2014 30' FC - Go with 2015 F250 or F350?

[fth]

Hi, We're pulling a 2005 Classic 30 with a 2004 F-250 XLT gas. It's a SuperDuty which means it has a 1 ton suspension. No sag at all. We had a Reese hitch but just put a Hensley on it for stability reasons, the Reese was fine for WD. It is a V10 gas which pulls fine on the flats but gets a little slow on the hills. I knew that going in but went with gas for cost reasons and am happy with it.

[jimfa440]

I too had a F150 that was too small for the 30' AS. I went with a 3/4 ton GMC, it does a great job. Any 3/4 ton truck should be ample.

[Martin R]

I was offered identically specced F250 and F350 trucks by the dealer and the price difference at the time was only $200 or $300. I opted for the F350 and whilst I am sure that the F250 would have been perfectly OK for towing my 30 International I don't have to agonise over loaded weights etc and the truck has proved useful when not pulling the trailer in helping out carry various family members heavy loads...... so far over 30,000miles of towing,the trailer does not seem to have been beaten up by the stiffness of the truck and having ridden in both the 250 and 350 the difference in ride to me seemed negligible.

[carlose]

I have had both, a 2008 F250 and now have 2014 F350, both diesels. Had no problem with F250 sag. However, the F350/crewcap with 6.5" bed did handle the 30' FC better. I love the diesel. I mentioned in an earlier post that I just finished a 2800 mile trip from Oregon to Jackson Wy and thought the Tetons several times photographing animals. Over all, average mpg was 16.5 on the road without trailer, 19.5 plus. Remember, diesel engine needs to brake in, 5 to 8k to get better mpg's.
Good luck...

[Jack46]

We traded our 2500 Suburban with a 4.10 rear end for a Silverado 2500HD Duramax. We have not regretted the move. The Duramax, even when fully loaded, pulls our 30' FC with ease. We generally travel at 65 mph and experienced 13-14 mph on a 10,800 mile trip this past spring to California/Oregon and back. Good luck. I don't think you can go wrong with either a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Well, I went to the dealer today. Didn't make a deal, but it looks like if I do it will be the 250 with the 6.2. Can't justify the cost of the diesel right now and with the 6.2 the 250 should have plenty of payload. I'm seeing about 2500# for 6.2 and under 2000# for the diesel. I'm concerned the 350 might just be too much truck with the 6.2. If I were inclined to get the diesel I'd more consider the 350.

Will see what tomorrow brings.

[Moflash]

1.The 6.7 diesel will cost much less to own than a 6.2 gas due to resale value.
2.The standard axle ratio 3:55 will pull anything you can hook to it.Do not choose a lower ratio.
3.The F350 and the F250 ride the same but the F250 sags on some applications for $600 get the F350 and don't look back.
4.Maintenance cost on the 6.7 diesel is not a issue as non owners keep bringing up. I have had two.
5.Navigation system and backup camera are essential as in this day and age most people will not buy a vehicle if it does not have nav.
6.Without the bed step you cannot get into the bed of your truck safely.Unless you are over 7ft tall.
7.A loaded truck will cost less to drive than a basic unit over 3-5 years of ownership.Keeping it forever is foolish as you can drive a new one under warranty every 3 years for less than u might imagine if you are savvy.
8.The FX4 package is a joke As the cheap Rancho shocks need replacing the day you drive it home.Skid plates (aluminum) are also included but not needed as the ground clearance is huge.
9.The Lariat seat covering is Pleather (does not wear well) only the King Ranch and Platinum come with real leather.
10.Supercrew 8ft box comes with a 36 gal tank.
11.Get the supplemental heater it's cheap and without it takes 20 mins for Diesel engine to provide heat in cold weather.Worth the money!


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[alantbird]

Every 3/4 ton tuck ive ever had pulled my 79 31 footer like it wasn't there. I now own a 1 ton v-10 ford and I am really digging the V-10 and the rougher ride is fine with me. The GIT UP and go is a FINE trade off as far as im concerned. My 92 dodge cummins had the rear bags and they are real nice for tweeking the ride when you own multiple rigs like a 30 foot flat bed trailer, 14 foot cargo and the AS! Its amazing how an inch in height can change the way the tower and towee relate to each other!

cheers, ADT: PHX AZ currently in PA with motorhome visiting the KIN FOLK, eating the food then back to the SW were i belong LOL!

[Luigi123]

I own a 30' FC and pull with a 2013 GMC 2500HD diesel. Use a Reese dual cam hitch--all good. Upgraded to 16' tires Mitchlins , a bit heavy on 1200 bars.

[07007]

I had a 2010 F250 and it was a great drive from Portland Or to SD then to Fl. Traded it for a 2010 F150 because of the cost of diesel fuel. The F150 seems to be under powerd vs the 250. Hard to pull the AS over 55 mph. 70 was ez with 250. But since giving up full timing could not afford cost of diesel for just around town and once in a while AS trips.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by Moflash

1.The 6.7 diesel will cost much less to own than a 6.2 gas due to resale value.

I thought that too but I'm starting to think it's a myth. I just ran a test through KBB.com for a 2012 F250 with typical options I would want. The only differences I put was changing the engine for the two prices. The results are:

Private sale - $28,400 vs. $33,700
Dealer - $30,800 vs. $36,200
Dealer certified - $33,400 vs. $38,700

So the diesel is generating about $6000 more. I saw similar differences when I ran the test for 2014 cars.

I then went to 2007 trucks and ran the "test" with the 6.0 diesel vs. the V10 gasser. The prices were roughly $13,900 vs. $18,500. So only $5,000 difference (granted the 6.0 is not known to be reliable).

These numbers should be pretty accurate, at least relative to each other.

[DC Bruce]

I guess everyone on this thread is a Ford guy. FWIW, in my 10-month long shopping effort to get a TV for my new FC 27, I drove the Chevy and Ram 3/4 tons, gas and diesel. (The Ford was off the list because folding up the back seats did not leave an unobstructed floor for my 100 lb. dog.) Both diesels felt plenty strong, with some turbo lag from the Chevy. The Chevy 6.0 gas felt underpowered, even empty. The Ram 6.4 gas felt strong and would have been my choice to haul the trailer with its GVWR of only 7600 lbs. Although fully capable of driving them, my wife did not like the extra height and mass of the 3/4 ton trucks (1,000-1,500 lbs.). I seriously doubt the braking capabilities of the 3/4 tons are better than the 1/2 tons, given the extra truck weight. Granted, the diesel exhaust braking may provide more engine braking than a gasoline engine. Diesel engines' reputation for durability and longevity is based on owners' experience with the simpler non-desmoged diesels of 30 years ago, especially the 4 and 5 cylinder engines fitted to 1980s era Mercedes sedans. Heck I had a 1-cylinder 12 hp Yanmar diesel that could be cranked up by hand (it had a compression release) that powered my 30-ft. sailboat. Today's common rail diesels use much higher injection pressures, exhaust gas recirculating and particulate traps to clean up the exhaust. Owners' experience has not been so good, especially the small VW diesels. And of course the Navistar-designed 6.0 and 6.4 Ford Powerstroke engines had so many problems that Ford sued Navistar and severed its relationship with that company. The 6.7 Powerstroke is a Ford-designed engine. So, IMHOP, the new diesels are great when they're working... but you'll pay more to fix 'em.
If I were pulling any thing but a 10,000 GVWR Airstream Classic 30, I'd have to be sold on a 3/4 ton diesel.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by DC Bruce

I guess everyone on this thread is a Ford guy.

Speaking for myself, I have a 2012 F-150 that has been trouble free and has proven to be a great truck. I did look at the newer GM's but, although they look more upscale than the current Ford F-250's, I just felt they weren't "Ford tough." Seriously, some of the materials felt a bit weaker. Not sure how they'd last. I did look at the Ram briefly but my wife is not a big fan of the exterior aesthetics so it wasn't a big deal to me to nix that idea.

I'm staying with Ford.

[KJRitchie]

A 2012 F250 6.7L Crewcab Lariat is on a local Ford dealer, has 123k miles. Price $39,900, sticker MSRP is $60k. Truck has a tonneau cover of some sort. Purchased Dec 2011 locally. Guessing payload is around 1800 to 1900lbs No accident reports showing on the Autocheck. Has a Heavy Duty Service Suspension package. Has Lariat Ultimate package which includes moonroof but has for me the all important rear view camera.

Is it worth checking out? In the next couple of years we will be doing extensive traveling. Since the truck is mainly used for towing and short trips to the recycling center for yard debris not much mileage would be added on to it until we start traveling.

The same dealer is advertising new XLTs with 6.7L in the mid $40s but none have rear cameras.

Kelvin

[jcl]

Originally Posted by DC Bruce

I guess everyone on this thread is a Ford guy.

Well, it is a Ford thread according to the thread title

[Danattherock]

Kelvin,

I had a Ford sales rep tell me of a factory option rear view mirror that had small 2x3" or so screen that shows rear camera view. I can't find anywhere on Fords site, but lots of these were found online in general. Apparently lots of stuff exists beyond what's on Fords website. Thankfully.




The guy was talking to me about it in the context of me ordering a brand new silver XL 350 with bells and whistles not found on any of the lots. Remote start, power windows and doors, etc. with the 6.7, sounds like about $40k for a custom ordered 2016 XL.

Mid/high forties if I have my way, I'm wanting a lot nicer truck than the white work truck variety. But I'm not likely to spend a extra $15,000 to get a space shuttle dashboard I don't need.

Digging deeper into unlisted options now, having just emailed a few stealerships questions.

I want the rear view mirror camera, moonroof, leather interior on XL or XLT, and a 4.30 rear end if I buy the gasser. If diesel, still want more options than Ford list for XL. Rear A/C, sliding rear window, manual or auto. May or may not happen, but you never know without asking.

Assuming half what I want added to the XL is available, I will have saved $15k and have a far more reliable and simple interior.

Outside will be even better than a high trim F-350. 20" LED light bar between front tow hooks, flush mount LED fog lights built in rear bumper. Ford will add complete front chrome grill for a few hundred bucks. I can't deal with black plastic. Also getting Ford to put on the 6" chrome tubular side step bars.

I'm buying Fuel Throttle (brand) 18x10" wheels anyway, so the fugly steel painted XL wheels are gone. I'm going with 35x12.5x18 Cooper ST MAXX tires with snow plow prep or heavy duty front suspension package to ensure no clearance issues.

Wheels have -24 offset and will extend beyond wheel well 2-3", so Bushwacker fenders are bolting on with some sexy lady style mud flaps in back to keep rocks off Airstream. Will have the fenders and a line along bottom of truck painted metallic dark charcoal. Truck will be silver with black 6-8" line along bottom basically.

Putting an ARE Z cap on back. If diesel, will go ahead and spring for the 50 gallon Titan replacement tank. Truck N Buddy fold down tailgate width step, that holds 400 lbs, so even I can use it. Mainly for dog though. Spray in bed liner with thick rubber Ford mat on top after. Black aluminum flush mount tool box to hold essentials, jumper cables, tools, fuel filter, DEF, spare bulbs and headlight, tow straps, Hi-Lift jack.

May or may not get the set of truck nutz to hang off back. Undecided. Joking. But I'm after a real truck. So that's what I will buy. A real truck. All told, I will have about $50-53k in it if I follow through. But again, I'm getting what I want. Not what some schmuck at Ford thought looked good.

My goal is a 15-20 year truck. Don't care for all the gizmos and computers. Just an expensive repair bill waiting to happen. And let's be honest, what the hell can you do to mess up a rubber floor?

Many folks don't want dogs in their trucks. I could care less if my German shepherd takes a dump in mine. Just go to car wash and spray the back floorboard out. Ha ha.


Oh... Sorry Scott in NJ. I'm a bit off subject...

My answer to your question is 350


Dan

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

A 2012 F250 6.7L Crewcab Lariat is on a local Ford dealer, has 123k miles. Price $39,900, sticker MSRP is $60k...Is it worth checking out?

Well, I can tell you that you can get any number of brand new 2015 F250 6.2V8 XLT's with stickers up to the $49,000 range for that price.

[KJRitchie]

Don't think the 6.2L gas is a good combo on this heavy truck. 10000 GVWR with 2600lbs payload means the curb weight is 7400lbs, which is 2000lbs heavier than my Tundra's curb weight. Yes, $39k seems high for the mileage even with it being a diesel. Found another local 2014 F250 6.7L Crewcab XLT with console with 12k miles, $46k asking price and it has rear view camera too. The bed has a spray in liner and gooseneck ball so its been used for towing. I may look at it since its close to home.

Kelvin

[Danattherock]

You can buy a brand new 2015 for that.

Based on what little I know at any rate.

I've seen new 2015 F-250 XL's with 6.2 L for around 32-33k.

Guess 6.7 would be under 40k

XLT wouldn't add much to that.

Would be shocked if you couldn't buy brand new one for mid 40's.

Search Autotrader. Thousands of new ones listed and great filters.


Dan

[Danattherock]

Here is an example..

2015 Ford F-250 XL 4x4 with 6.7 diesel. Silver color. $37k advertised price.

Cars for Sale: 2015 Ford F250 XL in Chantilly, VA 20151: Truck Details - 376226261 - Autotrader


Dan