I currently have a 94 F250 SC w/351 V8 Engine 202,000 miles. I am going to
buy a 2000/01 F250 SuperDuty Crew Cab but I'm trying to determine the best
engine. I need to pull a 30 ft. 5th wheel travel trailer periodically. Otherwise this is basically for highway travel. I
am considering the Triton 5.8 liter V8 or the V10 or the Powerstroke V8. I
would appreciate any thoughts on this.
25000 non towing and 2000 towing a year
Buy; All long commutes
Probably one-legger
Usually do keep the vehicles that long.
5th wheel is around 10,000
Thanks
I don't want to step on any toes over here in the "gasser" forum...but here's my opinion..
The drawbacks of the PSD are price of diesel fuel being what it is, does not yield the benefits of lower fuel costs it used to...
Also, the initial cost of the PSD engine, is substantial. Yes, they are louder, require more volume of fluids(oils,lubes, etc.)
The higher initial cost WILL be recovered in the higher mpg's you will get with the engine...but it'll take some miles(@100k, with the price of fuel). You WILL get a more durable engine, capable of a few hundred thou' miles of service, and better mpg.
I would say that with the weight of the superduties(gas or diesel), the 3 engines will get similar mpg(+/- 5).
Your 10k# 5er, will not enjoy being pulled by anything other than the PSD. This is where the mileage differences would be much more dramatic. BUT, since you only pull it @10% of the time, it is a tougher choice.(BTW-I think that is alot of towing miles behind a 5.4 or the 6.8). Let's dismiss the 5.4L...barely enough motor for an empty SD, much less trying to pull 10k.
The 6.8LV10 is a terrific engine, plenty of power for what you need...but the mileage is low empty, much lower towing 10k. Also, since you'll keep the truck for 6+years, you will have already paid for the diesel option through mileage gains, the whole time enjoying the benefits of the power.
Thanks to the GAS member's for allowing this post, please feel free to give him your opinions...
Sorry for the length of the post (lots to discuss)
RJM
I agree a lot with Dave. I bought the V10 for low mile usage (500 mi./month) and its QUIET (which may or may not matter to you). I use it to haul my camper around less than 2000 miles a year. On the other hand I just talked my brother-in-law into the PSD because he drives 25-30k per year and has a HEAVY utility body to put on it with full load of tools (electrician). DON'T consider less than V10 with that trailer. The V10 will do fine, but PSD is probably better for what you're doing. I'd still drive both and see what you like.
------------------
Y2k F350,V10,4x4,Lariat,SC,Auto,Tow pkg,camper pkg,K&N, off road,3.73,Rancho 9000, Air Ride,Long bed,Michelin LTX M/S,Lance Camper
__________________
Y2k F350, white with harvest gold trim,V10,4x4,Lariat,SC,Auto,Tow pkg,camper pkg,ESOF, so-called limited slip, off road,3.73,Rancho 9000 w/ in cab control, Ride Rite Air Bags,Long bed,Rickson 19.5" wheels, Michelin XDE-MS,Lance Camper, BugDeflector2, Stull Grill, KN., Flowmaster 50
I agree that the 5.4L probably isn't enough motor to do the job you need done. When properly equipped, the V10 is rated to tow more than the PSD in the F250 line. Mileage definitely sucks, though. Empty- I get around 10mpg in town and 14mpg on the highway at 75+ mph. Towing my 24'(~7000#) trailer at 65-70 mph drops highway mpg down to 10. Economy and power seem to be improving as I get more miles on it. Those with higher (3.73:1) gear ratios seem to get significantly better numbers.
Be sure to look over the entire '99+ section here at FDC. Search for posts regarding mileage and take note of the driving styles (speed driven) for the economy reported. Also, check out the number & volume of fluids, filters and additives that the PSD requires.
Use those "real world" numbers to calculate how long it'll take for the diesel to pay for itself. Probably not too long at almost 30,000 miles/year.
WELCOME to the site rjm1. I think you'll learn a lot here. I've only been here a short amount of time and have really learned a huge amount of stuff from all these folks.
I've got a little over 3,000 miles on my new SD with the V-10. I absolutely love the power of the engine and how quiet it is. To be perfectly honest though, with what you intend to do with the truck I think I'd have to go with the PSD. You can't really go wrong with either of the 2 engines in my opinion, but I think the PSD would suit you better.
The drawback to the V-10 is gas mileage. It's a great engine in my opinion, but like so many others have stated, I only get about 14 mpg on the highway (15 at best . . . with a good tailwind) and around 11 in the city.
As far as pulling, I haven't done a whole lot of that yet so I can't help you out much there. The only thing I've pulled so far was a fully loaded U-Haul trailer (which I estimated to be around 4,000 pounds). Pulling the trailer reduced my mpg quite a bit but other than that you couldn't even tell the trailer was back there. If I wasn't constantly looking at it in my mirrors I could have completely forgotten about it fairly easily.
I've never owned a diesel so I can't help you out a lot on that. I do know that they have much higher maintenance costs due to the volume of fluids and the like, but from what I understand they are very durable and long lasting engines. They are loud, but I personally love the sound of them so that doesn't bother me. It may bother you though. We all know they get better gas mileage which will eventually help to recover the cost of the engine and maintenance, but right now the price of diesel where I'm at is about 10 cents more per gallon than the price of Premium Unleaded. Something to consider.
Like I said, I don't think you can go wrong with either the PSD or the V-10. I don't think I would go with the 5.4L. I've never driven one though so I can't say much about them. Since you're planning to keep it for a long time, I'd recommend the PSD. I certainly think I'd test drive both of them before I made a decision. I wanted the PSD just because I wanted a diesel engine, but I wasn't ready to fork over the extra $4,700 for it. After I get a few years on mine and hopefully a few pay raises, I think I'll be trading mine in for a PSD. Us young bucks starting out at the bottom of the totem pole have to be a little more conservative with the $$$.
Good luck on making your decision. I think you'll be happy with either choice.
__________________ Gig 'Em!! Official Member of the NRA, Texas A&M Association of Former Students, Bass Angler Sportsman Society, and the Associated Bilge Rats of the Other Forum
The 5.4L engine is not an option. The Max GCWR for this engine with the 4.10 axle is 15K lbs -- to low for a 250 CC (~6K lbs empty)and a 10K trailer.
Even the GCWR for a V10 w/ the 3.73 is probably too low - it's 17K.
For gassers, Ford recommends derating these specs by 2% per 1,000 ft in altitude.
Your realistic choices are the V10 w/ 4.30 rear or the PSD - both have 20K GCWR.
For a load such as you are describing, you should also consider a 350 instead of a 250. The pin weight (2000 - 2500 lbs) of a 10K fifth wheel will overload the 250's 8,800 lb GVWR.
Good Luck!
------------------
crewzer -- Y2K F250 SD 4X2 CC SB XLT 5.4LV8 AT 4.10LS 4W-ABS TTPkg etc. Black/Silver plus 285/75R16D tires, trans cooling fan, TT gauge & Magnefine filter.
[This message has been edited by crewzer (edited 01-11-2001).]
__________________
crewzer -- Y2K F250 SD 4X2 CC SB XLT 5.4LV8 AT 4.10LS
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
