Fellas, I've always had f150's. My 01 S-crew FX4 has 246000+ miles so I'm certainly in the market for a new (doesn't have to be brand new)truck. Looking at f250s just so I can get a camper. Can ya'll tell me about what the 5.4, 6.8 v10 and 6.0 pwrstk each get on fuel mileage and how the 5.4 is compared to the two torque monsters (Will it pull a 32ft 5th whl decent)?? Oh, it will be a 4X4 crew cab.

 

if you are going that big on the trailer you need the v10 or diesel. I just bought an 08 v10 and love it. mileage is around 13.5 -14 on the highway and 10 around town but it only has 700 miles on it. pulls my 27 ft enclosed way better than my 150 with the 5.4 did

 

the V-10 is like an extra $500 and worth every penny. The diesel will pull better than the V-10 but you put a turbo on the V-10 with like 6psi and you'll make the diesel guys envious plus have the easier cold weather starts.

if you have never driven a 5.4 powered superduty save yourself the dissappointment and don't waste your time.

Stick with the V-10, 7.3 or 6.0 if you're looking at used trucks, also look for a 4.10 or 4.30 geared truck as they will pull better than the 3.73 geared trucks

 

In reverese, I've always driven diesels and now drive a 2008 Supercrew. You will be thoroughly impressed with either the V-10 or the 6.0L diesel over your F-150. I towed a 27 foot Jayco Jay Feather at 6,000# GVW, and all I can say is I am glad I am tweaked with custom tunes. I dumped the trailer last weekend for a 31 foot North Trail at 6,900# GVW and just because of the wide-trax axles and the sloping front end, there is a world of difference.

I enjoy towing as much as camping, but if I have a chance, I will go back to the diesel, or a V-10 at worst... unless the new six speed makes a remarkable difference in the 2009 F-150.

As said above, you will never pull that large of a fiver with the 5.4L in a Superduty... at least not to your liking.

 

The 3V V10 with 4:30 rear will pull as well as a 6.0L with a 3.73 rear. If you are pulling heavy loads MOST of the time the diesel is the better choice.

 

take it from me.. dont get a 5.4 2v superduty. mine has been great as far as reliability but the power just isnt there. my buddy just bought a 08 f150 with the 5.4 3v and i could definitely tell the difference.

 

my 2001 f250 7.3L power stroke i sold for my current truck



Hate to say it but i really regret it now. I love my truck but i miss the towing power and gas mileage of my diesel.

 

The 6 speed is night and day different with the old 5.4, I think the new 5.4 is running a torquier cam but my company ride is a 08 expediton EL w/ 3.73s and the new 6 speed it pulls like a champ, it makes the old 4 speed units look like 1970s technology. The extra low 1st and 2nd gears get the load going and it's all smooth rolling from there. The only issues I have is that ford doesn't give you a tap shift like GMs 6 speeds have. It would be nice to command gears in various situations?

As to the v-10 vs diesel, yes, at 1,000 feet they'll run similar. wait till you hit your first 5,000 foot pass and that 10 is sucking for air while the diesel is still plugging away.

 

Not really...engine management systems today compensate well for changes in altitude.

 

even with the price of diesel they cost less per mile and you'll always have plenty of power. Only downside is they cost more to maintain but if you keep them up to date they run like champs. I wouldnt really take cold starts into consideration they almost all have heaters on them you just plug in at night. Might take 15 minutes instead of 5 as long as theyre plugged in. They dont really take long at all the rest of the day afterwards

 

Go with the diesel for sure. Definately worth the extra money, and will last you longer. My 6.0, on long trips on the freeway I can get 19-20MPG going 70-75. Towing my 5k boat I get about 15-16 on the highway. Overall MPG on weekly basis is always over 16. This is all hand calculated. I do have a 4x2 though and the 3.73 gear ratio with helps keeping the RPM's down on the freeway. I would look for an 05 or newer diesel. 05-07 are very reliable and I'm sure you can find some great deals right now with this horrible economy.....

 

There are V10's well over 300K miles out there as well, still very reliable, and less maintenance cost.

 

Fellas, Found a '03 F250 Crew FX4 Lariat swb w/ 141,000, but in really superb condition. Was a little concerned w/ the miles, but, everyone- even the 6.0 owners told me the 7.3 is the way to go and that the miles shouldn't be a concern given the truck was well maintained. You really can't know for sure but judging from the interior and exterior it looks like it was well maintained. Wish me luck.

 

Should last for awhile...enjoy!

 

I have a 99 F250 Diesel and I love it! It is an extended cab, long bed - its a pain in the butt to park but pulls great. There is not much room for people to sit comfortably in the back but it is there if I need it. I like the long bed because when I have my horse trailer hooked to my truck, I dont have to worry about the trailer getting into the back glass as easy as the short beds. My trailer completely loaded and with horses is about 8000+ pounds. So, I am pretty sure that it will pull the camper you are looking at because those campers are usually lighter than horse trailers.The fuel milage is not wonderful but I could improve it if I slowed down - with a trailer loaded down I get about 12mpg - without a trailer I get about 16mpg - if I drive about 65mph rather than the 75mph that I normally drive, my mpg goes up by about 2 gallons. The older (late 90's, early 00's) F250s tend to pull better than the newer ones but the newer ones get better fuel milage. My Grandma has a 07 and it gets about 18-20mpg if you drive about 60-65. She does not like it as well as her old 99 when it comes to pulling. Hope this helps...