I just picked up today a 2008 F-350 Crew Cab with the V-10 and 5.30 gears for exactly the same reason you state. I only tow about 8 times per year and the rest is just infrequent trips around town. I just could not justify the additional diesel cap cost plus greater operating costs. I will use it to tow a 36ft fiver.
Listening to those who are in the market for a new truck, most guys seem ready to go for the V10 over diesel. The new diesels are having issues and |i would wait for them to iron them out. Somthing to do with the DPF's. Myself, I just bought a new F350 dually CC V10. I had a F250 SRW LB CC with the V10 and I loved it. You could barely hear it when not towing and was not much louder when towing. I got 13MPG in the mountains and 14 to 15mpg in the city. Ganted I drive like a granny according to my wife but at least my vehicles last. Diesels here are also commanding a $9000.00 premium and with diesel prices going nowhere but up, I would stay with gas.. Just my opinion though.
Jim Mcgallan
2008 F-350 6.8l V10 4X4 CC LB 4.30 gears, Lariat loaded with/Nav.
2007 Dutchman Northshore 320TS-M5
1 beautiful wife (25 years) and 2 adorable collies
txninva wrote: North Trail 831, 34 ft
new F350, tow 6 -8 times a year
daily driver, live 3 miles from work,mostly short hops around town. Does it harm a diesel doing only short trips around town and such.
Thanks,
J
Your only question is does it harm a diesel to make 3 mile hops. Yes it does.
If you were to ask if a V10 will be a better choice than a diesel to perform the work you describe, again the answer is yes. For what you wish to do, the diesel really isn't a good consideration at all. Cost too much, fuel cost per mile isn't much better if at all, and will never warm up especially in winter. You will suffer the disadvantages of the diesel and not use it enough to realize the benefits. I wouldn't consider it at all.
txninva wrote: Recently acquired a new North Trail 831, 34 ft in lenght and looking to replace my 1/2 ton with a new F350 for towing confort on my part. The problem is I only tow 6 -8 times a year and only a couple of those are more than 50 miles away. This would also be my daily driver and I live 3 miles away from work and do mostly short hops around town. I was only considering a diesel if we moved up to a heavier trailer in a couple/few years. Does it harm a diesel doing only short trips around town and such.
Thanks,
J
Look for a nice used one. Take 3 to 6 months and a good one will show up.
Got a 2006 2500HD crew D/A. According to edmunds and KBB, got the diesel engine free - a Toyota dealer priced the thing for a 6.0l gasser. Just under $27k, sold the '98 K1500 for $9k and net was just $16k.
It gets 14 mpg towing the our 5er in flat gulf coast Texas.
Did you mean 430 rear end? Never heard of 530's.. How do you like the truck? Mine is still on a railcar in riverdale illinios
Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote: I just picked up today a 2008 F-350 Crew Cab with the V-10 and 5.30 gears for exactly the same reason you state. I only tow about 8 times per year and the rest is just infrequent trips around town. I just could not justify the additional diesel cap cost plus greater operating costs. I will use it to tow a 36ft fiver.
bfast54 wrote: When I am towing with my Cummins , I get 13-14.mpg
If you are talking about the truck in your signature you are comparing apples to oranges. The OP is talking about a new diesel which has to meet the new EPA standards in 2008. Those requirements have seriously hurt the MPG. Additionally in your numbers you left out the fact that the Diesel is a $7,000 option while the V-10 is a $600.00 option.
EXCUSE ME...................BUT, if you had read my post you would have seen .................THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME,,,,,YOU MAY HAVE DIFFERENT RESULTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Diesel will always get more mpg than gasser!! PERIOD!
AND, I also suggested to look for a used one.........(APPLES TO APPLES). HENCE THE PRICE difference, as I suggested is not really a HUGE fact (used) but still some what a difference.
Oh, and I also pointed out, he probably does not need a diesel.
Thank you for pointing out the ACCURACY of my post.
1994 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel,3500,Dually (Oh YEA )
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txninva wrote: Recently acquired a new North Trail 831, 34 ft in lenght and looking to replace my 1/2 ton with a new F350 for towing confort on my part. ... Thanks,
J
If i can give you a little experience that I am in right now. I inquired about gas as a tow vehicle and got good responses. The responses for Diesels were kind of luke warm at the time. So I went ahead and bought my present "02 K3500 CC dually with an 8.1 and an Allison 5spd. WORSE MISTAKE I HAVE EVER MADE. I am lucky to get 7.5 MPG in the city and under 11 MPG on the highway EMPTY. And I don't hot rod the******out of it. Put it in 4X4 and the mileage goes under 5MPG.
However, when towing, at 62-63 MPH, and with over 12,000 behind me (GCVW over 19,000#) I get right at 10 MPG. But, I don't tow that much. I have a friend that has an "01, C3500, 8.1L, Allison 5spd, 3.73, SRW and he only gets 9 city and 12.5 Hwy. Big gassers need big wallets but they will tow anything you put on their backs, within reason. Do I need it ??? NO.
If I had it to do over again (and I am looking), I would look for a truck that got good economy empty, but at the edge of what I have to tow. It sounds like you will be towing as much as I do. For my next truck, definately no 4X4 and no dually, probably will be diesel (2006 with LBZ and Allison 6 spd) and will not be a full crew cab probably extended.
In conclusion, buy what you need for the majority of the time just make sure that it is enough for the few towing trips.
"Doc"
Combat Vietnam VeteranSupport our troops for serving our great country.
CLass "A"='90, SunBus, Oshkosh, 460, C6, 5.12 gears, 8R19.5.
New TV='02, K3500, CC, DRW, 8.1L, Allison, 4.1 gears.
Pace 8518TA2 Trailer. Looking for a side entry T/C with no slides.
Thanks to all for your responses. I've been leaning towards the V10 and I think i'll go that direction. The research i've done suggests a diesel is not a good choice for my driving habits.
j
Wifey, 2 young-uns and a nut job shepherd
2002 F150 Supercrew 5.4 4x4 3.55
Reese Class IV, Prodigy, Equalizer, Rancho 9000s
2008 North Trail 831QBS
txninva wrote: Thanks to all for your responses. I've been leaning towards the V10 and I think i'll go that direction. The research i've done suggests a diesel is not a good choice for my driving habits.
j
good choice for no more than you need that kind of towing power. I'm a diesel owner and I noticed the last 6-8 months or so I see more F250/F350 SRW V-10 commercial haulers with medium size GN flatdeck trailers at the truck stops in the car lanes refueling. The ones that I was able to talk with were on local in state runs. This 4 dollar diesel fuel price is kicking our brother and sister commercial haulers in the teeth.
Jim
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
TV: Mint 1972 Ford F-250 XLT
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, if you had read my post you would have seen .................THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME,,,,,YOU MAY HAVE DIFFERENT RESULTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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