TV 2001 F-250 SD V-10...pros and cons?

[3campers]

Will be towing a 31ft limited If I get this truck...any one experienced with the v10? Won't be using the truck as a daily driver...most of the pulls will be a hour or two away from home base and not very hilly. Just interested in v10 performance and Super Duty pros and cons? Thanks!!

[BigAl]

You will have more than enough power. Fuel economy is not that good with the v10 but if only used for towing should be ok. Don't think it would be much worse than the 5.4 v8. In a 2001 van with 5.4v8 I got about 10mpg towing.
I think super duty is overkill suspension wise but others swear by it and seem to think you need it for the carrying capacity.
Al

[c_lewis77]

I tow a 34' with a v10 excursion. No problems here at all. I think you will be fine

[Friday]

I don't think you'll be lacking in performance... unloaded mileage won't be fantastic...

It's a big brick and tightly sprung... you won't mistake it for anything but a truck.

[3campers]

I thought Ford 3/4 and up trucks made after 1999 were considered or called "Super Duty" and before `99 they were "Heavy Duty"?

I can't imagine it gets much worse gas mileage than the v8 as long as you don't have a heavy right foot...

Also the truck comes with Nitto Mud Grappler 305/70/16 tires with a load rating of "E" and load index:121 which I'm sure are not the perfect towing tires...can be replaced.

[JimGolden]

I averaged right around 11.5-12mpg towing a 26' Terry with a slideout that probably weighs about the same as your 31' Airstream, and the aerodynamics of the white box weren't as good either. So you might figure on about the same. That was with a 2001 Excursion that I used to own with the V10.

On a 2001, Ford had not yet fixed the spark plug issue they had where there weren't enough threads in the top of the head to hold the plugs in. If you get this truck, I'd recommend that you check the sparkplugs to make sure they're in snugly and not backing out; I'd do it every time you change the oil. If it spits one out (mine did), the fix can be expensive if you have Ford do it.

On the other hand, call me and I'll fix it for you for 1/2 the price I bought the Timesert repair kit that allows you to fix it right in the vehicle.

They fixed that problem in 2003. Some guys go 150,000 miles on one below 2003 and never have a problem. Mine blew at 36,348 miles, just outside the bumper to bumper warranty. Gotta love it...

But anyway, keep the plugs snug and she'll pull your Airstream just fine.

[3campers]

I will heed those warnings thank you...lastly I've heard chat about vintage Airstreams (mines an 85 Limited) and some concern about the stiffer suspensions causing rivet issues. I assume a 350 is overkill but a 250 from the early 2000's should be O.K.?

[fourcatos]

You will be fine, I tow a 1973 27 footer with a 2001 F-250 with a diesel. you will love the confidence that a 250 provides. It will be less stress on the trailer as you will not need to have large oversprung tow bars if you choose to use them. With a 31 you will just need really for sway protection. I tow just on the ball and have never had a problem with sway, and my friend tows a 1976 -31 footer without bars as well. The truck rides like it is meant for the load, and it is. The unhitched ride is a little rough however.

If you choose to run bars or not, you will like the truck.

[JimGolden]

I'll echo what the others have said...and Inland Andy would tell you the same:

On a truck like this, 600lb bars will be plenty.

See ya on the road,