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rowekmr's avatar
rowekmr
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015

F350 vs F450 towing and fuel economy

I am trying to choose between the older (poss 2008-2010) F350 and F450. It will mainly be used to haul trailers back and forth so I prefer the dual rear wheels and like that the 450 has more payload and bigger brakes. The F450 have steeper gears (4.10-4.88 IIRC) so which I assume cause it to get worst mileage empty, is that true? I would also like to ask on the flip side do the steeper gears help it get better mileage when pulling heavy (over 12K) trailers because the engine not working as hard to accelerate the load or is it still less? I need the power and stability foremost but also interested in the mpg's because the less fuel burned the more $$$ I get to keep in my pocket lol.
  • The 4x4 F450 will get worse fuel economy than a 2wd F350. The lower gearing will also contribute to lower MPGs. Since you are dedicated to pulling trailers as a living, you will be happier with the F450. Just cruise at a slower speed and the MPG difference will be minimal, and the 4wd may come in handy if you tow year round.
  • The 2008 F450 came with either 4:88 or 4:30, after the job 2 build it was 4:30 only. The F350 was either 4:30, 3:73, 3:55s. I have the 08 F450 with 4:88s empty at 65mph it will do 12.5 to 13 mpg, towing 14K up it will do 6.5 to 8 mpg. I think you will see a little better with the 4:30 due to lower engine rpm while cruising.
  • Looks like from your signature you have had your fill of 6.0L Fords. My 2004 F350 compared to the above poster's 6.4L F450 gets about 10mpg towing my 13k or 14k lb 5th wheel. I get near 17mpg on the highway running empty. If I was looking for a new truck to do what you are doing, I would look foor a low mileage 2007 6.0L F350 DRW and put the money into the engine to solve all the known common problems. But, if I had plenty of money I would get the 6.7L. The 6.4L is a great motor and pulls like a beast but the ones I have driven will drain you wallet when it comes to fuel mileage.
  • Going from 3.73 gears to 4.56 gears in my V10 improved by towing fuel economy by about 15%. Of course it also went down by that much not-towing. In the end it was a wash since I tow so much, and it definitely performs way better with the 4.56 gears.

    Also, the wide-track front axle is another benefit of the F450 (and the Fatboy F350). It allows for a smaller turning radius due to more wheels cut angle. I have an F550 axle waiting installation into my van...
  • Oh around here 4x4 is almost mandatory. Not a full time job for me already have one just a side hobby since I can't get enough of TV and TT's lol
    To start off I leased a 2015 F250 CC LB 4x4 (manual) and not having weight in the back had me sliding around in the recent snow. I also found out I need the autolocking (expensive to replace) hubs because it isn't practical for me to get out every time I need to activate them. I know some say drive with the hubs locked but the owner's manual said that will cause damage. I did it on my Ex for a few weeks until I got the vacuum leak fixed but didn't know if it is the same system or now.
    Grandpere wrote:
    The 4x4 F450 will get worse fuel economy than a 2wd F350. The lower gearing will also contribute to lower MPGs. Since you are dedicated to pulling trailers as a living, you will be happier with the F450. Just cruise at a slower speed and the MPG difference will be minimal, and the 4wd may come in handy if you tow year round.
  • I read about "job 2" when did that happen?
    Thanks for the figures but they are scaring me. Those numbers approach what a semi gets hauling much much more weight with much larger engine!

    Garry&Gayle wrote:
    The 2008 F450 came with either 4:88 or 4:30, after the job 2 build it was 4:30 only. The F350 was either 4:30, 3:73, 3:55s. I have the 08 F450 with 4:88s empty at 65mph it will do 12.5 to 13 mpg, towing 14K up it will do 6.5 to 8 mpg. I think you will see a little better with the 4:30 due to lower engine rpm while cruising.
  • Funny you say I had my fill but I don't think so. The shop I use works on 7.3L's to 6.7L's and he told me in good conscious he can't recommend a 6.4L because of their repair cost. He likes the 7.3L's and wins truck pulls with one but he also likes the 6.0L's and I think is preparing one to pull with also. I really wanted a 6.7L but my wallet laughed at me so I test drove a 6.4L and was impressed with how much quieter and smoother it ran than both my 6.0L's that I have had. I also read up on how much power you can get out of that engine with a tune and exhaust/intake and I think that sold me. I hesitate to say anything about a 6.0L on this forum for fear of starting a 10 page firestorm but I can say after driving a 6.4L (work service vehicle) and 2500 miles in this 6.7L that I am still impressed with how efficient and powerful the 6.0L is when modded correctly. Its getting harder to find one with lower miles and they are now asking a premium for them because they are pre DEF/DPF so to be honest I am torn between them all. I love the 6 spds of the new 6.7L but it's hard to justify (in small business) the price you can get a small airplane (used) for a new diesel pick up truck.

    sandpiper1 wrote:
    Looks like from your signature you have had your fill of 6.0L Fords. My 2004 F350 compared to the above poster's 6.4L F450 gets about 10mpg towing my 13k or 14k lb 5th wheel. I get near 17mpg on the highway running empty. If I was looking for a new truck to do what you are doing, I would look foor a low mileage 2007 6.0L F350 DRW and put the money into the engine to solve all the known common problems. But, if I had plenty of money I would get the 6.7L. The 6.4L is a great motor and pulls like a beast but the ones I have driven will drain you wallet when it comes to fuel mileage.
  • I don't know if you remember my Excursion with 4.30 gear that got better empty and towing mpg's than what others reported.. Granted I made sure it was in tip top shape and used cruise control but I honestly believed that gear allowed the engine to stay in its torque peak more allowing the engine to work less. I later got a E350 van with V10 with stock (3.55?) gears but since the engine was lugging at 65 mph the mileage sucked. That was my hope with looking at the F450 but it doesn't seem that way from reports.

    carringb wrote:
    Going from 3.73 gears to 4.56 gears in my V10 improved by towing fuel economy by about 15%. Of course it also went down by that much not-towing. In the end it was a wash since I tow so much, and it definitely performs way better with the 4.56 gears.

    Also, the wide-track front axle is another benefit of the F450 (and the Fatboy F350). It allows for a smaller turning radius due to more wheels cut angle. I have an F550 axle waiting installation into my van...
  • I agree with everything you said about the 6.0. If mine ever gives up I would probably go with another one. I would rather spend $20k on a low mileage 6.0 and then $10k fixing it than $50-$60k on a new one. My independent diesel mechanic told me that the 6.4 has more problems once the mileage gets higher than any of the powerstrokes. Its all about what fits your budget and what you will use it for. I really think my truck would pull better with a 4.30. It has a 4.10 and I have to go a little faster than I prefer when towing to keep it right in the powerband. But I also had a V10. If I could find a low mileage V10 in a F350 dually I would probably buy it.
  • I am not sure of exact dates but mine was built 10/07 (job2) and job 3 started around 12/07 but not positive.