What's with Bio diesel?

[way2roll]

As we continue our search for the perfect part time RV next year, we are narrowing our search into FW's. If we go that route, I've decided the truck of choice would be a newer, used, F350 SRW. So, not only are they hard to find, many of the ones I am finding run on Bio Diesel. Now, I don't know much about diesel trucks in general (my current truck is a 5.4 f150) but what I have learned is that touring the US with a bio diesel truck is a bad idea due to fuel availability. Am I wrong? And why are these trucks so hard to find - let alone one that runs on regular diesel?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[Grit_dog]

Newer F250s have a lighter rear axle than the 350s. By lighter, they’re only rated to 9000lbs ish vs 10-11klbs.
No advantages with a 350 srw, save for stiffer rear springs from the factory, over a F250.

[ppine]

What happened to biodiesel?

[way2roll]

So if I am following, looking at a 2015 or later F250 SRW is essentially the same truck as an F350 -or can be easily modified to be. In checking prices the cost of them are almost the same on used, I guess that's why.

We are not looking for a high end FW. Contrary, I think we will land somewhere in the 40k category - new. One criteria we have is a W/D which seems to almost always add to the pin weight. Looking at units in the 12-14k range and pin weights around 2k. I Know the numbers are fuzzy until you get real weights etc, but unless I am wrong - and please tell me if I am - I think the F250 seems to be enough truck.

Here's an example of something we are looking at. Mind you - we are just starting our shopping and wouldn't know if this was a decent FW or not. Seems pretty big at 42' but checks the boxes of what we are looking for. My priority is to get a truck based on what we think we want in a FW. Hard to pick the RV first as I don't have a truck big enough to bring it home. 😉


one we are looking at

[lenr]

When OP is considering trucks, in Ford land there were significant improvements in 2015 (better turbo and EGR cooler), 2017 (aluminum body), and 2020. The 2020 has improved torque and HP along with a 10 speed transmission. For the gas enthusiasts, the 2020 7.3 gas engine puts out almost as much HP with a very flat torque curve as long as you're willing to listen to a high revving engine. And, you get the 10 speed transmission along with no biodiesel worries.

[lenr]

My opinion--yours may vary.
Ford and GM both modified their engines to be rated for 0% to 20% biodiesel in 2011. I believe that Ram Cummins went a few more years before that rating. B5 is generally thought to run in anything and Mercedes Van diesel carried that rating for a long time, maybe still. 2% to 4% biodiesel is thought to be very good for lubrication.

There have been many debates on the differences between F-250 and F-350. For single rear wheel vehicles, the only difference since 2012 Job 2 has been the price, the auxiliary spring in the rear, the chrome badge on the side, the spacing block on the rear axle (F-250 had 2" while F-350 had 4") and the VIN sticker. The weight rating is intentionally down rated to 9900 or 10,000 on F-250s so that some folks can get cheaper insurance and license tags. The early 2010 1/2 model of the 2011 F-250 may have used a lighter weight axle left over from the prior year--since then the axles have been the same. Sometime around the middle of the decade, Ford starting putting in taller spring spaces blocks so the F-250s don't squat under load as much as they used to. So late model F-250s can be upgraded to carry a heavier load with air bags, and many do that.

[campigloo]

It’s a fair piece down the road from ya but check car guru in Houston. I was shopping it recently and found a huge selection and unbelievable prices. Houston was easily 10k less on comparable trucks and had a bunch of them in all trim levels.

[Lynnmor]

ShinerBock wrote:


There is a difference between the regular F250 and F350. The regular F250 does not have as many leafs in the leaf spring and does not have a sway bar like the F350 does between 2011-2016. This is why many F250s squat a considerable amount. The F250 with the camper package does not squat nearly as much since the package adds these making it identical to an F350.

Springs are simple to replace and not very expensive. You can upgrade the F250 if needed. Now the sticker police can report in.

[Grit_dog]

^Diff between most of the US and Western Canada.
BC is tough on gvws, I hear. And most of the pickups are 1 tons instead of 3/4 tons.
If shopping used, I would 100% not turn down the right 3/4 ton for its gvw rating, considering most brands and models are virtually the same truck. Nothin a couple extra leafs and a pair of F350 badges won’t cure!

[blofgren]

way2roll wrote:
Thanks for the replies. It makes sense and no reason to exclude these.

Curious though why F350's are so hard to find? I've looked at countless places for these trucks and at best there are only a handful for sale. I can't stomach the sticker on a new one but even those seem pretty rare. I guess it's just supply and demand and people probably keep them forever.

I think it has way more to do with your location than anything. Up here, there are PLENTY of 6.7L F-350's for sale.

[ppine]

The F 350 is the right choice. They tend to have stronger axles than 250s. Stronger suspension.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

Labman7 wrote:
Get on any diesel forum and ask.. Bio is a solvent that is better than straight diesel due to its keeps the fuel system clean and adds lube quality to the fuel. Up to 20% bio works in any newer vehicle. Most stations that sell it advertise 5 to 15%. Some midwest states mandate bio blend in all diesel sold in the state. Been around for years now, no issue in a modern diesel. It can reduce mileage a small amount, nothing significant.

I have a friend in SoCal who refine his own bio-diesel by collecting used oil from fast-food restaurants in his town.

It's an older diesel and is not even rated by manufacturer to run on bio-diesel. But he said he goes as high mix as he could defending of his supplies (I'm not sure he went 100%). He said he got cleaner nozzles and injectors and his exhaust is smelling like French fries, lol.

[Grit_dog]

Fill at whatever commercial pump you pull up to. No different than the millions of other Powestroke owners.
What they said about 250vs 350 is true. But the weight cops will tell you different.
All depends on how big a trailer you're gonna hook up.

[ShinerBock]

way2roll wrote:
Thanks again for all the replies. Super helpful. I started looking at the F350 mainly because it's about the same price as a comparable F250. But it sounds like there isn't much difference. I know most FW's need a truck bigger than 1/2 T, especially with a W/D.

If an F250 with tow package has the same capacity as a 350 then that opens up a little more options. I know it's all in the numbers. All we've ever owned is Class A's and it's a different set of calculations. I want to get the most bang for my buck with a truck and also have extra capacity should we ever decide to buy a bigger RV. You can't have too much truck.

There is a difference between the regular F250 and F350. The regular F250 does not have as many leafs in the leaf spring and does not have a sway bar like the F350 does between 2011-2016. This is why many F250s squat a considerable amount. The F250 with the camper package does not squat nearly as much since the package adds these making it identical to an F350.

[ppine]

To modify a diesel engine for use with 100% biodiesel normally there are two modifications that are needed. First an improved filter system needs to be installed, the second is a pre-heater is used to heat the fuel when ambient temps are below around 30 degrees F The bio fuel has a lower viscosity and needs to be heated to flow through the fuel system.

Neither of these mods should preclude the use of regular dino diesel.
Mr Diesel originally designed his engine to run on peanut oil. They can be easily be modified to run on all kinds of fuel. Algae bio diesel holds great promise.

I have run my 7.3 on about 20% bio fuel in warmer weather months. It tends to clean the engine so it is important to carry a spare fuel filter. Burned fuel smells better. The performance is good because of the removal of dirt, but the fuel has slightly less power, not noticeable at 20 %.