My wife and I took a trip to the White Mountains in Arizona a couple of weeks ago. We pulled our 28ft Cougar 5th whl with my 04 Chevy 6.0 Gas guzzler. We averaged 7.5 MPG, but what was really disconcerting was when we were climbing a really steep grade with my foot to the floor and we dropped down to 36mph. The line of traffic backed up behind me was scary, and there was no place to pull over to let them pass. So I test drove a 2013 Ford F350 Super Duty diesel and a 2014 Chevy 2500HD Diesel this weekend. Can't wait to get the new hitch installed in the Ford and hit that steep slope again to see the difference.

I almost forgot... Good choice! IMO...

All of todays trucks are winners, but why the 350 against the 2500? BTW, the 2014 Chev/Gmc HD's are not the new design yet. Only the 1500 GM's get it so far, as in other model changeovers.

Been there....Done That!Ain't NOTHING like burn'n oil to pull a trailer......no more downshifting...just GO!Congrats!

Made the big change this weekend | Good Sam Community

TucsonJim
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2013

My wife and I installed the FW hitch in the new TV and just got back from a short test drive. Can't wait to hit the road.
cdlaine
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
Excellent ! Thanks Jim. See you on the road !

Charles
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2013
cdlaine wrote:
Jim,

Congratulations on the new truck ...it is beautiful. I make
the very same run you have described and would have to be honest
in saying it is not enjoyable....but doable. Please post the
update as to your first run up the grade... (and down the grade).
Did you buy here in Phoenix metroplex or in Tucson ? Special order
or found on lot (rare on lot in my neighborhood). Any negotiation
wiggle room or dealer firm ?

I too am closing in on retirement and am in the cup-of-coffee phase
on considering a new TV....being a cheap so-n-so the 50-60 k price
range gives me indigestion. A recent trip out to Ca. via Palm Springs
route was a very pleasant pull in my 03', so the Princess thinks why
mess with success.... truth be told, I'm that guy that sets the cruise
control on 55 and when I get there I get there.... so mebbe speed
up the slope is not high on my priority list (just thinking
out loud). My current gas lover pulls nicely....but has 10 years of
pulling on its odometer...decisions-decisions.

At any rate, please post the update when you get a chance.

Thanks

Charles

Charles - Actually, we found it on the lot at Jim Click Ford in Tucson. They had quite a few trucks, including a King Ranch F250 parked next to this one. I'm very fortunate in that my company has negotiated with Ford so we don't have to negotiate individually. Just let me say that the sticker was in the low 60s, but we were able to get it to near $50k with employee discount and rebates. They also gave me a real good trade on our old Silverado, and my wife's car. We decided we didn't want to maintain, insure and drive two vehicles anymore.

I got the FW hitch installed last night, and we just got back from a short test run up and down a very steep slope. The truck had more power than I need. It was also nice to feel the exhaust brake kick in on the down slope. I put it in "Tow/Haul", applied the brake to 40 mph, and the truck/trailer combo stayed right at 40 the whole way down.

I'll post a pic of the combined rig later this afternoon.
cdlaine
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
Jim,

Congratulations on the new truck ...it is beautiful. I make
the very same run you have described and would have to be honest
in saying it is not enjoyable....but doable. Please post the
update as to your first run up the grade... (and down the grade).
Did you buy here in Phoenix metroplex or in Tucson ? Special order
or found on lot (rare on lot in my neighborhood). Any negotiation
wiggle room or dealer firm ?

I too am closing in on retirement and am in the cup-of-coffee phase
on considering a new TV....being a cheap so-n-so the 50-60 k price
range gives me indigestion. A recent trip out to Ca. via Palm Springs
route was a very pleasant pull in my 03', so the Princess thinks why
mess with success.... truth be told, I'm that guy that sets the cruise
control on 55 and when I get there I get there.... so mebbe speed
up the slope is not high on my priority list (just thinking
out loud). My current gas lover pulls nicely....but has 10 years of
pulling on its odometer...decisions-decisions.

At any rate, please post the update when you get a chance.

Thanks

Charles
Greentow
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
I guess you made a good choice, but why the 2 extra cylinders??;)
Targa
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
I am not sure what all the hype is about with todays urine burners, all they do is take the fun out of driving. No more grimacing high RPM runs, anticipating hills, rolling road blocks etc....:B. Nice looking truck OP.
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2013
Good luck with the new engine.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
TucsonJim wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
4x4ord wrote:
GoPackGo wrote:
4x4ord - Do you know where I can get a graph that shows the HP and torque curves for the 2013 Ford Diesels ?

Thanks,

Tim B.

As far as I know the Ford 6.7 came out rated a little under 400 hp and were later updated, so I think they are all running the same power now 2011 through 2013. I am not sure how accurate this graph is but it should give you an idea. Its the 735/390 tune though. 6.7 power/torque graph.

Of the big 3, only one of them had the HP/TQ figures calculated by the SAE method....That was GM. And that explains the real world performance in all the hill climb tests.... Think about the difference between peak and continuous power numbers.

The Ford makes better fuel economy while pulling a trailer. Hurt Locker test if you want a data source. Also in some tests at or near sea level the Ford outperforms the Dmax.

Op,
Enjoy your truck... These are pulling machines that make really good fuel economy.

True enough. It takes fuel to make power. (See my previous comment on power ratings) As for at sea level, true too,,, but all 3 make more than enough power on flat land and one will only be at sea level a short time when climbing big hills.

Okay, So I'm a little confused. My new F350 may not have the same pulling power as demonstrated in a test by the GM product. BUT.. All I really needed was more power than my '04 6.0 gas powered Silverado. So I know I have much more torque (power). Once I achieve adequate power, wouldn't it be better to focus on other factors such as comfort, price, fuel economy, etc?
You are absolutely correct!! I was just poking a little fun with you (note the smileys) but got sidetracked with the others.

Enjoy your new ride.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
TucsonJim Yep that should be a good plan, happy for ya.
chevman
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2013
Huntindog wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
4x4ord wrote:
GoPackGo wrote:
4x4ord - Do you know where I can get a graph that shows the HP and torque curves for the 2013 Ford Diesels ?

Thanks,

Tim B.

As far as I know the Ford 6.7 came out rated a little under 400 hp and were later updated, so I think they are all running the same power now 2011 through 2013. I am not sure how accurate this graph is but it should give you an idea. Its the 735/390 tune though. 6.7 power/torque graph.

Of the big 3, only one of them had the HP/TQ figures calculated by the SAE method....That was GM. And that explains the real world performance in all the hill climb tests.... Think about the difference between peak and continuous power numbers.

The Ford makes better fuel economy while pulling a trailer. Hurt Locker test if you want a data source. Also in some tests at or near sea level the Ford outperforms the Dmax.

Op,
Enjoy your truck... These are pulling machines that make really good fuel economy.

True enough. It takes fuel to make power. (See my previous comment on power ratings) As for at sea level, true too,,, but all 3 make more than enough power on flat land and one will only be at sea level a short time when climbing big hills.

Okay, So I'm a little confused. My new F350 may not have the same pulling power as demonstrated in a test by the GM product. BUT.. All I really needed was more power than my '04 6.0 gas powered Silverado. So I know I have much more torque (power). Once I achieve adequate power, wouldn't it be better to focus on other factors such as comfort, price, fuel economy, etc?