Which truck to buy

[The_Stuff]

06 superduty crew cab long box with the 5.4 and my 40' tt = 90m/hr max and POOR mileage.

[DageonYar]

Better to have too much truck, than not enough. You could always buy a small 4cyl beater for commuting.

[2Susan]

Reading through all these posts, the thought that keeps occurring to me is to get a different vehicle for the 4km commute - That's a bit over 2 miles each way. That short distance driving isn't even enough to get a large engine warm.

My assumption is that you're going to work 5 days a week. I'd get a small inexpensive to operate commuter car for that purpose.

[gizzys]

Right now we have way too many vehicles and plan to trade our F150 and a Chev Venture minivan in for the used larger truck. I drive a smaller SUV and we still have a 1998 Mazda car with over 200,000 kms sitting in my inlaw's backyard. It runs, but needs about $1000 worth of work. I don't even think the wreckers would take it let alone a dealership as a trade in. So my husband has mentioned to maybe get that mazda going again. But it's another vehicle to insure as well as tight parking room at our house for three vehicles. But it is a possibility. Plus, it can't be good to let a truck sit for 9 months a year is it?

After hearing all these great responses, I am leaning now towards the 2500HD gas truck. Don't get me wrong, diesel's are awesome, but I think overkill for us and what we need it for. 30-40 days a year of towing plus we have cold winters here. When we bought our trailer we were thinking ahead for when our kids grew bigger etc... So I do not think we will get a bigger rv anytime soon.

My husband is giving me the 'I told you so', after reading your responses. Initially it was me wanting a F-350 diesel. I thought, why not, when the price seems to be so close. Bigger is better, right? :-) There are alot of them around here. But we are in oil/gas country as well as ranch/farm country. Funny that the Ford car lot is full of 2008 F-350 diesels though. Makes you wonder.

So the gear ratio we want is NOT 4:10 right? 3.73 or 3.55 is better for towing with this gas 2500HD?

Thanks again everyone. I REALLY appreciate all the quick responses!!!!

Giselle

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by gizzys

So the gear ratio we want is NOT 4:10 right? 3.73 or 3.55 is better for towing with this gas 2500HD?

The lower ratio (higher number) will give you more power to the axle for any given engine, but will probably lower fuel mileage, as the engine turns over more times per mile than a higher ratio (lower number) final drive.

4:10 gears will give you more pulling power, but less gas mileage than a 3.73 gear ratio. In the Ford 150s, 3.73 is the lowest ratio that you can get, so I am not sure the 4:10 can even be installed as an after-market item.

[Goomph]

Regarding the 4,000 dollar fuel pump, I have found out that it is not the regular fuel pump which requires the cab to be removed. It is what is called the lift pump which feeds the high pressure fuel pump.

And yes whe the lift pump dies, you are looking at huge amounts of money. Just something to know for the Diesel unit.

[Goomph]

I check Ford forums sometimes for funzies, and read people putting in 4.10 or 4.35 (I believe it was .35 or another higher number) on their F-150's. obviously they are after market but they think and talk very highly of them.

My Truck has the 3.73 and does well most of the times. Rarely I wish for more power or lower gear ratio but those are rare. It usually happens when I start to climb a steep hill from a dead stop.

Originally Posted by mtnguy

The lower ratio (higher number) will give you more power to the axle for any given engine, but will probably lower fuel mileage, as the engine turns over more times per mile than a higher ratio (lower number) final drive.

4:10 gears will give you more pulling power, but less gas mileage than a 3.73 gear ratio. In the Ford 150s, 3.73 is the lowest ratio that you can get, so I am not sure the 4:10 can even be installed as an after-market item.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by Goomph

Regarding the 4,000 dollar fuel pump, I have found out that it is not the regular fuel pump which requires the cab to be removed. It is what is called the lift pump which feeds the high pressure fuel pump.

And yes whe the lift pump dies, you are looking at huge amounts of money. Just something to know for the Diesel unit.

Goomph, thanks for the clarification. I didn't know there were 2 fuel pumps.....and not sure if my buddy does.

[Goomph]

We have a resident Ford guru at our forum. He even posted pictures of a Ford with the cab just hanging over it it Is amazing. And obviously it is very rare for the lift pump to fail. Glad to be of little bit of help

[bobsquarepants]

How bout a Dodge with real diesel engine ok...settle down everyone...and TheSasks...hush :P

What I like best about my Dodge Cummins is the factory exhaust brake, which the GM and Ford I believe are now strapping on the new models.

The exhaust brake is great for helping the rig stop without using alot of the real brakes, also great for down hill grades.

Fuel mileage is great in my books, I get around 20 mpg highway at 70mph unloaded... and have averaged 12-14 towing my 5th. Alot better than the Ram 1500 with the Hemi I used to own...barely 18mpg highway at 60mph... and around 8-10mph with the small 21' travel trailer we used to own.

As mentioned, oil changes seem to be more $$...but you go longer between changes.

The con for most new diesels will be all the emissions equipment that has to be installed. Dodge has gone through alot of this heartache since I believe 2007 and is only now getting it right. I can't comment on the other guys and how well their systems have been over the past few years. Also seems to me that all the 2011 models require emission reducing diesel fluid which is just another cost and one more thing to go wrong in my books.

[wayne1]

3.31 gears in the 2011 F series Super Duty diesels..

Unreal...

[lbrjet]

For your tow vehicle use description, I would get the Chevy if those were my two choices. Diesels are for pulling, gassers can be used for pulling and commuting. If you get a giant fifth wheel in the future, then it's time for a diesel.

[camprat]

When I got my F-350 I was pulling a 29' TT . I look at the F-250 which would have been just fine, but I also look at the future of up sizing to. We now have a 5TH 34 1/2 feet long & everything is just fine now to without buying a new truck. So keep the future rig in mind too.

[BOBFIDY]

After our first 4 week trip pulling our Salem 29FKDS with our 07 Expedition EL LIMITED we have decided to step up and go with a F-350 dually., diesel. Maybe a little overkill now but if in a couple years we decide to upgrade to a 5er.....we WILL be set to go.

[EastlakeRoo]

Very interesting topic as i'm actively looking to upgrade my tv. Torn between chevy 2500hd and f 250 super duty. Was considering the diesel but after reading this thread the round trip commute of 14 miles to work each day might be to hard on it.

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by gizzys

So the gear ratio we want is NOT 4:10 right? 3.73 or 3.55 is better for towing with this gas 2500HD?

Thanks again everyone. I REALLY appreciate all the quick responses!!!!

Giselle

GET 4:10's !! Don't go with anything less. Not sure on a GM but on the Dodge Megacab 2500's going from 4:10's to 3:73's resulted in losing 2,000 lbs of tow rating. The lower the gearing the harder on the tranny it is. Also them GM's have 6 speed trannies.

Here is a comparison from 2007. Read it and see what they say about gearing, also note how the dodge did. Then if you go to the 2010 shootout you will see the Dodge had 4:10's instead of the 3:73's in the 07 shootout and went from last to 1st in alot of tests. And for the people who are going to say the new Hemi has more power.. well 38hp is not going to make that much difference, it is the gears that do the work as it has the same tranny in both..
PickupTruck.Com - Part 1: 2007 PickupTruck.com Heavy Duty Shootout

So in summary whatever brand of truck, get 4:10's you won't be sorry.

Just a side note we ordered our Megacab and listened to the service manager and got 3:73's and although it will pull fine it does make the truck work so I am in the process of putting 4:56 gears in our truck and in all likelyhood may lose 1 or 2 mpg in on the highway empty but will pickup mileage towing from all the research I have done.

Another thing no one mentioned is HD trucks ride much harsher than a 1/2 ton so make sure you actually need a HD truck. Again my wife has a bad back and our truck pounds her around pretty good like when we drove to Ontario this summer, on the second day the roads were quite rough and she was in tears she got beat around so bad. Hence I am now in the process of putting over 3k in an aftermarket suspension and fluid filled body mounts to soften the ride for her.

Sorry for the long winded post but you really need to consider all these things before you commit to a purchase of this size.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by wayne1

3.31 gears in the 2011 F series Super Duty diesels..

Unreal...

That is the highest gear ratio that Ford offers in the Super Duties diesels for 2011. There are 3 other ratios offered......down to a 4.30.

With the gassers there are only 2 gears offered.....a 3.73 and a 4:30. Would definitely want the 4.30 with the gasser if pulling any kinda weight. The diesels might be OK with the 3.73s, but if doing a lot of heavy weight pulling, the 4.30s would be better.

[gizzys]

Hello,

Yesterday afternoon we went to our Chev dealership and test drove the
2007 Chev 2500HD. We liked it. We then test drove a 2010 Chev 2500HD to compare. There was very little difference that we could see, other than the backup camera in the mirrow. We are so tempted to get the new 2500HD as it's priced at $40,000 down from $55,000 CAD. The 2007 is at $28,000 CAD. But we really don't want a large debt so are most likely going to offer on the 2007. Oh, the 2007 does have the 4:10 as well as the tow/haul button. After hearing all your comments, we decided against getting a diesel for multiple reasons. I have heard though that the Ford superduty has quite a rough ride complared to the Chev. We did notice that the 2500HD ride is rougher than our F-150.
The reason why we want an HD is because we tend to load the back of the truck with alot of stuff. Our generator, four bikes, wood, camping gear etc... Plus me and the husband are not tiny people.
I am sure there is nothing wrong with Dodge's, but for some reason my husband does not want one.
So the next few days will tell if the dealership will deal with us somewhat on the price after our trade-ins. Now my husband is talking about putting on 17' tires and rims. Why these trucks have the 16" tires puzzles me. they look ridiculous in the wheel wells.

Thanks again everyone...

Giselle

[SaskCampers]

Sorry, if you took I was recommending a Dodge as I wasn't. We just happend to need the cab space of the megacab. Dodges are kind of the poster child for needing proper gearing though. As a wise machinist once told me" They are all good till they are broke, then they are all just a piece of junk"..

Enjoy the hunt.

[Nigels]

Originally Posted by bobsquarepants

How bout a Dodge with real diesel engine ok...settle down everyone...and TheSasks...hush :P

What I like best about my Dodge Cummins is the factory exhaust brake, which the GM and Ford I believe are now strapping on the new models.

The exhaust brake is great for helping the rig stop without using alot of the real brakes, also great for down hill grades.

Fuel mileage is great in my books, I get around 20 mpg highway at 70mph unloaded... and have averaged 12-14 towing my 5th. Alot better than the Ram 1500 with the Hemi I used to own...barely 18mpg highway at 60mph... and around 8-10mph with the small 21' travel trailer we used to own.

As mentioned, oil changes seem to be more $$...but you go longer between changes.

The con for most new diesels will be all the emissions equipment that has to be installed. Dodge has gone through alot of this heartache since I believe 2007 and is only now getting it right. I can't comment on the other guys and how well their systems have been over the past few years. Also seems to me that all the 2011 models require emission reducing diesel fluid which is just another cost and one more thing to go wrong in my books.

This is excatly the set up I am aiming for for our new 8280ws.

We have two diesels here in Portugal, tiny by your Ford/Gmc/Dodge standards. Honda CRV 2.2td and Daihatsu 2.8td the latter having 340000kms, is a daily 10km vehicle and is 25 years old and costs zip to run. oil filter $6 oil $40 after 5000M. fuel filter had not been changed in 5 years, have a $5 prefilter and two hose clamps!

I don't understand why in North america Diesels are assumed to cost more to maintain, in Europe and my experience its quite the opposite. The CRV emmisions are less than the gas version (published) both have tons of low down torque and the Daihatsu I never drive it at more than 2500rpm and gives 43mpg at 55mph

The savings on MPG, highway and Towing cannot be ignored, its cash in your pocket. the extra cost of the diesel truck will be reflected in the higher trade in later, and running costs surely are cheaper for an engine that will last possibly twice as long as a gasser.

Don't flame me if I am missing something here, but in Europe Diesels have been the way forward for years, we even race them in the BTCC!