YIKES

We're in the market for a new truck so we went to the auto show this past weekend. YIKES, I can't believe the price of new 3/4 ton trucks. Although I'm still suffering from sticker shock, I'm going out today to look at a couple of new trucks. One a Dodge Crew Cab and the other is a Ford extended cab. Both are Diesels, but I have thought about a Ford with a V10 gasser.

Richard,

Did you see the new for 2011? It has a new diesel engine, a 6.7L thats is Ford made. They are getting away from IH. Here is a picture of the new Ford:

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f152/just-saw-2011-rolling-down-highway-246974/

We have a 2008 F350 6.4 diesel and love it, I had thought about a gas but am glad I went with the diesel. That diesel dose not know our cat is behind us. I always had gas before and there is a world of difference, just my 2 cents.

It is night and day towing with diesel as compared to the gas motor. I went from a 2002 F-250 with the V8 gas engine to a 2008 Chevy 2500HD with the 6.6L Duramax. The Dmax makes just under double the torque of the 330 c.i. gas motor and at 1650 rpm. If you can swing the extra $8k on the sticker for the diesel I say go for it. You won't be sorry if you tow fairly often.

Thanks for the link on the new Ford diesel Oldelmer1. I'm using the fact that this will soon be an "old" engine as a negotiating tactic on a Ford truck we're looking at.

Richard,

Whatever you buy I think your best investment would be a diesel. It'll last for years and give you better mileage than a gasser. Chrysler's Ram HD with the 6.7L Cummins is a pretty good choice. I'd really want to see a couple of years of bugs worked out on the new Ford diesel before I'd buy.

JMHO

schrowang wrote:Richard,

Whatever you buy I think your best investment would be a diesel. It'll last for years and give you better mileage than a gasser. Chrysler's Ram HD with the 6.7L Cummins is a pretty good choice. I'd really want to see a couple of years of bugs worked out on the new Ford diesel before I'd buy.

JMHO

We're also negotiating on a new Dodge ST Crew Cab with the diesel. At this point I think which ever dealership comes up with the best deal with get our business. CRIPES, our house didn't cost as much as these vehicles. Maybe it would be cheaper to trade the Wildcat in on a small 20 foot travel trailer that I could pull with a half-ton pickup.

The new Ford and GM diesels use urea injection to meet clean air requirements. Dodge Cummins doesn't need to yet, but I suppose they will eventually as well. The following websites give some interesting reading.

http://www.autotropolis.com/auto-industry-news/gm-puts-duramax-diesel-engine-production-on-hold.html

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/08/first-look-fords-new-6-7-liter-v-8-scorpion-power-stroke-diesel-engine.html

http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2009/02/first-look-2010-dodge-ram-2500-and-3500-heavy-duty-pickups.html

Thanks for the links kcnielsen, very interesting reading. I think tomorrow I'll get the best deal I can on the Dodge that I've been looking at and then try to get the best deal on the ford I'm looking at. With the options, the two trucks are very close in price. If I can't get a GREAT deal on either one then I'll probably just stick with my old faithful '02 Dodge V10.

I have the 6.4 Ford motor and the mileage ain't all that good. From what I hear, and these are rumors, the 2011 6.7 is supposed to be 10% - 15% more fuel efficient. Take that into consideration when buying that 2010. the 2011 comes out in April, only 2-months away.

mattebury wrote:I have the 6.4 Ford motor and the mileage ain't all that good. From what I hear, and these are rumors, the 2011 6.7 is supposed to be 10% - 15% more fuel efficient. Take that into consideration when buying that 2010. the 2011 comes out in April, only 2-months away.

Yes the Ford dealer told me about the new engines. One thing I will never do is buy something the first year it is introduced. I'll let others be the guinea pigs.

What do you consider mileage that ain't all that good? Keep in my I've been driving a 8.0 liter V10 gasser for years getting 6.2 MPG when towing. If I can get 8 MPG with a diesel I'll be thrilled.

My diesel dually 4x4 (9,000 lb beast) with 4.10 gears gets around 10 towing a 10,000 lb fiver through the mountains, more on the flat.

10-12 towing. 14-16 solo.

I get around 14-15 mpg towing, over 20 empty.

You won't want to spend the money on a diesel plus the extra maintenace to only gain 2 mpg...

For shear joy of pulling go diesel, less strain up long grades, no loss of power at altitude, easier take off etc.
Just ordered new 2011 King Ranch, 6.7 and all the trimmings. Love present truck, but really like what I see with the new one. Just spending the kids inheritance.

I was getting 18.5 mpg empty and 13.3 towing, but since I installed the 74 gallon auxiliary fuel tank, my mileage has dropped 1 mpg for both while tank is full. When the tank is full, the tank weighs 595 lbs. Could also be that I have been driving faster by about 5-10 mph. 55 mph is the speed limit towing in our state, but is agonizingly slow.

12 to 14 MPG towing @ 62MPH. 20 to 22 MPG empty @ 75MPH. Gas power can't come close to diesel power.

Huntr70, I notice you have the Smarty JR. Did it get you better mileage towing? Is it worth the $500.? I have been considering it and if I knew it would improve the MPG I could be convinced to get it. I'm not really looking for more power.

Ken,

It does very well to help the truck. I don't hot rod or anything, and use the Smarty JR on tow setting. It did increase MPG buy 2-3 mpg, but it is noticeably stronger while towing. It doesn't have to downshift anymore on hills where it did before. I always use tow/haul mode in the tranny also.

Thanks Steve. I just might have give the Smarty more consideration. Do you get the 2-3 mpg more while towing or empty? Even if it is when empty would be good enough for me. I don't hot rod either but anything for better mileage!

You guys are getting much better milage than my Duramax.

I get 10 mpg towing and 15-16 empty around town. Max is 18-19 empty on the highway.

Of course my towing up to now has been 13K+ lbs with our old 5er.

I'm hoping the much lighter Cat will improve the mpg's a bit.

MountainMan wrote:You guys are getting much better milage than my Duramax.

I get 10 mpg towing and 15-16 empty around town. Max is 18-19 empty on the highway.

Of course my towing up to now has been 13K+ lbs with our old 5er.

I'm hoping the much lighter Cat will improve the mpg's a bit.

Remember too that the newer diesels get poorer mileage because of all the diesel emission rules. It's like gas when they first started strict emissions in that it'll take the engineers a decade or so to figure out how to improve mileage but still keep emissions low.

Ken,

As soon as I installed the Smarty, mpg started climbing. I nstalled it at about 11000 miles. I only have 23,000 on now, so its still climbing little by little. It should loosen up some more yet as it starts to break in more.

Up until this year, it was only used to tow the 'Cat, but I lost my job and company car in October, so the truck sees more use now.

Steve

Steve, I am definately going to get a Smarty JR. I was holding off because of concerns with warranty but that doesn't seem to be that big a deal as it seems alot of others have it. I think my biggest improvement in MPG was the dynatrac free spin hubs. I've got about 33,000 miles on it now but I havn't seen any improvement in MPG in the last year.

Mark, you are right about the newer diesels and emissions. My truck is a 2007 but built in 2006 so is not encumbered with the emissions requirements of the newer diesels.