Ford Super Duty F-250

[addababyitsaboy]

I'm thinking about buying a super duty F-250 or possibly a F-350, with the four door cab, and short box. Can anyone tell me how this will be for towing a 20' walleye boat. I realize it will tow it, but will the Triton V-10 kill me on gas? How do they ride, and anything else you may have to offer in the way of info. Thanks!

[F350 Driver]

I run the F350 Super Duty with the diesel engine. I get great mailage when pulling and better when I am not. I only know of one person that has the V10 and they run on an average of 10-13mpg pulling, I run around 15mpg when pulling. Both are great motors and have all the power you will need. I have the F250 Super duty before again with the diesel and have the 373 gears in it. This truck was even better on milage. If I had any suggestion I would say stay with the 373 gears. I love the ride and the 4 doors. It gives plenty of room for the family and gear. All in all I believe the best choice you can make for a tow vehicle!

True Believer

[chadk66]

I used to maintain a fleet of ford 1 ton diesels. If you can afford the diesel by all means go for it. You would never regret it. I also believe the resale would be greater or at least a wider buyer market. I have however heard great reports as far as mileage with the v10 and unbelievable power. If you don't plan to keep it for more than 3-4 years then the v10 would be alright. If your planning to run the wheels off it like I do, get the diesel. tight lines
chad

[Mckoz]

I've got a 2000 250SD (Ex Cab 4X4)with the V-10, gets about 10 all the time. It will ride hard if you do not have a load on it. It is a nice truck but not if you are concerned about mileage. I also have '99 F350's with 11' utility boxes - these all have the Power Stroke Diesel. They seem to ride nicer (they are dually 2WD)but are always loaded. The diesel's run a constant 14-15mpg. All the trucks have been great, nothing but oil changes and air filters - so far.

Mike

[Mckoz]

PS The V10 has the 3.73 - I'll have to look at the F350's I dont remember. Also I've heard of guys claiming 18 mpg with the 250 powerstroke 2wd.

I've only got 7000 on the V10 but I do not believe I ever got better than 12.

[F350 Driver]

Chad makes a good point. I may get better milage with my diesel but the cost of fuel is typicaly 10cents or better more a gallon. I do also have to comment that if you really push the diesel hard 75+ mph on the highway the milage does go down. They seem to perform best at speeds up to 70-75 then they really get thirsty.

[F350 driver]

Yes you can get 18mpg with the diesel, I have even seen it in the 20+ on the highway and I am running the 4wd version.

[Worm Dunker]

I have two friends one with 350 super duty 8 foot box and another with 250 with short box both have diesels. The 350 ride is smoother in the back seat. Other wise they both handel 20 foot lunds with 200 motors kickers and all the other stuff that seems to find its way in to a big boat.

Mileage? The guy with the 350 had a v10 for a month and traded for a diesel. His complaint was the motor had power but was always shifting down when pulling a fith wheel camper. Something about 4 to 5000 rpms makes the the gas gauge take a nose dive. The diesels at 65 mph with a boat they get 14 to 16. At 80 mph with boat, camper, or with an enclosed snowmobile trailer (two sleds and 4 fish houses) they get 10 to 11 - they have never been below 10. While the v10 got below 10 some and almost never above it.

I am waiting for my 2001 250 super duty diesel with long box. I was a Chevy guy but the transmissions (one about every 70,000 miles) finally got me moved back to Ford.

Good Luck The Worm Dunker

[Gizmo]

I have a 2001 F250 V10, 5 speed, 3.73 axles, crew cab, 4x4. It gets 12-14 mpg at 70 mph unloaded and 10-11 towing a boat at 60 mph. Lots of room, comfortable, good power, starts great and warms up fast.
My former pickup was an F250 Powerstroke 4x4 with automatic and 4.10's. It got 2-3 mpg better than my V10 and it was not worth it! The noise, stink and hassle of glow plug starting and winter plug-in have turned me away from diesels forever, not to mention the repair bills. I now wouldn't have a diesel if they cost the same as a gas!
An F350 will ride rougher than an F250 and a diesel will ride rougher than a comparable gas engined pickup because a heavier front suspension is needed to support the weight of the diesel motor. An F350 is overkill just to pull a boat.
The ONLY reason to have a diesel pickup is if you regularly need absolute pulling power or if your ego demands it!

[Rats]

You might consider the 5.4 gas. I have F150 with the 5.4 and I pull a 17 foot boat and it has plenty of power. I get about 15 - 16 mpg when not towing and about 10 when I tow. It might meet your needs and it will save you a lot on the inital cost over a diesel

[FWO]

Bought a 1999 F250 to tow my Champion 194 Fishunter. Standard V8, 2X4, crew cab, short box - great vehicle. Plenty of power to tow the boat - cruises nice at 70, you need to look in the mirrors to see you are towing something. 13 mpg towing, sometimes less depending on terrain.

[swift]

I have a F250 SD extended cab with the V-10. I live in North Dakota so most of my driving is flat on a recent trip to Colorado I averaged 15.5 MPG over 1600 miles. I bought the long box and the ride is super. I pull a 18 ft Yarcraft and my mileage stays around 13. I thought about the diesel but they are a $4600 option that is noisy and stinks. I can buy alot of gas for that much money. Now that winter is here my mpg has dove to 8-9 mostly due to warming up and running in 4WD. I still wouldn't trade it for anything.