Looking for a TV

[jtl2]

Ordered a TT with a GVWR of 10,995, dry weight 8650, tongue weight 1,150. Looking at a gas powered F250 6.2 or Ram 2500 6.4. Everything I read says either will drink heavily while towing. Either looks capable on paper (or computer screen). Real life experience/comments appreciated since this will be our first TT.

Thanks in advance,

John

[Dasmoeturhead]

Glad your at least going for a 3/4 ton. Either one you mentioned will do the trick. I've read that Ram 6.4 is a beast. Both trucks will use a lot of gas. Expect 8-10 mpg when towing. Worse on any kind of grade.

[SmokeyWren]

I suspect you'll be disappointed with the performance of a gas engine truck for towing an 11,000-pound TT. That's a bunch of TT. The F-250 with V8 gasser and 4.30 axle ratio will get you there, but you'll probably be kicking your own backside for not spending the extra dough for the diesel.

And if you order a Ford, order the F-350 SRW instead of the F-250. That gives you almost 1,500 pounds more payload capacity with no downside. With a wet and loaded 10,000 pound TT that has 1,300 pounds tongue weight, you'll have to pay attention to the weight you haul in the F-250 if you don't won't to exceed any of Ford's weight limits - especially if you order the heaviest version - a CrewCab 4x4. With the F-350 SRW, you can simply load up and go with no worries about being overloaded. With the F-250 you'll constantly be worried about exceeding the GVWR of the F-250.

[SeabeckS]

Yeah, what Smokey sez...

I was surprised to see the minimal cost premium to move up to the 350 over a 250. Literally just a few hundred more for that option if you negotiate...

Cheers!

[dcarver]

Sorry I don't have first hand experience with either motor but from my own research it seems unloaded the 6.4 hemi gets up to 17mpg and the 6.2 Ford up to 16mpg. Unloaded seems to be 8-10 with no complaints of power in either application. Also, take Smokey's advice and get the 1 ton.

[onechaddude]

I have a 2014 ram 2500 mega cab 4x4 with 6.4 hemi. I am very tickled with the fuel mileage and power. My last 2012 had 5.7 hemi and it did great but the bigger motor never seems loaded. Always just pulls hard on hills and never bogs down. Actually gets better mpg than the 5.7 did. Love it.

Chad

[L.C.Gray]

Jammer, I'm towing a tall 30' TT with a 10k GVWR and actual loaded weight of 7,500 with an '11 F250 CCSB 4x4, 6.2 gas, 6 speed auto and 4.30 gears. Have no complaints on its ability to pull and am seeing about 10-10.5 pulling at 60-65.

My other trailer is a 26' flatbed and I have no problem pulling it grossing 13,000 lbs at 70-75 mph and I'm getting about the same gas mileage as pulling the TT.

It's not the pulling the weight as much as it is breaking the wind.

The Ford replaced a Chevy with a 6.0 that only got 7.5 mpg pulling the same trailer. The 6.2 does it with much greater ease and on less gas.

[brulaz]

From what I've heard, the big advantage of a new RAM 2500 is the rear coils (not avail in the 3500). And you can also get factory air suspension. The ride is supposed to be much improved.

I would test drive them and see what you think.

Ford's 6.2 has been around for awhile and is proven. The RAM 6.4 looks very good but is new.

Here's an interesting review of the 3 HD gas pickups:
PickupTrucks.com - Special Reports

[Dasmoeturhead]

Originally Posted by L.C.Gray

Jammer, I'm towing a tall 30' TT with a 10k GVWR and actual loaded weight of 7,500 with an '11 F250 CCSB 4x4, 6.2 gas, 6 speed auto and 4.30 gears. Have no complaints on its ability to pull and am seeing about 10-10.5 pulling at 60-65.

My other trailer is a 26' flatbed and I have no problem pulling it grossing 13,000 lbs at 70-75 mph and I'm getting about the same gas mileage as pulling the TT.

It's not the pulling the weight as much as it is breaking the wind.

The Ford replaced a Chevy with a 6.0 that only got 7.5 mpg pulling the same trailer. The 6.2 does it with much greater ease and on less gas.

Thats dang good with that gearing. When I was pulling a TT with a gvwr of 9600 lbs my old Titan with a 5.6 litre got 4-9 mpg towing. It only got around 10 in town.

My new Ram ctd gets 11 mpg towing over 16k. 21 mpg on the hwy without the 5er.

[L.C.Gray]

Jammer, I kinda goofed... I made it to your attn thinking you were the op. I shoulda noted jtl2 as he was the person I was really aiming at. Solly.

[Dasmoeturhead]

No worries. :-)

[jtl2]

Thanks everyone, I think I've decided on the RAM 2500 6.4..Thanks for the info Chad. Usually drive Fords so this will be quite a change.


John

[2500HD]

I don't think you will be disappointed. Gas vs Diesel is a personal choice up to a certain weight range. The new 6.4 has some pretty impressive numbers I wouldn't mind taking one for a test drive

[iawoody2]

Originally Posted by SeabeckS

Yeah, what Smokey sez...

I was surprised to see the minimal cost premium to move up to the 350 over a 250. Literally just a few hundred more for that option if you negotiate...

Cheers!

The reason for such a minimal price difference is because the only physical difference is the rear leaf spring pack.