F250 vs F350

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

I know this is not the OP's original question however reading the responses in this tread I continued to ask myself the following question.

BIG Airstream trailer means BIG truck to pull it and all the cost of truck/trailer maintenance, issues associated with storage of the Airstream trailer when not in use, backing up this LONG rig when in a tight situation and finding a camp site large enough with reasonable access for such a BIG Airstream trailer and BIG tow truck.

Therefore the question that I kept asking myself while reading this thread and if I were in your position of NOT YET having purchased a Truck or Airstream trailer that you may want to think long and hard about is this:


Do you really "Need" that BIG of an Airstream trailer to begin with to be comfortable and keep the boss happy?

If the answer to this question is YES!

GREAT!!!!

However just remember the truck and trailer you buy is ultimately the truck and trailer you will one day sell therefore I suggest careful consideration for both the Truck and the Airstream Trailer and your on the road lifestyle!

There are some that bought to keep until death. Kinda like marriage. No new AS's, no new truck. Pretty sure we will not ware either out.



Be well, best regards, and safe travels.............

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

I don’t warm up “endlessly” but it takes a few minutes to hook up. My wife says my eyes glaze over and I lose my train of thought every time a diesel starts up. Does that happen to anyone else?

Ever time..............It is like eating a Klondike bar/square.........



Be well, best regards, and safe travels

[rdsyl]

We have been on the road with our 2018 30' Classic and 2018 F350 diesel since Oct 1st. The decision on the F350 versus F250 was simple. It is the same truck except the 350 has stronger leaf springs. And, In Alberta where we live, Ford sells 10 350s for every 250, so for the minor price adder it made sense considering future resale. I do not have a comparison to the ride of a 2018 250, but all of the research I did indicated that both trucks feel stiff when not loaded, and much nicer when loaded. So, 350 it is. Regarding diesel versus gas, we are extremely happy with our choice. At 460 hp and > 900 ft-lbs of torque, the big truck does extremely well uphill, downhill and holds it own in the wind. I would buy exactly the same truck again to pull a 10,000 GVWR trailer.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by sbowman

Do not concur. The new big Diesels will "smoke" any gasser up, down, and all around. Glad you are happy w/your gasser. Be well..............


Best regards and safe travels

Yes and no.

Watch The Fast Lane Truck Ike Gauntlet videos on YouTube.

The big 3 HD gas and diesels can all pull the Ike at the speed limit with a trailer weighing what an airstream weighs. Yes, the diesels can pull a heavier load faster.

But also with any load,

F150 EcoBoost will smoke the 150 diesel.
Ram 5.7 will smoke the ecodiesel.
Nissan 5.7 smokes the Cummins 5.0

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

Yes and no.

Watch The Fast Lane Truck Ike Gauntlet videos on YouTube.

The big 3 HD gas and diesels can all pull the Ike at the speed limit with a trailer weighing what an airstream weighs. Yes, the diesels can pull a heavier load faster.

But also with any load,

F150 EcoBoost will smoke the 150 diesel.
Ram 5.7 will smoke the ecodiesel.
Nissan 5.7 smokes the Cummins 5.0

Well, it's not about "smoking" the diesel with a gas engine. As many who own newer diesels, I must suggest you pull a heavier (25' +) size AS with your F150 up a 7% grade, then down at 60-65mph...then do it with a new F250/350 diesel., auto engine brake engaged using cruise control and collision avoidance distance system activated..you will find out pretty quickly what most of us who own diesels are talking about. 1500 rpm's while it loops along without any strain. It's not that the diesels "can" pull a heavier load faster; it's that they can both pull and slow a heavier load much easier then with a gasser...even the F150 EB, (which I owned for 5 years while pulling 2 different 25' AS's) was an eye opener vs when I drove my first F2506.7L while looking at the new 2017 EB and F250 6.2 gasser, couple years back. Take the challenge; drive one of these beasts while pulling your AS and see what we are saying...that's all. Hey, we all love gassers for overall fuel cost and maintenance economy, no question.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Well, it's not about "smoking" the diesel with a gas engine. As many who own newer diesels, I must suggest you pull a heavier (25' +) size AS with your F150 up a 7% grade, then down at 60-65mph...then do it with a new F250/350 diesel., auto engine brake engaged using cruise control and collision avoidance distance system activated..you will find out pretty quickly what most of us who own diesels are talking about. 1500 rpm's while it loops along without any strain. It's not that the diesels "can" pull a heavier load faster; it's that they can both pull and slow a heavier load much easier then with a gasser...even the F150 EB, (which I owned for 5 years while pulling 2 different 25' AS's) was an eye opener vs when I drove my first F2506.7L while looking at the new 2017 EB and F250 6.2 gasser, couple years back. Take the challenge; drive one of these beasts while pulling your AS and see what we are saying...that's all. Hey, we all love gassers for overall fuel cost and maintenance economy, no question.

6.7 vs EcoBoost I agree 100%. But I suspect the 6.2 is closer to the 6.7 in controlling the descent than it is the EcoBoost.

[rgg123]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

6.7 vs EcoBoost I agree 100%. But I suspect the 6.2 is closer to the 6.7 in controlling the descent than it is the EcoBoost.

Nope - had a 6.2L pulling a 30 ft Classic and I struggled mightily up and white knuckles down. Switched to a 6.7L diesel and have been very happy ever since. No comparison in ride safety and driving ease - the diesel wins hands down for pulling any AS over 28ft

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by rgg123

Nope - had a 6.2L pulling a 30 ft Classic and I struggled mightily up and white knuckles down. Switched to a 6.7L diesel and have been very happy ever since. No comparison in ride safety and driving ease - the diesel wins hands down for pulling any AS over 28ft

Interesting.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Well, it's not about "smoking" the diesel with a gas engine. As many who own newer diesels, I must suggest you pull a heavier (25' +) size AS with your F150 up a 7% grade, then down at 60-65mph...then do it with a new F250/350 diesel., auto engine brake engaged using cruise control and collision avoidance distance system activated..you will find out pretty quickly what most of us who own diesels are talking about. 1500 rpm's while it loops along without any strain. It's not that the diesels "can" pull a heavier load faster; it's that they can both pull and slow a heavier load much easier then with a gasser...even the F150 EB, (which I owned for 5 years while pulling 2 different 25' AS's) was an eye opener vs when I drove my first F2506.7L while looking at the new 2017 EB and F250 6.2 gasser, couple years back. Take the challenge; drive one of these beasts while pulling your AS and see what we are saying...that's all. Hey, we all love gassers for overall fuel cost and maintenance economy, no question.

May be I should have said "The Cats Meow" in place of smoke. Perception is a funny thing.


Best regards and safe travels to all no matter what you choose to own.

[rgg123]

Originally Posted by sbowman

May be I should have said "The Cats Meow" in place of smoke. Perception is a funny thing.


Best regards and safe travels to all no matter what you choose to own.

Well said!!

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

Yes and no.

Watch The Fast Lane Truck Ike Gauntlet videos on YouTube.

The big 3 HD gas and diesels can all pull the Ike at the speed limit with a trailer weighing what an airstream weighs. Yes, the diesels can pull a heavier load faster.

But also with any load,

F150 EcoBoost will smoke the 150 diesel.
Ram 5.7 will smoke the ecodiesel.
Nissan 5.7 smokes the Cummins 5.0

Have.



Yes they both will pull at the speed limit, agree. However at what energy required? At what fuel consumption required? At what ware on vehicle, long term, day in and day out? The 2 power plants (Gas/Diesel) are as different as night and day in what they do and how they do it and how they last.



Not interested in the small diesels unless you are talking cars. However if you would like to discuss our 1988 LR 110 pick up w/ a 4 cylinder diesel w/86 HP. Talk about a slow boat to China, however a hoot to drive.



Be well, best regards, and safe travels.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by sbowman

Have.



Yes they both will pull at the speed limit, agree. However at what energy required? At what fuel consumption required? At what ware on vehicle, long term, day in and day out? The 2 power plants (Gas/Diesel) are as different as night and day in what they do and how they do it and how they last.



Not interested in the small diesels unless you are talking cars. However if you would like to discuss our 1988 LR 110 pick up w/ a 4 cylinder diesel w/86 HP. Talk about a slow boat to China, however a hoot to drive.



Be well, best regards, and safe travels.

I had an Escort with the 2L, non turbocharged diesel. Similar power to your LR. Got over 60 mpg though, no kidding.

Not sure why they compared the 6.2 gas (385 hp) to the 6.7 Diesel (460 hp). They’re not even close. My Dodge Cummins is probably closer to the 6.2 in power, couldn’t be more different when pulling the 27’.

[DewTheDew]

I followed the discussion in Naryan's thread and I agree with his conclusion that if you are 1) getting a diesel and 2) going to haul a lot of stuff then it is clearly the F350 over the F250. It's not the towing limit that gets you, it's the payload. I know that people argue for other solutions and if you are an expert and want to spend a lot of time dealing with load balance and such then sure, I'm sure you can make even an F150 work somehow but I am like Narayan; I don't would rather have too much truck than not enough. My F150 3.5 ecoboost is not even close to maxed on towing weight with our 27' FC, and when we travel as a couple the load is fine. But when we added two kids and more stuff I had to be careful how I loaded and it felt "uneasy" going down the hills of western maryland (uphill was piece of cake). Lots of concentration! When we retire in a half dozen years or so we will likely upgrade to a 30' or so and will probably be carrying kayaks (don't at the moment) and staying out longer, meaning I will almost certainly get an F350 diesel. Good luck!

[Moflash]

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I agree with you.With two Hobie Kayaks ,a 2up Atv along with 28ft International and a few other things a F350 6.7 Td is very comfortable.Great for all adventures.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Moflash

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I agree with you.With two Hobie Kayaks ,a 2up Atv along with 28ft International and a few other things a F350 6.7 Td is very comfortable.Great for all adventures.

F250 6.7L 4x4 works fine for our needs..don't take the ATV's; we bring mountain bikes loaded on the Fiama AS bike rack, 2 kayaks, 95lb generator, bbq & table, 40lbs firewood, camp gear 45lbs, 65qt. Yetti filled with "drinks"...and of course, the wife...still way pounds under Max Payload of 2300...works fine for us.