V-10 tow question - Diesel Forum

bogeyb · 05-19-2009, 07:47 PM

I have a 6.0L now and am considering going to the V-10 with an 09 or 2010 F-250. My question is to those who tow trailers, will this tow my 12,500 pound loaded fifth wheel? That is the weight I have weighed in at before a three month trip and I think that is the most I would ever have in my RV. My 6.0L does an admiral job at towing but I am thinking of going back to gas, since having problems with my dsl. and the new 6.4L gets worse mileage than the 6.0L does. Just wondering what you owners of the V-10 think about your experiences towing, any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Pappy19 · 05-19-2009, 09:13 PM

If you will take some time to read some of these past posts, you will find out that the new V-10 will handle anything a 6.4 will. The biggest difference is in the torque of the 6.4 is slightly higher. The down sides of running a diesel out-weigh the few advantages INHO. If you tow heavy alot or have a large 5er, then just get the V-10 with the Torqueshift Auto and a 4.30 rear end. If you get the F-450 and a V-10, you can get a 4.88 rear and tow a 5 bedroom house.

twinbulls · 05-20-2009, 12:57 AM

I say for the next year or two get the V10 and do some upgrades and you will be happy

With a air kit, a tunner and exhust you should be fine with a v10 and I am sure you wont see a dealer for service for a long time....Maybe for a oil change...LOL

Pass on that 6.4 till the bugs are worked out.....

akrewat · 05-20-2009, 11:48 AM

There is a great guy who is a sponsor on another website that makes excellent tunes for the 3-valve V10, but I don't think I can mention it here.

camperguy99 · 05-23-2009, 02:07 PM

I have a 2001 V10, F350, 4x4, 4.30 gears and tow a 2007 Keystone Challenger that is about the 12,500# you have. I weigh right at 19,800# on the CAT scales. I just returned from a Moab, Utah trip back over two major passes. Both Vail Pass and the tunnel approach are in 1st gear, 30 MPH and almost 5000 RPM! This morning reg gas was $2.26 and diesel was $2.16 here in Loveland, CO. All of this plus the 6-8 MPG will bring me to the new 6.7L diesel next year.

Pappy19 · 05-24-2009, 11:56 AM

I wish you luck with the new 6.7 diesel. If you have diesel on the brain, then you should look at a good used 7.3, say a 2002-2003. As far as fuel prices go, this is one of 2-3 times in the past 10 years where diesel is at or near regular gas prices. I can't say about the up-coming 6.7 engine, but any problems with the new 6.4, and the whole cab must be lifted to work on it. Imagine how difficult and how expensive that's going to be when the warranty runs out.

CZDiesel · 05-24-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappy19

I wish you luck with the new 6.7 diesel. If you have diesel on the brain, then you should look at a good used 7.3, say a 2002-2003. As far as fuel prices go, this is one of 2-3 times in the past 10 years where diesel is at or near regular gas prices. I can't say about the up-coming 6.7 engine, but any problems with the new 6.4, and the whole cab must be lifted to work on it. Imagine how difficult and how expensive that's going to be when the warranty runs out.

In the past "TEN" years? Just two years back before ULS diesel came out it was consistantly $1 a gallon less than reg. Also you all have to get over the 7.3! Yea it was a great diesel but it is DEAD! Hasn't been made in over 7 years! We all love Fords V-10's and the 7.3's but no reason to knock the 6.0's or the 6.4's here. Both can be and are outstanding platforms to tow with when serviced and used correctly...
To the OP... Yes the V-10 will do a great job with the weights you are considering but know it is not a turbo diesel. It will not handle elevation and long pulls as well. It will do them but not as well as your 6.0 and you will really suffer with mileage when having to takle either...

bogeyb · 05-26-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappy19

I wish you luck with the new 6.7 diesel. If you have diesel on the brain, then you should look at a good used 7.3, say a 2002-2003. As far as fuel prices go, this is one of 2-3 times in the past 10 years where diesel is at or near regular gas prices. I can't say about the up-coming 6.7 engine, but any problems with the new 6.4, and the whole cab must be lifted to work on it. Imagine how difficult and how expensive that's going to be when the warranty runs out.

It may not have been the 10 yrs but it has been since about 04 or so that diesel prices have been higher than regular gas. I had an 00 excursion with the 7.3l and diesel was much cheaper than gas. Then I bought my 03 6.0L and it wasn't long afterwards that the diesel shot up in price. A friend of mine bought the 6.4L after having a 7.3L and a 6.0L and is very upset with the fuel mileage the 6.4L is getting compared to the 6.0L. We have coffee together daily and the fuel mileage subject is an almost always talked about topic. I haven't done the math but I would imagine the payback on fuel prices with the diesel vs the gas plus the extra cost of the diesel engine would be a very long time. I love the way my 6.0L pulls my trailer but the convenience of fuel, and service anywhere you stop it just seems to make more sense to me right now to buy a V-10 when its time to trade up IMHO. I just hope they keep making them as I am not ready to purchase one just yet!

OMCUSNR · 05-26-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogeyb

I have a 6.0L now and am considering going to the V-10 with an 09 or 2010 F-250. My question is to those who tow trailers, will this tow my 12,500 pound loaded fifth wheel? That is the weight I have weighed in at before a three month trip and I think that is the most I would ever have in my RV. My 6.0L does an admiral job at towing but I am thinking of going back to gas, since having problems with my dsl. and the new 6.4L gets worse mileage than the 6.0L does. Just wondering what you owners of the V-10 think about your experiences towing, any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

And, it's rumored that the V-10 is going bye-bye this year too. I had a 99 F-250 V-10, and liked it. It got 12m/g all the time. I never had a chance to tow with it, but it handled passes fine empty. The big place I would be concerned with is where you are towing in high elevation. Anything over 5k, and it'll be gasping for air. It'll do it, just not as fast or as comfortable as the diesel.

If fuel economy is a concern, than the gasser may be the way to go. But I don't think I'll ever go back to gas now.

OMC

Pappy19 · 05-26-2009, 11:04 PM

Sorry, but I have to disagree. I have towed with this newer V-10, a 2008, with the Torqueshift tranny up to at least 12k, over many mountains in Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. I have the 4.10 rear. My V-10 never gasped for air and topped those mountains without a wimper. The high rev engine with the Torqueshift in Tow/Haul kept up with everthing I went over.....and down. Maybe the earlier V-10's combined with the old R4100 tranny had an issue (like the 6.0leaker didn't??), but this new setup is hard to beat. And guess what, no egt's to worry about!!!