New truck suggestions

[aeblank]

All I know is one dealer has warrantied many bad fuel problems several for other contractors I know but they said contaminated def was a no go and they were told that from corporate. Everyone has to make their own decisions you may never have an issue with pump def and I hope you don't.

I hope so too.
It'd be interesting (to me, an engineer) to know which mfg uses the most fluid vs. the least under the same conditions. Also, a quality study (dateline nbc, mythbusters?) about DEF. I saw some at tractor supply (good to know they have it), but as I recall it was pretty dusty. Hmmmm.

Seems like BS that only a dealer can deal with a poor DEF quality issue. We should be able to drain the tank, re-fill, and continue with our lives.

 

[ultrarunner]

How does the dealer know the DEF is contaminated?

Do they send it out for sampling?

For 30 years I have done automotive arbitration under the Lemon Law... I would never allow a statement like this to stand without substantiation...

Many times the Dealer/Manufacturer have stood firm and under the Lemon Law were required to buy the vehicle back.

Which brings up another scenario... what about the guy that is required to use DEF and it freezes to a block of ice due to a cold snap?

So far I am unaware of any prohibition of operating a vehicle in extreme cold.

I'm just thinking out loud since I have joined the DEF family last month.

If Ford is selling DEF vehicles in Canada, North Dakota or Alaska... it must accept responsibility for normal operation in these climates.

 

[coobie]

Truck buying discussions are almost as bad as trump verses hillary debates.

 

[aeblank]

How does the dealer know the DEF is contaminated?

Do they send it out for sampling?

For 30 years I have done automotive arbitration under the Lemon Law... I would never allow a statement like this to stand without substantiation...

Many times the Dealer/Manufacturer have stood firm and under the Lemon Law were required to buy the vehicle back.

Which brings up another scenario... what about the guy that is required to use DEF and it freezes to a block of ice due to a cold snap?

So far I am unaware of any prohibition of operating a vehicle in extreme cold.

I'm just thinking out loud since I have joined the DEF family last month.

I've joined about a month ago too.
The tanks have heaters, I know that. I think (and assume) heated hoses also.

The statement does seem somewhat "fear mongering" to me, but I certainly don't doubt they said it (and believe it) either.

 

[ultrarunner]

With 99% of my vehicles used I have owned them all... the difference is when buying new the expectations are greater.

 

[aeblank]

Truck buying discussions are almost as bad as trump verses hillary debates.

or leases vs. buying
or small grapple vs. large grapple
or one thumb grapple vs. two thumb grapple

 

[ultrarunner]

Here's a thought...

For a long time, a lot of manufacturers said to avoid using fuel with alcohol... I've seen it in print.

Early on, during an arbitration, the manufacturer said the fuel system damage to a vehicle was due to using fuel with alcohol....

The problem for the manufacturer is they were selling vehicles in a State were the ONLY fuel available contained alcohol...

I offered a choice... cover the repairs or a buyback would be ordered...

A few months later the manufacturer put out a service bulletin covering seals that were damage from from using California fuel...

 

[Diamondpilot]

An extra tank to fill an extra expense an extra system to fail? If you run out of def they have a set mileage that you have to fill the tank or it will limit you to 15 mph. Add this aggravation to a fleet of trucks and it's worse. I never said you had to dislike it but I can and I do. No more def diesels for me period. That's why my last personal truck was a gas burner even though it's a 1 ton C&C 4x4 flat dump bed.

We run over 100 diesel trucks now all with DEF. Based in Indiana we have guys in Portland, OR, South Carolina, Vegas, Ect. Doesn't seem to be a real issues.

I wonder how the truckers ever deal with this issue? Lol

Chris

 

[Fordman1981]

We run over 100 diesel trucks now all with DEF. Based in Indiana we have guys in Portland, OR, South Carolina, Vegas, Ect. Doesn't seem to be a real issues. I wonder how the truckers ever deal with this issue? Lol Chris

I'm sure you manage all those trucks too. Lol

 

[Fordman1981]

One of the points I'm trying to make about def is it's a hassle and while I do like that we have clean diesels I think the demand of systems like def by the epa has gone too far. Tier 4 intern was good enough until we found a better system than def. if we keep buying stuff saying oh well I can deal with it what's next having to swab the exhaust system like a chimney every time we stop for fuel.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm sure you manage all those trucks too. Lol

I have nothing to do with them other than drive them. Used a 2013 3500 Dmax today.

I bet I do see 10 to 20 in my hanger each and every week.

Chris

 

[TheGoose]

In 2015 I bought a new f250 xl super cab 4x4 with the 6.2l gas engine and a service body with toolboxes and rack for about $38k. This truck has power windows and locks, power mirrors and Ac. Gets about 10-12 mpg avg.

 

[Morning Wood]

What do you think it weighs?

 

[TheGoose]

I'm not quite sure but I do think about adding a spring in the rear as the bed sags a little much for my liking. I really like the full service body with a rack on top. You can load pipe, lumber, ladders, etc and still put a pallet in the bed. I can carry all my tools and more and with the flip top I can keep small parts like screws and fittings organized. I love the vinyl floor and seats, easy to keep clean.

 

[ultrarunner]

Sounds like a great truck... I think racks are underrated... they really open up the transport options.

 

[sd455dan]

How does the dealer know the DEF is contaminated?

Do they send it out for sampling?

For 30 years I have done automotive arbitration under the Lemon Law... I would never allow a statement like this to stand without substantiation...

Many times the Dealer/Manufacturer have stood firm and under the Lemon Law were required to buy the vehicle back.

Which brings up another scenario... what about the guy that is required to use DEF and it freezes to a block of ice due to a cold snap?

So far I am unaware of any prohibition of operating a vehicle in extreme cold.

I'm just thinking out loud since I have joined the DEF family last month.

If Ford is selling DEF vehicles in Canada, North Dakota or Alaska... it must accept responsibility for normal operation in these climates.

Not sure what they did in the Dakota gas fields ,my nephew ran his 2012 ram there (non DEF) and also the company service trucks, It did get down to below-30F while he worked there. I bet they had real problems with def when it got that cold .

 

[ultrarunner]

Much to learn as technology changes...

So it has been a few weeks with the new Super Duty... all is well.

The one area my brother would like to improve is to raise the back about 1.5 inches... said it looks low with anything in the bed...

I guess adding a leaf would be the easy way...

Some said he should have just got the derated F350...

I have helper springs on my 3/4 Chevrolet to compensate for the tool body...

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Much to learn as technology changes...

So it has been a few weeks with the new Super Duty... all is well.

The one area my brother would like to improve is to raise the back about 1.5 inches... said it looks low with anything in the bed...

I guess adding a leaf would be the easy way...

Some said he should have just got the derated F350...

I have helper springs on my 3/4 Chevrolet to compensate for the tool body...

Wouldn't air bags be the solution? (actually asking)

 

[Buppies]

On ford truck forums I visit air bags seem the way a lot of people go. I am on my second def truck no issues with that. First truck F250 with 6.7 and def solid truck. Temperatures here can get below zero for short spells but no problems since fluid is heated. When you cut the truck off you hear a pump running which is removing fluid from lines so the fluid will not freeze. Put about 70000 miles on truck changed oil every 7700 miles filled with def every oil change. The only warranty issue was failed a/c condenser. This truck averaged 17.3 miles per gallon. The new truck 2016 F250 same set up more HP less mpg so far 4500 miles in so final verdict on mpg not in yet.

Interface is better radio easier to use more friendly with Apple products better ride

Those worrying about def in my experience are worried for nothing. Our company also owns two more def vehicles no problems there either

 

[ultrarunner]

Wouldn't air bags be the solution? (actually asking)

Don't know... the extra leaf would be simple and permanent...

He had a Rover with Air Suspension... worked great except twice when towing (Within Spec) the he lost the Air Suspension and it was expensive..

For the F250 I'm thinking air bags are different than air shocks?