F250 6.2 V8 vs F150 Ecoboost

CJONE · Dec 17, 2013

jejeosborne said:
Only two reasons to get the ecoboost over the 5.0. NEED or ENJOY the power equivalent of the 6.2 liter engine with mileage of 5.0. If you don't tow 7000 lbs or more and haven't had your foot to the floor in recent history get the 5.0 and have possibly less future maintenance cost.

I tow heavy most of the time, My enclosed tandem axle trailer is the lightest thing I tow but it pulls a lot of air. My 22' flatbed weighs 4k empty so the EB will be my first choice. We have 7 or 8 F-150's with the 5.0 and no issues to date and they all average 17-18MPG. They run and tow better than the 5.4 I have but not a lot. So we will have to see what is out there when it comes time. CJ

deere5105 · Dec 22, 2013

After considering all options, I feel my best option is going to be to go with the 3/4 ton with gas engine. After comparing all the dimensions the 150 and 250 aren't much different in size however the 250 seems better equipped for the occasional heavy hauling with room to grow if needed. Am in no hurry to make this move but in looking at what's out there I have noticed a few nice looking F250's with the 6.8 V10. I realize that engine is still being used in the heavier trucks, but is it really that much better than the 6.2 V8?

Wolfy · Dec 22, 2013

I am not sure about the 6.2, but a mechanic told me the 6.8 is one of Fords best. Plan on burning some fuel, but at least it is a reliable engine. The '05 and up 3 valve 5.4 is a good tow engine, if you tow once in a while. Also, regardless of the engine, 4.10 gears really make the truck.

sld · Dec 22, 2013

Wolfy said:
I am not sure about the 6.2, but a mechanic told me the 6.8 is one of Fords best. Plan on burning some fuel, but at least it is a reliable engine. The '05 and up 3 valve 5.4 is a good tow engine, if you tow once in a while. Also, regardless of the engine, 4.10 gears really make the truck.

I second the advice to get the right gears. The 4:10 would be minimum and many F250's will have 4:30's like mine.

The V10 and the 5.4 get just about the same mileage. Get the V10.

zpak · Dec 23, 2013

Hi all, I have been watching this thread and have recently made the move to a 2013 F250 6.2 with 3.73 gears, last truck was a 2011 F150 5.0 with the 3.73 and tow package. I don't have much experience with the ecoboost but know a couple guys that have them and they love them for what they use them for (both tow river boats up to 6k) I have towed 8-9k ocean boats and enclosed trailers with the F150 and they definitely put a strain on that truck...even though the truck was rated at 9500 lbs towing it was strained by the weight...the motor was capable but as far as braking and overall driving experience while towing I was never comfortable in the F150. I have now had the chance to tow both boat and enclosed trailer with the F250 and it is set up to perform the task with ease, you need to be satisfied with the motor making its hay up high in the RPM range because that's where the 6.2 shines. I understand you are talking about short trips/daily driver so I will comment on gas mileage, if towing in flat country I would expect anywhere from 13-16 mpg, I am getting 13-15 hwy but there is no such thing as a flat stretch of road up here in AK and the winter months are harder on mileage too. Towing I was getting 7.5-8.5 and that was mostly hwy with a lot of mountainous terrain. I am very satisfied, the 3.73 gears do fine as ford does a remarkable job of setting up their 6 speed transmission with low gearing on the first couple gears...now the 4.30 will do even better but I do not tow very frequently and If I need the extra power up high I will lock out 6th gear so I opted for the 3.73 for overall gas mileage while empty...also it is almost impossible to find a 4.30 at a dealer so if you want one it will most likely have to be special order. Good luck in your search.

deere5105 · Dec 23, 2013

zpak said:
Hi all, I have been watching this thread and have recently made the move to a 2013 F250 6.2 with 3.73 gears, last truck was a 2011 F150 5.0 with the 3.73 and tow package. I don't have much experience with the ecoboost but know a couple guys that have them and they love them for what they use them for (both tow river boats up to 6k) I have towed 8-9k ocean boats and enclosed trailers with the F150 and they definitely put a strain on that truck...even though the truck was rated at 9500 lbs towing it was strained by the weight...the motor was capable but as far as braking and overall driving experience while towing I was never comfortable in the F150. I have now had the chance to tow both boat and enclosed trailer with the F250 and it is set up to perform the task with ease, you need to be satisfied with the motor making its hay up high in the RPM range because that's where the 6.2 shines. I understand you are talking about short trips/daily driver so I will comment on gas mileage, if towing in flat country I would expect anywhere from 13-16 mpg, I am getting 13-15 hwy but there is no such thing as a flat stretch of road up here in AK and the winter months are harder on mileage too. Towing I was getting 7.5-8.5 and that was mostly hwy with a lot of mountainous terrain. I am very satisfied, the 3.73 gears do fine as ford does a remarkable job of setting up their 6 speed transmission with low gearing on the first couple gears...now the 4.30 will do even better but I do not tow very frequently and If I need the extra power up high I will lock out 6th gear so I opted for the 3.73 for overall gas mileage while empty...also it is almost impossible to find a 4.30 at a dealer so if you want one it will most likely have to be special order. Good luck in your search.

This is exactly the kind of personal first hand experience I was looking for. After looking around you are correct about the gear ratio availability too. I have seen several new units available, but not one with the 4.30 gear set. I have read in many forums where it was stated the owner reduced the available gears to compensate for the higher gear ratio.

My current plans are to hold off on making a change for 12 months or so, but as I begin to look the urge gets stronger! Then that made me wonder is the 6.8 V10 really that much better than the 6.2 V8. Since it is no longer a current F250 option, should I seek out a low mileage unit and move forward now. Have read a few negative comments on the V10 regarding reliability, not performance, but have found nothing negative on the V8.

vrmnthntr · Dec 23, 2013

A local repair shop owner bought himself a 2011 either F450 or 550 tow truck with the V10 a few years ago. I asked him why he went with Ford and not GM, because he was a diehard GM fan, or a diesel. He said all of the V10's that come in his shop are just for maintenance. No common problems and they are strong.

He found a new one that was over a thousand miles away and went to get it.

He still has it and uses it most often.

deere5105 · Dec 23, 2013

vrmnthntr said:
A local repair shop owner bought himself a 2011 either F450 or 550 tow truck with the V10 a few years ago. I asked him why he went with Ford and not GM, because he was a diehard GM fan, or a diesel. He said all of the V10's that come in his shop are just for maintenance. No common problems and they are strong. He found a new one that was over a thousand miles away and went to get it. He still has it and uses it most often.

Believe the only negative I have heard on the V10 is it spitting spark plugs. That being said don't recall hearing any maintenance issues on the 6.2 V8.

zpak · Dec 23, 2013

The v10's have their die hard followers and they are getting harder and harder to come by as they are so sought after. Compared to the 6.2 the v10 makes its power lower in the rpm range which is the biggest gripe the v10 owners who went to the 6.2 have, but then again the 6.2 does a similar job of towing (as long as you don't mind hearing that sweet v8 sing) and also gets a little better gas mileage which is where I think ford was going with this by dropping the v10 is making an engine that is durable, gets decent mileage, and has a good amount of power. If you are looking for more power you can always tune the 6.2.