Pulling Fifth Wheel with F250 6.2

[MarkyB]

I have a '16 F250 6.2 and a36ft TT pushing 11k lbs. I can testify to all the behaviors mentioned. Cruise control will be slow to react then drop to 2nd and hold the truck at the redline. One thing I've done to mitigate this is to lock out the higher gears, 6th and even 5th sometimes. In rolling hills, it seems happier in 4th and doesn't do the drastic downshifting.
Oh, last summer we went from Denver to Moab via I-70 with this rig.
Ran about 35 mph uphill(I wasn't the only one.) and kept it in lower gears down hill with minimal braking. Interesting experience, but not terrible.

[BGKirkham]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Im finding your numbers difficult to believe, in particular your mileage.

I used to own a Tundra towing a lighter trailer over basically flat land and averaged only 8mpg. You are well over your truck's capacity towing up and down very steep grades and you get 50% better economy than I did. I apologize but I don't buy it.

I had a 2011 Tundra 5.7 pulling a 7300 lb (loaded) trailer. I used to get 12 mpg on a combination of highway and some mountains. But, yes, 9000 lb is too much trailer for that truck.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

The 9-10MPG figures are pure towing.

Ok, so your average includes mileage while disconnected? That 9-10MPG figure is alot more reasonable.

[MarkyB]

I get about 7 MPG towing..[emoji19]

[velorandy]

Originally Posted by rather_b_camping

Just got back from a 1,400 mile round trip from Cincinnati to Myrtle Beach pulling a ~11,000 lb. Fifth wheel via I-40 with a 2012 6.2 gasser. Computer had me exactly at 8.0 mpg for the whole trip, which is a little better than I thought, was expecting more around 7.5 with all the hills. Hit 3 traffic jams which didn't help numbers either. Anyways for anyone considering the 6.2 that doesn't want a diesel, no the mpg's are not great but let's be honest no one gets in this business for the gas mileage and if you can't afford the gas probably shouldn't be doing it in the first place lol. Pulled the hills just fine no problems keeping 60-65 mph, dropped down to 2nd and 5500-6000 rpm's a lot through the mountain's but that's where the power is, pretty much kept cruise on the whole way. Overall very happy with how it pulled, it was the 3rd time I towed the fifth wheel and longest trip by about 1,000 miles. I previously had a tt and the towing difference in my opinion from a stability standpoint is night and day, I know many people have no issues with a tt so not starting that argument lol. Anyways just thought I'd share my experience towing a long distance with the 6.2 for anyone who is considering a SD but doesn't want a diesel.

I just bought a 2017 F250 6.2L last week, I've been out driving it around trying to get to a 1000 miles before our first camping trip with it this weekend. This owners manual recommends premium fuel with an octane of 91, are others using premium or sticking with regular and are you noticing differences in power & mpgs between the two?

[Bamalamb]

Also bought a 2017 SD 250/6.2/SC/4x4/Lwb for towing a tt which I haven't purchased yet
What weight tt should I be looking at plan to do a lot of traveling

[itat]

Originally Posted by Bamalamb

Also bought a 2017 SD 250/6.2/SC/4x4/Lwb for towing a tt which I haven't purchased yet
What weight tt should I be looking at plan to do a lot of traveling

Travel trailers are much less taxing on the tow vehicle than fifth wheels. Your choice of travel trailer will not be limited by your F-250.

EDIT: I just saw that you started this thread with about the same question.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1591786

So if you're looking at a TT of max. length of 25' you'll definitely be able to tow whatever you want.

[Bamalamb]

Thanks good to know
Wanted larger truck than needed
May want to haul motorcycle in back while pulling tt

[DrLewie]

Originally Posted by bpadamson

DrLewie,
We are out west and you can see our setup in the sig below. I have not used cruise because I don't want to be in 2nd if I ca avoid it. We get there on occasion; but manually shifting so far has kept us under 5000 rpm -- in the mountains.

One question I have is the sound. my muffler sounds like cats fighting with a cold when I get above about 4300 rpm. I have deleted the one resonator and have a flowmaster 50 on it at present-- single pipe. It is much quieter than I like when not loaded; but it is what the shop recommended for towing...

Glad you found a solution to the noise. It doesn't bother me too much, unless I'm trying to talk on the phone using blue tooth. I'm no gear head and my '08 is OEM. My thinking is that the noise is something to bear in exchange for the incredible power when mountain climbing. And then the electric fan kicks in...

[dave-g]

That 6.2 is a great motor. my 2011 has 60k on it now- towed my 5th wheel about 30k of those miles.

I added a k&n cold air intake and a 5 star tuner- the combo adds about 35-45 hp but whats is really great is the improvements in shifting and throttle response.

If I had to do it again - I would skip the cold air intake because of air intake noise.

The tow haul mode it great for the engine braking- for a gas motor its fantastic.
I got 6.5 to 7.5 mpg towing, average 11 around town. If I drive 65- I can squeak 16.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Bamalamb

Thanks good to know
Wanted larger truck than needed
May want to haul motorcycle in back while pulling tt

You'll definitely need the Super Duty if you're going to put a motorcycle in the bed of the truck while towing. Good choice there. It wouldn't hurt to scale it with the motorcycle in the bed to see how much of the truck's GVWR and rear axle rating you have left for the trailer's tongue weight. Especially if you have a full dresser touring bike.