2013 Ford 3/4 ton vs ton GAS

[dzirkelb]

I am going to get a new Ford, 3/4 ton or ton, but not quite sure which one. It looks like the ton truck allows me to get more fifth wheel towing capacity, but I have to change the axel ratio, which in turn will give me some crappy gas mileage.

But, it looks like the ton / 3/4 ton on the 3.73 has the same towing capacaties, is that right? If so, what's the benefit of a 2013 ton Ford GAS over a 3/4 ton with the 3.73 axle ratio?

[Redsky]

With gas engines you need lower gears to compensate for the higher RPM's needed to get maximum torque and horsepower. The F-450 has greater towing capacity than the F-350 and it is primarily the result of a much lower rear end gearing.

The value of diesel increases with the weight of the 5th wheel. At 12,000 lbs. it have definite advantages. At 8,000 lbs. the gas engine will save you money in the short and long run.

With old tow vehicles with 4-speed transmissions the gearing had little impact on fuel economy. My 1998 Tahoe got 16-17 MPG with its gas engine and 4.10 gears and 13-14 towing. Now with 6-speed transmissions you get 2 overdrive gears which more than offset a lower rear end gearing.

Most trucks and SUV's sold have too high a set of gears for efficient towing. Whenever I have bought one with a gas engine there would be only one or two with the 4.10 gears in the entire state on dealer's lots and I would have to wait for one to be shipped to the local dealer from another lot. The 4.10 gears should be standard with a tow package equipped vehicle.

The auto companies want to report higher EPA highway numbers and have created the fiction that you can use taller gears and improve mileage significantly. If you want better fuel economy you need to lighten the vehicle and its load and reduce air drag.

[dzirkelb]

Ya, my ultimate decisions was because of resale, which I think I posted about, not sure. When trading in my old truck to get this one, I got 14k for a 2004 140k mileage diesel, if it were gas, I'd get 1/2 that (I'd guess). And, I vehicle hop a lot, so any vehicle which keeps its value longer is better for me.

[spoon059]

After all that you went with a diesel?

[FishOnOne]

dzirkelb wrote:
Quick update. I'm very, very happy with my decision. The towing with the Ford F250 is just nuts, and not only the towing, but the breaking is what really surprised me. The diesel is awesome in the winter, I don't even plug it in anymore.

Excellent follow up... These trucks are very impressive. :B

[dzirkelb]

Quick update. I'm very, very happy with my decision. The towing with the Ford F250 is just nuts, and not only the towing, but the breaking is what really surprised me. The diesel is awesome in the winter, I don't even plug it in anymore.

[Bedlam]

Annual WA registration includes a fee based on vehicle scale weight in 2k lb increments. A truck under 8k lbs will pay less than the same model truck configured with extras that weighs over 8K lbs.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/docs/feechartvehweight.pdf

[jus2shy]

If going with a gas motor, regardless of brand I'd pick 1-ton. 1-tons will ride a little stiffer due to having a stiffer spring pack. In some cases, you may get an upgraded axle as well. But in Ford's case, I believe the only real differences are the spring pack and the door jam sticker. I decided to just get a 1-ton and be done with the upgrading game. In the state I live in, there's no real insurance difference between a 3/4 and 1-ton pickup. There's also no difference in registration of the vehicles either. Make sure you call-up your insurance agent or do an online quote for a 3/4 and 1-ton vehicle to see if it'll negatively affect your rates. Interestingly, my insurance only went up 10 bux every 6 months when I bought my 1-ton. This is switching from a 2010 F-150. The raison de etre' for the 3/4 ton truck was primarily for insurance or registration issues in many of the states. So do a little more homework before making a final choice!

Now as for which gasser to get, have you looked into the upcoming 2014 gassers from GM and Dodge? The new 6.4 liter HEMI is going to be a monster looking at its power curve. It really puts down the power early and has a broad torque curve from what I've seen. The new GM motor isn't going to be a slouch either. I'm sure Ford will wring more power out of the 6.2 to remain competitive but that new 6.4 is awesome. It's also the only gas motor to have a twin alternator option as well in case you need to have more power draw for accessories and such. However I'm unsure if that twin alternator option will be on regular pickups or C&C only.

[Lantley]

JIMNLIN wrote:
Some keep pushing a F350 SRW.

Keep in mind some F350 SRWs have a 10000 lb GVWR with a 6290 RAWR same as the F250 with a 10000 lb GVWR and a 6100 RAWR.

Ford has a dozen different GVWR packages for the SRW ranging from 10k to 11.5k GVWR with three different RAWR packages (6290/6730/7000 lbs)

The higher rated F350 SRW will have at least a 11500 GVWR and 7k RAWR for more payloads ability. If you want the F350 SRW with the highest payload package do your home work.

The 10K GVWR is often a registration issue.
Many trucks are rated at 10k to avoid registration fees/issues

[JIMNLIN]

Some keep pushing a F350 SRW.

Keep in mind some F350 SRWs have a 10000 lb GVWR with a 6290 RAWR same as the F250 with a 10000 lb GVWR and a 6100 RAWR.

Ford has a dozen different GVWR packages for the SRW ranging from 10k to 11.5k GVWR with three different RAWR packages (6290/6730/7000 lbs)

The higher rated F350 SRW will have at least a 11500 GVWR and 7k RAWR for more payloads ability. If you want the F350 SRW with the highest payload package do your home work.

[LimogesMan]

F-350 with the 6.2l Enjoy.

[Hybridhunter]

rhagfo wrote:


I really hate to Hijack, but diesel as a DD works great for me wnt from a F259 460 getting about 7 to 9 mpg in town to a 5.9 diesel getting 12 to 15, and 20 on the highway empty at almost 8,000#, best the 460 did was 10!

If you want gas and use it as a DD you will also need to think about the mpg, around town.

Really hate to hijack? Unhuh.
Anythime you compare an outdated relic of a truck to a new one, invariably, fuel mileage is drastically different. Tick the $10K option box, and it improves more.
Around town, newer model trucks with heavier diesel engine don't get appreciably better mileage. Our fleet numbers say so conclusively.

[kw_00]

Funny this always turns into a diesel verse gas issue..... So here is my take on what the OP wanted. Check you insurance cost and tags and go for the one that's affordable. The 6.2 has all the power ya need, focus on the payload and overall cost.

[dzirkelb]

goducks10 wrote:

bobbyg123 wrote:
I know the diesel fans mean well for the most part, but what's always bothered me about these debates is that often times, nobody bothers to ask

* how often they'll be towing
* how far they'll be towing
* if (and/or how) they plan to use their truck as a daily driver

My next truck is going to be a HD Gas engine. Why? Because I'll use it 85% of the time when I'm NOT TOWING, and when I do tow, it'll be weekend warrior trips with my family. I can get a brand new HD 1-ton Gasser very well equipped for under $40K. It'll get 15MPG empty, tow virtually anything I want it to, and cost me $10-$15K less than a comparable diesel engine.

Sorry for the rant, but for some of us, the right tow vehicle involves more than raw pulling power.

Good points. I own a diesel and love it. However if I wasn't retired and didn't tow 9000lbs all over Oregon and NorCal I couldn't afford to own a diesel. I certainly couldn't afford to drive one to and from work. Everyone's situation is different and a lot of guys on here fail to explain their circumstances. What works for one won't work for another.

I have the same situation as you, I tow not often, and drive the truck daily. When I tow, I tow about 12000 lbs 5th wheel.

I ended up debating for weeks, but decided on the diesel, and the reason was because of resale. You don't get your money back while owning it (for our situation), but you do when selling it. I sold my 04 diesel for 15k, gas equivilent was going for 8-10.

So, I get teh added benefits of diesel (towing is just insane with it) and gas mileage (although not a whole lot for commuting, I get 20 on highway, but avg 15-16 overall, and it actually is a negative due to price of diesel now).

So, just food for thought. I tow about 10-15 times a year, for trips of 10 minutes to 4 hours, with the anticipation of going in the mountains once a year.

[rhagfo]

goducks10 wrote:

bobbyg123 wrote:
I know the diesel fans mean well for the most part, but what's always bothered me about these debates is that often times, nobody bothers to ask

* how often they'll be towing
* how far they'll be towing
* if (and/or how) they plan to use their truck as a daily driver

My next truck is going to be a HD Gas engine. Why? Because I'll use it 85% of the time when I'm NOT TOWING, and when I do tow, it'll be weekend warrior trips with my family. I can get a brand new HD 1-ton Gasser very well equipped for under $40K. It'll get 15MPG empty, tow virtually anything I want it to, and cost me $10-$15K less than a comparable diesel engine.

Sorry for the rant, but for some of us, the right tow vehicle involves more than raw pulling power.

Good points. I own a diesel and love it. However if I wasn't retired and didn't tow 9000lbs all over Oregon and NorCal I couldn't afford to own a diesel. I certainly couldn't afford to drive one to and from work. Everyone's situation is different and a lot of guys on here fail to explain their circumstances. What works for one won't work for another.

I really hate to Hijack, but diesel as a DD works great for me wnt from a F259 460 getting about 7 to 9 mpg in town to a 5.9 diesel getting 12 to 15, and 20 on the highway empty at almost 8,000#, best the 460 did was 10!

If you want gas and use it as a DD you will also need to think about the mpg, around town.