Went truck shopping today

[mjarrels]

Short bed... thought you were looking for a truck?

mark

 

[Chef Pa]

Have a '10 F250 5.4 3.73 and get 15 to 16 combined if staying at speed limit to 5 over. Go to 9-10 over and it's about 13 to 13.5. Bought this as a leftover when the '11 models came out and got a really good deal. Not a high end towing machine, but handles what I need just fine.

Have towed a couple of decent loads from WV to OH, largest was about 8K, and the truck did fine, even in the hills of WV/PA. Avg with that load was 9 in WV/PA, and 10.5 to 11 in the flat part of OH. Trailer was 22' flatbed BP with another vehicle as the load, so wind resistance was pretty low; no doubt mileage would go down further with a camper.

No doubt you will miss the torque of a diesel if that's what you're used to.

One thing that may help in evaluating gas trucks is to try driving in tow/haul mode for part of your test drive. I drove several trucks in my search and think shift points are programmed for mileage in OD, and some of them seem to go overboard on the shortshifting. Could just be my preference, but that's how it seemed to me.

Good luck in your search.

 

[General Lee]

Just some thought, I know you said you'd prefer gas, but Ford's new 6.7L diesel is putting out 18-22 mpg empty and a lot of guys report 10-12 towing pretty heavy. I have one and average 19 mpg around town and 22 highway. I haven't towed anything to heavy yet. They are 400hp and 800lbs torque stock.

 

[pilot-werx]

Ryan, another reason it felt sluggish is this heat. We hit 103 yesterday so that does rob some power.

That said the 6.0 does not hold a candle to the others. I have a feeling once you drive the others you will not even consider the GM unless you really like the looks or interior that much more.

By the way Fords V10 is in CC only. The 450 with a bed is only available with a diesel.

Chris

Do you own a 6.0l vehicle? Not sure what you are saying because my escalade esv is quick and hauls anything that I have dared to put behind it......

 

[Ryan03]

Your cab is rotting through in 8 years and you start with looking at another of the same brand??? I consider that blind brand loyalty.
I have no suggestion for a new truck, but fair or not that usually leaves one bashing that brand and looking for another.

I got 12 years of trouble free service out of my last service truck, (no rust) so even though I thought I was not brand loyal I ended up buying the same.

I don't blame you for looking at gassers, many more buyers are now.

Don't have real numbers, but naturally for empty driving the high gears are gonna give you better MPGs, city or highway.

JB

Rot after 8 years on a truck is not bad considering I work for a local DOT and our employee parking lot is 40 yards from a 2000 ton capacity salt dome that is full year round. A rock chip will rust in days just from the salt in the air. When it rains hard, salt will occasionaly bleed up through the lot. There are 40 or so employees cars in the lot of varing brands, foreign and domestic, and they all have rotted before 10 years, its just the way it is.

As for the mileage, I was basing my cost figures on 13 to 14 mpg for the gasser. If my estimates were way to generous, that would make a stronger case for the diesel and I would want to know that before I buy a truck. I travel mostly rural roads with a 45 to 55 speed limit, few stop signs and some moderate grades.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Do you own a 6.0l vehicle? Not sure what you are saying because my escalade esv is quick and hauls anything that I have dared to put behind it......

No, I do not and will not own anything GM but have driven them from time to time. Mostly in 2500 series trucks. It was a great motor 10 years ago but to todays standards its getting a little dated. Compare it to the others, well, there is no comparison.

Chris

 

[Wolfy]

My V-8 might get 16mpg on long highway stretches. The new 6 sp autos should improve that....I think right now, buyers of new diesels are trading huge power for reliability. Even oil changes are twice the money.

 

[Ryan03]

Do you own a 6.0l vehicle? Not sure what you are saying because my escalade esv is quick and hauls anything that I have dared to put behind it......

I personaly have never owned a 6.0 powered truck. I have driven and serviced lots of them though. A very common spec for our fleet is 2500hd 4x4 W/T, 4.10, 6.0, AC, plow and tow package 4L80 auto trans. We do not have any 6.0's newer than 06 as of right now, everything newer is Ford, as they have been coming in cheaper on state bid. The older 6.0's ran real strong in my opinion, but definately not the one I drove the other day. Just to be sure, I plan on driving another one preferably with 4.10's instead just to be sure.

 

[Wolfy]

Diamond, I like your attitude, similiar to mine, but I must say I have a Buick. It can be tough to work on, but it really is a nice car.

 

[Ryan03]

Ryan, another reason it felt sluggish is this heat. We hit 103 yesterday so that does rob some power.

That said the 6.0 does not hold a candle to the others. I have a feeling once you drive the others you will not even consider the GM unless you really like the looks or interior that much more.

By the way Fords V10 is in CC only. The 450 with a bed is only available with a diesel.

Chris

Chris, I know how the heat and humidity can rob power, but you would have had to been there to understand. It felt almost as bad as a early 90's 5.8 ford or 350 TBI chevy in a 1 ton cab and chassis. It was a SLUG !!!!!!!