Truck opinions...

Sandals 123 · 03-10-2019, 12:40 PM

Hello all, I am looking for opinions on a TV for my new 29RKS.

When we bought the 5th, we had a beautiful 2011 F150 but realized that we needed more truck. I traded it for a 2010 F350 with the 6.4ltr. It is a full load beautiful truck.... But...

I commute to work with my Ford CMax which leaves the F350 as a "run around" vehicle for my wife. The problem is that she is not getting the diesel engine up to temperature on her short trips, then, when I take it out, it goes into the "cleaning exhaust" mode and SMOKES so bad that I get embarrassed to be behind the wheel.

We are new to RVing and for the next couple of years are only planning weekend, local trips.

Should I be looking for a gas engine truck? Are the newer Ford 6.7 better? Other options?

Thanks for your help.

Alan

hornet28 · 03-10-2019, 12:52 PM

If your wife is only running around local why not just buy a cheap car for her?

Sandals 123 · 03-10-2019, 12:56 PM

Interesting idea.... Hadn't thought of having 3 cars in the driveway...

LouieT · 03-10-2019, 01:02 PM

It looks like the 29RKS gvwr is about 10,500 so a F250 6.2 gas would be perfect for your application. And get the 4:30’s instead of the 3:73’s for extra pulling power. Also that would be a great “run around” vehicle for your wife. Dump the 6.4 turd before she blows and makes you cry.

Ranchhand · 03-10-2019, 01:03 PM

The new 6.7 are better then the 6.4 but they are also not perfect. My truck that I drive at work is a 2012 F350 cab and chassis with a service body on it. As of today it has about 70000 miles on it with no EGR or DPF issues and it does a fair does a fair amount of idle time. Probably its saving grace is that it is about 15000 lbs loaded up so I think it gets warmed up enough to compensate for the idle time.

Cbrez · 03-10-2019, 01:10 PM

I’ve had two 6.7 diesels and had great towing performance from both. The F250 towed my 16000 GVW 5er like a champ through the Canadian Rockies, but I finally had to admit I was too overweight to continue towing with it. Now towing with an F350 DRW and hardly notice the 5er. Even DW is comfortable towing. 6.7 Will give you all the power you need.

Sandals 123 · 03-10-2019, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouieT

It looks like the 29RKS gvwr is about 10,500 so a F250 6.2 gas would be perfect for your application. And get the 4:30’s instead of the 3:73’s for extra pulling power. Also that would be a great “run around” vehicle for your wife. Dump the 6.4 turd before she blows and makes you cry.

OMG... I just spit my coffee out when I read your reply. A little "pre purchase" poking around would have made all the difference and I would have bought a 2011 or newer to get away from the Turd... Lol

I will watch for a 6.2 gas, but seem to be rare up here.

MarkEHansen · 03-10-2019, 01:48 PM

What's the harm in you driving the truck for your daily commute? We just upgraded to the truck in my sig and when I can't ride my M/C to work, I take the truck.

Sandals 123 · 03-10-2019, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

What's the harm in you driving the truck for your daily commute? We just upgraded to the truck in my sig and when I can't ride my M/C to work, I take the truck.

That is another option too, thanks Mark. I commute with the electric so I can feel better about driving my truck.. Lol.

vampress_me · 03-10-2019, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandals 123

The problem is that she is not getting the diesel engine up to temperature on her short trips, then, when I take it out, it goes into the "cleaning exhaust" mode and SMOKES so bad that I get embarrassed to be behind the wheel.

I understand. Our 2009 F-350 would smoke on me during a certain part of the regen if I would step on the gas pedal at that time, like from a stop. It was crazy.

What about just designating one day (or two) a week that you take the truck to work so it gets a longer drive. This way, most of the time you can commute with your electric car, but the truck still gets out for more than a short drive at least one day a week. Hopefully that would help solve the issue without buying another vehicle.

Sandals 123 · 03-10-2019, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vampress_me

I understand. Our 2009 F-350 would smoke on me during a certain part of the regen if I would step on the gas pedal at that time, like from a stop. It was crazy.

What about just designating one day (or two) a week that you take the truck to work so it gets a longer drive. This way, most of the time you can commute with your electric car, but the truck still gets out for more than a short drive at least one day a week. Hopefully that would help solve the issue without buying another vehicle.

Hi Vamp, thanks for the reply. Your suggestion probably makes the most sense as I will not be out of pocket for the upgrade cost.

Sandals 123 · 03-10-2019, 03:33 PM

Does anyone have an opinion on the 6.2 gas Vs the 6.4 diesel? Is the Duramax a better engine?

Thanks
Alan

66joej · 03-10-2019, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandals 123

Does anyone have an opinion on the 6.2 gas Vs the 6.4 diesel? Is the Duramax a better engine?

Thanks
Alan

Had a 2011 F250 6.2 gas and traded it for 2011 6.7. We, at that time, were towing a 11000# GVW 5er. Difference was night and day going up any hills the diesel was far and away the better truck. JMHO

**JRTJH** · 03-10-2019, 04:06 PM

IMHO (for what it's worth) ALL diesels need to be run for extended periods of time and they all do poorly if operated for "a mile or two and shut down"... It doesn't matter if it's a 6.0, 6.4, 6.7 (RAM or Ford) or a Duramax in any of their sizes. All diesels need to be run long enough to fully warm up and to "run through the regen cycle at highway speeds".

As for the Ford 6.2L, we had a F250 XLT supercab long bed with 3.73 axles and towed our 10K GVW Cougar XLite with a 18' bass boat behind the trailer and never had any problems feeling "underpowered". I will readily admit that there were a number of tanks that averaged 8-9 MPG, especially when towing in a headwind. Power, on the other hand, we never experienced any problems.

Back to the diesel, it's "abuse" to not get it fully warmed up and allow a complete regen cycle regularly. I'd either plan more camping trips or plan longer weekend use to keep that diesel happy.

Ken / Claudia · 03-10-2019, 04:31 PM

Here's my opinion, after having a 2008 6.8 4x4 CC work truck for about 40,000 miles. After I got home and parked it next to my 2001 7.3. I then drove my 7.3 at times minutes later and really the power was nearly the same, fuel mileage not so much.
The 7.3 has enough power at 275 hp and 525 lb torque, but that 6.8 at up to 360 hp and 457 lb of torque on the newer models is not far behind.
Either buy a older vehicle to use daily, keep the truck in the driveway as much as possible. That's what I do, I am not upset driving a old vehicle to/from work. Or test drive a 6.8 and form your own opinion.

rhagfo · 03-10-2019, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandals 123

Hello all, I am looking for opinions on a TV for my new 29RKS.

When we bought the 5th, we had a beautiful 2011 F150 but realized that we needed more truck. I traded it for a 2010 F350 with the 6.4ltr. It is a full load beautiful truck.... But...

I commute to work with my Ford CMax which leaves the F350 as a "run around" vehicle for my wife. The problem is that she is not getting the diesel engine up to temperature on her short trips, then, when I take it out, it goes into the "cleaning exhaust" mode and SMOKES so bad that I get embarrassed to be behind the wheel.

We are new to RVing and for the next couple of years are only planning weekend, local trips.

Should I be looking for a gas engine truck? Are the newer Ford 6.7 better? Other options?

Thanks for your help.

Alan

Well the way I look at it you have already made one mistake, the Ford 6.4, was not much better than the 6.0. Don't make a second mistake and go back to a gaser. You just bought a 10,400# GVWR 5er with only a 1,600# payload capacity.
The next 5er will likely be over 13,000# GVWR, a big load for a gas engine. Find your self a good 6.7.

travelin texans · 03-10-2019, 10:00 PM

[QUOTE=Sandals 123;330090] Is the Duramax a better engine?

In "my opinion" HELL YES! My '13 I never knew when it went into regen, no smoke or noticeable decrease in fuel mileage & it was our daily driver for 6 years.
Also in "my opinion" the Dmax/Allison is the #1 combo & Cummins/Aisin is #2, then that other one.

FlyingAroundRV · 03-10-2019, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandals 123

OMG... I just spit my coffee out when I read your reply. A little "pre purchase" poking around would have made all the difference and I would have bought a 2011 or newer to get away from the Turd... Lol

I will watch for a 6.2 gas, but seem to be rare up here.

We bought a 2015 6.2 gasser 250 and so far it seems to do a fine job. It pulls our Outback 272UFL just fine and when solo, it's not too rough or thirsty.
I went for the gasser because I read some not so great things about some of the diesels. Among other things, the existence of a whole "bulletproofing" industry to fix up some of the design faults put me right off. But in addition, we have a generator that runs on gas, so the truck and the genny run on the same fuel. Comes in handy if I ever run the truck too low I can get the genny gas out of the back to get me to the station ... Although I usually fill up at 1/4 tank.

**JRTJH** · 03-11-2019, 05:50 AM

[QUOTE=travelin texans;330164]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandals 123

Is the Duramax a better engine?

In "my opinion" HELL YES! My '13 I never knew when it went into regen, no smoke or noticeable decrease in fuel mileage & it was our daily driver for 6 years.
Also in "my opinion" the Dmax/Allison is the #1 combo & Cummins/Aisin is #2, then that other one.

When comparing diesel engines, you failed to mention that the OP's experience with diesels is limited to the "previous era regen technology" and is not the same as your '13. You're comparing a DEF engine technology with a "pre-DEF" technology. Our engines, (your '13 GM and my '15 Ford) are apples and oranges different than the OP's "pre-DEF regeneration technology" His will smoke and let you know it's in regen, which is the reason for the advances in technology that our "DEF diesels" use. Ours are "designed to regen seamlessly" His isn't.....

Fishsizzle · 03-11-2019, 06:10 AM

I’m not overly familiar with the 2011-2016 Ford 6.7, but the current 17+ Generation has a manual regen you can have the dealer bring up as a selectable option. Higher end packages (platinum etc) its already in the menu. Come home, turn on manual regen and walk away I’m told. I haven’t programmed my truck to do it yet.

You may also like: