Gas or Diesel F250

[Grumpy8]

I have about worn myself out looking at RV's but have finally decided that a 5'er is gonna be the way to go. Price is a concern at this point and I am trying to decide between gas or diesel F250.

We want to buy a 2012 Jayco 26.5RLS Eagle Super Lite HT and need to know if the Ford F250 gaser will be enough to pull it. The PowerStroke is nice but as I said price is a big consideration.

[RVThere]

Are you looking to get a new or used F250? If used, stay away from the 6.0l diesel that they started using in 2003. Ton of problems with them over the years.

[MikenAmber]

We pull our rig about 7800# loaded with our F-250 with a V-10 gas. Does a good job, it's rated at 10,000 towing. Be sure to use the GVW weight on the 5er not the unloaded weight. I don't think the 5.4 gas would be very good, if I had it to do over I would have went with a diesel.

[jwomack]

I tried towing with a gasser - lasted about 6 months of 5.5 mpg and slow acceleration and hill climbing. Now towing with a diesel. It costs a LOT more to start with a gasser and then upgrade.

[JIMNLIN]

Jayco specs show a 9950 GVWR with a 3255 lb CCC. Dry gross weight from the factory is 6695 lbs and a small 1375 lb dry pin weight.
I doubt you can load 3255 lbs of "stuff" in the trailer so realistic your looking at around 8500 lb wet weight camper and a 1700-1900 lb wet pin weight. The F250 gasser will handle that much pin weight safey and easily.

A '09 F250 with the V10 has a 14k-16k 5th wheel tow rating so it will have plenty of get up and go for that smallish 5er. The '05 V-10 same truck shows a 12500 lb tow rating.

The new '12 F250 6.2 gas engine from Ford has a 12300 lb to 15800 lb tow rating so it will have no issues with a 8k - 10k lb trailer. The '05 5.4 gasser shows a 8500 to 1000 lb tow rating.

New truck or used truck. Use http://https://www.fleet.ford.com/sh...ng/default.asp
for tow rating of the different year model F250 gas trucks.

[Grumpy8]

Well, I am thinking of the 2012 F250 6.2 engine. Curious to know if it would get any better mileage than the diesel or about the same. Most of my trips will be in the south and the on occasion to the Smoky Mountains.

[jimcumminsw]

I have two problems with any gas engine vehilce thay is being used as a tow vehicle for a 5er.

The first is fuel mileage. I know from experience that a gas engine vehicle will get poor fuel mileage on flat land. I had a 2001, Chevy 6.0L gas engine equipped pick-up truck. When pulling the 5er I would get 6 to 7 miles to the gallon on flat land tops.

Pulled the same camper with a 2008, Ram 6.7L diesel engine and I was getting 10 miles to the gallon. So there is a major difference in fuel mileage with a diesel engine equipped pick-up truck.

Now my other major concern which most people do not realize until they try to fill up a gas engine TV is the clearance with the station. When you try to fill up a gas equipped TV with the 5er attached you need to consider the station design. There is usually not enough room to maneuver the TV and 5er away from the gas pump. Look at the design of most stations, the fuel pumps sit in front of the store and the over head canopy is not tall enough for a 5er. With a diesel fuel pump they allow the TV and 5er to maneuver in the lot after you fill up. Since the stations are set up for a Semi truck which are 53FT or more in length and over 12FT tall. A lot less stress when filling up with diesel fuel.
Jim W.

[chief02]

5.9 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel 21 mpg highyway not towing, 12-14 mpg towing. The tranny is the weak link...but love it anyway.

[hometool]

i tow my 5er with a gas 09 f250 5.4 i think it does just fine. my fuel milage towing is around 9.5 my 5er is around 8000 loaded ready to go.

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief02 5.9 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel 21 mpg highyway not towing, 12-14 mpg towing. The tranny is the weak link...but love it anyway.

Taken care of with the 6.7L when the 6-speed 68RFE replaced the 4-speed 47RE/48RE.

Rusty

[Bbasso]

A very forgotten point,
MPG in a diesel
MPG in a gasser.

cost of fuel will make the BIG difference. Don't forget to figure that into you costs.

I had a 7.3 PSD and now the V10. while they are both great motors, the transmission makes the biggest difference towing.