hey all,

I'll be in the market for a new truck come early spring/summer of 2011. Currently have a '08 F150, but my business (contractor/builder) will probably be expanding/relocating, so I'm planning a F250, crew cab XLT, 4x4. I've never owned a diesel before, but I test drove an '11, awesome truck, awesome power from the new diesel, no turbo lag!!! I was considering a gasser/6.2, but after driving the new diesel, and reading of some of your mileage reports, it seems the diesel may actually be a "cheaper" decision in the long run...

How will these new trucks handle semi-shorter trips in the winter months?

How much does your dealer maintenance cost you? (oil/filter changes)

Anything else I should know, consider before signing the check?

Thanks!!

 

Just buy the truck and enjoy driving it. There have been many posts here asking the same questions. The end result is always the same. See first sentence...

 

I'm new to the diesel world as well and I've got just over 3,000 miles on my 2011 now. Lovin' every minute of it! Just know that even though the gas mileage is great... the truck as a whole is going to cost a bit more than a gasser...
Things to consider... dual batteries, mine has 20" rims so the first set of tires are going to hurt a bit, oil changes are considerably more (can't tell you how much as I've not changed it yet), air filter, diesel, the new uria exhaust additive.
Even with this said, there's no going back for me!

 

Have you actually compared the cost of tires? Until recently you could actually buy the 20" tires cheaper than 17s or 18s. The cost is comparable now for like branded tires. The selection of tires available in 20" is pretty small, that's the biggest downside that I've seen.

 

No, your right. I've not compared them to the 20's just yet. I do know that when I upgraded on my last 1/2 ton from P's to LT's, the increase was a lot. Theory would follow that 20's will cost more than 18's. It would be pleasant to discover as you point out that I might find them for the same or less.

 

X2...get what you like and love what you get!

 

My last oil change on my '06 diesel (a few months ago) was almost $700. But that was synlube, and I just happened to be doing the transmission and differentials too. And filters also, incl. fuel and trans. But I drove 20K miles between engine oil drains with oil analysis, so it wasn't as frequent as stock (which to me justified the extra cost of synthetics). I tried going 25K miles between oil changes, but that seemed a bit long according to test results. Anyway, traded her in at 111K miles. Was a great truck! Miss her...but love the new girl too.

 

Wow, Overkill! That's a pricey fluid exchange!

I had two oil changes done on my '08 6.4L before it suffered a tragic and violent death. Both at dealers, one was my first free oil change that should have cost $99.99 and the other was $69.99.

I typically do my own oil changes on everything, the only reason I didn't with my '08 was because I moved to a new area and didn't have a place to work on it.

I can do an oil change on my 6.7L for ~$55 if I do it myself. 13 Quarts of oil($40) and a Motorcraft filter($16). This is what I'll be doing.

Fuel filters are over $70 right now, but may come down as the ones for the 6.4L trucks were around $45.

 

You may want to take a look here...http://www.dieselfiltersonline.com/F...s-Fd-4615.aspx

 

I too am a contractor, and I would suggest getting the F350 for the increased payload rating just in case the eye of the law is watching. The F250 SRW is rated for a max of 10,000 GVW and the F350 SRW is rated for a max of 11,500 GVW. That extra 1500 lbs comes in handy sometimes.

 

Another question I have is about the urea. I realize the trucks haven't been out long enough for the general public to experience cold weather in them, but during a dodge diesel test drive, the salesman brought to my attention that the urea is a waterbased product, and that it will freeze. In saskatchewan, we're subject to weeks of -30c or colder. Does the urea tank have a heater in it?

 

From what I understand, the urea tank and lines are heated and the lines are cleared at shutdown to prevent freezing. GM and Ford do this. Dodge will do it too when they finally come on board with DEF.

 

You're gonna love the 2011 diesel, awesome engine. Get the 1-ton SRW so you can haul practically anything and still be legal. Head to head the Duramax out ran it on pickuptrucks.com but I would still go ahead with your plans as that's only one test.

btw, maint costs on diesels are WAY over stated by those without experience with them and they sit just fine too...lot of myths perpetuated by the gasser brigade.

 

this is correct

 

I have a spare (Motorcraft FD4615) in my truck now and only paid $59.90 to my door ($50.95 + $8.95). This includes the DFCM filter and the secondary unit.
DFO shows them for $52.19 currently.