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ZoominC6 · 12-22-2012, 02:15 PM

We've been so spoiled towing our 30' Classic S/O with our Silverado 2500 Duramax (diesel) since 2004. The Duramax tows with no effort at all.

Now I'm wanting to change tow vehicles and am serious about a Ford 250 King Ranch gasoline engine. The towing capacity is well above (25%) the weight I tow and I'm really not all that worried even with the 3.73 rear end.

If you tow a load similar to mine (8K to 9K max) with a Ford 250 I invite you to chime in. Am I going to miss the diesel option in the hills?

Thanks.

BigAl · 12-22-2012, 02:33 PM

Do you really need a 250 for your day to day or would a 150 with nicer ride do?
I tow 8300 lb 31 footer with e150 with the ecoboost engine. It does it effortlessly and gets really good fuel economy towing but especially when not towing.
Give one a try. I think you will be impressed.
It is rated for up to 11,000 trailer.
Al

ZoominC6 · 12-22-2012, 02:44 PM

Al,

Probably not but as you have read, I tend to overdue it a bit. You did give me the answers I was looking for however and I thank you for that. Have a wonderful holiday season.

Warm regards,

Dick

vswingfield · 12-22-2012, 04:23 PM

Hi Dick,

Sounds like an excellent choice to me. The King Ranch versions are really nice.

I just got a card from my Ford dealer with deals on F250s right now before they (the dealership) move. I've been looking that that choice myself. The 6.2 gasser sounds like a good option for daily driving if you can keep your foot out of it.

Let us know what you decide.

nickmeloy · 12-22-2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

...
If you tow a load similar to mine (8K to 9K max) with a Ford 250 I invite you to chime in. Am I going to miss the diesel option in the hills?
Thanks.

We tow a 2006 30 ft. Classic (GVWR of 10,000 lbs.) with a 2010 F250 (V10 gas engine). It does the job very well. Unfortunately, I do not believe that Ford currently offers the V10 in the F250 line.

nilesrob · 12-22-2012, 05:43 PM

I can't comment on the difference between gas and diesel, but what's not to love about a diesel F250 King Ranch? Booyeah.

I am not in the market, but would choose diesel again, would choose F250, and would choose King Ranch. Absolutely great TV.

halimer · 12-23-2012, 09:49 PM

I'm also in the market for a new TV in 4WD. I currently owe an '02 F350 7.3 CC SRW 2WD with 8ft bed. It is not my daily driver and carry a lot of junk in the bed when we travel
My two choices (after lots of research) are a Ford F250 with the 6.2L and 4.30 rear end, or the 2013 Ram 2500 with Cummins and 3.73 rear. The F150 with HD package and eco boost would put me at the limit for payload due to my 1070 lbs tongue weight.

Mark

nilesrob · 12-24-2012, 08:16 AM

One of the things I did was add an auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of my F250. While it does take up real estate, it has made travel much more enjoyable. With 80 gallons capacity (30 standard, 50 aux.), we can travel extensively without refueling. We still stop to stretch etc., but we don't need to re-fuel every few hours. And we can tank up when the prices are low(er). Another reason why I love diesel (I don't believe you could do this with gas).

SteveH · 12-24-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

We've been so spoiled towing our 30' Classic S/O with our Silverado 2500 Duramax (diesel) since 2004. The Duramax tows with no effort at all.

Now I'm wanting to change tow vehicles and am serious about a Ford 250 King Ranch gasoline engine. The towing capacity is well above (25%) the weight I tow and I'm really not all that worried even with the 3.73 rear end.

If you tow a load similar to mine (8K to 9K max) with a Ford 250 I invite you to chime in. Am I going to miss the diesel option in the hills?

Thanks.

May I ask why you are getting rid of your current truck, and how many miles do you have on it?

ZoominC6 · 12-24-2012, 08:22 AM

Brad,
One thing I don't like about my Duramax is the fuel tank holds only 16gals......not that I don't need to stop before it empties anyhow if you know what I mean.
Do you have a roll away cover over your bed and if so how do you like that? I was thinking of adding that option before the dealer turns in my order on Friday.
Dick

ZoominC6 · 12-24-2012, 08:26 AM

Hi Steve,
I'm just antsy for a new truck, pure and simple. My current truck is in great shape and just broken in with only 99,200 miles on it. I do like some of the options on the newer vehicles that I don't have on my current truck i.e. nav radio with backup camera, tailgate step, moonroof and the King Ranch option that I've always wanted since it first appeared. I've always liked Ford Motor Company.
Thanks,
Dick

SteveH · 12-24-2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

Hi Steve,
I'm just antsy for a new truck, pure and simple. My current truck is in great shape and just broken in with only 99,200 miles on it. I do like some of the options on the newer vehicles that I don't have on my current truck i.e. nav radio with backup camera, tailgate step, moonroof and the King Ranch option that I've always wanted since it first appeared. I've always liked Ford Motor Company.
Thanks,
Dick

OK, cool, and I understand. I'm currently thinking of replacing my GMC Duramax also, and just wondering if you had had troubles.....mine is at 112,000 miles and no troubles, but......

ZoominC6 · 12-24-2012, 08:31 AM

Steve,
No trouble at all with the Duramax and I suspect the seats will wear out before the engine. It's an awesome rig and I just hope I don't miss that Allison Tranny as that thing is just great!
You know, the grass always seems to look greener on the other side of the street and sometimes it's not at all greener.
Dick

SteveH · 12-24-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

Steve,
No trouble at all with the Duramax and I suspect the seats will wear out before the engine. It's an awesome rig and I just hope I don't miss that Allison Tranny as that thing is just great!
You know, the grass always seems to look greener on the other side of the street and sometimes it's not at all greener.
Dick

I understand completely, good luck with your new truck, and let us know how you like it...but wait a few months until the "new" wears off and then give us a report.

nilesrob · 12-25-2012, 08:16 PM

Dick,

I chose the Trac Rac tonneau cover and rack system (easy to install myself), which is high enough to cover the fuel tank, and BTW is also high enough to fit a Honda EU3000 under the cover. I use the (Yakima?) tray on top to carry firewood and things that are OK to haul in the open.

Over the cab I put in a Thule rack system for kayaks. The truck probably looks like Mad Max but it really gives us a lot of flexibility.

overlander63 · 12-25-2012, 09:11 PM

Dick, I tow our 7000 pound trailer with an F250, and the slightly smaller 5.4. 3.73 gears. It gets around 14 not towing, and 11 towing. I have towed our trailer over the mountains of Fancy Gap, VA, and Black Mountain, NC, held to about 50 mph by curves rather than grade.

c_lewis77 · 12-25-2012, 10:08 PM

I tow a 34' with a V-10 excursion. I have been happy with it so far. 44gal fuel tank is nice too.
I would think you may miss the engine braking in the diesel. I had the 7.3 diesel f250 before the excursion, both are great.

BillTex · 12-26-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

Brad,
One thing I don't like about my Duramax is the fuel tank holds only 16gals......not that I don't need to stop before it empties anyhow if you know what I mean.

Curious why you removed the OEM tank and put in smaller?
First time I have heard someone do that...
Most Folks put in a larger fuel tank.

My $0.02...you will totally miss the Duramax/Alli.

Good luck.

switz · 12-26-2012, 09:22 PM

Today I drove from Las Vegas, NV back to Phoenix, AZ in the 2007 Mercedes ML 320 CDI that is also my tow vehicle. I saw regular gas for $2.99 a gallon and paid $4.03 per gallon for diesel. That 33% up charge destroys the 30% fuel efficiency gain one usually gets with a diesel over gasoline. Diesel is still nearly the lowest thing in the cracking process. The greed of Big Oil is just unbelievable.

SteveH · 12-27-2012, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switz

Today I drove from Las Vegas, NV back to Phoenix, AZ in the 2007 Mercedes ML 320 CDI that is also my tow vehicle. I saw regular gas for $2.99 a gallon and paid $4.03 per gallon for diesel. That 33% up charge destroys the 30% fuel efficiency gain one usually gets with a diesel over gasoline. Diesel is still nearly the lowest thing in the cracking process. The greed of Big Oil is just unbelievable.

The high cost of today's Diesel in the USA is not due to "greed of Big Oil", it's due to the high cost of refining to remove the sulphur to meet our own government's EPA requirements.