F250 superduty

wincher · Feb 7, 2009

I am looking for a bigger truck to do so towing with, this truck fits the bill and i seem to be able to find a number of used ones to compare. I am wondering how the milage is with the 5.4 and is it any different on 05 and newer since that is the year power went up. Second any one know of any problems with the manual trans. Thanks for any info.

Diamondpilot · Feb 7, 2009

You are looking at the wrong motor. The 5.4 in a Superduty will tow less than a 5.4 in a F-150 due to the truck weighing more. The 6.8 V-10 will tow the same as the diesel but obviously the diesel will do a better job but cost an extra $8000.

The 6.8 V-10 is the way to go in todays economy for most. Its only a $600 upgrade and will tow nearly 10,000# more than the 5.4 V8 Also look at steeping up to a Single Rear Wheel F-350. They are only another $500 or so and you get a lot more truck capable of hauling another 1,500# in the bed over a similar F-250

Chris

Builder · Feb 7, 2009

wincher said:
I am looking for a bigger truck to do so towing with, this truck fits the bill and i seem to be able to find a number of used ones to compare. I am wondering how the milage is with the 5.4 and is it any different on 05 and newer since that is the year power went up. Second any one know of any problems with the manual trans. Thanks for any info.

Before you buy anything, let us know what is it you want to tow. What does it weigh?

wushaw · Feb 7, 2009

If the manual tranny is still the Zf-6 then it's a pretty decent tranny, Ford and GM used it for many years in their 3/4 - one tons.
I also agree with Diamondpilot, the 5.4 only belongs in a 1/2ton, it does not have the tq someone needs in 3/4 - one ton.

wincher · Feb 8, 2009

This vehical will be used and a daily driver for me to get to work, about 30 miles a day. 4wd is a must and i feel more comfortable with standards. I will be towing a tractor and trailer with a combined weight of approx 8700lbs max distance of 80 miles one way. Top speed will never be over 55 and the mileage unloaded is more important to me then the loaded. Diesel would be idea but if most of my driving will be unloaded then why bother. My 96 dodge ram 1500 get 15 with 210,000 on it and if i could stay at that i would be happy.

JDGREEN4ME · Feb 8, 2009

I have an '03 F250, automatic, and I get around 15 MPG on highway runs, closer to 12 MPG in town and around 10 MPG when towing 7K. My brother has an '02 F250, standard and he gets close to 18 MPG on highway runs. (Both trucks are 5.4 V8s)

drivadesl · Feb 8, 2009

OK I realize this is not what youre asking. Seems there are some deals out there on used trucks, and with the savings over a newer model you could upgrade to a diesel. I'm getting 20mpg with my 99 7.3 PSD. Just for example:

F-250 2006 XLT Super Duty 4x4 Turbo Diesel -

2003 Ford F250 Super Duty Super Cab Long Bed

2002 f-250 superduty 7.3 turbo diesel 4x4

Good luck with your search!

Builder · Feb 8, 2009

wincher said:
This vehical will be used and a daily driver for me to get to work, about 30 miles a day. 4wd is a must and i feel more comfortable with standards. I will be towing a tractor and trailer with a combined weight of approx 8700lbs max distance of 80 miles one way. Top speed will never be over 55 and the mileage unloaded is more important to me then the loaded. Diesel would be idea but if most of my driving will be unloaded then why bother. My 96 dodge ram 1500 get 15 with 210,000 on it and if i could stay at that i would be happy.

You could easily do that with a base model V-8 3/4 ton or even 1/2 ton 4x4 truck.

There's no need for a bigger block gas engine or a diesel, unless you want one for the fun or extra power. Otherwise you're wasting your money.

Diamondpilot · Feb 8, 2009

wincher said:
This vehical will be used and a daily driver for me to get to work, about 30 miles a day. 4wd is a must and i feel more comfortable with standards. I will be towing a tractor and trailer with a combined weight of approx 8700lbs max distance of 80 miles one way. Top speed will never be over 55 and the mileage unloaded is more important to me then the loaded. Diesel would be idea but if most of my driving will be unloaded then why bother. My 96 dodge ram 1500 get 15 with 210,000 on it and if i could stay at that i would be happy.

For the driving you do and the occasional towing you need to look at a half ton 4x4 truck like a F-150. I have a 2007 F-150 FX4 4x4 with the 5.4L and 3.73 gears. It gets 16.4 mpg average, mixed driving. bought it new in May of 2007 and it now has 21,000 miles on it. We take it on a trip to Knoxville, Tn area from Northern Indiana a few times a year with 4 people on board in June, July, and August. On that 1,000 mile round trip towing the boat in the picture. It weighs 7,000# and we fill boat with our gear and the bed last trip had over 35 cases of water, pop, and beer. It got 11 mpg doing 70-75 on that trip. Towing around secondary roads like I do every weekend from late April to late October it gets 11mpg also at 55 max.

It is very comfortable and quite and rides like a dream. Easy to get around the parking lots for day to day use and I would not hesitate to put 9,000# behind it. By the way the tow rating is 9,300#.

Chris

Solo · Feb 8, 2009

I have an '04 F250 with the 5.4 motor, it also has 3:73 gears, 6 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't want to tow anything this truck. With this gearing it is only a highway truck, no torque . If i'm on a steep hill I use low gear to start. I average around 11.5mpg the most I have got from it is 14.5 on a long trip.

Solo

Builder · Feb 8, 2009

Solo said:
I have an '04 F250 with the 5.4 motor, it also has 3:73 gears, 6 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't want to tow anything this truck. With this gearing it is only a highway truck, no torque . If i'm on a steep hill I use low gear to start. I average around 11.5mpg the most I have got from it is 14.5 on a long trip.

Solo

Not the news some would want to hear, but it's great to get honest, hands on feedback like that.

Diamondpilot · Feb 8, 2009

Solo said:
I have an '04 F250 with the 5.4 motor, it also has 3:73 gears, 6 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't want to tow anything this truck. With this gearing it is only a highway truck, no torque . If i'm on a steep hill I use low gear to start. I average around 11.5mpg the most I have got from it is 14.5 on a long trip.

Solo

That is what I have heard about the 5.4 in the Superdutys. That is why I think the V-10 is such a bargain at $600 upgrade. In reality they should not put the Hemi in the Dodge 2500 and up and GM should have stuck with the 8.1 and drop that 6.0 in the 2500 and up. The Ford 5.4, Hemi, and the GM 6.0 are good motors but a F-250 or a 2500 series truck and up is not the place for them.

Chris

Ryan03 · Feb 8, 2009

Solo said:
I have an '04 F250 with the 5.4 motor, it also has 3:73 gears, 6 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't want to tow anything this truck. With this gearing it is only a highway truck, no torque . If i'm on a steep hill I use low gear to start. I average around 11.5mpg the most I have got from it is 14.5 on a long trip.

Solo

The only way to make three hundred and thirtysome odd cubic inches happy about pushing around 7k worth of bill board is with a deep gear in the rear axle. On the flip side, not enough gear for the application is often just as hard on mpg as to much

mjncad · Feb 9, 2009

I have a '99 4x4 F-250 XLT SuperCab long bed with a V-10, 5-speed, and 4.11 limited slip rear end. I average 13.5 MPG empty. I don't do enough towing to give you a towing MPG average.

I wouldn't get the 5.4 in a Super Duty for the reasons previously given.

Solo · Feb 9, 2009

Ryan03 said:
The only way to make three hundred and thirtysome odd cubic inches happy about pushing around 7k worth of bill board is with a deep gear in the rear axle. On the flip side, not enough gear for the application is often just as hard on mpg as to much

You are exactly right. If I had 4:11 or maybe a 4:56 gear it would be alright.

Solo

apmonte · Feb 9, 2009

I've got a 2003 F-150 FX-4 with the 5.4L and auto trans. I get around 12.5 MPG in town. Fortunately, I'm putting on less than 5k/yr. Truck doesn't get out of town much, so I'm not sure what it gets on the highway.

You might try poking around at one of these sites for more information:
http://www.fordf150.net/
http://www.f150online.com/

Dadsgreenpsd · Feb 9, 2009

Most (not all) people with the 5.4 are not happy towing. I have the 7.3, 6 speed, and a 3.73 rear, and I get around 19 (or more) in the summer. I can also haul almost anything. I have a 24' enclosed trailer, and have made the trip from Maine to Georgia several times with household goods, vehicles, and a compact tractor. Hauling, I may go down to 13mpg or so.

Soundguy · Feb 9, 2009

wincher said:
I am looking for a bigger truck to do so towing with, this truck fits the bill and i seem to be able to find a number of used ones to compare. I am wondering how the milage is with the 5.4 and is it any different on 05 and newer since that is the year power went up. Second any one know of any problems with the manual trans. Thanks for any info.

I have an o4 f250 with the 6.0 PSD.. works great as a tow vehicle.. gets about 14mpg in town.. a lil more on open road.

soundguy

Highbeam · Feb 12, 2009

I don't care what the ratings are, towing 8700 lbs with a half ton and gas small block is not safe. I towed 7000 lbs regularly with my chevy half ton, 5.7 liter gas 330 ft-lbs, and it was at the ragged edge of safety. I recently took advantage of the super good prices on used super duty trucks and bought a 2000 F350 with the 7.3 powerstroke diesel and I tow the same trailers with a much larger safety and performance margin. Oddly, or perhaps not, I get slightly better mpg while towing and while running empty. It is my daily driver and weighs 7500 lbs.

You won't pay 8000$ more for a diesel on a used truck when the whole truck barely cost 10,000$.

bncsauve · Feb 12, 2009

I have an 05 F250 Super duty with 5.4 engine. Mine has an automatic. I get about 16 mpg highway and about 10 mpg towing. I have towed up to a 12000 lb excavator and trailer. It handled it pretty well, but of course I needed trailer brakes and controller. Some of the F250 have built in controller that's supposed to be very good. I added mine aftermarket. I routinely tow my boat. appx. 3000 lbs. I can't even tell it's back there.