Ford - Gas or Diesel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Over55 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ford - Gas or Diesel

mailman01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

DIESEL, hands down, especially considering pulling a Fiver. The initial cost is considerably more for the diesel and as you said the routine servicing is somewhat more expensive, with the fuel filters, oil, etc, but the comfort of towing with the diesel outweighs the expense, much fewer gear changes, lower RPMs, quieter, just an all around better towing experience. And...the higher price for diesel is offset somewhat by the better towing mileage than with gas. Others may feel differently, but these are just my thoughts.

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

My vote is for diesel too. Have had Ford gas & Ford diesel trucks and the diesel seems to pull more easily & gets better mileage. I'm not mechanically inclined so I can't speak to the technical stuff but I can tell the difference pulling with the gas engine vs pulling w/the diesel & diesel does a better job in my opinion.

Cindy T

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

In the long run you are better off with the diesel.

Over55 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the comments. I should have scrolled down further in the forum and see there has been a lot of discussion. I still like to hear opinions and it is good to see that someone is listening out there.

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a 2010 Ford F-250 Diesel. We live in Nevada and tow frequently in areas where long steep climbs and descents are common. The power pulling is vastly different than with a gas engine.The tow/ haul mode on the tranny makes the descents a dream. No question, the first oil change (15 qts) and scheduled maint, was steep, but the interval is greater than with gas. Fuel costs more, but again, with just 15,000 miles on it, it gets about 12 mpg, towing or not. I wrestled with the choice, and now that we are getting a bigger rig, I'm twice as glad I went with Diesel.

Richard

GSF63 · RV-Dreams Community Member

The diesel will outperform and outlast the gas engine. The gas can match the horsepower but has a lot less torque. The diesel will give better mileage when towing.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Over55 wrote:
My wife and I are looking at getting a Ford F350 dually to tow a Montana 5th wheel. For a lot of you folks it may be a no-brainer but I have zero experience with a diesel engine and all the required maintenance. We plan on being full-timers starting in 2012.

Ford offers a 6.2L V8 gas engine that looks like it will do the job but the diesel has a lot more torque. Since fuel cost is more with the diesel and the fluid changes happen more frequently....is diesel really the best deal?

I think a diesel is minimum for towing. The maintenance is no more restrictive than for a gasser, but the filters and amount of oil required will cost you more. However, the diesel will vastly out perform the gasser for many many more miles. For instance, my engine requires 15 quarts of oil per change. Using the owner's manual, I should change oil at 7500 miles unless in severe service. Reading the manual and attempting to find "severe service" will cause you to lose your mind. I fall back on past experience and determine when to change oil. In my past life, I performed oil analysis on large stationary engines. The criteria for oil change was not based on hours, but on contaminants, metals, shear, and acidity. A testing company will furnish you with kits and pay the postage and do a complete analysis. The printout from Blackstone Testing will open your eyes.

The oil change places will blast you with "you must change oil at 3000 miles". I call BS on that, every time they try to tell me. I just quietly ask, what was the shear? What was the soot? What was the ash? How much fuel in the oil? How much metals? At that point, their eyes glaze over and they find something else to do.

The Ford 6.2 liter gasser looks like it will do the job, is just what you said. Looks like. Like the cowboy said, all looks and no go. Even though the fuel cost is greater, the mileage (when towing) is greater with a diesel. Here I go with "a friend of mine" anecdote, My diesel averages around 11 mpg towing. A friend with a V-10 Ford with a smaller trailer, less weight cannot get over 6 mpg towing. To me, that says diesel is the only way to go.

RickandJanice · RV-Dreams Family Member

There have been allot of studies on the cost of a diesel vs. gasoline engines. Trailer Life magazine did one a few years ago that was pretty accurate. Having owned both, I would have to say that overall, the operating costs are about the same. The diesel will last longer and has allot more low end torque which makes it actually run quieter when pulling a grade under tow. Having towed approximately 75K with a gas and 75K with 2 different diesels, I would recommend a diesel any day for towing.

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hiya Over55,

We have a 2010 Montana 3585SA which we tow with a 2008 F-350 Super Duty Lariat SRW.

Diesel, hands down. I do the towing, and I tell ya, our truck is a beast. Through the Smokey Mountains, through the Appalachians, no problems. Love it.

The only thing I would change, and this is no big deal, is I would have gotten a dually if I'd known for sure we were going to be full-timing. That being said, the SRW is fine and we've had no issues whatsoever. Our rig is solid as a rock on the road.

We bought our truck used from a Ford dealer and it just happened to be a 4x4. Not that I would have gotten that on purpose; however, it has come in very handy during the winter. Now I wouldn't be without it!

First time I've had pick-up, my first Ford, my first diesel and my first 4x4. Love our truck!

Welcome to the Montana Family, too!

Cheers,

Betty

-- Edited by TxYellowRose on Sunday 27th of March 2011 05:29:33 PM

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Having purchased our 5vr and dually last November in preparation for retirement on March 1 I must say the couple of opportunities we did have to get out to date have just made us want to go again. The whole rig is running right at 26K and the new Ford 6.7 liter diesel made towing seem like a non event. I never expected the ride and gas mileage, 10/15, and we're very pleased with it. The only other truck I've owned only got 15 MPG and it was a 2000 1500 with a 5.3 liter gasoline engine, so needless to say with the amenities on this Lariet we're well pleased. Sometimes when one looks at their initial investment it becomes a given that if necessary to spend a little more for it's upkeep, than that's the thing to do.

And it has 6 cupholders accessible from the front seat.

manning · RV-Dreams Community Member

You may want to look at the 2011 Ford F-150 3.5 Liter EcoBoost 365 HP 420 lbs torgue 11,500 tow.

Reports for solo MPG is said to be 21 city/29 highway

Watch the following videos. Don't miss the last one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-fCzBHVFTY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0yTTvh_Ikg&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxN3JnQ47b0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W_bbzRLdDM&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Pi00oBv3Q&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lToZuwbQhLk&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG2d_Y1bmKI

Fordiesel250 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I put my faith in the Ford diesel. Best pulling truck that I have had. Don't be afraid about the fluids and other things. Your truck will be covered by your warranty and be sure and read your manuel and change your fluids at the reccommend times.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

manning wrote:

You may want to look at the 2011 Ford F-150 3.5 Liter EcoBoost 365 HP 420 lbs torgue 11,500 tow.

Reports for solo MPG is said to be 21 city/29 highway

Watch the following videos. Don't miss the last one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-fCzBHVFTY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0yTTvh_Ikg&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxN3JnQ47b0&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W_bbzRLdDM&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Pi00oBv3Q&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lToZuwbQhLk&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG2d_Y1bmKI

Impressive engine,but it's still a half ton truck.