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sgfrye's avatar
sgfrye
Explorer
Oct 12, 2017

2017 Ford F-250 review

I'm posting this review because I own a TT and just bought new truck. I have towed many thing over the years from boats to TT's. wife and I bought a 33 foot TT ABOUT 4 months ago I've been towing with a 2000 f150 with factory towing package including transmission cooler. I'm guessing loaded for camping TT is about 8k lbs. specs say I'm overloaded probably have never been on DOT scales and don't plan on it. Been passed on hwy by many highway patrol and they never even noticed me. WDH hitch and sway control made towing easy and never felt unsafe for 1000 plus miles. but I have been wanting to upgrade trucks. Last Saturday I bought a commercial f250 superduty 6.2 gas v8. Hooked up today to take a test spin. **** what a difference. Suspension- hooked up and suspension did not sag any. Zero. Rear end felt like it was on a rail. Winding Country roads never felt any swag. Highway speeds 60 mph I'm turning 1200 rpms. On hills I babied the gas pedal and 2000 to 3000 rpms it feels like engine is screaming and underpowered. Get on steeper grade long hill pushed throttle to 3500 rpms and rig took off like a rocket ship. Power band is in that rpm range for sure. Overall mpg was 15.5 .mpg. If you can afford a diesel either Ford, chevy or dodge by all means buy one you won't regret it. I can afford 10k to 12k more for a Diesel engine and I don't see us buying a 15k pound 5th when anytime soon. If you want to upgrade a truck consider a f250 super duty.
  • lmpres's avatar
    lmpres
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2017
    Did you say you got 15.5 mpg while towing with a 6.2 gas? Are you sure? I have never seen anyone getting above 14 not towing anything.....
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 12, 2017
    You have made quite an upgrade with your new 250, glad you are enjoying it! One suggestion I will offer, as to towing at 60 mph/1200 rpm, is to lock out 6th gear. The 6.2 will be happier towing closer to 2000 rpm, and may even get a slight increase in mpg.

    Jerry
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Oct 12, 2017
    You observed the night vs. day difference between F150 and F250.
    If buying a truck for towing, I suggest always get the F350 for the additional payload capacity. Price difference between F250 and F350 is minimal.
  • sgfrye's avatar
    sgfrye
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2017
    MFL wrote:
    You have made quite an upgrade with your new 250, glad you are enjoying it! One suggestion I will offer, as to towing at 60 mph/1200 rpm, is to lock out 6th gear. The 6.2 will be happier towing closer to 2000 rpm, and may even get a slight increase in mpg.

    Jerry


    yep you nailed it.. it does tow better at 2000 rpm on flat land
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2017
    Loading and pulling over the vehicle ratings is quite common. Farm and Construction folks use ratings like 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton as merely suggestions all the time.

    When your vehicle is severely over loaded you know it. When it is at or a bit above it ratings it simply increases the wear and tear and largely goes unnoticed.

    Personally I never had need for a big Diesel nor do I like the smell, noise and added cost that comes with them. My neighbor on the other hand thinks they are the best idea since sliced bread.

    We all have or opinions. :)
  • skiles's avatar
    skiles
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2017
    I upgraded a few months ago and will never look back. The difference is unbelievable. This truck doesn't even know it's back there. I told my wife the first time I pulled the TT with the F250 I might switch back to an F150 because it's boring! Ha!
  • 3oaks's avatar
    3oaks
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2017
    rbpru wrote:
    Loading and pulling over the vehicle ratings is quite common. Farm and Construction folks use ratings like 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton as merely suggestions all the time.

    When your vehicle is severely over loaded you know it. When it is at or a bit above it ratings it simply increases the wear and tear and largely goes unnoticed.

    Personally I never had need for a big Diesel nor do I like the smell, noise and added cost that comes with them. My neighbor on the other hand thinks they are the best idea since sliced bread.

    We all have or opinions. :)
    And that is why the manufacturers still produce so called 1/2 tons (150s). We all have our own needs, and wants to meet our individual load and towing capacity requirements. ;)
  • RinconVTR's avatar
    RinconVTR
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2017
    That 6.2L motor is a sweet gas engine.

    Don't be afraid of RPM's.

    Drop the hammer when you feel like it, that motor doesn't need to be babied.
  • Powerdude's avatar
    Powerdude
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2017
    Yep.

    At 3200-3500 rpms, you can cruise at 70-75 mph in 4th gear, with 5th and 6th locked out in tow/haul mode, depending on what axle ratio you have.

    It's very nice and quiet at that rpm also.

    Laughing all the way to the bank....

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