Downsizing to TC and a few questions

[sd1209]

Going form a 2014 Newmar 40' Class A to a TC....The camper will be something similar to the larger Artic Fox/Lance, etc.....

For a truck, I am looking at a 2011 Ford F450, DRW, diesel......27K miles, good shape.......

Is there anything I need to be aware of ref the truck/year, etc..?? Anything specific to look for/at ??

[ICamel]

Since it is a Ford dealer, tell them you want a printed copy of the Ford OASIS report.
It will detail any work performed on that truck by a Ford dealer.

[3_tons]

Seems the earily 6.7 had a couple of bugs, but Ford made a few changes:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8o2LGuzl0go

[RedRocket204]

stew47 wrote:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28989802.cfm

Problem with that thread is the typical FOS poster's who never owned a Ford 6.7L and continue to spread misinformation with some sort of "less than a man" complex or something. Researcher beware.

[soos]

a_flyfisher wrote:
I had a 2008 F450, King Ranch version, for 3 years which was a pretty nice truck, that handled beautifully and was superbly comfortable to ride in, but it had trouble passing by gas stations. I drove it across the country the year we bought it, when diesel prices were right at $4.00 a gallon, towing our large Newmar 5th wheel and barely broke 4 mpg at one point in going across South Dakota. I told my wife if it got to costing us $1.00 a mile for fuel, we were going to park it. Fortunately, we never crossed that threshold.

In 2011, I bought a new 6.7L F350, which we still have, also a King Ranch. It gets much better mileage than the F450 did, and we have had zero problems with it so far. I have to admit, though, that I barely use it now, and have only run a single tank of gas through it each of the past couple years - it only has about 12,000 mile on it.

Rather than let it just sit in storage all year, I'm right on the cusp of ordering a new Northern Lite camper, which I expect to do today, for delivery late next spring.

One of the reasons I picked the F350 over the F450 in 2011 was that there wasn't much difference in the towing weight limits between the two, as I recall, and the F350 was several thousand dollars cheaper - something to keep in mind when you are truck shopping.

John

We traded our 2006 F350 KR for a 2011 F450 because the (at the time) new truck had more towing capacity. We have had very few issues with the 450. One of the reasons we paid more to get the 450 though, was turning radius. There was a HUGE difference in the turning radius - the 450 turns on a dime compared to the 350(different front axle).
I *think* the newer 350 towboss has the front axle of the 450, also giving it a much tighter turning radius. We really notice the difference, and wouldn't go back.

[lakeside013104]

Congrats, we downsized from a 2014 15,800# 5er to a new 2016 TC and love it.

The 2011 F-350 w/6.7 diesel we bought new was a real workhorse. We drove it 55,600 trouble free miles from Maine to Florida to Arizona to Utah and back across the Rockies to Maine. This truck was the best truck I have ever owned and I have had all the brands over the years.

The only issues I had was a rear number plate light burned out, the compass stopped working and the rear camera stopped working. The engine was trouble free, powerful, quiet, and a pleasure to operate.

We just traded the 2011 for a new 2016 identical truck. That should say something about the quality / reliability / performance if a person goes right back to the same model! 🙂

Our 2011 stayed on the dealer's lot for eight days before being sold to a lucky buyer.

Don't be feared by all the internet chatter about the 2011 6.7 diesel. If the maintenance is up to date (fuel filters changed at 22,500 miles, and regular oil & filter changes with premium synthetic oil) you should have a great truck there. If this truck was driven in winter conditions and the roads were serviced with calcium for ice control check the brakes for seized calipers. Also, check the compass and the rear back up camera before taking delivery.

Good luck and keep us posted. If you have more questions, PM me and I will give you my phone number and we can talk.

Lakeside

[a_flyfisher]

I had a 2008 F450, King Ranch version, for 3 years which was a pretty nice truck, that handled beautifully and was superbly comfortable to ride in, but it had trouble passing by gas stations. I drove it across the country the year we bought it, when diesel prices were right at $4.00 a gallon, towing our large Newmar 5th wheel and barely broke 4 mpg at one point in going across South Dakota. I told my wife if it got to costing us $1.00 a mile for fuel, we were going to park it. Fortunately, we never crossed that threshold.

In 2011, I bought a new 6.7L F350, which we still have, also a King Ranch. It gets much better mileage than the F450 did, and we have had zero problems with it so far. I have to admit, though, that I barely use it now, and have only run a single tank of gas through it each of the past couple years - it only has about 12,000 mile on it.

Rather than let it just sit in storage all year, I'm right on the cusp of ordering a new Northern Lite camper, which I expect to do today, for delivery late next spring.

One of the reasons I picked the F350 over the F450 in 2011 was that there wasn't much difference in the towing weight limits between the two, as I recall, and the F350 was several thousand dollars cheaper - something to keep in mind when you are truck shopping.

John

[Ranger_Tim]

The two sites above have the best info IMO. The 6.0's last year was the 2007. I love my 2006, but it has had the bulletproofing done. It's a beast. I think that 2011 is a good option at the right price. These trucks are getting so expensive now. I've had good experiences at all 3 of the Ford dealers in Boise. Whatever diesel you choose you will need to keep it meticulously maintained. The last Ford engine you could abuse was the 7.3 Powerstroke and they ended in 2002.

[jimh406]

Better to go to the enthusiast sites.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum205/

or

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/ford-powerstroke-scorpion-6-7-2011-forums/

[3_tons]

You might try this for a resource:

http://powerstrokehelp.com/6-7liter/6-7_main.asp

[Buzzcut1]

I have a 2011 F350 dually with the 6.7 engine and 101,000 miles. It has had two issues. A leaking oil seal on the turbo base plate and a broken intercooler hose.. Aside from those issues It has run great carrying a 5000 pound camper and pulling a 7000 pound horse trailer at the same time

[sd1209]

Thanks for the replies....the engine is the 6.7 and I did read the issues in the link provided......Sort of a mixed bag but it appears that the issues they had were fixed 3 yrs later.....

The vehicle is at a Ford dealer in Boise, ID and I think I will run up and look at it in the next few days.........Will be keeping my eyes open also for a 14 or newer.....

[stew47]

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28989802.cfm

[stew47]

I've been doing some research on ford diesel trucks and was advised to be wary of 2011 the first year of the 6.7. I can send link to my thread and as always ... your mileage may vary

[mudmovers]

Sounds like an amazing truck for a large camper. Be ready to drop some cash into tie downs etc, but you'll have a great experience with that rig. You've already got the wheels/tires and brakes for the larger load. Opposite of yourself, we are getting out of our TC and purchased a class A pusher on Sunday night. 3 growing kids across the back seat of my truck did not lend itself well to longer adventures.

Edit;
Not completely sure of the year range, but the 6.0L diesel in the fords had many issues. I believe that the newer 6.7L had taken care of those problems, but if your potential rig has the 6.0L, research "bulletproofing" it and whether it had been done yet.