Early experience with new 2020 Ford F-250 King Ranch Diesel...

[FishByFly]

I picked these up at a national auto parts chain. They bolt to the hitch mounting tube. They may look low but don’t hang below the spare tire or exhaust assembly. I like that they are tucked away. Been there for a few years with no problems.

Connected to my backup lights so automatic. Work great backing into my drive in the winter when trying to see snow piles, retaining walls, and trailer hitch.

[Rad22]

Originally Posted by djbar

Could you post a link to your after-market back-up lights? Thx.

These come with a model-specific mounting bracket...

https://www.carid.com/2019-ford-f-25...tomer_complete

[Rad22]

Originally Posted by SereneStream

Please do post info and pics on backup assist. I’ve a similarly equipped F250 and wouldn’t mind trying my backup assist.

I placed the sticker on a piece of aluminum cut to fit the sticker and found a really strong stick-on magnet strip to place on the back. I only place it on the tongue when I'm using the system. Otherwise it stays in the glove compartment. So far it's worked flawlessly...

[21Airstream]

Originally Posted by superChop

... Just curious, MPG is so irrelevant when towing, but glad you are happy with 14+ MPG why discuss it? Your $10,000+ premium for the Powerstroke will take a lot of years and miles to cover that extra cost + higher maintenance fees over my standard (no extra cost) 6.2L F250 with 10-11 MPG towing.

I don’t drive a PowerStroke but I do drive a Cummins. For some of us, it’s about range. The last two Rams I’ve had have had larger replacement fuel tanks installed (56 & 52 gallons respectively). Better fuel economy with a larger fuel tank requires fewer stops for fuel. The extra torque and exhaust brake is just a bonus.

[superChop]

I do not mean to hijack this thread. Thank you! This is important! Someone has finally addressed the most pertinent reason for providing MPG for a TV = RANGE! Few TV’s include a fuel tank that allows we intrepid travelers to drive 300 miles or more per day without that entertaining experience at the gas station, blocking at least one other pump and then finding a place to park, to use facilities. F250’s with 6 & 3/4’ include 34 gl tank. 8’ bed includes 48 gl tank.

Another question - Why do we regularly address payload, axle weights, GCVW, etc? = SAFETY! IF you have A wonderful TV that is over one of these weight limitations, admit it is unsafe, reliability, durability, electronic gadgets are great, but safety is highest priority!

[21Airstream]

FWIW, the difference in weight of Diesel fuel with the larger tank is only about 150 lbs. Being larger, the tank weighs more but it’s still under a 200 lb. difference in weight.

[EarStreaming]

I'm curious to know what your payload sticker says? In case you don't know it's the white/yellow sticker on the driver side door jamb. I like to take notes on F250 diesel trim and the available payload it has, TIA!

[Ray Eklund]

Mountain Driving my 2016 F350 Diesel 4x4, six foot bed and shell pulling a fully loaded 27 foot International... 9.5mpg to 13mpg.

Equalizer Hitch, 1000# bars. Grease all moving parts and ball with wheel bearing grease. No sway. May not even need the bars, but good to have in case. Carry paper towels, wear disposable gloves when... cleaning and greasing the hitch up when I hear it moaning on a turn.

If I were concerned about cost... we would still be using the tent. That lasted five months... so the 2019 International was a reward for sharing the tent with our two Blue Heelers. THEY needed more room.

Can get 20 to 40mpg going Down. Can get as little as 7mpg going UP. It all averages out. Had topped out the mpg going down the Bighorn Mountains into Buffalo, Wyoming four years ago. It might have been in the upper 50mpg. Once you touched the peddle in town to I-25... it dropped fast.

At elevation the power of the Diesel will exceed anyone's expectations using a gas model. Although if you want to get to the top faster... it will... cost you mpg.

No lack of power. Lots of braking and engine braking at 11,000 feet Mountain Passes and just as effective to STOP on a Kansas Highway.

We travel heavy for weeks on the road, maintain full fresh water, carry a six gallon jug for the two Blue Heelers, tools to repair, replace or help others fix, repair or replace on the road.

The extra cost is well spent. I would like to drive a F250/F350 gasser just to feel the difference... if any.

[HappyHapgood]

I may be wrong, but it’s not so much the diesel that makes great power at altitude... it’s the turbo(s). I suspect gas turbos are equally impressive, but there just are not many relatively large displacement gas turbo SUV or trucks. Navigator and fords are only 3.6 liter. The Porsche Cayenne turbo, Bentley bentaga, and their ilk are so rare And expensive as to not really be relevant.

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by HappyHapgood

I may be wrong, but it’s not so much the diesel that makes great power at altitude... it’s the turbo(s). I suspect gas turbos are equally impressive, but there just are not many relatively large displacement gas turbo SUV or trucks. Navigator and fords are only 3.6 liter. The Porsche Cayenne turbo, Bentley bentaga, and their ilk are so rare And expensive as to not really be relevant.

No, your exactly right. Forced induction almost completely eliminates the power loss at altitude that normally aspirated engines experience.

[mikeinca]

Actually, you're exactly right. Duh.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by HappyHapgood

I may be wrong, but it’s not so much the diesel that makes great power at altitude... it’s the turbo(s). I suspect gas turbos are equally impressive, but there just are not many relatively large displacement gas turbo SUV or trucks. Navigator and fords are only 3.6 liter. The Porsche Cayenne turbo, Bentley bentaga, and their ilk are so rare And expensive as to not really be relevant.

*****
You are correct in your assumption. Turbo. Compression of a Diesel will surpass any gasoline models.

[DewTheDew]

Not to sidetrack things about a hitch in a truck thread (beautiful truck, by the way!); but I recall being told specifically NOT to grease the "shelves" where the bars ride on the equalizer hitch. Because it is the friction there that gives the sway resistance. Instead I have greased the hinge by the hitch where the two bars have their pivot point.

I never bothered to set up the backup assist with my F150 and haven't done so when I upgraded to the diesel F250 last fall (mine is the Platinum, not the KR, but still comfy!) but this inspires me to do so. If it doesn't take too long to set up then that's great and I don't have to use it if I don't like it!

Have fun!

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

Not to sidetrack things about a hitch in a truck thread (beautiful truck, by the way!); but I recall being told specifically NOT to grease the "shelves" where the bars ride on the equalizer hitch. Because it is the friction there that gives the sway resistance. Instead I have greased the hinge by the hitch where the two bars have their pivot point.

Rather than grease the shelves, this is what Equalizer recommends to reduce the noise. They work very well and require no grease and therefore attract no grime.

https://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-9...48054702&psc=1

[J-Dog]

Do you remember the brand name for the back seat dog bed?

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

Rather than grease the shelves, this is what Equalizer recommends to reduce the noise. They work very well and require no grease and therefore attract no grime.

https://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-9...48054702&psc=1

Thanks! I already have those but I bought my AS used so I didn't know they were not "stock".

[Ray Eklund]

I love the negative feedback from those who have no clue about purchasing SMART, matching a Tow Vehicle to the Trailer. They compare their situation as if it has been forced upon them and everyone else is printing cash in the basement for a Tow Vehicle that was given to them.

Sweat Equity paid for everything we own.

Our 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser cannot tow anything over 23 feet. Probably not even 23 feet as I have owned them since 1985. Six cylinders to the 5.7L. Best transmission in the WORLD. Ask, if you do not believe me. 69,894 miles

Our 2016 F350 4x4 Turbo Diesel 3:55 differentials. Tows 25 foot Internationals like toys. Tows our 27 foot International effortlessly at ANY SPEED at ANY ELEVATION at ANY GRADE in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Equalizer Hitch, 1000# bars, 2 1/2 inch Shank for the F250 / F350 hitch. No sway. Probably could easily tow without the 1000# bars Why defeat the purpose of the Equalizer Hitch?

Mileage on the 2016 F350. 48,845 miles.

Our Airstreams. They have been Part Time Homes towed by

Do the math and years. Obviously the F350 is a Daily Driver if you use mileage.

The Tundra is built BETTER than the Ford. If Toyota begins selling 3/4 / 1 ton pickups with Diesel... I will be in line to look. Love the Ford... but the paint to the fit is not... Toyota.

Love Post #1. All true. Dodge and Chevrolet may be just as fine. I liked the Maroon King's Ranch, trade in of my Tundra was very good and because I had a pulse... love the Ford. My second. The first... 1958 model in 1970.