2015 F-250 6.2 vs 6.7

[keith49090]

Has anybody out there had this dilemma? Drove both last week at dealer. I went into this thinking I didn't need a diesel but wanted to at least drive one. I'll be towing a 25' AS and I know either one would pull it safely. The diesel power is addicting, I was surprised by my reaction. I hate what emissions has done to the complexity of today's diesel but can appreciate the cleaner emissions for the environment. Can anyone share success or disappointments in their decision on this matter. Have you had any mechanical issues with the 6.7. Thanks

[AirEgger]

I have a 2015 F250 6.7 diesel with almost 4000 miles on it. No problems so far.

[cegardner]

Barry, can you share your thoughts on the 250 vs 350 diesel? OUr dealer carries mostly 350 2015, they get better resale. We have a 4200lb sport but trading to 30 from FC to classic therefore 8800 to 10,000 lobs. We currently have a 2013 expedition with towing package and air suspension. great with the sport 22 but limits at 9200 lbs. We hear from the dealer that the 350 suspension will not beat up our AS. Can you share your thinking on the 250 choice? Thanks

[Wayward]

I replaced a 3/4 ton diesel with the 6.2L F250 and really do not regret a thing with what I tow.

The 6.2L has gobs of power and when in Tow/Haul mode the power control module software keeps the truck on its torque curve, in the right gear, at the right time.

I admit to missing the sound and smell of the diesel but not the maintenance or fuel costs. The gas motor is so simple. Not to mention the 6.2L was about half the price of the diesel.

My initial test report is here. I also occasionally use it to pull a cargo trailer that is sometimes 10,000lbs fully loaded. More than enough truck for the light Airstream (25' FB Safari)

Regarding diesel emissions - Ford finally has it sorted out but only after the EPA darn near destroyed them. What the EPA has done to the light diesel truck industry in the US is a sin. Even Europe was not as insane as our regulators - as a result they got their low emission, high efficiency diesels on the market years before us. The air is no cleaner and if the EPA had given the engineers a few more years we would have avoided the major US diesel engine failure streaks - all of which were caused by failure of Rube-Goldberg add-ons instead of giving engineers time to get it right.

[AnnArborBob]

We have a 2015 F-250 with the 6.7L diesel, crew cab with the extended bed and have nearly 7,000 miles on it. I love all 22 feet of it! I find the exhaust brake to be a very useful feature on the downhills and the torque on the uphills is fantastic!

I have also towed this particular trailer with a gas version of a F-250 and I got about 8 mpg with the gasser vs. 12 mpg with the diesel. This difference more than makes up for the higher price of diesel fuel and may one day even cover the higher up front cost of the diesel engine.

I am very glad that I got the diesel and would recommend it over the gas model for anyone who can afford the up front cost.

Unless you are hauling a complete tool shop in your truck bed, I can't imagine that any Airstream would need an F-350. I drove one when I was shopping for the 250 and found the ride in the 350 to be noticeably rougher (stiffer) than the 250. I can't imagine that rougher ride is good for the Airstream.

[AirEgger]

cegardner, I've owned a couple diesels F250's, a 2002 and my current 2015, but no F350's. I've driven some F350's and they seem to have a stiffer ride and I think the bed sits higher. Some of the forums say the higher bed/bumper height can cause you to drop the ball height to get the trailer level, but I have no personal experience. Good luck.

[mefly2]

+1 for the exhaust brake mentioned by AABob ...

[Moflash]

This is our 2012 F350 6.7 turbo diesel that we use to tow our Airstream.We have put 40,000 miles on it and it has performed flawlessly.Thursday we will be picking up our new and improved 2015 F350 6.7 Platinum.I would not buy a gas model as I can attest the resale on the Diesel is much better and in higher demand.You will pay more upfront but the return on the diesel is much better.We use a Airsafe hitch when towing so the trailer rides soft.This is the ultimate tow vehicle for us,This year we have pulled the Airstream 11,000 miles.Very comfortable driving.I would not consider a different tow vehicle.

[pappy19]

There is no question that either of the Ford engines, 6.2 gas or 6.7 diesel, can pull any Airstream trailer. The real question is do you really "want" a diesel. The diesel engine alone is $8,000 more than the gas 6.2, not to mention the additional maintenance costs for oil and filter changes. Do you and your significant other love the smell of fresh diesel fuel on your hands? If you live in a cold climate, do you like the expectation of having to plug in the engine heater and extra cost of winter fuel additive? Yes, the diesel will get better mileage, but statistics show with the extra costs involved with a diesel, it about a wash. Yes, you can get more for the diesel when you decide to sell or trade, but don't forget, you paid more at the beginning. IMHO, you can't go wrong with the gasser 6.2 in either the 3.73 or 4.30 rear end. If in the mountains a lot, then get the 4.30. I've had both gas and diesel engines and for me, I will never go back to a diesel.

[Moflash]

The new diesels maintenance cost is negligible.Depreciation is far worse with a gas Ford Superduty maybe if you were planning on keeping it till the wheels fall off the gas would be a better choice.Fuel savings with a diesel is negligible any more.They are whisper quiet with no trace of diesel smell.And nothing pulls a larger Airstream better than than a Superduty 6.7 with 440 horsepower and 860 ft lbs of torque.

Resale can't be beat if you trade every 2-3 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Naper]

We pull our 27FB Classic with a 2012 F25 6.7 diesel. For fun I borrowed a friends 2014 F250 6.2 gasser. Did a 50 mile trip it moderate hilly roads. The truck worked well, I would recommend it to pull any Airstream. Next I hooked up My diesel, same day, same route.
Driving the diesel is far more relaxing (at least for me) It cruises along in 6th gear no matter the size of the hills. The gasser on the same hill was screaming in 4th. The power of the diesel is defiantly worth the extra cost.
OH!! no worries about cold weather starts right up. I have never plugged it in and as a bonus an optional 12 volt electric heater is available, provides instant interior heat.
There are a lot of misconceptions about new diesel trucks, best thing just try one.

[keith49090]

I think maybe Naper hit the nail on the head and that's being relaxed while pulling with a diesel. I'm a auto technician and appreciate simplicity & reliability. I've been at the Ford Dealer many times and seen the cab of a diesel lifted off the frame so the tech could work on them but have yet to see a 6.7 in that mode. I also can't argue with what you gasser's have to say. I've been asking everyone with a 6.7 that I see how they like it and thus far 100% happy and would do it all over again.

[Airrogant]

I've been reading lately about an alleged phenomenon known as "overkill." How are you guys able to tow an AS trailer with vehicles that are so freakin' powerful? It has been stated that my wimpy Suburban 2500 is "overkill" for a 34' trailer. Your setups have got to be almost a worst case scenario - an AS nightmare.

Don't get me wrong - I think you should tow with these trucks. In fact I think you should be able to tow an AS with anything that is legal to tow. I would love to have a truck like you guys have.

Have you guys with the "overkilled" TVs noticed signs of rivets popping out, cabinets crashing to the floor, axles breaking, frames bending, etc.?

[Steve & Mary]

When we were shopping we chose the F-250 over the 350 only because there would be times we used it when not towing and the reviews I read said the ride on the 250 would be a bit more mild. We love our 6.7. I can easily click off 12.5 mpg on flat roads while pulling our 31ft. Classic. I don't find the diesel smell or the DEF an issue. Do I really need 400 hp and 800 ft. lbs of torque? Probably only in very few situations. I find that I don't always have to "justify" what I do or buy. We have owned ours new since 2012. It was my first diesel and I drive it because I just like to. Life as we know it here on this earth is just too short to not enjoy. As I tell the kids.... we've worked, we have saved and now we will spend it :-)

[youngpeck]

With my F-250 I'm glad I have the bigger gas engine for pulling in the mountains. I've also pulled with several friends' diesel Fords and appreciate the much more significant torque and power, especially, again, in mountainous country. My wife, however, won't have a diesel, even the newer, quieter, sweet-smelling ones. Neither version (gas or diesel), in my opinion, would be overkill out West.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by Moflash

The new diesels maintenance cost is negligible.Depreciation is far worse with a gas Ford Superduty maybe if you were planning on keeping it till the wheels fall off the gas would be a better choice.Fuel savings with a diesel is negligible any more.They are whisper quiet with no trace of diesel smell.And nothing pulls a larger Airstream better than than a Superduty 6.7 with 440 horsepower and 860 ft lbs of torque.

Resale can't be beat if you trade every 2-3 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

You must be kidding! Cost on a new Ford 6.7 diesel to change the oil, filter and urea is over $250 at most dealerships. Fuel filters are $45-60. Gas engines; oil change $19.95 and fuel filter is $10. Not to mention no worries about contaminated fuel ruining injectors or pumps(can you say $4,000 to replace?). No doubt that a new diesel can out perform a gas, no argument there. As I have said over and over, when you buy a diesel truck to tow an Airstream, it's all because of WANT, not because of NEED. And that's ok with me, but a gas rig is much more appropriate and much easier to maintain, IMHO.

[AnnArborBob]

Diesel oil change @ Albany NY area Ford dealer was $115 last week. DEF fluid costs about $45 to fill DEF tank for about 5,000 miles.

[907airstream]

I have a 2014 f-350 6.7. I love it. I would not purchase a gas motor in a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, but then again I would not buy a V-6 sportscar. Can you pull a trailer with a gasser. Absolutely. However, I just like a diesel. Any of the new 3/4 or 1 ton trucks can sufficiently pull your airstream. Its a matter of what YOU want. There are upkeep costs on both. I personally run synthetic oil. This makes my oil changes almost prohibitively expensive. But, its what I want to do. Good luck on your choice.

[RamblinManGa]

Hi from AZ. . .2 comments, I loved my 08 F250 V10, it was a great truck, except that it got 10 mpg with no trailer, no load, nada. It also had poor resale value due to comment 1. Most people buying 250's are hauling or pulling. My Ecoboost F150 pulls same trailer fine & without trailer following, gets nearly 20 mpg..The diesels cost more to buy AND maintain, but get better mpg's & have better resale than the gas 250s...IMO. Regards, Craig

[RVDreamer]

Originally Posted by pappy19

You must be kidding! Cost on a new Ford 6.7 diesel to change the oil, filter and urea is over $250 at most dealerships.

That is completely false.

I had a complete oil change, tire rotation, Air filter change , DEF fill-up for $120.00 at my Ford dealer. I also get every fourth oil change free.

I have a 2013 Platinum F-250 6.7l diesel and I love it. Maybe the best vehicle I have ever owned.

Quiet, nice ride, beautiful truck, low emissions, plenty of power, great mileage.

I think too many people are living in the past. This new breed of modern diesels are amazing.