Ford Super Duty Trucks... should I buy one

[red gt 1442]

anybody own one and can give some feedback? looking for a good tow vehicle.

thanks
steve

Hey steve,
I purchased a 350 super duty and picked it up the week of the Indy meet.

I can tell you that all the amenities are great. Very confortable and really good looking interior. As far as the exterior, well you can see that from the pictures on the ford web site. I happen to love the truck. I towed my GT with a 24 ft trailer to the Indy meet. Compared to my 1999 dually I found that this truck is a rocket ship. Most of my trip was done at above 75MPH,and at times at 90 with little effort. This truck just pulls and pulls. I was passing everything in sight. The only problem I experienced is the poor fuel mileage. Was getting around 7 per gl. I attribute this to the braking in period..as my 1999 did the same. I was told that once the engine breaks in, I should be averaging 11 to 12, as my 1999 did the same and get's that much now. I have 2000 miles on it right now, will be going to michigan (from NYC) this weekend, and will expect a little better fuel range. The only thing you cannot pass up, are those damn gas stations, otherwise, man it's a real trip. Let me know if you need anything more and I will test it. BTW, I purchased mine fully loaded, including heated seats, elec outside mirrors, Nav,HD tow packg,4x4,undercarriage protective plates,and you must get the in dash trailer brake adj.
Good luck if you get one.

Gino

 

[S592R]

Hey steve,
I purchased a 350 super duty and picked it up the week of the Indy meet.

I can tell you that all the amenities are great. Very confortable and really good looking interior. As far as the exterior, well you can see that from the pictures on the ford web site. I happen to love the truck. I towed my GT with a 24 ft trailer to the Indy meet. Compared to my 1999 dually I found that this truck is a rocket ship. Most of my trip was done at above 75MPH,and at times at 90 with little effort. This truck just pulls and pulls. I was passing everything in sight. The only problem I experienced is the poor fuel mileage. Was getting around 7 per gl. I attribute this to the braking in period..as my 1999 did the same. I was told that once the engine breaks in, I should be averaging 11 to 12, as my 1999 did the same and get's that much now. I have 2000 miles on it right now, will be going to michigan (from NYC) this weekend, and will expect a little better fuel range. The only thing you cannot pass up, are those damn gas stations, otherwise, man it's a real trip. Let me know if you need anything more and I will test it. BTW, I purchased mine fully loaded, including heated seats, elec outside mirrors, Nav,HD tow packg,4x4,undercarriage protective plates,and you must get the in dash trailer brake adj.
Good luck if you get one.

Gino

Thanks for the input. Does yours have the 4.10/4.30 or 3.73 gears in it? 11-12 is a bit short ... I looked at the GMC and it looks like it might average 22 without a load. Do you have any idea what it might get unladened?

Thanks
Steve

 

[dbtgt]

Thanks for the input. Does yours have the 4.10/4.30 or 3.73 gears in it? 11-12 is a bit short ... I looked at the GMC and it looks like it might average 22 without a load. Do you have any idea what it might get unladened?

Thanks
Steve

Steve,
I also tow with a 2008 Superduty - I traveled with you and Piccola to Indy. I have only 2,700 miles on the truck and it is still breaking in (they break in for about 15,000 to 20,000 miles) and I get 11.5 MPG towing and 18.5 Highway - unladen - so far. In my experience, most of the highway mileage claims for diesel pickups are folklore. These F-250/F-350 trucks tow like a bandit and are very strong but gas mileage is not their strong point. I don't know first hand, but I doubt that the Chevy will achieve 22 MPG. It may at 55 MPH - unladen - but who drives that way?:bs Gino's truck was a dually and he left NJ with 10 miles on the speedo. These engines are really tight in the beginning and at 90 MPH towing in a new dually I can understand some really poor fuel mileage. So far, I find this truck slightly better mileage-wise than my 2005 F-250 Powerstroke under similar circumstances. At this point - would I buy it again - Hell Yes - it is one hell of a truck! Hope this helps.
Dave

 

[STORMCAT]

I just got back from my 3700 mi trip with my new Tahoe. Pulled the GT in my low profile , light weight Tommy's trailer. We averaged 10.5 to 11.5 mpg and that was at 70 to 75 mph average. Went through the mountains between Atlanta and Tenn. with no problems. It has the 5.3L V8 with the Dis. on Demand. Unloaded I get 16 mpg city/ 20 mpg hwy which was the same as my smaller Envoy so I'm tickeled...

 

[FB GT40]

F350

Steve -

I'm on my 3rd F350 in 11 years. (had a Dodge before) I recommend them highly. Never had a problem even towing a heavy steel trailer with two race cars in it. Gross load of 22,500 lbs with all the gear. I will buy a 2008 later in the year. I've "chipped" the last two for greatly improved fuel economy. I used a Hypertech reprogrammer. Take a look at the F450 if you want more capacity!

Gordon.

 

[FlorIdaho Chris]

Steve-

I've been driving my new F250 King Ranch Superduty for about a month now. It is a dream to drive. I only have 2000 miles on it so it is still getting broken in. Very comfortable and quiet ride. You can barely tell it is a diesel. With the sequential twin turbos there is zero throttle lag. I am getting 17 mpg on the highway. I have no long distance towing experience, but have pulled my trailer w GT a bit. You can hardly tell the trailer is back there. The optional integral brake controller is really nice and works smoothly. IMHO there is no nicer pickup on the market. You will be very pleased.

I will have the rig at the rally in August. You are certainly welcome to drive it if you haven't made a buy decision by then.

 

[fjpikul]

Steve, I can get you a deal on whatever you want in St. Louis. Either buy off the lot or made to order.

 

[nota4re]

I too have been contemplating the purchase of a diesel 3/4 ton. I am historically partial to neither the Ford or GM - though I know many people here are obviously strong Ford fans. I love the quality of the KR interior on the Ford as well as all of the other creature comforts. The steering wheel has more controls than many dashboards!

However, at the moment, I am leaning toward the new GM products. The GM interior is better (IMO) to all of the Ford's except for the aforementioned KR. Exterior design is subjective, but for me the GM's have this hands down (I'm talking about the new 2500+ trucks - not the "classics".) But the biggest differentiator to me is the Duramax diesel. The (old) Ford Powerstroke had many, many problems that were well documented. The Duramax has had steady evolution as a powerplant and has been much more reliable. The newest twin turbo from Ford looks good on paper - save for the fact that it comes from the same makers as the previous Powerstroke. Even with twin-turbos and being the very latest design - it still cannot match the power output of the Duramax diesels. Finally, driver seat comfort is a big deal to me and the GM seats just seem to feel better for me than any of the Ford seats.

Speaking of power, I think Ford really needs to get on the ball. I'm eyeing to replace my Denali with another SUV or truck. My wife and daughter stopped by the Lincoln dealership and looked at the new Navigator. They've really done a nice job to try to get some marketshare from GM's Escalade/Denali market. But the power is an outright joke. Ford can only offer the 5.4 with 300 HP and 365 TQ. Meanwhile the GM products are at the 400/400 mark. Buyers for this gas-guzzlin SUV want/expect POWER. Ford is placing more lipstick on the pig but they have to solve the drivetrain "problem" before they'll get my business.

 

[red gt 1442]

Steve,
I also tow with a 2008 Superduty - I traveled with you and Piccola to Indy. I have only 2,700 miles on the truck and it is still breaking in (they break in for about 15,000 to 20,000 miles) and I get 11.5 MPG towing and 18.5 Highway - unladen - so far. In my experience, most of the highway mileage claims for diesel pickups are folklore. These F-250/F-350 trucks tow like a bandit and are very strong but gas mileage is not their strong point. I don't know first hand, but I doubt that the Chevy will achieve 22 MPG. It may at 55 MPH - unladen - but who drives that way?:bs Gino's truck was a dually and he left NJ with 10 miles on the speedo. These engines are really tight in the beginning and at 90 MPH towing in a new dually I can understand some really poor fuel mileage. So far, I find this truck slightly better mileage-wise than my 2005 F-250 Powerstroke under similar circumstances. At this point - would I buy it again - Hell Yes - it is one hell of a truck! Hope this helps.
Dave

Ty Dave,

I couldn't have said it better myslef. I have not driven the truck without a loaded trailer behind it. If it is consistent with my 1999, then 18 or 19 hiway should not be unreasonable to reach. And yes, some of us are Ford fanatics. I just like the product better. I did purchase a chevy suburban in 2001, which I still own. You name it, it has been changed. Just too many prob's, and under a heavy tow load it get's really scary at 70. Hope you make the right decision in your purchase.

Gino

 

[FordGTGuy]

Steve,
I also tow with a 2008 Superduty - I traveled with you and Piccola to Indy. I have only 2,700 miles on the truck and it is still breaking in (they break in for about 15,000 to 20,000 miles) and I get 11.5 MPG towing and 18.5 Highway - unladen - so far. In my experience, most of the highway mileage claims for diesel pickups are folklore. These F-250/F-350 trucks tow like a bandit and are very strong but gas mileage is not their strong point. I don't know first hand, but I doubt that the Chevy will achieve 22 MPG. It may at 55 MPH - unladen - but who drives that way?:bs Gino's truck was a dually and he left NJ with 10 miles on the speedo. These engines are really tight in the beginning and at 90 MPH towing in a new dually I can understand some really poor fuel mileage. So far, I find this truck slightly better mileage-wise than my 2005 F-250 Powerstroke under similar circumstances. At this point - would I buy it again - Hell Yes - it is one hell of a truck! Hope this helps.
Dave

Would I be wrong in saying that if you were to install a new exhaust and chip flash it would increase the mpg a considerable amount.

 

[S592R]

Steve, I can get you a deal on whatever you want in St. Louis. Either buy off the lot or made to order.

Thanks Frank, I appreciate it.... I am leaning very hard towards the 350 4x4 KR in white .... have not figured if I want drw or srw. But I know I want the 373 gearing. with 600+ft/lbs torque I don't think I'll need a lower gear and I plan on driving at speed often.

I did drive the chevy and I hated the back seat. also it seemed .....well ... squirmish when on power ....

Chris, thanks for your input ... what gearing do you have on yours?

I think the only aftermarket stuff that I would consider on a diesel is Banks. rock solid and the oems go to him for stuff.... that speaks volumes.

Frank, are you read for me to order those oil filters. I am collecting orders and will place one bulk order on monday. filters and oil. I will have them drop shipped to each person ....

pm me for more.

thanks all for your input it helps
Steve

 

[Mark O]

Ford owns Cummins, so it makes perfect sense to get a Dodge Ram with the diesel. It's got tons of power & torque, plus the ball joints won't be junk after 30,000 miles. :biggrin

 

[FrankBarba]

I have a 04 F550 Dually fully loaded 20K miles with extended warranty to 60K. Truck is For Sale.

 

[ItsOnlyMoney]

Ford owns Cummins, so it makes perfect sense to get a Dodge Ram with the diesel. It's got tons of power & torque, plus the ball joints won't be junk after 30,000 miles. :biggrin

No they don't. I'm sure they wished they did, they might have something profitable to sell. Please see link below. Not surprised you'd think that, I've had Ford salesmen tell me the same thing :willy :frown . You'd think they would know.
I've owned a few Dodge diesel trucks and never had any ball joint problems. Guess I've been lucky.

http://www.cummins.com/jp/pages/en/....cfm?uuid=00061F44-EDE0-1981-9BB380C4A8F0FC10

 

[Mark O]

Does Ford own Cummins?


No, at one point Ford owned less than 10% of Cummins stock, but now Ford doesn't own any Cummins stock.


Geez, they should have bought more of Cummins instead of selling it. :eek

Anyway, I stand corrected. :thumbsup

 

[FlorIdaho Chris]

Chris, thanks for your input ... what gearing do you have on yours?

Steve

I run the standard 3.73 gears. No problem pulling my trailer in the mountains. Of course loaded with the GT my Trailex weighs less than 5500 lbs.

Unless you're going to pull a fifth wheel you do not need the dually. While it does look tough, you will pay the price in ride quality when driving empty.

 

[S592R]

I run the standard 3.73 gears. No problem pulling my trailer in the mountains. Of course loaded with the GT my Trailex weighs less than 5500 lbs.

Unless you're going to pull a fifth wheel you do not need the dually. While it does look tough, you will pay the price in ride quality when driving empty.

Thanks for the note .... your usage sounds just like what mine is intended to be. Max pull about 7k but at 80 mph :lol

More likely to drive around with less than 1k in it most of the time. you know use it like a truck. Have been using my land cruiser that way but its time to find another depreciation driver