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Old 03-10-2010, 01:02 PM   #21
grampachet
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We have an 2004 V-10 and love it. Over 10,000 miles towing the 3000RK and never any hint of a problem. Most of our trips are up and down I-5 here on the west coast and one trip to Montana GNP. So far I have never found a hill I was not able to gain speed if I wanted to. Average 9 mpg towing at 60 mph. I am running synthetic motor oil and am very pleased with the results.
 
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Old 08-08-2010, 07:25 PM   #22
ExPatNW
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I have a '08 F350 V10 and pull a 345DBQ Mountaineer (empty at around 11K Lbs). Love the 5er and love the F350. The truck is comfortable and has been very reliable. But the issue I have with it which will likely make me switch to a 2011 F350 Powerstroke in the next 12 months is the range on the standard gas tank. Its a 38 gallon tank, but leaving some safety I plan on around 200-220 miles before needing to refuel as I average between 7-8mpg when towing. If I can get 12mpg (and I don't know if I will or not with the new Powerstroke 2011) I can get around 400 miles on one tank and that will be as much as we will plan to do in a single day. Refueling is not a problem, but I do try and locate a gas station I feel confident I can get the truck and 5er into. Clearly because of the power curve differences between a gas and a diesel you need to be comfortable with listening to your V10 running 4-5K RPMs sometimes on the hills.
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Old 08-10-2010, 09:12 AM   #23
CamillaMichael
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We just finished a 1700 mile pull from Florida to New England with diesel...lots of steep grades were encountered and our diesel had no real issues (yes, on really long, steep inclines we slowed...opted to let the rig slow in favor of fuel economy) and recorded 10 mpg over the trip. No experience with the V-10, but the numbers seem to speak for themselves.
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Old 08-10-2010, 10:22 AM   #24
Bill-N-Donna
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I had a V-10 and it got about 9-to 10 MPG before I hooked anything up for towing. When I was towing the Montana (10,300lbs dry) it got about 6-7 MPG. I recently got about 10 MPG towing returning home from the GLR according to my on board computer using our present diesel. If I had a choice after having both I will take the diesel if at all possible over the gasser.
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Old 08-10-2010, 10:15 PM   #25
stiles watson
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Diesel, diesel, diesel. 'nough said.
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Old 08-11-2010, 03:23 AM   #26
Lambchop
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The reason diesels have power on high altitude climbs is because they have a turbo charger. If the V-10 had a turbo, just imagine the results!
As you can see on my signature, I drive a Chevy with a 8.1 gas with a Allison trans. It does well for us, but I know on really steep hills, it does require some more RPM's. 95% of our driving are general even roads, and if we go to the west, I'll probably have to struggle a little on the long grades. Been there, done that throughout the years. If we go full time, I'll think about a diesel at that time. Oh yea, if I drive this 8.1 properly, I get 8 MPG. Push it to 65 MPH and it's 7.8 Mpg.
Oh well

My two cents

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Old 08-11-2010, 04:39 AM   #27
mlh
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You loose 3.6% of your power per 1000 feet of elevation. That don't sound like much until you are up about 9000 feet, and you just discovered you have lost 32% of your power. I80 east of Laramie Wy is 8800 feet. Your V10 with 455 pounds of TK now has 310, and to make matters worse you are headed up hill.
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Old 08-11-2010, 04:54 AM   #28
Lambchop
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by mlh

You loose 3.6% of your power per 1000 feet of elevation. That don't sound like much until you are up about 9000 feet, and you just discovered you have lost 32% of your power. I80 east of Laramie Wy is 8800 feet. Your V10 with 455 pounds of TK now has 310, and to make matters worse you are headed up hill.
Lynwood
Heck, back in the 70's & 80's, pulling a travel trailer up there was always slow going at the top. Even passenger cars were slow going at that altitude.
I at one time back then, could only go 25 MPH at the top...floored! But, you still got to your destination. Retired now, no hurry...LOL. The turbo diesels make the difference!

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Old 08-11-2010, 02:35 PM   #29
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Lambchop

The reason diesels have power on high altitude climbs is because they have a turbo charger. Roy
The key is that diesel engines are not too smart. They keep pulling like stink because they are not smart enough to realize they are crossing the Continental Divide and should have lost one third of their power like their normally aspirated brothers.
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Old 08-11-2010, 03:49 PM   #30
Snowbirds
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Just picked up our 2011 3465 today and we'll pull it with our 99 V10 Super Duty with 4:30's and Doug Thorley exhaust headers. I took it straight to the CAT scales and it weighed 11,920 with two full Propane tanks after deducting the truck. We've pulled 19,500 several times with the V10 without any trouble and I hope that continues. We usually get 8 to 8.5 towing 12 around town...and just tow around here in Tennessee and to Fla and back in the winter.
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Old 08-11-2010, 04:20 PM   #31
Fire1
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I pull a very heavy loaded 2955 with my Dodge Diesel and do not spare the horse power up to 19 solo highway and 13/14 pulling the Monty and the same in town. Luv that 6 cylinder
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Old 08-23-2010, 01:45 PM   #32
sreigle
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Haven't read the other replies but started our fulltiming in March 2003 with a 1999 Ford F350 V10 gasser so want to pass on my opinion. The truck did a really good job of towing our then 2003 Montana 3295RK, very heavily loaded. It took us up and over Vail Pass and through the Eisenhower Tunnel at, what, 13,000 feet?, on I-70 through Colorado, going west to east. It was down to 32 mph at the top and was being passed by the diesels, but it did the job.

My ONLY complaint was fuel mileage. It was pretty bad even when not towing. But, that's something like 410 cubic inches sucking gasoline through ten cylinders. If the mileage is not a problem for you, then I'd say stay with the V10 until such time that you are otherwise ready to trade.

Good luck to you folks.
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Old 09-11-2010, 06:22 PM   #33
bigskyjimmy
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truck driver by trade I drive a frieghtliner with a cummins diesel. my personal rig is a f350 gas v10 why ? all I have ever done in 120k is change the spark plugs, oil changes PERIOD!! and still runs like a swiss watch, you diesel guys will beat me up the pass get a little better gas milage,and you motor will last longer when I do have to replace my v10 at 200k+ it will only cost about 2k to replace it, you diesel guys go ahead and spend the big extra cash for the cost and maintaince for the diesel, the v10 is a great reliable motor with plenty of power and nice and QUIET!!!!
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