Ford 6.2 V8 gas

[kevinstennes]

I don't want to open a can of worms here--

I have long been a Ford PowerStroke guy (since the mid 90s). However, I now have 2 F150s with the 5.0 (a 2012 and a 2015). I'm not going to replace the 2012 for a couple of years, but doing some planning anyways. I drive about 25K highway miles per year (on each truck) and only about 10% of that is towing the 27' TT.

My 5.0s (both SCrew 4x4 with 3.55) do between 18 and 21 mpg easy highway driving. 8.5-10 towing the trailer. (2015 beats the 2012 hands down).

Those of you that have the 6.2--Is there a noticeable enough difference in power while towing to make the other 90% of my miles worthwhile while receiving lower fuel mileage? Obviously the F250 suspension, brakes, etc. will be much preferred while towing. Just want to get honest feedback of the pros and cons of the 6.2 with regards to purchase price, maintenance costs, repair expectations, fuel mileage etc.

I would love another PowerStroke, but the upfront purchase price, DEF, etc., etc. make me consider another option.

Throw it at me!

[Teamfour]

I came from a 2011 F150 EB that was tuned with a big intercooler, so the change to a 6.2 was a tiny step backwards. However, the stability of the F250 is well worth the small power decrease. Both would avg about 9 mpg towing the rig in my sig. But the 6.2 only gets about 12 mpg in the city vs 16 mpg city for the EB. Good thing I only commute 2 miles per day.

IMHO, I would think the 6.2 would be worth it over a 5.0 (unless it was the 525 hp 5.0 in my Cobra replica).

[GMCdiesel]

I sold 2011 F350 in December. 4x2 ,3:73 gears.
My mileage was 13.2 MPG with ladder rack and two tool boxes.
I towed my trailer only once with Ford and it was struggle.Trailer weight 8,300lb.
Went from Ohio to Illinois,300 miles,no hills. Going 65mph trans in 4th gear.When I was going over highway overpass it downshift to 3rd gear.Mileage was 7.1mpg.
If you go with gas engine get 4:30 gears.

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by GMCdiesel

I sold 2011 F350 in December. 4x2 ,3:73 gears.
My mileage was 13.2 MPG with ladder rack and two tool boxes.
I towed my trailer only once with Ford and it was struggle.Trailer weight 8,300lb.
Went from Ohio to Illinois,300 miles,no hills. Going 65mph trans in 4th gear.When I was going over highway overpass it downshift to 3rd gear.Mileage was 7.1mpg.
If you go with gas engine get 4:30 gears.

Interesting,

I pulled our VLite that weighed 8700 and 4 adults in our 4x4 crew cab (truck weighs almost 7300lbs with no one in it and a full tank of gas) through Tennessee. It hauled the hills most times in 4th as I manually shift and very seldom had to drop to 3rd always ran in 5th on the flats. I could pass semi's going up the hills and we averaged 8.6 MPG hand calculated. Mind you, I always run on 91 octane when towing and the engine does make more power according to Ford Engineers. I would recommend 4:30 gears though if you can get them, I had no choice as we bought used.

[Learjet]

6.2 Super Duty is a great combo...if you order... get the 4.30... all upside will very little loss in MPG...1 MPG less on avg for non-towing.

FYI pulling 12,000 lb 5'er with 6.2. and 3.73 axle and over 6000 miles behind me with this combo

[Wheels Down]

I just purchased a new 2016 F250 Lariat 6.2L with a 3.73 rear end. I have a Flagstaff 27 BEWS waiting to be picked up next week. (After the PDI) I purchased a Equalizer 4 Point Hitch to buckle things together.
For now the mileage is around 13 on the highway. I'm expecting a lower number when I hitch up.
I wanted more frame, drive train and braking to tow the trailer which may come in at 9K wet. The truck is rated for 19K. So my 20% is way out there. I was not aware I was giving up power?
I understand the EB has almost the same horsepower and maybe more torque, but I did not want to wind out the drive train and make it work any harder than it had to.
This is my set up- good or bad it rolls !
RMc

[wrvond]

Moved from a 5.4L 3V F150 to the 6.2L. Suspension is less car-like but I enjoy it more than the Lincoln and lots more than the 150. I drive 62 miles a day one way to work, averaging right at 14 mpg. Towing earns me about 11 mpg, but it does pull very nicely. The F150 was adequate, the F250 is pulling in style!

[Wheels Down]

I was headed for the 150 with EB. While shopping on the lot I found my 250. Certified Pre-Owned. 3700 miles on it. Bought a 7 yr./100000 mile bumper to bumper warranty (because of pre-owned) and a 3 yr/36000 mile maintenance plan. First 7 oil changes are on them.
All said and done came in about 14K less than a new one and about the same price as the 150 all built up to tow heavy.
Pretty much helped me make my mind up as to which truck to buy.
RMc

[kevinstennes]

Thanks, all, for the input! Very much appreciated. It certainly helps to receive real life reviews from real people--not the manufacturers bragging up their products! Not sure what rig I will upgrade to when the time comes, but I will keep the 6.2 as a realistic option.

[bpadamson]

We pull a TH, close to 10,000 fully loaded with our Ford. It loves the flat and pulls like a dream. Out in our country of course there are those steep places between the short flat roads. I am in 4th over every hill. But when you think about the tranny, 5th and 6th are both OD so I don't have too many issues. We went to the west coast and Yellowstone last summer. With 3.73 and oversized tires I am not geared as well as stock. Am looking at the 4.30 this summer as a change out. i have the SCT chip and run 91 octane, empty over 16mpg if I don't play with the go peddle.

[kevinstennes]

Originally Posted by bpadamson

We pull a TH, close to 10,000 fully loaded with our Ford. It loves the flat and pulls like a dream. Out in our country of course there are those steep places between the short flat roads. I am in 4th over every hill. But when you think about the tranny, 5th and 6th are both OD so I don't have too many issues. We went to the west coast and Yellowstone last summer. With 3.73 and oversized tires I am not geared as well as stock. Am looking at the 4.30 this summer as a change out. i have the SCT chip and run 91 octane, empty over 16mpg if I don't play with the go peddle.

Great info! Since I'm driving empty about 90% of the time, would you suggest getting the 3.73, rather than 4.30? If I get oversize tires, they probably wouldn't be much larger than stock.

[Wheels Down]

The 4.30 Rear End.
How much better would it be than my 3.73? (Better gas mileage, power, torque. All of the above?)
How hard would it be to change out? And for how much?
Just a few questions I'm sure someone can answer.
Thanks,
RMc

[lbrjet]

Check with Ford first if warranty would allow the change. You don't need the 4.30's with your trailer anyway. From what I can tell from the Forest River website your GVWR will be in 7800 lb area. Even if it was a 1000 lb more than that the 3.73's will be just fine.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Greenshield]

Just as an aside, have you looked into a lightly used Powerstroke as an option? I went from a tuned and deleted 6.4 Powerstroke( reluctantly ) to a used 6.7 and was worried about the DEF. It's not a big deal at all.

[leefl]

I have a new F250 6.2L V8, 4x4, with 3.73 rear and stock all-terrain tires on the 18" rims

I get 12.5 mpg on average unloaded (mixed city/highway), and 8-9mpg towing a 9000lb (loaded) 5er (on the flats to low hills).

I haven't towed on any real terrain yet, but will be going over the rockies (several times) in June/July. Obviously a naturally aspirated engine isn't going to do so well in the higher altitudes, so it should be an adventure

[Teamfour]

3.73s work great for my 8k lb trailer. I even had my truck built and decided to stick with the 3.73. There are a few times a year where I drive the truck without the TT from Virginia to Louisiana and back and I didn't want 4.10s to make that run.

[Ddubya]

I pulled my fiver on an 8000 mile trip with a 2011 F250 and for about 50% of the trip it was OK. Mountains out west and in Montana were a struggle having to go to first gear on some occasions.
Pulling a lighter TT with less wind resistance should be better. Mileage was around 13 average with no load. 7-8 while towing.
Traded it for a 2013 Duramax 2500 and mileage is 19-22 and 10-12 towing. Difference in performance is unbelievable.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[Oops]

We pulled out old camper thru TN mountains and all over with 2011 6.2 SD 3.73 and with it loaded we ran 8 MPG. On flat ground we got 9. Loaded we were about 6500lbs. Wouldn't have traded it for a diesel for nothing, plenty of power. We just pulled our new camper for the 1st time at about 9000 lbs and it works harder on the hills but still I was very pleased. Averages 1800-2200 rpm most of the time and even under 3500 on most hills. Where you notice it is when your getting on the on ramp and you need that boost, not like it was at 6500lbs... But again I'm still very pleased. Oh yea, 13.5 MPG not towing and it doesn't care if hwy or back roads 13.5 is the best she will do.

[bpadamson]

My dealer said if I wait till warranty is out, then it is 3 more years of warranty on the gears and bearings. If I change out during warranty, it is out at 3 yr/ 36000miles. Cost quoted to me is $3k for a 4 wheel drive. If you check the specs it adds more carrying capacity and torque of course. I seldom use 6th speed since I am not on the Interstate much unless we are traveling, if I put the gears in I imagine I will get to use 6th more. I have about 800 to 1000 lbs margin with the TH now. If you want more than that or load heavier toys, then at least 4.10s should be considered. imho, and I am still considering...

[Wheels Down]

This is great info from all. In one form or another I had all my questions answered. Thanks to all.
I guess the best thing to do up front is get the trailer hooked up and see how she performs. Most of the towing I will be doing is going to be on fairly flat ground except for a trip west in June. Even then it will be I-40 for the route. A few bumps in the road there but no major grades.
RMc