F250SD 6.2l VS F150 ECOBOOST

Martsing · 09-14-2018, 05:51 PM

OK. So I know that this thread runs the risk of getting ugly BUT I was asked to provide an assessment of our most recent trip from Central MD to Pigeon Forge and back in our 2016 F250 6.2l SD. Small background, for the past 2.5 years I've been towing our RW 2703WS with a 2011 F150 EB XLT with 3:55 rear. Three weeks ago I bought a 2016 F250SD XLT 6.2L gasser with 4:30 rear.

Long story short, the F250 hauled the camper like butter. It was a smooth ride with a very solid feel. I won't say I ever forgot I had a camper behind me but on long flat sections it was barely noticed. Acceleration from a stop was very solid and confident. Stopping was never an issue. I loved the larger fuel tank but my fuel economy was about 9.5mpg which was slightly less than the F150. Downhills were a breeze. It would actually downshift and hold a speed with no braking at all. I never really had a problem with the EB either though.

Where I truly missed the ECOBOOST was on the longer uphill climbs. The ECOBOOST could hold hill climbs at 60 to 65 and even accelerate if I asked it to. The 6.2l would hit the hill (tow/haul on) and would immediately downshift and hold 60 in 5th. It would occasionally drop to 4th if I wanted to accelerate and even then it would not really WANT to go any faster. I figured out pretty quickly that I needed to accept that I was going to be in the slow lane. I'm not in a hurry. It was just an observation.

In the Smokies some of those hills were pretty steep and the F250 grunted into them with no effort. I loved the sound of the V8.

Overall, I love the new (to me) truck and am very happy with the change. I just need to get used to the new performance!

Marty

ronheater70 · 09-15-2018, 08:38 AM

I don't have an f250, Im only posting this because I also had an EB f150 and went to a larger truck ( Ram 3/4 ton with the 6.4 Hemi.) Much the same results as you, Yea its not as fast off the line, but remember these trucks weigh a good deal more empty than the 1/2 ton EB ford. Everything is larger! I loved my EB, the performance of it, but I enjoy towing soooooo Mucn more with the larger truck the trade off is not even remotely an issue. Its jus pretty much effortless and thats with around 10K in trailer!

clarkbre · 09-16-2018, 07:49 PM

Thank you for the real world feedback Martsing.

I'm currently in a transition of getting my '11 F150 Eco back from the shop (new turbos, exhaust manifolds and vacuum pump all at 71k miles), selling it and finding a '14-'16 F250 6.2. Everyone's calling me crazy but after the current repair, I'm believing that there truly is no replacement for displacement.

What is your F250 getting MPG running around empty?

I also test drove a '18 F250 6.2 over the weekend and while it drove very nice but i'm not sure I want to bite the bullet on a brand new vehicle.

CommTech · 09-16-2018, 08:49 PM

Having just transitioned from a 2016 F-150 3.5 Ecoboost to a 2018 F-250 with the 6.2L I had a similar experience as the OP.

The F-150 worked OK towing a Flagstaff 25BDS (Rockwood 2507 twin) weighing 6200 lbs. The engine had plenty of power to pull up any hill, it didn't inspire as much confidence descending hills. Tow Haul mode did all it could, but there just isn't an abundance of engine braking in the 3.5.

The biggest difference I have noticed with the F-250 (other than it has a greater thirst for gasoline) is the very solid chassis. This truck was built to tow and haul heavy things and do it with confidence and control.

Even hitching up to our current trailer that is six feet longer and nearly 1,000 lbs. heavier than the 25BDS, the F-250 feels just a planted, and just as much in control as it did with the lighter trailer.

My gas mileage thus far when empty is 13 to 16 mpg depending on the type of road and traffic conditions.

Towing mpg is 9 to 10 mpg depending on terrain.

My truck is a 4X4 Lariat with the 3.73 gears, snow plow prep and camper prep packages and the stock 18" wheels.

ronheater70 · 09-16-2018, 09:12 PM

If you are looking used I’d go for a 2017. They had a nice little torque jump for the 2027 model year

EdJunior · 09-16-2018, 09:22 PM

Great report. Very much what one would expect to see. The Superduty is built to tow and haul. While the EB seems to be capable enough, people will eventually see what the right tool will do. Thanks for this feedback.

Artspe · 09-17-2018, 05:12 AM

Very enlightening info.
Thank you

Justice12t · 09-17-2018, 07:54 AM

My 6.2L 8 speed GMC was quick while towing also. I do slightly miss that, however that is about the only thing I miss about it while towing.

The F250 was wonderful while towing. The ride was so much better than I expected. I did notice it squatted more than I thought it would. I was ok with that because it helped level the camper out.

I noticed several things as the OP. Quick to down shift at the start of a hill. I rather enjoyed that. It seems to be in the power quickly and just didn't struggle to pull the hill or wait too long to down shift. A lot of 5th and 4th gear hill pulling. The 6.2 does sounds very nice in that RPM range.

I only had roughly 1000 miles on when I towed. Averaged around 8ish mpg. If I can run highway speeds (non towing) I've been getting between 13-14 mpg's. Still only 2100 miles on the truck. I didn't buy it for MPG's I bought it to tow and tow it does. Maybe with the 10 speed in it they will bump up the MPG's...

Great report OP...glad you like the new ride

TNVJONES · 09-17-2018, 08:08 AM

Similar experience moving from RAM 1500 to 2017 F-250 6.2 as tow vehicle. The 1500 could do the job but 2500 is so much more stable. I live in the mountains and typically average around 14 mpg on the two lane roads. On interstate travel usually between 16 and 17 while empty with cruise set on 70. Over 70 and the mpg falls off quickly. Towing mpg anywhere from 8.5 to 10 depending.

Happy Towing

Martsing · 09-17-2018, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarkbre

Thank you for the real world feedback Martsing.

I'm currently in a transition of getting my '11 F150 Eco back from the shop (new turbos, exhaust manifolds and vacuum pump all at 71k miles), selling it and finding a '14-'16 F250 6.2. Everyone's calling me crazy but after the current repair, I'm believing that there truly is no replacement for displacement.

What is your F250 getting MPG running around empty?

I also test drove a '18 F250 6.2 over the weekend and while it drove very nice but i'm not sure I want to bite the bullet on a brand new vehicle.

So far it looks like I am getting around 16mpg in back and forth around town driving. Highway driving at 70 on cruise without tow I am getting about 17. With cruise at 65 it is slightly better. The truck does NOT like to cruise at high speed

I have found that I am having a tough time estimating how much fuel is left in the tank when it gets below 1/2 a tank. I am sure I will get better with practice but when towing I would get fuel at a 1/4 tank left and it would take 20 gallons (35 gallon tank). At a 1/2 tank it takes about 14 and it seems to take forever to move from full.

Oh well.

Marty

goduc · 09-17-2018, 11:30 AM

2018 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4 6.4 4.10 gears. 5th wheel @9300 lbs.
I came from a 2012 2500 CTD. I do miss the exhaust brake and the effortless towing up hills with minimal down shifting. I don't miss the whole diesel thing with the DPF and yearly fuel filter changes along with the 3000 mile oil change intervals.
One thing I don't like about the 6.4 is the wide gap between 1st and 2nd gears. It feels like it falls flat on it's face sometimes when towing. Normal driving it's very smooth and unnoticed.
I only have around 3800 miles on it and have heard that around 10,000 miles they improve somewhat as far as towing goes. Overall pretty happy with it.
Would've like to go Ford F250 but finding a 4.30 geared F250 was all but impossible.
I believe the F250 6.2 6 sp is a little better as far as smoother towing goes, but in the end both trucks would get to the same place at the same time out in the real world.

itat · 09-17-2018, 12:05 PM

My 2016 F-250 with the 6.2L gas engine is similar to many previous posters. More stable than my previous F-150 since it was overloaded or close to it with my current TT, but it sure drinks a lot of fuel as an unloaded daily driver. It seems to take a big gulp of fuel when you start it. I found immediately that the 6.2L is not a rocket off the line but if you push the accelerator down and get it above 3000 rpm you'll have good power. You can't be afraid of higher rpms when towing with the 6.2L gasser. It would have been nice to have the low end performance of a diesel engine but at a CDN$9,000 premium there is no way I could justify the cost when its a nice to have, not a must have for my TT or even the size of 5er I'd like to have.

I read last week that Ford is looking at going to replace the 6.2L with a 7.3L gas engine starting around the 2020 model year.

Rumor Confirmed: A New 7.3L Gas V8 is Coming to the Ford Super Duty [Updated]

I wonder what the mpg is going to be for that monster?!

Tatsngats · 09-17-2018, 05:43 PM

I know the ecoboost is a good towing engine and has a lot of fans but stories like these make me leary. I think if you’re gonna do a fair bit of heavy towing that the turbocharged 6 cylinder will wear out faster and have more issues in the long term. Even though it seems to tow as well or better than some V8’s, I think the V8 will last longer. The displacement thing is real!

goduc · 09-17-2018, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatsngats

I know the ecoboost is a good towing engine and has a lot of fans but stories like these make me leary. I think if you’re gonna do a fair bit of heavy towing that the turbocharged 6 cylinder will wear out faster and have more issues in the long term. Even though it seems to tow as well or better than some V8’s, I think the V8 will last longer. The displacement thing is real!

Thats the caveat. Most 1/2 ton owners don't tow heavy seriously. They're weekend warriors with multiple week long trips thrown a few times a year.
Most aren't racking up 10,000 miles year after year.

Martsing · 09-18-2018, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goduc

Thats the caveat. Most 1/2 ton owners don't tow heavy seriously. They're weekend warriors with multiple week long trips thrown a few times a year.
Most aren't racking up 10,000 miles year after year.

No argument from me one way or the other. Personally, I bought my 2011 EB as a daily driver that could tow something eventually. It did and now it has 193,000 miles. Now I am looking for a tow vehicle. Got it!

Marty

clarkbre · 09-20-2018, 12:04 AM

Sold the '11 Eco today (mixed emotions...love the truck, can't wait for the next).

Taking a 200 mile trip Friday afternoon to hopefully pick up a '16 F250 6.2.

Will keep you posted!

NJKris · 09-20-2018, 04:00 AM

clarkbre, how much will your new '16 cost? I'm looking at Ford P/U's now as a potential tow vehicle for my upcoming Geo Pro (probably 4k lbs loaded and 700-750 lb tongue weight). Seems like most F150's in the '15-16 year range under 40k miles are nearly 30k online, trying to find one a little cheaper.

**bikendan** · 09-20-2018, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJKris

clarkbre, how much will your new '16 cost? I'm looking at Ford P/U's now as a potential tow vehicle for my upcoming Geo Pro (probably 4k lbs loaded and 700-750 lb tongue weight). Seems like most F150's in the '15-16 year range under 40k miles are nearly 30k online, trying to find one a little cheaper.

he's buying a F250, not a F150.

NJKris · 09-20-2018, 04:18 AM

I might do an F250 if the price not a crazy amount higher.

dave-g · 09-20-2018, 04:18 AM

I have a 2011 f250 with the 6.2. Towed a 36' 5th wheel toy hauler for 20,000 miles. What a great truck. I did add a 5 star tuner to it with a cold air intake. Made it shift nicer and let the throttle body open more then 50% below 4,000 rpm's. Made hills a none event. towing I got 7-8 mpg. normal 12- trying hard highway run 15-17.
Have a MH now do not tow much any more, but still love the truck.

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