F-350 Gas engine

[chieflawdawg]

Is anybody using a new F-350 with a gasoline engine for towing their 5er? My brother-in-law is looking at a 2014 model and wondering about mpg's for it. He went to look at diesel model and dealer told him the the new diesels have to have a mixture of fuel and additive to run properly. They even have an extra spout in the fuel fill compartment. Said if you don't add the additive that the computer will shut truck down. Glad I have my trusty 99 7.3. Thanks for any info.

[mhs4771]

More than likely what the Dealer was talking about is the DEF that is used by all new Diesels, including the Semis. They use approx 5 gals DEF to 5000 to 7000 miles driven, but uses a little more towing. DEF can be purchased at Wally World for $12.00 for 2 1/2 Gal or in bulk at Pilot/Flying J for $2.899 per gal.

[racerjoe]

we have a F-250 with the 6.2 litre gas engine. we tow a 2950RK. we set it up with 4:30 gears which put the capacity at 15000. Although we do not full time, it tows very well. Gas mileage runs 12-14.5 running without, and 9-11 mpg towing. All depends on terrain. Even with the gears it runs only 1800rpm at 60 mph. In the tow-haul mode it seems to like keeping the rpm in the 2500-2800rpm when pulling a grade. We are happy with it. Had an 03 with the v-10 before and was a little hesitant, but no problem at all.
I believe the diesel you add additive at oil change intervals and everyone that has one is happy with the new diesel.If he fulltimes or tows cross country,the diesel is the way to go. But for part time, I could not justify the extra money for the diesel,especially only driving 5-6000 miles a year

[mlh]

Let me add to what Michelle said. The new trucks with the DEF system get better fuel mileage so the DEF fluid is paid for with better fuel mileage than the trucks get with just the DPF. Power wise there is just no comperison between the gas engine and the new 6.7 diesel.
Lynwood

[triumphess]

We have a 2012 F250 6.7L diesel. We just had to do the additive for the first time, and we have about 5500 miles on the truck. It cost $37 for the additive and a tire rotation. We get 12.5 towing and in the neighborhood of 14.5 - 16 around town. Haven't really done much distance without the trailer, but I would assume milage will be better than around town.

[Rondo]

I've refilled my DEF three time now and I've got approximately 15,4oo miles on the new Chevy 3500. I've bought it both at auto parts places in the 2 1/2 gallon jugs and also bulk at a truck stop. The problem with adding the DEF to the Chevy is that the fill spout is under the hood and you have to watch what you are doing because the bulk fill comes out to fast and it spills all over the engine if you are not careful. Fords and the now the new Dodges have the fill spouts near the fuel fill spout. At least I think that is where Dodge has put theirs anyway! The DEF is urea and water blend and is injected into the exhaust system to burn out the carbon deposits from the diesel exhaust. Just another way of Uncle Sam getting into our pockets! Before they just injected some diesel into the system and ignited it but I guess that was not good enough!

[Rainer]

I purchased the DEF for my 2012 F-250 6.7l Powerstroke diesel at Autozone when the notification came on (with 500 miles to do go before it ran out - plenty of warning time).

When I got my first oil change at the Ford dealer, they automatically filled the DEF, a complimentary service. I am due for another oil change this coming week, so I'm anxious to see if I get the DEF again (different dealer).

It's not a big deal adding the DEF on my Ford truck. In fact, the last Pilot truck stop I filled up at had it available to fill right from the pump, so I guess it's becoming a very common thing.

[1retired06]

DEF is not an issue, just a new requirement with the diesels. I buy my DEF at Walmart, and get 20-22 MPG Highway miles, and average 12-14 MPG towing the Montana. MPG better than a gasser, but MPG is less important than tow power and reliability. Big difference between the two. Fourth Diesel I have owned, and the 6.7 is the best ever. Ford had it right with the 7.3, and has it right with the 6.7.

[Bruce Lenhardt]

quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

DEF is not an issue, just a new requirement with the diesels. I buy my DEF at Walmart, and get 20-22 MPG Highway miles, and average 12-14 MPG towing the Montana. MPG better than a gasser, but MPG is less important than tow power and reliability. Big difference between the two. Fourth Diesel I have owned, and the 6.7 is the best ever. Ford had it right with the 7.3, and has it right with the 6.7.

X2, I don't get quite that good of mileage yet but love the pulling power.

[richfaa]

We had the 2005 F-350 V-10 6.8L gas motor.4:30 rear end and pulled our 06 3400 all over the country. I don't think that motor is made anymore. The MPG was 7/8 on a good day. 4/5 or less on a hard pull. On fairly level ground in pulled well. In the mountains we ran out of motor. After our trip out west we changed to the 2008 6.4 diesel. Now we are long timers and put many miles a year on the rig. IMO IF you do not pull all that much or do not pull much in the steep mountains the gas motor well serve you well. I question the present gas motors in the heavier Montana's although I have NO personal experience pulling with the present gas motors.

[moutard2]

My 2006 F250 V10 6.8L SRW 2WD pulled 14,000lbs up and down and across the continent without difficulty however the torque was a little disappointing. The newer gas engine and transmission couplings however have vastly improved on this spec. Average MPG was about 8 while towing and slightly better when not. Get a Dodge RAM with a Cummins and you won't need DEF and you'll have torque to spare.

[racerjoe]

Rich, they still make the v-10 but you can only get it in the cab and chassis only. I think it is F350 and above. I was dis-appointed when I could not get another V-10 but the new 6.2 motor has me more than satisfied.

[richfaa]

We loved that V-10 Motor. It was first of all quiet and it was a pulling beast. It served us well pulling the 06 3400 in Ohio, Ind, etc. The first trip we took out west converted us the to the diesel. In a few places we were down to 35 mph and could not hear ourselves talk over the screaming V-10. we may have been slow in the mountains but the beast pulled them with not a problem. IMO anything 10K or under would be good with the big gas motor.

[mlh]

And don't forget that for every 1000 feet of elevating a gas engine looses 3.6% of its power. On I80 at Laramie Wy the elevation is 8800 feet and power is reduced 30%.OUCH. A turbo Diesel starts loosing power it about 12,000 feet.
Lynwood

[1retired06]

I would not let the use or non-use of DEF drive my decision on a vehicle brand.