Ford Super Duty 6.2 Super Ike Gauntlet Pull

Darned impressive!

ib516 wrote:
Darned impressive!

This. Going to be hard to justify the extra expense of a diesel pickup with how good the gas pickups perform now especially since I'm looking at smaller trailers.

I have a 2011 F250 with a 6.2 and less than 50k miles on it. It's a very capable truck for the 10,000 GVWR 5th wheel that I have but if I had a trailer that was heavier I'd probably go with a diesel even if my truck would pull it. I don't like to hear an engine scream even if I know it's not hurting it.

I was very impressed with the speed. 2.6mpg? I'd hope it has power to use that much fuel. In 300k miles it's not hard to justify the diesel. Or on the downhill. Or with more weight.

Of course it always turns into the diesel argument. Yes, high fuel mileage going up the gauntlet. What are your diesels getting going up it? I suspect the delta between the two is not much different than non gauntlet towing.

That was an impressive run.

I just traded in my 16' 4x4 F350 Diesel for a 17' F250 4x4 6.2 w/4:30 axle ratio. The Power Stroke performed flawlessly. But, theres something to be said for a Gas Motor that now Exceeds the HP & Torque numbers that made Diesel trucks as popular as they are today. Without the expense and complexity Diesels now require.

spud1957 wrote:
Of course it always turns into the diesel argument. Yes, high fuel mileage going up the gauntlet. What are your diesels getting going up it? I suspect the delta between the two is not much different than non gauntlet towing.

I think they run around 4 or a little better on that particular run from videos I've seen in the past. Real world with a camper you're probably comparing 7 or 8 with a big gas truck versus 11 or 12 with a diesel. Not great either way. Mileage is only part of the equation, though. Screaming up a grade at 5500 RPM isn't my idea of a relaxing trip even though I know they're designed to do it. I would also bet that the truck in the video would struggle significantly more if it were pulling something like a fifth wheel that drags a lot more air.

In my mind there's really not much cost difference between the two if you look at a total ownership cost. The diesel is more up front and will cost a little more to maintain, but will get better fuel economy and resale value. Which begs the question - if the cost delta is immaterial, why not opt for the higher performing diesel? That's something you can appreciate anytime you get behind the wheel.

I don't pull grades at 5500 rpm, don't need to even pulling 10k. I pull 4-4500 up any grade I have encountered thus far and could go faster but don't. Regardless, I know the diesel pulls less rpm because it's designed to. And diesels pull really nice for sure! The Ford 6.2 did great, I have the gm 6.0 and love it. Gas engines are doing much better and will improve no doubt. I could have bought a diesel a few years back, didn't need to, don't want to. Nothing wrong with owning one, but I just don't want to deal with the added expense of any breakdown and emissions related issues. Yes I wish to see the ford pull a cargo trailer or something similar just like the Chevy truck did a few years ago and did it around 10 min if I can recall. Hopefully they can perform that test and show what to expect pulling a camper.

Really impressive considering the 6.2 is rated at 25 less HP than the Hemi. It makes me dislike my Hemi's tranny gearing even more. I can only imagine how that 6.2 hauls with the 4.30 gears :)