Help choosing new 3/4 ton truck

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by djbar
Hmmmm. Do the majority of 250/2500 owners feel that exhaust braking is necessary, or that its only another level of "insurance" against brake system failure on long steep inclines? (thinking western Rockies vs Blue Ridge Pkwy)

The answer from me is "yup"! See post #36 above also..."if" your going diesel, I feel the F250 diesel provides a great towing platform feeling very stable and powerful with great control/braking while towing at highway speeds, especially in the Rockies. I set cruise at 60-65 in tow haul mode, engage the automatic engine brake, sit back and the automatic collision avoidance helps keep the distance between me and traffic. Very different then when I was towing same highways with my F150 EB and my 25, I will have to admit. There were times with the F150 that I was very tense at highway speed in the Rockies. (The extra payload in the F250 is nice also.)

Only issues to me are as a daily driver it is a bit clunky to park and the cost of fuel and service is higher then the F150. But, compared to other options and trade offs, I am very happy I listened to my wife and got the F250 6.7 King Ranch, 4x4 to pull our 28'.

[panamerican]

If you plan on going out west into the mountainous areas, I would wholeheartedly, strongly recommend you take another look at diesel versions of the truck(s) you are considering.

A 25' still can way nearly 3/4 of what a 30' weighs and though a gasser will do the job, it will work 5x harder and get worse fuel economy overall. Diesels have upwards of 950ft/lbs of torque at very low RPMs. Gassers get maybe 350-400 at 5000 RPMs. Not a big deal when you live and travel in the flatlands, but it makes a significant difference when you start to take it up and down 5-8% +/- grade. Just my .02

Trading up vehicles later gets kinda expensive, so you really need to do a bit of soul searching to understand where you might go with your Airstream to better answer what TV you need. I speak from exp. Went the gasser route because it had ample power and was less expensive. Having gone into the Rockies, I often wished I had gone the diesel route instead.

[palerider]

Originally Posted by mkcurtiss

How your mileage with that v-10 Palerider?

I have one in an e-350 that is bulletproof, but pretty thirsty !

Still a very low maintenance motor, but easily serviceable when it does need it.....

.
My truck averages around 12/13 by itself. I have seen 14 a couple times. Pulling my 5th wheel, usually 9-11. Depending on the country I’m in. I’m very satisfied with it. I don’t have to blow the big money for maintenance like a diesel or the high price for fuel or the additive to keep it from stinking. Most diesels don’t get that much better mileage pulling. Plus I know that the parts will be available for repairs if needed (it’s an 08 and never been in the shop).

[Shazam]

At this point, I have narrowed down to the specs I want in my new F250. The only question remaining is, do I get a 4.3:1 gear ratio? My AS is a 25FC RB with a weight of 7300#. I plan occasional annual mountain travels. Getting the 4.3 will require a special order.
I looked at the "Help spec a new F-250," thread and am not trying to re-hash the "my truck is bigger than your truck" banter. For my specific usage, how would a 4.3 benefit me vs a 3.73?

[CarterKraft]

In some areas (towing) the 4.3 will benefit you. Increased torque and engine breaking less downshifting and the engine will be higher in the power-band while pulling RV speeds 65-70mph.

In other areas the 3.73 will benefit. Unloaded driving at higher speeds 70+ the RPMs will be lower and allow or better overall fuel economy.

I don't know your particulars so I'll let you decide which gear set would benefit you the most.

I hear from others on the forum for an all out "tow" rig with 6.2 or V10 gas engine the 4.3 gear set makes a very impressive performing vehicle.

I have no experience with one but it looks like either is more than adequate for your weights per the Ford Towing guide.

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by Shazam

At this point, I have narrowed down to the specs I want in my new F250. The only question remaining is, do I get a 4.3:1 gear ratio? My AS is a 25FC RB with a weight of 7300#. I plan occasional annual mountain travels. Getting the 4.3 will require a special order.
I looked at the "Help spec a new F-250," thread and am not trying to re-hash the "my truck is bigger than your truck" banter. For my specific usage, how would a 4.3 benefit me vs a 3.73?

While I do not know exactly, I can say that I tow our 27 footer up some fairly steep hills with an F150 and a 3.55 and it isn't bad at all. I think the 4.3 would be overkill.

[Daquenzer]

I agree with the last post. A 3.73 gear ratio is plenty for a 25’. You’ll hardly notice it is there. And you are going to want some fuel economy. That truck will probably get between 14 and 16 mpg’s when not towing. And as the last post an F150 with a 3.55 pulls very easily a 7,000lb trailer. I would encourage you to check out the TFLtruck.com videos on truck performances on the Ike Gauntlet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gMV35SbAOY

This test is with a 3.73 axle ratio. I just can’t see that you will need more.

[majorairhead]

I have the 4.30 rear, towing a 30 foot airstream, 9mpg, maybe 9.5, some times 8.9 (like going through west virginia, up and down the hills.)

Running empty, mixed driving, 12.5 to 13mpg

Running empty, highway, 14.5 to 15 mpg.

However, when I load up the truck, firewood, bikes, grill, propane, chairs, books (yep, my wife wrote a book, and I haul several heavy boxes at times)....and load up the trailer, full freshwater tank, and who knows what else.....the truck just simply walks the dog without issue.

[CRH]

The 4.30 gear set is hardly overkill. There is little if any difference in fuel economy. My empty 6.2/4.30 truck gets 12-13 around town and 16 on long interstate trips. I get a solid 10 mpg pulling my 25 ft AS on the interstate. The nice thing with the 4.30 is you have more grunt to get the load rolling and downshift one less gear on the steep grades.

The most I have towed with this truck is 12k pounds. It did a good job.

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by CRH

The 4.30 gear set is hardly overkill. There is little if any difference in fuel economy. My empty 6.2/4.30 truck gets 12-13 around town and 16 on long interstate trips. I get a solid 10 mpg pulling my 25 ft AS on the interstate. The nice thing with the 4.30 is you have more grunt to get the load rolling and downshift one less gear on the steep grades.

The most I have towed with this truck is 12k pounds. It did a good job.

I have no doubt that it makes a difference. The question is whether the difference is worth it.

[CRH]

Worth it how?....The extra 300 bucks the 4.30 gears cost? If so, then yes it was worth it to me.

[mkcurtiss]

Originally Posted by palerider

.
My truck averages around 12/13 by itself. I have seen 14 a couple times. Pulling my 5th wheel, usually 9-11. Depending on the country I’m in. I’m very satisfied with it. I don’t have to blow the big money for maintenance like a diesel or the high price for fuel or the additive to keep it from stinking. Most diesels don’t get that much better mileage pulling. Plus I know that the parts will be available for repairs if needed (it’s an 08 and never been in the shop).

mine is in an e-350 extended van...its a tank...i never get over 11 mpg, but towing the 26' Airstream, it only goes down 1 mpg ! crazy....I do have the 4:10 gear, and that thing is heavy as lead, and loaded with equipment.....It suits me fine, and did not cost me 50 g's !

My brother has the big Dodge Cummins ! blah, blah, blah......just had to put new injectors on it....$4000 job ! I can put a whole new engine in mine for $4000 ! smdh

[mkcurtiss]

Originally Posted by Shazam

At this point, I have narrowed down to the specs I want in my new F250. The only question remaining is, do I get a 4.3:1 gear ratio? My AS is a 25FC RB with a weight of 7300#. I plan occasional annual mountain travels. Getting the 4.3 will require a special order.
I looked at the "Help spec a new F-250," thread and am not trying to re-hash the "my truck is bigger than your truck" banter. For my specific usage, how would a 4.3 benefit me vs a 3.73?

With an overdrive transmission, the bigger gear will probably not hurt your milage, unless you want to drive 85 mph all the time.....but it certainly reduces the strain on the motor and trans......that much gear gives you a tractor like feel from a dead stop.....its amazing really....and with a 6 speed trans, it will shift to maximize milage....

The 3:55 or 3:73 will do fine.....We also pull ours with a Tahoe with a 3:55 sometimes and its just fine, but you are aware it is back there moreso than with the 4:10.....I do get 14 mpg with the Tahoe, towing, at 70 mph.....hard to find fault with that result !

[Moflash]

The exhaust brake is another tool that makes life easier when pulling a trailer.Saves on premature transmission failure and brake wear.I have used it many times on my last 3 tow vehicles.It comes in handy,not just in the mountains.Reduces stress

[Hermes]

Originally Posted by Moflash

The exhaust brake is another tool that makes life easier when pulling a trailer.Saves on premature transmission failure and brake wear.I have used it many times on my last 3 tow vehicles.It comes in handy,not just in the mountains.Reduces stress

Agree. Reduces stress big time, no matter the road.

As one OP said in a post about driving his rig in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his diesel 3/4 ton (as compared to what he previously had). it made him "giddy". I just find it relaxing; put it in tow/haul mode, turn on the exhaust brake, set the cruise control at a reasonable speed, keep your eyes on the road and let the truck do its job.

[superChop]

Diesel purchase question pertaining to braking on large grades. Slow down and your super duty gasser will be fine! Percentage of driving time on these grades is probably 5% or less per year for folks living in Georgia. We just convoyed up to Int’l Rally and back with several other AS’s. On the big Hills we slowed down for a few miles and then maintained 65MPH on the more level portions. We had about 50/50 split between gassers and diesels. No one had problems with TV’s, but we did have three tire blowouts on our AS’s! Cannot imagine impact of a blowout at some of the speeds I have read some posters travel at 70+ MPH!

I would ask a similar question on 4 WD - how many times have you needed it in the past year? In our 10,000 miles - never. Why buy a heavier drive system if you don’t need it. Some folks will need the extra traction when boondocking or in snow country, or on boat ramps, but most of my AS club friends use RV and state parks and do not need 4WD.

This same logic can apply to many new electronic options like smart cruise control, BLISS, lane departure warning, cameras, push button start, etc. How have we lived without them for the past several decades?

[CarterKraft]

Towed my car hauler and a 1500lb lathe today with my dad's '19 F150 3.55 geared 5.0 and 10 speed transmission. Engine braking in tow haul was impressive with the 10 speed. 10 speed transmission was nice too, never got higher than 9th up to 70 mph.

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by CarterKraft

Towed my car hauler and a 1500lb lathe today with my dad's '19 F150 3.55 geared 5.0 and 10 speed transmission. Engine braking in tow haul was impressive with the 10 speed. 10 speed transmission was nice too, never got higher than 9th up to 70 mph.

The 10 speed will be offered (standard?) in the 2020 F-250.

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by superChop

I would ask a similar question on 4 WD - how many times have you needed it in the past year? In our 10,000 miles - never. Why buy a heavier drive system if you don’t need it. Some folks will need the extra traction when boondocking or in snow country, or on boat ramps, but most of my AS club friends use RV and state parks and do not need 4WD.

?

Yeah, the 4WD question is valid, but it’s the kind of thing that when you need it, you’re REALLY glad you have it...even if the need is once or twice per year.

We have a half mile of steep, winedy (sp?) road to get to our house in the N GA Mnts. I’m glad to have 4wd in the winter!

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by KK4YZ

Yeah, the 4WD question is valid, but it’s the kind of thing that when you need it, you’re REALLY glad you have it...even if the need is once or twice per year.

We have a half mile of steep, winedy (sp?) road to get to our house in the N GA Mnts. I’m glad to have 4wd in the winter!

Agreed. I have rarely used 4WD when towing but use it a lot more for the other uses of my truck!