When to go with a diesel?

[mg175150]

I currently have a 1999 5.4 V8 F150. It has been a great truck for the most part. I recently acquired a boat that has a weight of about 6000 lbs. I also plan on getting a travel trailer at some point that should be comparable in weight. I get mixed answers when I ask people whether a 5.4 V8 (not necessarily the one I currently own) is sufficient to tow this amount of weight approximately 12 times a year to distances of up to 150 miles one way. Of course the 5.4 wont have the power that a diesel has and will slow significantly on hills. My question is whether this type of use warrants going with a diesel. I am going to be in the market for another truck at some point and would consider going with another 5.4 V8. I have heard that the newer ones have 300hp as opposed to the 260hp that mine has. Some tell me that this weight does a number on 1/2 tons while others tell me that it's fine. Would I be safe going with another 1/2 ton 5.4 V8? Thanks for any thoughts.

[APT]

You need to separate the weight class of truck you need/want vs engine. You can then decide which engine you want within the model/class of truck you want. Towing xxx weight means yyy amount of payload and tow rating. A 6000 pounds dry boat or RV means closer to 7500 pounds ready to travel (extra for boat trailer or extra for options and camping equipment, propane, water for RV). That's borderline IMO for even the most capable half ton pickups. Boats are less of an issue because they are more areodynamic and generally have less tongue weight % than RVs.

Do you take a lot of stuff with you, specifically in the truck? How many people? Cap on the bed? Firewood, canoes, etc? Half tons with even 1700 pounds of payload can get eaten up quickly with 1000 pounds of stuff before you hitch up 15% tongue weight of an RV. Not all RV's are designed the same. Choosing one that meets all your other criteria and is under xxx weight may limit your options. Start researching what RV models you like because there are 6000 pound 24' trailers and 3500 pounds 24' trailers.

Basically, if you want to open up your RV options, get a 1-ton. They are marginally more expensive ($500) than the 3/4 ton, but offer up to 4000 pounds of payload vs. 2500-3000 pounds. Ride is identical because they use overload supplemental springs.

Performance wise, you may want to investigate the outgoing v10 (-2010 models only). It is discontinued for 2011, but offers a great value for its performance at about $600 vs. 7000 for the diesel. Diesels makes more sense IMO at higher elevation and when you put a lot of miles on a truck, say 20k+ per year because of the fuel economy.

[Micheal]

^^^very well said.

[hwm3]

Originally Posted by APT

Basically, if you want to open up your RV options, get a 1-ton. They are marginally more expensive ($500) than the 3/4 ton, but offer up to 4000 pounds of payload vs. 2500-3000 pounds. Ride is identical because they use overload supplemental springs.

Most of what you posted is correct, but this is not quite right. A SRW 1 ton is closer to $1k more expensive and is basically the same truck with the only real difference being a slightly taller block in the rear. My 3/4ton came with the camper package and the same springs front and rear as the SRW 1 tons come with. So if you want to pay an extra $1k for the same truck, go ahead.

This all changes if you choose a DRW 1 ton, which is about $3k more than a 3/4 ton.

As for when to go with a diesel, that's really up to you. The V10 trucks have the same tow rating, with only slightly lower fuel mileage in the 2008-2010 trucks. It'll take a very long time for a couple MPG to turn into $7k.

[bigdad8214]

All I pull is a 21 foot toybox, I can't wait to get a diesel. My friend gets 16 mpg pulling a 12k trailer when I'm pulling a 7k trailer getting 9........ Oh yah we leave at the same time and his camp is set up by the time I get there........

[hwm3]

Originally Posted by bigdad8214

All I pull is a 21 foot toybox, I can't wait to get a diesel. My friend gets 16 mpg pulling a 12k trailer when I'm pulling a 7k trailer getting 9........ Oh yah we leave at the same time and his camp is set up by the time I get there........

Which diesel does your friend have?

[APT]

Ford build and price for 2010 SD, price difference on a Lariat crew cab 4x4 6.8L was $600 MSRP more for the 350 and you get 4170# vs. 2920. How much did your 250 have with the camper package? What is the GVWR?

[hwm3]

Originally Posted by APT

Ford build and price for 2010 SD, price difference on a Lariat crew cab 4x4 6.8L was $600 MSRP more for the 350 and you get 4170# vs. 2920. How much did your 250 have with the camper package? What is the GVWR?

I'm not talking about the fantasy world of Ford build and price, I'm talking about actual trucks. Try finding that magical Lariat crew 4x4 250 with a 2900 lb payload sticker on it. You won't have much luck.

Listen, if all you're going to base your opinion on is Fords website, you're not getting the full story. There are similarly optioned 250 and 350 SRW trucks riding around with identical springs, but very different payload ratings. The SRW trucks also share the same front and rear axles, but have very different axle ratings. The only real difference being a slightly taller block in the 350. The rest is all marketing.

[SMOKEin]

6000lb boat/rv 12 times a year and the coversation is 3/4 vs 1ton? Seems a little extreme to me. 5.4 with the right gears in a 6spd from factory and maybe an AAL should be fine.

[dsq3973]

He is boarder line on needing a 3/4 ton for his towing needs and can get away with a V-10 if he does not want the expense of a diesel.

[Maniac01]

Originally Posted by SMOKEin

6000lb boat/rv 12 times a year and the coversation is 3/4 vs 1ton? Seems a little extreme to me. 5.4 with the right gears in a 6spd from factory and maybe an AAL should be fine.

Agreed. Your 1999 1/2 ton is more than enough for what you want. As long as you stay within your capabilities.

If you find that you are towing very steep hills frequently, and you feel unsafely slow, then you may want to step up to a diesel engine. Your decision depends on your comfort with it and the terrain on which you drive. Also, try to plan ahead and determine if you will be towing more frequently in the future.

The newer trucks do pretty well with the heavier loads. If you are looking for a new vehicle a 1/2 ton should do it. You may want to hold out for 3.73 gearing and the tow/haul package transmission.

[TruckGuy24]

Originally Posted by dsq3973

He is boarder line on needing a 3/4 ton for his towing needs and can get away with a V-10 if he does not want the expense of a diesel.

I would agree. While weekend trips might be ok, in the long run a bit heavier truck with more ability is worth it IMO. I'd rather have a little more truck than not enough. I bet my truck would pull our 27' trailer down the cape ( 40ish miles one way) ok, but in the long run my dad's f250, 1 ton 15 pass van and now cummins 2500 quad cab pay off. Those V-10s are a good choice if you are gonna use it but not hauling all the time. You sound like a good candidate for an F-250 ext cab or crew cab V-10

[jimmyv13]

If you plan on keeping the truck for a VERY long time, get the diesel. I ride with a guy, 02 F350 (SRW supercab, 8' bed) to our snowmobiling area a few times a year and he pulls his older Haulmark 28' trailer, flat front about as aerodynamic as a sheet of plywood and his mileage goes UP(from daily driving) to 18ish on the highway going 75 for ~330 miles.

I've been toying with the idea of a diesel, but the difference in price is a little steep as is the routine maintenance. The V10 is decent, but you get 9MPG no matter what you do city or HWY.

[hwm3]

Originally Posted by jimmyv13

The V10 is decent, but you get 9MPG no matter what you do city or HWY.

Wow. You couldn't be more wrong.

[jimmyv13]

From a V10 owners mouth