We are in the market for a Ford Super Duty F350. And, I'm afraid the V10 gasser is going to retire. I have really enjoyed our current truck, but we just bought a GD Solitude which weighs 2500 lbs. more than our Cruiser did. We are looking for a used truck and my question is if there are any years of diesel Fords that I ought to avoid?

The ones with the 6.0L engine have a bad reputation and the 6.4L isn't a gold plated either but not as bad. But some folks claim they work just fine. The 7.3L engines have a great rep but are getting quite old and can be hard to find.But the newest 6.7L has been mostly trouble free, so anything later than 2011.5 should be good.

I don't have actual numbers on the 6.0, but my guess is that only a small percentage of them had the major problems. My 2008 F350 has the 6.0 diesel, and I have put about 15,000 miles per year on it, and most of that while towing.(Thanks seminole30 and shum02: I have the 6.4L, not the 6.0)

I’d confine my search to 2015 and newer Ford Diesels. And, I admit I’m biased as hell on this, but I’d try to find an F450. Ignore the 14k gvwr, as it is capped at that level to keep it a class 3 truck. They weigh more than an F350 because they have heavier axles, bigger brakes, and 19.5” tires. They also have a much tighter turning radius than the F350. They are more capable than the ratings may lead you to believe. I’ve had two, a 2010, and a 2016. :):)

"are any years of diesel Fords that I ought to avoid?"HAAAAA, that's a loaded question.

Go with any year 2012 or newer. 2011 was the first year of the 6.7 diesel. Very good engine but I never wanted to buy anything of first year production.

Ford Diesel trucks | Good Sam Community

37 Replies

Edd505
Explorer
May 18, 2019
Well I am a Ford Guy 1999SD, 2000SD, 2006SD, 2015SD, I missed the 6.4. Drive through most any RV park and count for yourself. Ford SD of various years. 2011 up gets you the 6.7 trouble free. My diesel mechanic has never done a repair on 6.7 only maintenance & deletes.
4x4ord
Explorer III
May 18, 2019
If I was going to buy a used Ford diesel with the intention of keeping it for a long time, it would be a 2015 or 2016. It was kind of tough saying good by to my 2016 in exchange for the 2017.
hvac
Explorer
May 12, 2019
No doubt over the past 30 plus years comparing dodge trucks in rv parks to say the recent west coast tour and rams. No comparison. I remember mostly Ford and GM back in those days. Ram is indeed making a huge market penetration and I see nothing stopping them.
hvac
Explorer
May 12, 2019
No doubt over the past 30 plus years comparing dodge trucks in rv parks to say the recent west coast tour and rams. No comparison. I remember mostly Ford and GM back in those days. Ram is indeed making a huge market penetration and I see nothing stopping them.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
May 12, 2019
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
klr650goldwing wrote:
We are in the market for a Ford Super Duty F350. And, I'm afraid the V10 gasser is going to retire. I have really enjoyed our current truck, but we just bought a GD Solitude which weighs 2500 lbs. more than our Cruiser did. We are looking for a used truck and my question is if there are any years of diesel Fords that I ought to avoid?

If you're looking for a used truck, I would ask, why limit your choices to Ford? Yes the Ford 6.7 engine has proven to be very good. And the Super Duty line has been very good overall. But the GMC Duramax or the Ram Cummins trucks are just as good. Don't limit your choices.

Simply look around at the Full Timers Campgrounds it's GM and RAM not many Fords these days. For fun while driving on the Interstate observe what brand are transporting new RV's and are hauling cars, RAM by far then GM and few Fords.
I don't know where you are looking but thats not the case around the SE where I travel.
Lantley
Nomad
May 12, 2019
danrclem wrote:
If you're not in a hurry and want a gasser then I'd wait for the 7.3 to come out and see how it pans out.

Top ten vehicles with over 200,000 miles on them. This was from 2016 but I doubt if it's changed much.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a19560/top-cars-to-make-it-over-200000-miles/

THat is an interesting list. I'm not sure I have a lot of faith in these claims but it is an interesting list.
I'm surprised there are no Cummins truck on the list.
Grit_dog
Navigator
May 11, 2019
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
klr650goldwing wrote:
We are in the market for a Ford Super Duty F350. And, I'm afraid the V10 gasser is going to retire. I have really enjoyed our current truck, but we just bought a GD Solitude which weighs 2500 lbs. more than our Cruiser did. We are looking for a used truck and my question is if there are any years of diesel Fords that I ought to avoid?

If you're looking for a used truck, I would ask, why limit your choices to Ford? Yes the Ford 6.7 engine has proven to be very good. And the Super Duty line has been very good overall. But the GMC Duramax or the Ram Cummins trucks are just as good. Don't limit your choices.

Simply look around at the Full Timers Campgrounds it's GM and RAM not many Fords these days. For fun while driving on the Interstate observe what brand are transporting new RV's and are hauling cars, RAM by far then GM and few Fords.

I’m not a Ford guy...surprise I know....
But look at the rest of the world, place is littered with Super Duty’s! Lol
You’d think they were the best selling truck or something.....
Your post actually makes me think about getting a Super duty so I don’t look like the geezers in the RV Park!
Haha!’
danrclem
Explorer
May 11, 2019
If you're not in a hurry and want a gasser then I'd wait for the 7.3 to come out and see how it pans out.

Top ten vehicles with over 200,000 miles on them. This was from 2016 but I doubt if it's changed much.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a19560/top-cars-to-make-it-over-200000-miles/
spud1957
Explorer
May 11, 2019
Cummins12v98 wrote:
Simply look around at the Full Timers Campgrounds it's GM and RAM not many Fords these days. For fun while driving on the Interstate observe what brand are transporting new RV's and are hauling cars, RAM by far then GM and few Fords.

People see what they want to see. Statistically, based on HD sales, that's probably not the case in the majority of parks.

Regarding your theory on car haulers. They are typically either class 3 or class 4 trucks. Here are some numbers from the Fleet Owner publication, Aug 2018, for class 3-6 trucks on the road today.

Ford 832,978
Dodge 222,876

https://www.fleetowner.com/trucking-numbers/trucking-numbers-2018-equipment-fleets-use/gallery?slide=8
FishOnOne
Nomad
May 11, 2019
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
klr650goldwing wrote:
We are in the market for a Ford Super Duty F350. And, I'm afraid the V10 gasser is going to retire. I have really enjoyed our current truck, but we just bought a GD Solitude which weighs 2500 lbs. more than our Cruiser did. We are looking for a used truck and my question is if there are any years of diesel Fords that I ought to avoid?

If you're looking for a used truck, I would ask, why limit your choices to Ford? Yes the Ford 6.7 engine has proven to be very good. And the Super Duty line has been very good overall. But the GMC Duramax or the Ram Cummins trucks are just as good. Don't limit your choices.

Simply look around at the Full Timers Campgrounds it's GM and RAM not many Fords these days. For fun while driving on the Interstate observe what brand are transporting new RV's and are hauling cars, RAM by far then GM and few Fords.