rabbiporkchop
Adventurer
How about this one for creature comforts? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PHnWDQXrQQ The back seat turns into a bed.
Best NEW Diesel Truck on the Market?
- Thread starter timzim
- Start date
alpinetrout
New member
I've got a 2011 F250 with the 6.7 diesel. I had to add DEF at around 5k miles and am currently at just over 8k miles. It wasn't that big of a deal, and the warning comes on long before it forces you into reduced speed mode. I don't carry DEF with me regularly, but if I was planning a remote trip, I definitely would. Fuel mileage is all over the board depending on what kind of driving I'm doing. Stop and go city driving ranges from under 10 MPG if the engine's cold to maybe 14 max once it's at operating temp. Driving on the freeway at 60-65, I can usually get around 22 MPG, sometimes a little more. Freeway at 70-75 drops me down to about 18 MPG. I got 12.5 MPG towing an 8000 pound boat up a mountain pass and back down the other side. Considering that's still better mileage than I get on a short trip in town from a cold start, you can see why it's not a good choice for a daily driver, thus my 8000 miles over the 15 months I've owned it.
One thing Ford has had issues with on the 2011 Super Duty (not sure about 2012's) is the transmission. I had to take mine in twice to resolve "shift flares" where it would essentially slip out of gear from 2nd to 3rd until you let off the accelerator, usually after a cold start. They finally seem to have identified the problem though. The last time I brought it in, they replaced solenoids in the tranny and I haven't had any of the shifting problems since.
Scheduled maintenance is very limited for the first 150k miles. Basically just routine stuff like oil changes, fuel filters, air filter, tire rotations, and fluid checks. At 100k miles, it calls for changing the rear axle fluid, then changing the coolant at 105k. After that, nothing special is required until 150k when you have to change tranny, front diff and transfer case fluid, as well as replace the accessory drive belt. Some of those get bumped down to 60k miles for frequent towing/camper use, or 50k for off-road operation.
One thing Ford has had issues with on the 2011 Super Duty (not sure about 2012's) is the transmission. I had to take mine in twice to resolve "shift flares" where it would essentially slip out of gear from 2nd to 3rd until you let off the accelerator, usually after a cold start. They finally seem to have identified the problem though. The last time I brought it in, they replaced solenoids in the tranny and I haven't had any of the shifting problems since.
Scheduled maintenance is very limited for the first 150k miles. Basically just routine stuff like oil changes, fuel filters, air filter, tire rotations, and fluid checks. At 100k miles, it calls for changing the rear axle fluid, then changing the coolant at 105k. After that, nothing special is required until 150k when you have to change tranny, front diff and transfer case fluid, as well as replace the accessory drive belt. Some of those get bumped down to 60k miles for frequent towing/camper use, or 50k for off-road operation.
Not really sure if there is a "best new diesel on the market". They are all such good trucks and for 99% of the population will tow more than we can really use. Its all personal preference, and what kind of history your family has with a brand. I personally went with a Cummins, because my family has put more than a million miles on them and have never had a single powertrain related issue.
I'm a Ford guy, so Ford get's my vote, even with the 6.0 problems. At this point they have been documented, so you know what you're getting into, and how to fix them when they break, or do so preemptively. One thing to consider with the Dodges (the 5.9 is a great engine) is the lack of cab space in the older models. If you need a crew cab, you need to look at Ford and Chevy (if looking at the older models).
xtreme244tug
New member
We are kicking around a cab and chassis Dodge 5500 or a Ford F550 as a base to pull our boat and mount a large camper on. I just got pricing on both loaded, (Laramie and Lariat Versions). The fleet pricing was $10,000 different!!! The Ford was THAT MUCH more. I am more of a Ford Guy, (my work truck is a 2010 F150 Lariat that I love the interior of) but I dont see any way that the Ford can be that much nicer. Has anyone else seen this pricing differance? Is it only on the cab and chassis? I havent priced pickups as they will not do it for our needs. We have a new 2011 Dodge 3500 at work and it drives nice, seems nice but no miles on it yet. We took off the box and added a service body and a full set of tools and now have to add leafs in the back to level it out. We have done the same on four different 6.0 Fords and never had that issue so I wonder if the Dodge pickups are getting more biased to having a better ride and less load carrying capacity.
Have owned a 2000 7.3, then 2006 6.0 and now a 2011 6.7L. The new truck is hands down the best truck I have ever owned. DEF is no big problem, 13,000 miles since November and have added maybe 3 gallons if that. You can buy DEF everywhere and even Peak sells it in 1 gallon bottles for $6.00. I average 17.5 and better pretty consistently and 10.5 towing a 11,500 trailer. I can climb any mountain at 55mph or greater easily with the trailer. I gained almost 300 ft lbs of torque. You will not even be able to hold any speed or maybe 6/7 mpg with the V10 gas. I questioned myself about the DEF and new price but I will tell you no sports car that costs even more will deliver 800 ft. lbs. of torque. It is a total joy to drive in the mountains when you have no trailer behind it. It climbs and will pass anything. My wife enjoys driving this diesel so much. Forgot to mention that it doesn't even sound like a diesel any more, so quiet. JMO. Yes you only live once.