Ford V10 6.6l gas mileage

[Lindyrig]

What kind of gas mileage are you guys or gals getting with the 3/4T ford with the V10. Should have lots of power for pulling my Lund.

[Phil T.]

Before this degenerates into "my brand is better than yours", look at the horsepower, torque, rear axle ratio, and anything else that effects tow ratings. There ain't no free lunch. Power requires fuel, and no one brand has a wizard engineer.
For a comuter truck, the mileage will be poor. As a serious tow vehicle, it will be okay, unless you drive like a teenager.

[FJH1]

I've been wondering this as well.

I'll be in the market for a truck in the not so distant future and so far I'm really leaning towards the Excursion Diesel or the Suburban Diesel. My buddy just picked up a used Suburban Diesel and he's getting 20+ mpg on the highway. The gas v10 is cheaper overall than the diesel (I think about $4000 less in the Excursion), but I wonder if in the long run it's not better to spend the $ for a diesel. That's why I'm leaning towards diesel.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Grey Wolf]

I had these same questions just two months ago. Wanted to know what kind of mileage I would get with the V10. Obviously we don't buy these types of vehicles if we are concerned about mileage. Two months agao I bought a F350 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 with the V10. I too am a bit interested in the Diesel which gets 18-20 MPG, but I'm not sure if I can justify the costs. Its 4 grand or so up front, but everything about a Diesel is expensive. Like a 12 quart oil change, $75 air filter, $500 starter these are dealer prices, but still very spendy.

Here's what I found. I noticed that in the SUper Duty vehicles, the V8's come staqndard with a 4.10 rear end, where the V10 and Diesel coem with a 3.73 rear end standard. I was told I could not get the V8 with the 3.73 in the F350.

My results are as follows:

Around town I can get as good as 12 MPG and as poor as 10 MPG. The best I have gotten is 13 MPG which really surprised me. I have not checked my highway MPG because it has always been towing a boat, and I have a heavy foot. I know that it's better than 10 MPG, but it's not better than 13 MPG.

I love the truck and motor combination. It pulls my 2500 LB boat like it's not there.

[Mckoz]

I've got both the V-10 (Ext 4X4, 3.73, 250SD) and a couple 350 dually's (2WD) with diesels.

I use the V10 at home and for towing and the mileage reports of between 10 & 12mpg are correct - towing or not. The oil change (synthetic) is about $60.00

I use the diesels for work and they weigh about 10,000 lbs, no load - trailering almost always maxed at 20,000. They are great trucks and consistently get about 14 -15 mpg. I've heard of better in the lighter 250's.

The oil change for the diesels is 16 quarts and about $90.00 for Caterpillar Blue, blended oil.

Nothing will out tow the diesels, having said that, however you are only towing 2500#'s. I do not like listening to the noise all day and appreciate the quietness of the V10. I also would try to stay away from the diesel if you make a lot of short trips.

Whatever decision you make - I really like the trucks so far.

Mike

[CWS]

My wife has the Excursion with the V10 (4.1 rear) and I have a new super duty crew cab with diesel (3.73). The excursion averages 11 - 11.2mpg and gets about 13.5 on the hwy (no boat). I've calculated mpg on the diesel after every fill-up, the worst milage I've had was 14.8 and the best so far has been 16.8. I have not had the diesel on the highway yet but I expect 18-20 easily and 15 pulling my boat. As far as noise with the diesel, its pretty loud when it is cold but after it warms up I don't even notice it. (especially with the radio on)

FJH; my wife has been talking about selling the excursion, If interested call me

[hgf]

Go to irv2.infopop.net (hope that's right) It's an RV site that has numerous recents threads on the gas mileage of V-10s, 5.4 and diesels. Consensus there seems to be that the V10 is the best, unless you must tow something really large. The numbers don't justify the diesel, even though the diesel is awesome engine. V10 runs a mile or two less than the 5.4.
I've got a 99 250 SD with the 5.4, auto, and 3.73. More than enough power for any boat. But I often have a 9.5 foot hardside camper on it, and the V10 would be nice for that little bit extra power. Would like to buy one this year yet, with extended cab, single rear wheels, and an F 350 for the extra weight capacity, but no one seems to have one in stock.
Great trucks.

[SPANKY]

I HAVE A SDF250 DIESEL 3.73. 1999.4X4 FORD. HAVE 100,000 ON IT AND DRIVE HIGHWAY ALOT AND GET 16 -17 SUMMER AND 14-15 WINTER AT 70 MPH AVERAGE.
PULLING A 22' LUND 3800 #'S SAME SPEED 12 MPG.
TRUCK IS A CREW CAB 4 DOOR SHORT BOX.
ON AVERAGE I LIKE THE TRUCK AND WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE.

[Boatnut]

Lindy,
I'm not sure why you or anyone would buy a v-10 to pull a light boat. why pay the extra bucks up front when someting smaller will more then do the job? seems like overkill to me.
I have a 96 ford F250 with the powerstroke diesel and 3.50 rearend. i bought it to pull a 26' cruiser originally plus bobcats and other construction equipment. Non towing it gets an honest 20 mpg at hiway speeds 65 and under. over that its about 18. Towing 7500 lbs it varies depending on speed and terrain anywhere from 13 to 16.
I honestly wouldnt recomend diesels unless your pulling a lot of weight and doing it consistently. the extra cost of a dieslel up front and the fact that diesel fuel is more expensive now doesnt justify them unless you need a real workhorse. Not that i dont love mine of course! The new ford only come with a 3.73 so mileage will be a bit less then what i've stated since i've got a 3.50 axle.
Yes i love my diesel but it's got 140 k on it and works hard.
just some thoughts.

[Boatnut]

how old was his used suburbuan? big difference between the old 5.9 chevy diesels and the new alumamax.
just curious

[Starfish]

I have a 1999 SDF250, V10 extended cab long bed with a 4.30 rear end. It gets 12 mpg highway, 10 in the city, and 10 towing. The power is awesome-- even towing the boat (19' Spectrum) with an 11' camper. But the mileage of a diesel would be nice...

[Planocat@aol.com]

You can read about my experiences at the BASS FISHING HOME PAGE. See post # 6687 unders Trailers and Towing.

I don't have the time to retype everything as I'm out the door to drive 650 miles to pick up my 1950 Tyee at the Prestige trailer factory in Illinois. The weather in Dallas is not conducive to long distance travel, but we'll see how it goes.

If you have any other questions, e-mail me and I'll try to help.

Planocat

[JimStolpa]

I second Mike's opinion...
My father purchased a 4WD 250 Super Crew Cab V10 last year for his business. He puts a lot of miles on driving across the country on repair jobs and occassionally tows heavy equipment. I was with him and we really debated the add 4k cost for the Diesel. He gets 10-11 mph with the V10 and obviously decided against the diesel. We came to the same conclusion that most others have that you really have to have a strong consistent HD towing need to justify that diesel. Both trucks are great ...they each have their role.

Jim

[Powerstroke]

I have a 2000 F259 SD crewcab with a powerstroke and a Superchip. I pull a 2002 Skeeter ZX2050, Tandem axle, Yamaha 225 4 stroke and a 8 hp kicker. Loaded it weighs 5500lbs on my way to Canada . I run most of the way around 80mph and I got an honest 15.1 mpg round trip. I did have the same truck with a V10 and I got 9.4 MPG. They were exactly the same except fot the diesel vs. gas. The price you pay for the diesel is well worth it and the resale is much better.

[JAK]

Let's see: today's gas price in Rochester - $1.01 Diesel $1.24. After aprox 180,000 miles of pulling a 5500# boat at 80 mph the cost of fuel savings will be about equal to the additional up front purchase price of the $4,000.

Don't get me wrong, if I had to tow somthing heavy (10,000# plus) during 80-90% of my driving, I would own nothing but a diesel! But for occasional towing and normal driving I just can't justify having one.

[JustLookN]

I have the v10 in 4x4 Excursion with 3/73 gears, best it gets is 14-15 on hiway, towing 8000 lb boat 7-10 mpg depending on speed and hills, the 3/73 gears are all you need for 8000 lb boat or under I tow in overdrive with no problems, it has 37k on it, most of it towing and no problems yet. Cant justify the diesel myself some people can...Bob

[Powerstroke]

I don't think some of you get it.....it cost $4000 more up front for the Powerstroke, but when you sell it you will get $5000 more then the gas.....I had the V10 and it was hard to sell when gas was $1.50 a gal and diesel the same. Also anyone who is going to run 180,000 with the V10 will pay for the overhaul....also the diesel has a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty...the gas has 36,000.