Down to F or R for a 1T gasser

[C_Schomer]

It looks like Ford and Ram have the best choices for a 1T srw gasser. I think they both have good autos but I don't know much about the engines except the 6.2 and 6.4 owners are both usually very happy. I hope they both have 8' beds.
How big of a problem is the 6.4 NOT being flex fuel? Will ethanol hurt if it's the only fuel available? Does the 6.4 get better mpg having cylinder deactivation? I've read they are both reliable. I know about getting low gears for towing. Please no brand war and I've had many RVs and I know how to size the truck/RV already. I'm already set with a great combination and these questions are for a lady friend whose mostly interested in reliability and mpg. I'll help her with the RV issues. TIA! Craig

[merlin8735]

I drive a 2014 F250 6.2 Gasser. I get 13.3 mpg in everyday driving and interstate driving doesn't seem to change it one bit. If I put anything behind the truck, mileage drops to 8.7 actual. It doesn't seem to matter whether the trailer is a light utility trailer or the TT.

I will be going back to diesel in the near future.

[brulaz]

mudfuel07 wrote:

...
And I bet you're heading to Perry? We may not have rocks, but we have bottomless mud that I have fallen into before and regretted later!

Heh, was driving up to Perry FL last year on the Interstate, and there was an endless stream of solid mud covered trucks coming our way. Most on trailers and every thing from little ATVs to monster trucks. Some sort of show/competition I guess.

And Florida sand can be interesting as well. Both for 4x4s and my "off-road" bicycle.

There's not much rock-crawling as out west in Moab UT, but there's definitely other off-road challenges in Florida.

[Flashman]

justafordguy wrote:

Flashman wrote:

justafordguy wrote:

MFL wrote:

mudfuel07 wrote:
With the 6.2 and 4.30's, I see an honest 13-14 mpg not towing. It's a work truck, so it gets used pretty hard. No issues to date with 42k on it. However, I would love to test drive the Ram 6.4 to see how it does. The 6.2 is a little bit of a dog off the line and wants to shift up as quickly as it can, a lot of times I just shift it manually.

The Ford 6.2 is a bit doggy feeling off the line. The computer contolled throttle won't let you get into it too hard. It's Fords way of saving warranty costs, but they tell you it is to keep you from buying tires. I like my 6.2 Ford, but I'd rather be able to decide myself if I wanted to SMOKE EM from the stop light. There is still a little PUNK KID in most of us. :B

Jerry

You need a tuner on your truck. I run an SCT X3 tuner on my Raptor 6.2 and it really woke it up. The throttle response off the line is awesome now. My 35" KM2s don't stand a chance. 😉 The tranny shifts way better too.

Must feel real good pulling into the mall.

If you want 4x4 action it is not in Florida.

The Raptor is my "work" truck, I have a 77 Bronco that is my off road truck. We have a big off road trip planned in a few weeks. We have plenty of off road here in Florida, maybe just different than where you live. ;D

Should not have put Florida down - my bad.

Out here in Az we have different terrain - Jeeps and RZRs - but it is all fun.

[mudfuel07]

justafordguy wrote:

Flashman wrote:

justafordguy wrote:

MFL wrote:

mudfuel07 wrote:
With the 6.2 and 4.30's, I see an honest 13-14 mpg not towing. It's a work truck, so it gets used pretty hard. No issues to date with 42k on it. However, I would love to test drive the Ram 6.4 to see how it does. The 6.2 is a little bit of a dog off the line and wants to shift up as quickly as it can, a lot of times I just shift it manually.

The Ford 6.2 is a bit doggy feeling off the line. The computer contolled throttle won't let you get into it too hard. It's Fords way of saving warranty costs, but they tell you it is to keep you from buying tires. I like my 6.2 Ford, but I'd rather be able to decide myself if I wanted to SMOKE EM from the stop light. There is still a little PUNK KID in most of us. :B

Jerry

You need a tuner on your truck. I run an SCT X3 tuner on my Raptor 6.2 and it really woke it up. The throttle response off the line is awesome now. My 35" KM2s don't stand a chance. 😉 The tranny shifts way better too.

Must feel real good pulling into the mall.

If you want 4x4 action it is not in Florida.

The Raptor is my "work" truck, I have a 77 Bronco that is my off road truck. We have a big off road trip planned in a few weeks. We have plenty of off road here in Florida, maybe just different than where you live. ;D

And I bet you're heading to Perry? We may not have rocks, but we have bottomless mud that I have fallen into before and regretted later!

[justafordguy]

Flashman wrote:

justafordguy wrote:

MFL wrote:

mudfuel07 wrote:
With the 6.2 and 4.30's, I see an honest 13-14 mpg not towing. It's a work truck, so it gets used pretty hard. No issues to date with 42k on it. However, I would love to test drive the Ram 6.4 to see how it does. The 6.2 is a little bit of a dog off the line and wants to shift up as quickly as it can, a lot of times I just shift it manually.

The Ford 6.2 is a bit doggy feeling off the line. The computer contolled throttle won't let you get into it too hard. It's Fords way of saving warranty costs, but they tell you it is to keep you from buying tires. I like my 6.2 Ford, but I'd rather be able to decide myself if I wanted to SMOKE EM from the stop light. There is still a little PUNK KID in most of us. :B

Jerry

You need a tuner on your truck. I run an SCT X3 tuner on my Raptor 6.2 and it really woke it up. The throttle response off the line is awesome now. My 35" KM2s don't stand a chance. 😉 The tranny shifts way better too.

Must feel real good pulling into the mall.

If you want 4x4 action it is not in Florida.

The Raptor is my "work" truck, I have a 77 Bronco that is my off road truck. We have a big off road trip planned in a few weeks. We have plenty of off road here in Florida, maybe just different than where you live. ;D

[Flashman]

justafordguy wrote:

MFL wrote:

mudfuel07 wrote:
With the 6.2 and 4.30's, I see an honest 13-14 mpg not towing. It's a work truck, so it gets used pretty hard. No issues to date with 42k on it. However, I would love to test drive the Ram 6.4 to see how it does. The 6.2 is a little bit of a dog off the line and wants to shift up as quickly as it can, a lot of times I just shift it manually.

The Ford 6.2 is a bit doggy feeling off the line. The computer contolled throttle won't let you get into it too hard. It's Fords way of saving warranty costs, but they tell you it is to keep you from buying tires. I like my 6.2 Ford, but I'd rather be able to decide myself if I wanted to SMOKE EM from the stop light. There is still a little PUNK KID in most of us. :B

Jerry

You need a tuner on your truck. I run an SCT X3 tuner on my Raptor 6.2 and it really woke it up. The throttle response off the line is awesome now. My 35" KM2s don't stand a chance. 😉 The tranny shifts way better too.

Must feel real good pulling into the mall.

If you want 4x4 action it is not in Florida.

[MFL]

justafordguy wrote:

MFL wrote:

mudfuel07 wrote:
With the 6.2 and 4.30's, I see an honest 13-14 mpg not towing. It's a work truck, so it gets used pretty hard. No issues to date with 42k on it. However, I would love to test drive the Ram 6.4 to see how it does. The 6.2 is a little bit of a dog off the line and wants to shift up as quickly as it can, a lot of times I just shift it manually.

The Ford 6.2 is a bit doggy feeling off the line. The computer contolled throttle won't let you get into it too hard. It's Fords way of saving warranty costs, but they tell you it is to keep you from buying tires. I like my 6.2 Ford, but I'd rather be able to decide myself if I wanted to SMOKE EM from the stop light. There is still a little PUNK KID in most of us. :B



Jerry

You need a tuner on your truck. I run an SCT X3 tuner on my Raptor 6.2 and it really woke it up. The throttle response off the line is awesome now. My 35" KM2s don't stand a chance. 😉 The tranny shifts way better too.

Well that sounds like a really fun truck!! However, it doesn't look like you are using the Raptor to tow the FW.;) I guess my 250 will just have to sound cool, but remain stock, to protect warranty. It is still a fun truck to drive!:C

Jerry

[justafordguy]

MFL wrote:

mudfuel07 wrote:
With the 6.2 and 4.30's, I see an honest 13-14 mpg not towing. It's a work truck, so it gets used pretty hard. No issues to date with 42k on it. However, I would love to test drive the Ram 6.4 to see how it does. The 6.2 is a little bit of a dog off the line and wants to shift up as quickly as it can, a lot of times I just shift it manually.

The Ford 6.2 is a bit doggy feeling off the line. The computer contolled throttle won't let you get into it too hard. It's Fords way of saving warranty costs, but they tell you it is to keep you from buying tires. I like my 6.2 Ford, but I'd rather be able to decide myself if I wanted to SMOKE EM from the stop light. There is still a little PUNK KID in most of us. :B

Jerry

You need a tuner on your truck. I run an SCT X3 tuner on my Raptor 6.2 and it really woke it up. The throttle response off the line is awesome now. My 35" KM2s don't stand a chance. 😉 The tranny shifts way better too.

[IDoMyOwnStunts]

spoon059 wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
I may be wrong but I believe the Ram 6.4 requires premium fuel. That would be a deal killer for me.

I don't believe it does. I think they "recommend" 89 octane, but people are saying they don't notice a difference. It was a change between years... I think from 2014 to 2015. No change to the engine, just a change in wording. Regular 87 seems to be working fine, no loss in power or economy.

The manufacturer recommends premium for my truck when towing. It's about a $6 difference per tank assuming premium is 20 cents more per gallon (My fills are usually 30 gallons). 89 octane would be $3 per tank for me. I'm in the habit now of filling up with premium every time and I don't notice it anymore. I just don't see it being a deal killer of a few bucks per tank on a $40-50k truck. I wouldn't bat an eye at filling the Ram with 89 octane. I understand that there are people with very tight budgets where that would make a difference, but frankly, if you've got the money to throw down on a new truck, you should have the money to spend a couple of bucks more at the pump to get the performance for which you paid.

[Sport45]

Greene728 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
A 350/3500 gasser might be a tuff resale! Chris

Why?

That's what I was thinking too. The used car lots around me aren't sitting full of HD gassers gathering dust.

[spoon059]

fla-gypsy wrote:
I may be wrong but I believe the Ram 6.4 requires premium fuel. That would be a deal killer for me.

I don't believe it does. I think they "recommend" 89 octane, but people are saying they don't notice a difference. It was a change between years... I think from 2014 to 2015. No change to the engine, just a change in wording. Regular 87 seems to be working fine, no loss in power or economy.

[Greene728]

Me Again wrote:
A 350/3500 gasser might be a tuff resale! Chris

Why?

[Hannibal]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
If you want an old truck design get the Ford, If you want a modern truck get the 13 and newer RAM or a NEW 17 Ford. I am sure either would do a fine job. Talk Diesel that another debate.

The new modern Ram is why I went back to Ford.

[fla-gypsy]

I may be wrong but I believe the Ram 6.4 requires premium fuel. That would be a deal killer for me.

[MFL]

mudfuel07 wrote:
With the 6.2 and 4.30's, I see an honest 13-14 mpg not towing. It's a work truck, so it gets used pretty hard. No issues to date with 42k on it. However, I would love to test drive the Ram 6.4 to see how it does. The 6.2 is a little bit of a dog off the line and wants to shift up as quickly as it can, a lot of times I just shift it manually.

The Ford 6.2 is a bit doggy feeling off the line. The computer contolled throttle won't let you get into it too hard. It's Fords way of saving warranty costs, but they tell you it is to keep you from buying tires. I like my 6.2 Ford, but I'd rather be able to decide myself if I wanted to SMOKE EM from the stop light. There is still a little PUNK KID in most of us. :B

Jerry