2012 F250 Super Duty Owners?

I have a 2012 F250 GAS 4X4 3.73, and as I write, I am more than 3000 miles into a trip from Indiana, to Denver, to Tahoe, to San Francisco, and currently in the Yosemite area. I'm pulling a 5th wheel that weighs a minimum of 11K lbs.

I've gone up and down 7 degree and even NINE degree hills, and I have had NO problems pulling the trailer up the inclines. Yes, it does shift down to 2nd gear going up or down these bigger hills, but I'm used to it. No big deal. In fact, I'd far rather be going UP than DOWN, as 7 to 9 degree slopes run the rpms's up going down, and once I pulled over because the brakes on the truck were smoking. I upped the braking number, forcing the trailer to do more braking, which seemed to eliminate the smoking on the truck. But I still like going up better, I like the feeling of control.

BTW, regarding mileage: I have found that using a better grade of gas, like 89 octane instead of 87, shows noticeably better mileage. I had always heard that an engine designed for 87 will not run better with better octane, but these electronically controlled engines . . . maybe they tune themselves on the fly to better use the anti-knocking fuel??? Anyone know anything about this?

On the entire trip so far, I am averaging 9.1 mpg. But with better fuel, I've seen close to 10 on a gas tank. I think that is remarkable for a gas engine hauling 11K pounds behind it. I was actually showing 10.4 from Sacramento headed south for 120 miles on very flat roads . . .

I don't have any towing experience with mine yet. You will have greater payload capacity with the regular cab, XL equiped package when compared to my crew cab XLT model. I too have the snow plow option.

I plan to purchase and tow/haul a fifth wheel trailer not to exceed a GVWR of 10, 000 lbs. In my view, that's the ideal maximum towing/hauling for a 3/4 ton truck.

This truck has plenty of power for that kind of use.

Fuel economy runs 9.5 to 10.5 city and 16.0 to 17.0 highway.

The F-250 SD is, to me, an engineering marvel inside and outside and I have enjoyed mine a great deal.

Learjet wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:


Folks get a grip, with the overhead cams there is NOTHING to fear when a gas engine runs at 4K or even 4.5K RPMs. YES, it will make some "noise" but nothing like a diesel...

I have to call you out on this...you are DEAD wrong!

No way that sound is noise...it is the sound of POWER :W

Actually to me it is MUSIC :B to my ears, especially when I BLOW by the smoky diesel pickups :W

Just not enough :B (big grins) knowing I didn't have to take out a second or third mortgage to afford my truck..

Gdetrailer wrote:


Folks get a grip, with the overhead cams there is NOTHING to fear when a gas engine runs at 4K or even 4.5K RPMs. YES, it will make some "noise" but nothing like a diesel...

I have to call you out on this...you are DEAD wrong!

No way that sound is noise...it is the sound of POWER :W

nohurry wrote:
Mines a 2013. Awesome truck, you will love it. Just remember the 6.2 will make its power in the higher RPM range. Overall, a very solid towing platform.

:R

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH A GAS ENGINE RUNNING "HIGHER" RPMS.

Folks get a grip, with the overhead cams there is NOTHING to fear when a gas engine runs at 4K or even 4.5K RPMs. YES, it will make some "noise" but nothing like a diesel...

These engines are MEANT to run.

The 6.2 has SO MUCH power Ford had to PROGRAM the throttle to OPEN slowly. That is why folks seam to get their undies all wadded up with the supposed "high RPM" thing.

You will find that this engine really gets up and going, just not off the line. The programming of the throttle keeps wheel spin in check so it feels/seems like the engine only has power at high RPMs.

I am extremely pleased with my 2013 so far I have towed my 7K trailer and the truck really handled the load well with plenty of power left over.

What you may find however is the "plow package" will give you a stiffer ride in the front. The plow package adds heavier spring package on the front axle. I have seen some complaints about this so you might need to consider getting the front springs changed out for the regular set.

Mines a 2013. Awesome truck, you will love it. Just remember the 6.2 will make its power in the higher RPM range. Overall, a very solid towing platform.