My gas mileage for the past year - 2008 V10 F-250 King Ranch

[ffxhub]

When I started looking at ordering a 2008 I really thought I wanted a 6.4, but after the research and running the numbers it just wouldn't work out for me....I think it was going to take 15-20 years for the better mileage to pay for the extra cost of the diesel motor ($5700), that doesn't include any maintenance costs. So far I've been happy with the V10, does everything I need and more!! Haven't hauled much, biggest was Dad's 20' boat and as expected I didn't even know it was there. Since this is my first SuperDuty I have notice it rides better with a load then empty, just not as bouncy on the highway, but I expected that.

Finally got my mileage transferred from my log book and into a spreadsheet.

My driving is about 50/50 (city - highway) most of the time the truck is loaded with at least 500-750lbs....a little towing but it's only pulling an ATV on a 4x6 flatbed trailer....really don't even know it's there. 45% of the time the truck bed is fully loaded to the top of the camper with 2 Dobermans and gear (hunting, tailgating, building materials/supplies, etc)

I've got an ARE topper with roof racks.

Overall, the best mileage I got was 13.3mpg that was doing 55-60 on the highway....if I keep it under 70 I can hang right around 12-12.5 mpg, but if I start getting closer to 80 the mileage really drops.

So after 13 months and 7205 miles I've averaged 11.72mpg. Meter on the truck says 12.2mpg. Most miles on one tank was 408 and I was really pushing it, warning light was dinging and it said I had no miles until I was empty...put in 35.602 gallons on that fill up.

Here's the spreadsheet - Google Spreadsheet

Let me know if you have any questions, hopefully this is helpful.

[Pappy19]

Really good post. I would suggest that you install an Air Raid intake system. They are about $200 and you should gain at least 1 mpg and maybe more. I also installed the Diablo Sport Predator and run it in the "middle" setting which needs 91 octane. I use 89 octane once in a while and it has never pinged on me. I still get 11 on average, and without hills and doing 60-65, I have gotten as high as 14. It has alot more power with this Predator and Air Raid and you can really feel the higher hp and torque.

[ffxhub]

Originally Posted by Pappy19

Really good post. I would suggest that you install an Air Raid intake system. They are about $200 and you should gain at least 1 mpg and maybe more. I also installed the Diablo Sport Predator and run it in the "middle" setting which needs 91 octane. I use 89 octane once in a while and it has never pinged on me. I still get 11 on average, and without hills and doing 60-65, I have gotten as high as 14. It has alot more power with this Predator and Air Raid and you can really feel the higher hp and torque.

Thanks, my hope that was someone else looking at the V10 vs Diesel would be able to use my post to help make there decision. I know I made the right one!

I had looked into the Diablo Sport, but having to use 91 octane would increase my fuel costs, meaning it would actually cost me more to run...if there was a big difference in mileage I may consider, but for only 1 mpg I don't think it would be worth it. Not ready for power mods just yet....since the election most of my mod money has gone to ammo and firearms

The intake system is something I should consider...I know when I put a cold air intake on one of my cars I got about 2mpg better mileage, so I guess I'll need a little more research on the Air Raid system.

Other thing I really need to try is removing the roof rack bars, they stick up about 4 inches and I would bet add to the drag. Just haven't pulled them off....my problem is that as soon as I take them off I'll need them to haul something!

[MPD56]

Thanks for the interesting data. I would’ve thought you would get a little better on the highway. What rear end ratio do you have? I just came back from a 968 round trip moving my daughter. On the way there I got 15.5 MPG pulling a utility trailer loaded and on the way back I got 15 MPG with the trailer and truck empty. 80% of the time the cruise was set at 62 mph, 18% the cruise was set at 69. Last summer I got just over 10mpg pulling my 12000 pound 5th wheel at 70 mph. Driving empty I get around 17mpg on the highway driving 70mph. In town I’m lucky to see over 10mpg. I haven’t calculated the numbers but I hope that it doesn’t take 15 years to pay for the engine. I haven’t figured out why I got worse mileage returning home, but this truck never makes sense when it comes to fuel mileage. All my mileage is calculated by hand and the tank is always filled to the brim. One thing I did different is that on the way there, I used Motorcraft cetane booster ($2.00 worth). So now that I have my trailer out of storage for this camping season, I’m going to keep my eye on the mileage using additives. Thanks again for the info.

[ffxhub]

4.10 gears so I would think 3.73s would give me better mileage....but I'll live with what I have.

I just don't put as many miles on my truck as most and the numbers (paying $5500 extra for the 6.4) just didn't work for me. If I used my truck for a living or hauled a lot every weekend I may have considered the 6.4, but I only put 7000 miles on my truck last year.

If I can keep my foot out of it I can get 13 mpg or so but 65 on the interstate (65 speed limit) just doesn't work for me....

Originally Posted by MPD56

Thanks for the interesting data. I would’ve thought you would get a little better on the highway. What rear end ratio do you have? I just came back from a 968 round trip moving my daughter. On the way there I got 15.5 MPG pulling a utility trailer loaded and on the way back I got 15 MPG with the trailer and truck empty. 80% of the time the cruise was set at 62 mph, 18% the cruise was set at 69. Last summer I got just over 10mpg pulling my 12000 pound 5th wheel at 70 mph. Driving empty I get around 17mpg on the highway driving 70mph. In town I’m lucky to see over 10mpg. I haven’t calculated the numbers but I hope that it doesn’t take 15 years to pay for the engine. I haven’t figured out why I got worse mileage returning home, but this truck never makes sense when it comes to fuel mileage. All my mileage is calculated by hand and the tank is always filled to the brim. One thing I did different is that on the way there, I used Motorcraft cetane booster ($2.00 worth). So now that I have my trailer out of storage for this camping season, I’m going to keep my eye on the mileage using additives. Thanks again for the info.

[chuck_s_jr]

My 6.4l the last check is around 16 MPG that city or highway. This year I set up a spreadsheet to see what total year MPG would be. With pulling my trailer and no Load for one year and oil/filters and fuel filter. I post a year from now It be from May 2009-2010.It work fine my oil change do in may. At this time I have 34k miles on the truck. The diesel Price is less than gas price at this time make it nice About $.20 per gal.

no tuner ever thing the same as the day it left the dealer

[OMCUSNR]

Originally Posted by ffxhub

When I started looking at ordering a 2008 I really thought I wanted a 6.4, but after the research and running the numbers it just wouldn't work out for me....I think it was going to take 15-20 years for the better mileage to pay for the extra cost of the diesel motor ($5700), that doesn't include any maintenance costs. So far I've been happy with the V10, does everything I need and more!! Haven't hauled much, biggest was Dad's 20' boat and as expected I didn't even know it was there. Since this is my first SuperDuty I have notice it rides better with a load then empty, just not as bouncy on the highway, but I expected that.

Finally got my mileage transferred from my log book and into a spreadsheet.

My driving is about 50/50 (city - highway) most of the time the truck is loaded with at least 500-750lbs....a little towing but it's only pulling an ATV on a 4x6 flatbed trailer....really don't even know it's there. 45% of the time the truck bed is fully loaded to the top of the camper with 2 Dobermans and gear (hunting, tailgating, building materials/supplies, etc)

I've got an ARE topper with roof racks.

Overall, the best mileage I got was 13.3mpg that was doing 55-60 on the highway....if I keep it under 70 I can hang right around 12-12.5 mpg, but if I start getting closer to 80 the mileage really drops.

So after 13 months and 7205 miles I've averaged 11.72mpg. Meter on the truck says 12.2mpg. Most miles on one tank was 408 and I was really pushing it, warning light was dinging and it said I had no miles until I was empty...put in 35.602 gallons on that fill up.

Here's the spreadsheet - Google Spreadsheet

Let me know if you have any questions, hopefully this is helpful.

Sounds just about like my old '99. F-250 SC XLT shortbed V-10 auto. It got 11.8 to 12.3 no matter how I drove. 70 m/h or stop & go. I don't know what rear it had. I've heard the v-10s didn't come with anything other than the 4.10 back then.

[ffxhub]

Originally Posted by chuck_s_jr

My 6.4l the last check is around 16 MPG that city or highway. This year I set up a spreadsheet to see what total year MPG would be. With pulling my trailer and no Load for one year and oil/filters and fuel filter. I post a year from now It be from May 2009-2010.It work fine my oil change do in may. At this time I have 34k miles on the truck. The diesel Price is less than gas price at this time make it nice About $.20 per gal.

no tuner ever thing the same as the day it left the dealer

I think the diesel prices depends on where you live. Where I am it's usually $0.30-0.50 more than gas...and last summer when all fuel was crazy expensive it was more like $0.60-1.00 more for diesel.

Will be interested to see how your spreadsheet looks after a year. I'd really like to be able to put notes in with each fill up...like highway, towing, temp, etc...just don't want to write it all down...need an on-board computer!

[chuck_s_jr]

Is it true the V10 Is on the way out?

[ffxhub]

I believe that is the rumor....I think it's being replaced with the 6.2l Boss, but I don't think that will be out until 2011.....that's as much as I know....I'm sure others know more!

[diesel doug]

The diesels don't get the mileage they use to,so that's not a big selling point any more. However,what keeps me coming back to the diesel is the resale value. In my area at least,the gasser resales far less that the cost of the diesel option.Plus you have all of the other advantages of the diesel while you own it. Although all the new diesel emissions suck.

BTW,nice truck. I've never seen a gas King Ranch before.

[ffxhub]

Originally Posted by diesel doug

The diesels don't get the mileage they use to,so that's not a big selling point any more. However,what keeps me coming back to the diesel is the resale value. In my area at least,the gasser resales far less that the cost of the diesel option.Plus you have all of the other advantages of the diesel while you own it. Although all the new diesel emissions suck.

BTW,nice truck. I've never seen a gas King Ranch before.

I searched and searched for this truck and they said they couldn't find one any where in the US, so I had to have it ordered.

While the diesel trucks may have higher resale value, they also cost about $6000 more when you buy them....so the question you have to ask is do they have a $6000 better resale then gassers???

I also tend to keep cars so long that resale isn't much of an issue....still have an '85 F-150 my father ordered in '84....1 car with 185k miles and 1 with 142k miles.....

[diesel doug]

Originally Posted by ffxhub

.so the question you have to ask is do they have a $6000 better resale then gassers???
..

Yes,I am seeing about a 10 k difference in the gasser and diesel used value.

[Pappy19]

Originally Posted by diesel doug

Yes,I am seeing about a 10 k difference in the gasser and diesel used value.

I really find that hard to believe. When I talk to Ford dealers, they can't find enough used V-10's, but have MANY 6.0 leakers available for sale. Even the new 6.4 cablifters are easier to find than the 6.8 V-10's. Yes, the new 6.4 diesel's may have 1-2 mpg's more over time, and maybe a little better towing capability, but if you compare the 3.73 common rearend of the diesel vs. the 4.30 rear you can get with the V-10, there is little or no difference in the tow capacity. I have the standard 4.10 rear in my V-10/Torqueshift, and I can handle most any tow job a 6.4 with a 3.73 rear can; I've done it. Simple fact is that the newer diesels since they did away with the 7.3 PSD, have been crap, especially the 6.0 leaker. Just go to any Ford web site and look up the TSB's for any diesel compared to a 6.8 V-10. That will make a believer out of you....it did me.

[ffxhub]

Originally Posted by diesel doug

Yes,I am seeing about a 10 k difference in the gasser and diesel used value.

That's crazy $10k differences, if you're really seeing that then maybe diesel is the way to go for you......I just don't see that around my parts.....I didn't even include maintenance cost for diesel (oil filters and oil, etc) in my numbers and that just made it even easier to decide to go with the gasser....to each his own, good luck with whatever you decide.