Is a F250 Diesel Necessary?

[Dirvin0500]

My DW and I are preparing to retire in the next couple of years. We will be refreshing our current truck with a new one the first of Nov. We've decided on the 373RD or the 3791RD. If we were to buy an F250, would we absolutely have to buy a diesel? Have been looking at the new 7.3 L gasser with a 4.30 gearbox. It looks to be good. We had a diesel before and didn't like it as well as a gas model. Any suggestions are very welcome.

[bleedmichigan]

Originally Posted by Dirvin0500

My DW and I are preparing to retire in the next couple of years. We will be refreshing our current truck with a new one the first of Nov. We've decided on the 373RD or the 3791RD. If we were to buy an F250, would we absolutely have to buy a diesel? Have been looking at the new 7.3 L gasser with a 4.30 gearbox. It looks to be good. We had a diesel before and didn't like it as well as a gas model. Any suggestions are very welcome.

What didn’t you like about the diesel?

[Sdgood1]

Personal choice! I think that’s why they’re bringing out the big gasser. Not everybody likes dealing with the diesel! IMHO

[CADman_KS]

Maybe a little more insight into why the OP didn't like diesel, may help us answer the question better.

I'm a card carrying diesel fanatic, and at one point, every thing that we owned at our house with a engine was diesel powered, except our powerwasher, so take what I have to say knowing that.

The biggest difference between gas and diesel is the way that they make power. Diesels make power almost effortlessly, and the new Ford and Chevy's with the 10 speed, take that to a whole new level. Our 2020 Chevy, towing 15K# never even sounds like it's straining to do any work, even when accelerating. Hook our same 5er onto a gasser, and expect to spend a fair amount of time at 4000 RPM's while accelerating with the motor just wound up to make the necessary power. And be turning a higher RPM's on the highway at cruising speed, which equals more sound.

I don't know this for a fact, but I think it's fair to assume that the new diesels are a lot better about staying in gear when pulling than the gassers, and that's got to do with the insane amount of torque that they make. The Ford diesel is more than 2X the torque of the gasser. Torque is what pulls you up a hill, or helps you stay in a gear. We drop our Chevy in 10th gear, and let the transmission figure out what gear it wants to be in. It very seldom shifts down out of 10th, and when it does, it does it very gradually, which is a benefit of having a 10 speed trans, which the gasser would have as well. But, I would expect the gasser to downshift sooner, and ultimately more often, than a diesel would, hill for hill.

I have not ridden in a new Ford gasser, but I can absolutely guarantee you that it is louder, a LOT louder, when it's making power, and if that truck is equipped with a 4.30 rearend, it's going to be even louder, and be more wound up all the time, even when rolling down the highway at speed.

This may not make a difference to the OP, but prepare for frequent stops at the gas station with a gasser, loaded or unloaded. The new diesels can easily get 15+, and higher if you're easy on them. A gasser will never get that, especially with a low rear end.

At the end of the day, maybe some of the things that you didn't like about your last diesel have been corrected. The new diesels have a lot to offer, IMHO...

[catch up with the zzzz]

Sorry I must disagree. I use a ram 3500 dually 6.4l hemi dual rear wheel 14000lb gvwr. Going up and down the East coast Jersey to Florida. Maybe 1 or 2 minuets of the entire trip did I need to go over 3200 rpms and averaged 8 MPG. T a 10,000 dollar initial cost dif. and service and maintenance costs being a third of the cost. The sound is beautiful.

[Texan]

Are you going to be traveling in the mountains or staying on flat to gently rolling hills. Also are you going to be just weekenders or planning on long trips such as 500 miles or longer. The gas engines just don't have the torque you need for the mountains. I really wish i could get by with a gas engine as the diesels cost a whole lot more and cost more to keep on the road compared to gas but you probably would be struggling with a gas engine as the rv's are very heavy. Just remember the old saying ' horsepower sells but torque moves'.You won't have even half the torque in a gas engine compared to a diesel.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Texan

... Just remember the old saying ' horsepower sells but torque moves'.You won't have even half the torque in a gas engine compared to a diesel.

I've always heard, "horsepower gets there you fast, but torque does the work".

A lot of of times, the gasser will have more HP, than diesel, but lose the torque number. With that being said, the 7.3 gasser doesn't win on either count!

7.3L Gas: 430 HP @ 5,500 RPMs and 475 lb-ft torque @ 4,000 RPM
6.7L Diesel: 4750 HP @ 2,600 RPMs and 1050 lb-ft torque @ 1,600 RPM

Like I was saying in my previous post, the gasser has to be wound up to 4,000+ RPMs to actually do anything...

[RMcNeal]

While I prefer diesel, I don't necessarily think you must have one. However, if you are looking at a 3791RD, which is what I have, you are not going to want to go with an F250. The weight of a 3791RD is too much for an F250. At that size and weight you are firmly in the one ton, F350, range and possibly in a dually which only comes in F350 and above. You will only know based on the loaded weight and pin weight of the rig you choose. I'm not too familiar with the new 7.3 Gas models, but all things being equal, the truck would need much more payload than an F250 has to handle these larger models.

[catch up with the zzzz]

Nail on the head.

[Jeff n Susan]

Strictly a personal preference.
The diesel will get you up the mountains a heck of a lot easier than a gasser.
I tow our 330RL with the F250 6.7 Powerstroke. It is my personal preference of a tow vehicle, and quite frankly, I wouldn't have anything else. It does the job quite well!
I have had a few gassers, and the convenience of the availability of gasoline makes them an attractive option, but anymore , diesel is just as readily available. I personally like the diesel for the performance. Yes, the maintenance is higher, but the trade off, to me, is worth it.

[Skw774]

i have towed with both, i will never go back to gas to tow. other than all the emission crap these new diesel's are great

[mlh]

I think it depends on how much you are going to be pulling your camper. If you aren’t going to be pulling over a hundred miles from home the gas truck will work just fine. If you plan on traveling very much get the diesel and either way make it a F350.
Lynwood

[Dirvin0500]

Thanks to all for your comments. Sorry it took so long to get back. Granted, our diesel was a 2005 F250, but the reasons we didn't like it had nothing to do with performance. Our issues were it was noisy, always smelled of diesel (duh), and was costly to maintain. For instance, an oil change (which included fuel filters) cost $140 vs. $30 for a gasser, two batteries to maintain and replace, etc. I completely understand torque/power. We plan to ful, time/part time. We will probably be gone 2-3 months at a time and travel from Alabama (where we live) across the country. It sounds like we really need a diesel even for the 373RD. From what I've read lately, the main difference between a F250 and a F350 (not talking dually) is the F350 has a beefier rear suspension.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Dirvin0500

... Our issues were it was noisy, always smelled of diesel (duh), and was costly to maintain. For instance, an oil change (which included fuel filters) cost $140 vs. $30 for a gasser, two batteries to maintain and replace, etc. I completely understand torque/power. ....

Good to hear that these are some of your issues with diesel.
1) New diesels are no longer noisy. While probably louder than a gasser, they are not obnoxious like they were in the past. My wife and I were just commenting the other day that we went thru the drive through and ordered wiThout shutting off the truck. We and they could hear just fine. NOISE GONE ON NEW DIESELS!!!
2) The ONLY time that you will smell diesel on these new trucks is when you fuel them. They do NOT smoke. I've heard it said, that the air coming out of the tailpipe on a new diesel is cleaner than the air going in. Don't know about that, but there is NO smell out of the tailpipe for sure. THE DIESEL SMELL AND SMOKE IS GONE WITH THE NEW DIESELS
3) You are correct about maintenance, and things like the batteries. However, all of that is made up for in the towing experience. There's a reason that over the road trucks don't have gas motors...

[laverdur]

Cadman KS comments that the diesel smell if gone with the new diesels. While I mostly agree, if stopped at a light with a tail wind, the diesel exhaust smell gets blown into the cabin through the cabin ventilation system It doesn't happen often but it does happen. IMHO, not a reason not to buy a diesel.

[twindman]

Originally Posted by Dirvin0500

Thanks to all for your comments. Sorry it took so long to get back. Granted, our diesel was a 2005 F250, but the reasons we didn't like it had nothing to do with performance. Our issues were it was noisy, always smelled of diesel (duh), and was costly to maintain. For instance, an oil change (which included fuel filters) cost $140 vs. $30 for a gasser, two batteries to maintain and replace, etc. I completely understand torque/power. We plan to ful, time/part time. We will probably be gone 2-3 months at a time and travel from Alabama (where we live) across the country. It sounds like we really need a diesel even for the 373RD. From what I've read lately, the main difference between a F250 and a F350 (not talking dually) is the F350 has a beefier rear suspension.

I made a mistake when I bought my 2012 Silverado. I thought the 3500 was much more expensive than the 2500. Wrong. About a year later I checked and the difference was just $1500 or so. And for that you get 1500 lb more payload (more or less, as this keeps changing). I have to run about 400 lb over GVWR, tho both axles are good. It would be nice to not worry about being overweight and getting in trouble with the law.


On a different subject, I had a 2004 diesel. As you stated, it was kind of noisy and smelly. My 2012 has NO smell and not much noise PLUS it rides much better. From what I have heard, the new ones are even better.

[c2itcliff]

Consider the F350 diesel DRW! Go and test drive it. Way different than your 2005 F250! Consider also the engine brake.

[bwright]

Yes, the F350 has a helper spring helping you carry a higher payload. The difference in price is minimal when you are looking at the price of a new unit. I hear that the long beds carry a bit more payload than a short bed which will help you on hitch weight without the need for a dually.

[81SHOVELHEAD]

Originally Posted by Dirvin0500

Thanks to all for your comments. Sorry it took so long to get back. Granted, our diesel was a 2005 F250, but the reasons we didn't like it had nothing to do with performance. Our issues were it was noisy, always smelled of diesel (duh), and was costly to maintain. For instance, an oil change (which included fuel filters) cost $140 vs. $30 for a gasser, two batteries to maintain and replace, etc. I completely understand torque/power. We plan to ful, time/part time. We will probably be gone 2-3 months at a time and travel from Alabama (where we live) across the country. It sounds like we really need a diesel even for the 373RD. From what I've read lately, the main difference between a F250 and a F350 (not talking dually) is the F350 has a beefier rear suspension.

Whats wrong with the 1 ton 7.3 if you're a Ford Driver? My nephew is an ASME Diesel mechanic. He has a 2019 F350 in his shop now . Fuel pump blew up contaminated the fuel system . 17,000.repair & can't get parts? I'll keep on dealing with my 6.4 Hemi Ram high rpms towing our 2021 295RL rather than going through the expense of owning a diesel.

[saber707]

Originally Posted by 81SHOVELHEAD

Whats wrong with the 1 ton 7.3 if you're a Ford Driver? My nephew is an ASME Diesel mechanic. He has a 2019 F350 in his shop now . Fuel pump blew up contaminated the fuel system . 17,000.repair & can't get parts? I'll keep on dealing with my 6.4 Hemi Ram high rpms towing our 2021 295RL rather than going through the expense of owning a diesel.

This is why" Ford 7.3 V8 - 430 hp, 475 lbft torque
Ford 6.7 Diesel - 474 hp, 1050 lbft torqe

To pull what you have and the least bit more, I want the torque. Yours will pull it down the road but will strain on hills and passing.