F-150 vs F-250 Diesel MPG W/Camper Load
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
Does anyone have experience with the F-150 and 250 (diesel) empty vs heavy payload MPG?
I'm ordering a new 2020 truck for a pop-up truck camper early next year. A hunt hunting/fishing/adventure rig.
Fuel efficiency is important to me. Not planning to do any heavy duty towing, just carry the drop-in camper with all my gear.
I know the MPG will drop some, and the 250 is a work truck, but figured the MPG wont drop percent wise as much as the 150 would.
Thanks, R
Never owned a F150 but I have a 2014 super duty with the 6.7 diesel it gets on average 12 to 13 mpg pulling a full size travel trailer or a horse trailer with 4 horses. Empty it’s averaging 19 to 20 mpg . A F250 with a power stroke diesel is a lot of truck for only pulling a pop up.... it will get good fuel mileage pulling a little camper for sure.
Russell's Link
Thanks for the response. It's not a pull-behind, rather a drop-in camper.
Russell's Link
A diesel will out pull and perform a gas motor any day of the week, no comparison! But that comes at an extra cost in maintenance! I won't go back to a gas motor ever in a full size truck! I have more than enough power to pull or haul anything I want. You never know! I once pulled my buddies truck and 35 foot toy hauler out of the mud with my diesel, no problem! I average 17-20 MPG (Unloaded and 12-16 MPG loaded) depending on what I am towing. I have an 06 GMC one ton, diesel, 4X4 crew cab with a long bed, and an Alison 6 speed. Lifted with 33's! Do that with a gas motor! Also, I would not have a new diesel truck if you gave it to me. All the smog crap and extra stuff you have to do... No Thanks! I would find an older diesel in excellent condition with low miles and buy it. Way cheaper than a new one. Mine is paid off and I can put a new built motor in for about 10K and same for a built tranny. Average out the costs and be ok with an older truck. Everything else is just good maintenance and up keep. Insurance is cheaper, and the truck will do everything you ask of it. Jut to be clear, I could go buy a new one tomorrow if I wanted, but I don't and I won't!
Curious approximately how many miles per year are you planning on driving it? If you're driving tons of miles (or really heavy) diesels start to make sense to me, unless you just want a ton of power, otherwise I'd just buy gas and you'll have about an extra $9k in your pocket day 1. A buddy of mine has a landscape business and has about 15 trucks and he used to be a big diesel fan, but now he's down to just one for pulling his "mini" trackhoe and all the rest are F350 gas motors.
The 1/2 ton has a much smaller bed, so that may eliminate that option for you.
How does the new 2020 GM 2500 turbo diesel compare?
I can tell you my Dodge Cummings Diesel 2500 gets close to 20 mpg when towing 15000 pounds on the open roads. If I am heading into the mountains and winding roads it drops to 16 or 17. Just the truck loaded with close to 1500 pounds of gear and such I got 22 mpg going to Kansas last year. Shawn
Ok, now that you guys are talking trucks. I need some advice. I am retired now. Will not be putting the miles on that I did when I was working. Roughly 25000 per year. The wife and I have been thinking of leasing a Dodge Ram 1500. Not the crew cab. Maybe the standard or the extra cab. In a 4 wheel drive. They are asking 2500 down and 159 per month. I have not leased a vehicle. So, That is why I am asking you guys. Maybe someone has an can steer me in the right direction. Oh, my brother has started to lease. He loves it. But, he hates the car that he got. He bought a ford edge an loved it. never had a problem with it. Leased this edge, an has nothing but problems. So, if you could give me some info, that would be great. Oh, if I had the money. It would be the 3500, 350 dually diesel. thanks guys
The truck I'm buying is a retirement gift to myself along with the camper.
Come next May, I'm hitting the road and heading to Alaska for the summer and part of the Fall. After that, who knows, but I'm not going back to work!
The reason I want to buy a new truck is the autonomous technology that the 2020 model.
Boris, I would steer clear of the lease. That price is for pretty low miles per year. You will probably exceed that and have a significant penalty at the end of the lease.
Have and have had both. For it's weight class in towing, the mileage is the same for both, around 12 mpg avg.
Four years ago I was trying to decide between an F150 and F250 for my pop-up camper (also a retirement present). MAYBE the F150's chassis, motor, drivetrain, etc. would've been adequate, but I went with the beefier F250 and have never regretted it.
Boris if you are going to lease you better look at the mileage allowance. Usually it is 8000 - 10000 per year. That could really add up if you don't purchase extra miles up front.
Scooby-Doo, that's pretty impressive regarding your truck. What year is it?
I’ve driven one a few miles, both empty and with a 10-1/2’ Lance slide in.
I’ve driven one a few miles, both empty and with a 10-1/2’ Lance slide in.
Scar gas engines will blow a diesel away on power! It just won't do it near as long or efficient.
Pop r is that supposed to be a joke or do you really believe that... lol...now that’s funny
I have a 2018 f150 crewcab long bed with the 3.5 ecoboost, i can get 20-21 driving like grandma but 16-17 is typical unloaded. Pulling a trailer it is 9 to 13 mpg depending on what your pulling and if there is a head wind. It is the most comfortable, quietest. fastest, most powerful vehicle I have ever owned. That being said the payload is not that high and even the light slide in campers will take up most of your payload capacity, so i would go with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. Be sure to watch the payload capacity of the 3/4 ton with a diesel it will not be as high as you think.
John
Get the F250, put a lift kit on i
I sure pulled a pile of 1-ton diesels out of the mud this year at a bow shoot...
With my Tacoma!!!!
Couple of feet of snow was a bit unexpected, especially for the first day of summer...
After about 20 or so it kind of got silly. After 30 I was pretty beat.
Diesels sink.
Get the F250 diesel, put a lift kit on it and tailgate and bully anyone in a car in front of you like most of the want to be rednecks here in michigan...haha but unfortunately it's true and I drive an f150
Leasing is only a good deal if you just go to the store and back. If you travel and put any amount of miles they will sink their financial teeth into you will come out on the short end. BUY.
I keep a truck for at least 12-15 years which means I don’t even have a payment for the last 8-10 years. That feels good!
For the original OP: for what you need, you would be wasting quite a bit of money on a diesel. My F150 5.0 gas gets 20 unloaded and 15 pulling a small trailer.
Im a heavy duty fan, Russell Ford is coming out with a new 7.3L gas engine, it will be between the 6.2 gas and 6.7 diesel, power numbers floating around the web seem to around mid 400's for hp and high 400's for torque, and the torque curve is nice and flat, so lots of grunt where you need it. Check out the tremor model, its awesome!!! I want one
https://www.motor1.com/news/356903/ford-super-duty-tremor-package/
My 2018 F150 gets 21 all the time. Drops to 12-12 when I pull the 5500 pound bumper pull camper. Recently filled up in one town and drove in traffic @ 55 mph to the next town 23 notwithstanding a few hills. Look at the mpg
That Tremor models does look impressive. 10 speed trans too.
I'm not a fan of new models, but defiantly will consider that truck.
Wow, some guys wracking up some pretty impressive numbers for fuel!!
I have a truck camper so I can still tow a horse trailer. If you intend to tow while the camper is loaded in the bed your biggest limiting factor is the rear axle weight rating. Even campers built fir 1/2 tons frequently exceed that rating. My last truck was a diesel F250, my current truck is a 6.2L gasser F350. The rough empty ride chaps me more than the fuel economy (9s loaded, 12-13 empty).
Thanks all for your input and wisdom.
Looks like I'll be buying a F-250 diesel.
Today I learned the basic weight of the camper will be approx 1650 lbs. Max payload of the F-150 (diesel) is 1720 lbs. I'll exceed that limit with all my gear and who knows what else.
Thanks again.
R
Not trying to start an argument but..... I don’t know how. Define power. This 6.7 powerstroke diesel is the most powerful pickup I’ve ever had. Put a John Deere backhoe on a gooseneck trailer and take it for a 500 mile trip with a gas motor F150 vs a 6.7 powerstroke diesel motor. The 150 probably won’t make it or it will be a day behind.
Russell, Go look at the max payload rating in the brochures the 4X4 Crew cab F250 with 6.7 diesel is only 1850. Engine is heavy.
John
Pull a 42’ toy hauler with a 2014 F250 Power Stroke with zero issues. Camper weighs in at 18k loaded. I don’t get near 20 mpg like some dodge on here. Running out to Wyoming, I got 10 mpg. I would suggest putting airbags on the rear. Made a world of difference on mine.
They way the truck is geared will have a big effect on your mpg so make sure to look at that
JM,
Thanks for the tip. I thought the payload was 3300 ish. I will double check that right away.
Robear's Link
If money wasn't a consideration, these things are incredible. But obscenely expensive.
Saw one of those a few weeks ago in Seward, AK. Awesome looking vehicle for sure.
Russell, They always give the max number which is for regular cab with a gas engine, there is a yellow sticker in the door that gives the payload for the vehicle with your options and for most configurations it is substantially less than max.
John
I have a call in to the local Ford dealer salesman that I've worked with.
Might reconsider the popup camper you will use. I had a 4 Wheel camper and it was around 700 pounds. At that time I had a F150 5.4 Triton and got around 16 mpg with the camper. Now I have the 5.0 engine and it seems to have more power/better mpg than the 5.4 both empty and loaded. Part of that is the 6 speed automatic. I worked with some folks that were sold on diesels, but personnally I can't stand the fumes and clouds of smoke.
The new diesels run cleaner than a gas motor ... what fumes ? The new diesels don’t blow any smoke, even semis don’t blow black smoke anymore.You’re thinking 1980
JM,
Thanks for pointing out this load issue. Giving the F-350 some serious consideration.
R
Welp, in the spirit of never ending pursuit of the best truck for a slide in camper, from what I've seen, most guys end up with a dual rear wheel truck. To get a slide in with adequate space/slide outs and properly equipped, the weight makes a single rear wheel truck top heavy. The wider stance and payload capacity of a dually makes a better set up for the slide in. May be able to get by with an F250 that way as well. Good luck on whatever you decide on, and congrats on your retirement. I have similar goals in a couple years.
Robear,
Thanks for your input. However, the pop-up design slide in camper significantly lowers the vertical center of gravity when compared to conventional slide-in campers.
Dual rear wheels is not necessary.
From experience, if you buy the Dodge you better think about removing the emissions system if your state allows. If not, buy a Chevy or ford to avoid lots and lots of dealer time.
Thanks for the suggestion, however I'm saving my pennies for a new Ford.
I consider a Dodge, however the bed is a little bit shorter then the Fords. I definitely want the autonomous technology that the 2020 model Fords have, Auto braking is definitely important to me.
Just curious why auto braking is important?
Wow, we will be riding in style in Alaska next year!!
IRussell, I bought a new f-250 with the 6.2 gas motor just took a trip and got 15 MPG unloaded witch is way better than the V10 I had in my old 250, and the new truck has a lot more power.
T.O
Auto braking: This truck will be used for taking solo long trips cross-country and up to Alaska. I've had close calls in the past where this feature would have been activated.
Russell: Good to hear you're getting something stouter than the F150. Every once in a while I see a heavily loaded 1/2-ton pickup weaving down the road, front wheels barely touching the ground and unstable as hell. Pretty scary. Once I saw an F150 with a big camper secured only with 1" tie-down straps, the kind one uses to hold an ATV on a small trailer. Future Darwin awardee, for sure!
My Ram is a 2015 and it has a chip installed to help with the mileage. I know guys doing better than that. My only concern is the truck will rot before that diesel dies. Shawn
Boris if you are going to lease you better look at the mileage allowance. Usually it is 8000 - 10000 per year. That could really add up if you don't purchase extra miles up front.
In 3 weeks I'm placing an order for a 2020 model F-350 Diesel.
Truck should arrive sometime middle of December and be a nice Christmas present to myself.
Thanks again for all your input and suggestions.
Good luck buddy, can’t wait to hitch ride from Anchorage to Tok next August!!
Don't forget about some salmon fishing before we fly out to the bush!
Buddy, I am already packing ....
Good for you Russell--------->
Keep us posted when ya get it.
Enjoy,
Robb
Pulled an 8 ft pop up camper and hunting gear for 2 with 20 gallons of water from Illinois to Grand Junction Colorado this week. 2018 f 150 with the 5.0 v8. 18.6 mpg. I’m happy with that