Community Forums

Jim h · 08-09-2005, 10:53 AM

I pull with an '01 F250 Super Duty 7.3 PSD. My GCVW loaded and with us in cab is 15868. I have not towed too much yet and so far seem to be getting about 13 mpg.
A friend is getting a 5th wheel similar to mine and is deciding between a Diesel and a V10 F250. Can any users of these give me an idea of mileage, both towing and not, both the diesel and the V10.
Thanks

Jim h · 08-09-2005, 10:53 AM

I pull with an '01 F250 Super Duty 7.3 PSD. My GCVW loaded and with us in cab is 15868. I have not towed too much yet and so far seem to be getting about 13 mpg.
A friend is getting a 5th wheel similar to mine and is deciding between a Diesel and a V10 F250. Can any users of these give me an idea of mileage, both towing and not, both the diesel and the V10.
Thanks

RustyJC · 08-09-2005, 11:00 AM

I'll give you the Dodge perspective. We towed our previous 5th wheel with both a 1996 Dodge 3500 dually (V-10/47RE automatic transmission/3.54 axle) and our current 2002 Dodge 3500 dually (Cummins HO/NV5600 6-speed/4.10 axle). Over the same route from Houston through the Texas Hill Country, the V-10 got 6.5 MPG while the Cummins got 11 MPG.

Rusty

Hitchhiker · 08-09-2005, 11:13 AM

With my Ford dually and a GCW around 21,000#, I'll usually get about 10.5 or 11 unless I hit a head wind or get a heavy foot. If I stay around 55 or 60, I can squeeze it up to 12 with no frontal or side angle wind or steep grades.

I've heard people say they do just as well with their Ford V-10 gasser but I have my doubts if all things are equal.

Ivory Snatcher · 08-09-2005, 03:25 PM

We got a v-10 in a E-350 van with the 4.10 RA. The TT weighs around 7500# and the van weighs about 7000# loaded with people and equipment. It only has about 4700 miles on it. We got 8.4 mpg as the low and 10.6 high so far. Without the TT, we get 13 to 14.8 so far. The v-10 has been a good engine so far. We love the van with seating for up to seven. We had a F-150 before and pulling the same TT, we got 9.5 to 12 mpg. The 5.4 worked a lot harder on the grades.

We didn't want to spend the extra $4600 or so the diesel would have cost. With better mileage and cost of services being higher, I calculated it would still take 180,000 miles or so to equalize the cost. Yes, I know resale is supposed to be better for a diesel. We preferred gas.

I drive a 6 y/o Buick daily getting 28-32 mpg, so mileage isn't a big concern now.

Good luck.

08-09-2005, 05:11 PM

I get between 10 and 13 mpg dependent on wind and speed. The 5er is slightly on the tall side (highest point in north america I believe) and GCVW 19000lbs.

TXiceman · 08-09-2005, 06:39 PM

We get pretty much the same as HitchHiker. Pretty consistant 10 to 11 MPG running 65 to 70 MPH with a GCW of 20,000#. Solo, same speeds we get 15 to 16 MPG. All time best was freezing weather at 65 to 70 MPH, 12.2 MPG. Best solo was 19.2 MPG at 55 to 60 MPH.

The diesel will have a higher resale and hold up beter to hard work than a gasser. The diesel will do beter on hills and at high altitude.

Some folks just can't come to get a diesel, but once you have one, you won't go back to gas.

Ken

Two Bit · 08-10-2005, 04:46 AM

We get 11-13 towing at 65 MPH in TX hill country. We get 18 solo at 70 MPH. (2002 7.3 PSD)

Our old truck (Ford 460 gas) got 5-7 towing and 10 solo. Same trailer, same hill country. The gas really lost speed on hills. The diesel doesn't.

Nancy loves the diesel as a daily driver.

luckeyd · 08-10-2005, 06:10 AM

I have owned a 2002 Excursion V-10 and now a 2004 Excursion 6.0L diesel. I pulled 6500# travel trailer with both, V-10 got 7.5-9 MPG 60-65 MPH and non-towing best I could get was 17 MPG (at 60 MPH on interstate) and that was really babying it. Usually empty got right at 15 MPG at 70-80 MPH. With the 04 diesel pulling this trailer I got 11.5-13 MPG at 65-70 MPH.

Now I tow a much heaver trailer, 8500#, get 10.5-12 MPG at 65-70 MPH. Empty I get 22 MPG at 75-80 MPH. All numbers are calculated by hand. The computer on board both vehicles was/is usually off by .5-1 MPG.

JimmyDee · 08-10-2005, 08:02 AM

11.5 to 12.5 towing a 5er that has a dry weight of 6800#. (2001 Ford 7.3 diesel) I'm assuming 8k to 8.5k on actual weight. Speed is 58-65 mph and it makes a huge difference on mileage.
Empty on the road will get 17.5-19 mpg depending on speed and hills. Hills and head wind are almost a non issue. Seldom drops out of over drive.
My friends V10 hangs at about 9 to 10 mpg depending on speed and 12 max empty.
Jim