F-250 V-10 Vs Diesel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

F-250 V-10 Vs Diesel

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

It all gets back to the numbers. How much weight do you want to tow and is the particular engine / suspension rated accordingly. as always, everytime you go to the edge you lose options and probably shorten the life of the vehicle.

If you are going to be a fulltimer, or may want to upgrade your rig in the future, then the cost of the diesel engine and larger capacity truck becomes more practical and a better investment.

Good luck,

mailman01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Pulling 9000 lbs would definitely strain a 5.3. The Diesel would not be overkill for this load (IMHO). There are 2010 model F-250 Diesels available at reasonable prices (6.4) that are price competitive with upper end gassers. A little more foresight a couple of years ago would have saved me several thousands of $$$ and avoided the hassle of going through a couple of truck trades. Had I only bought the Diesel instead of the gas the first time out of the chute, but hindsight---certainly highlights a hastily made decision. Pay now or Pay later. If you know a current Ford employee or retiree and can take advantage of their "X" Plan, that would also save quite a bit as well reduce the haggling with the salesman, since this price is determined by Ford and is about 2% above Invoice..cut and dried. That is what I did, and I think the deal was OK, everyone was happy. Just my thoughts...As one wiser than I once said, "one can never have too much truck."

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Fred. We do plan on full-timing in spring or fall of 2011,as we are selling our business in stages, and the last is June of 2011. The Jayco is probably as much trailer as we want for quite a while, but as you say, the truck is another matter.We've had every type of RV over the years, and lived in a Class A for several months between houses, but the choice of vehicle was not an issue with the A's and C's, and the TT's and one 5th, were much shorter,lighter units. It seems to me that the Diesel is the way to go, since I want to buy the truck just once.

Richard

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you so much. I'm sure you are 100% correct about never having too much truck. Like you, I can take advantage of the X plan. Both my business vehicles were purchased that way (my neighbor across the street is a Ford retiree, who is always willing to get me that plan). I remember him telling me that the difference was substantial the more the vehicle invoiced at. Some of the current promos apply as well. Your input is very important,because like you, I had, over the years, had occasions where I didn't have enough truck, but thought that occasional use made that less of a problem.After a serious accident, to which the wrong truck contributed, I've tried to avoid that mistake again Since I want this truck to last a long time, I need to get it right. You have given me that info. The fact that you have just that vehicle is especially helpful.

Richard

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have commercial experience with the V-10’s and diesels. While the V-10’s were sort of “OK,” for us they were not very efficient and basically had two more cylinders to feed fuel into. Others may love them, if so, good for you.

I agree with Fred and would really recommend the diesel over a V-10. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, your pick. I think in the long run you will be more pleased with the diesel and not so impressed with the V-10 regardless of what you tow.

Richard, I think you’re comments are right on the money. Someday, that “overkill diesel” may just get you out of jam and besides, the smile on your face when you tow with a diesel is worth something even on a flat road. Diesels really are much “more better” towing.

My 2 cents

Safe travels

Bill

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Something just came to mind. For anyone considering buying a Ford truck a few months down the road, Ford gives a discount of $500. to anyone who is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. The cost is around $35 a year. However, you must have been a member 6 months to qualify. Just a suggestion.

Dakota Grey · RV-Dreams Community Member

I currently pull a TT that weighs 9400 max wt with my F350 diesel. Our previous TT weighed 5500 max wt. My thinking when I bought the truck was that I did not want to be forced to upgrade when I moved up in trailer. In addition if you are going to do any traveling at altitude you will notice a difference between a diesel and gas in performance. Our TT will very likely be enough trailer for us for a while so I don't have to worry about getting a bigger truck. That is from my perspective, not necessarily what will work for someone else.

dewwood · RV-Dreams Family Member

As stated earlier the V-10's will do the job but they get about the same fuel mileage empty as they do towing. The diesels do much better both towing and especially just driving empty. Like someone else said it makes no matter the brand it pretty well holds true across the board. Good luck with whatever you decide.

DagoRanch · RV-Dreams Family Member

All of the towing benefits aside, another reason I'm going diesel is longevity. I don't buy new vehicles anymore, I've sworn off of them. It is not uncommon to see diesel's put on 300,000 - 500,000 miles before "needing" a major overhaul. The same cannot be said for gas engines, although there are exceptions to the rule, with diesel's it's clearly the rule.

Some simple physics at work, diesel engines spin much slower than there gas counterparts, in fact red-line on a diesel is usually around 3,000 rpm's half of what most gas engines redline at, at 6,000 rpm's. Gas engines rely on faster turning internals to generate their power, therefore their powerband is always realized higher up in the rpm range. Diesels make all their power down low in the powerband, which for towing is exactly what you want.

So because of the slower spinning internals you gain: Longevity, gas mileage(especially when empty) and pulling power.

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Many thanks to all of you. Diesel it is. We'll start the process next week. Am going to get an X plan price from my Ford Dealer, although he doesn't have what I want in stock,so I may have to wait for a 2011 model. Am going to check Chevy/GMC as well, as my son-in-law, who lives in a different state got a great price on a Chevy 2500 Diesel. I know I'll feel safer with the stronger truck.

Richard

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Might also be a good idea to look at the resale market. I've read of some people saving a load of money on a low mileage used unit.

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thx, I plan to do that. I've noticed some good prices on E-Bay, and have bought vehicles there,as well as CarMax, in the past. Generally, new car dealers here in Las Vegas have a VERY bad rep.We've bought business vehicles from one of the Ford dealers here,and have been pleased, but had terrible experiences with several others,including the other Ford Group,so I do plan to look for low mileage trucks as well as to price new. We have lots of time,so we'll be thorough. BTW, what would be considered low mileage on a diesel truck?

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kind of have to agree with Fred. We found a Ford F450 a few months back with only 46000 miles priced at $36000. We actually got it cheaper than that, saving a LOT of money over buying a new F450.

I noticed another one a while ago at my local dealer. This one has a few more miles on it and isn't as luxurious (ours is a King Ranch version), but it is still in around the same price range.

So, the used ones are still out there as an option for you.

Terry

Edit: I noticed your question regarding mileage after I posted the above. In my opinion, it would be anything under 75,000 miles. But, I'm not that familiar with the Ford diesel engines, so check with others.

The F450 I referred to above is at Diffee Ford in El Reno, OK. Here is a link to the web page with the pickup on it:

http://www.diffee.com/preowned_inventory.php?vehicle%5Fguid=707efe1b%2D9732%2D4b7e%2Dbaf5%2Dab6fb6cb8b59

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 26th of March 2010 01:01:37 PM

DagoRanch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
I noticed your question regarding mileage after I posted the above. In my opinion, it would be anything under 75,000 miles. But, I'm not that familiar with the Ford diesel engines, so check with others.

I guess I like to take risks! biggrin

My gem of a vehicle I picked up last Saturday has .....drumroll.....

215,000 Miles

Some of you may think I'm crazy, but I've had very good luck with high mileage vehicles. As long as they've been cared for and maintained well, there's no reason to believe that you can't get hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of miles out of one, especially a diesel.

Another way to look at it: Let's say my F350 Dually that I bought last week needs a new motor and transmission tomorrow. Would I still be happy with the purchase?

My answer would be yes. The truck is in that great of shape that putting another say $10K into it, if I had to, wouldn't upset me much.

I will say that it's not easy to find the gems out there, but be patient and you too could own a worthy tow vehicle that won't break the bank.

Just for the sake of complete honesty, my target mileage for a used F350 Diesel Dually 4X4 was 150,000 and my budget was $15K. So I bent the mileage rule because of the outstanding condition and came in $500 under budget.