We have a 2006 F250 Super duty with the 6.0 engine. We've had no problems with the engine. However, back in September while having the truck serviced the dealer informed us of another problem. Not being knowledgeable about trucks, all I know is that it was some type of coil had to be replaced and if it wasn't we could expect problems. So it was replaced.
Thanksgiving Sunday we broke down 425 miles from home. When we pulled over and looked under the hood, it looked like mud streaming out of the radiator. We got the truck home and back into the shop. They said the coil they installed was crimped. Ford is concerned that there is a lot of contamination and has ordered a new engine, radiator, heater core and lots of other stuff I don't understand be replaced. Total cost of repairs is around $25,000. All under warranty THANK GOODNESS.
In the meantime, the dealer has available a 2008 F450 with only 12,000 miles on it. We only owe $8,000 on the F250. They offer a trade in deal on our F250, pay off our loan and we owe $17,000. In effect we are trading up to a F450 for $9,000.
I realize we would be better off with a dually pulling our Montana. However, I hate debt and as we start fulltiming in less than 5 weeks, I am really conflicted.
Also, we face the cost of getting the fifthwheel installed. And, a few months back we got a gigantic Ranch Hand bumper installed that cost us around $1,500. I just know my dear hubby would want another one as two weeks ago going 55 mph a deer ran in front of us. The deer is dead. Only damage to bumper was a few hairs on the grill.
What to do! What to do! Would we be that much better off with a F450? Especially since we are now getting a new engine on the F250. We had only $60,000 miles on the old engine.
Any thoughts?
thebearII said
11:22 AM Dec 7, 2009
The F250 probably is just big enough to handle the weight of your trailer and stuff. So it will constantly be at maximum strain on the engine, transmission, brakes and suspension.
The F450 has a higher weight capacity so there will be less strain, so it should last longer and require only normal service.
The stopping power should be better with the F450.
Dual rear wheels on the tow vehicle make for a much more stable towing experience. Howevr, the F450 will ride rougher, especially when you're not towing.
I would take the F450 on a long test drive over typical roads to see if you will be happy with the ride.
Do a search of Howard's posts, he has discussed the difference between their current truck and an F250.
Racerguy said
11:52 AM Dec 7, 2009
Although I am a big believer of being debt free there are always exceptions to every rule. In the long run I think you would be better off making the deal. My reasoning is,although they will be doing all that work on the F250 you will still have a truck with 60,000 miles on the other components that wear out.That year of F250 is notorious for Engine and Radiator problems.As some one who went from pulling with a 3/4 ton truck to a 1 Ton Dually I can tell you the difference is day and night.I think you would be much happier with the F450 overall even though you are adding unplanned debt.Sometimes peace of mind and safe towing ability is worth every penny.Good luck on your decision.
Terry and Jo said
01:56 PM Dec 7, 2009
Jo and I just traded for a used Ford F450. While it might be a bit rough on some roads, it otherwise drive and rides just fine for us. Of course, we are Okies and are used to bad roads. What can I say about that?
A friend here at work HAD an F250 pulling his fifth wheel. One day, driving down near San Antonio, he crested a hill and confronted a lane to lane interstate parking lot in front of him. (Meaning lots of cars stopped on the interstate.) He did manage to get shut down before hitting the vehicle in front of him, but in the process, the sudden panic stop damaged the F250's engine in some way. (He had thought he was alright with the F250 based on comments by the salesman at his Ford dealership and the salesman at his fifth wheel dealer.) He traded up to an F350 with single rear wheels. He wishes now he had gone with a dually.
In our trade, we traded in a 2002 F250 on the 2008 F450 with difference of about $30,000. It had 46,000 miles. Connie and Tracy in Colorado traded for a 2008 F450 recently as well. Theirs had 29,000 miles and the dealer was asking for $37,000. I don't know what they managed to trade in regards to difference, but I would think a deal like you are looking at would be advantageous to you.
Should you later decide that your Montana isn't what you wanted and wanted to trade it off, you would probably still be safe in the capacity of the F450. Jo and I are looking at a fifth wheel with a GVWR of about 18,500 lbs. An F450 is an excellent choice for it. Ours has a 4:88 rear end and the transmission has the "Tow/Haul" mode. (The 4:88 rear end allows a higher weight capacity.) The Tow/Haul allows one to safely handle things on the downhill side of mountain passes. It basically removes a need for an engine brake or exhaust brake.
Good luck and happy traveling.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 7th of December 2009 01:58:09 PM
GENECOP said
02:37 PM Dec 7, 2009
Stay Debt free, if at all possible, Gene
Luvglass said
03:39 PM Dec 7, 2009
If you're planning on fulltiming for the foreseeable future, I would recommend going for the 450. Much more suitable for anything you might run into. The 250 is at the edge already.
Good luck,
injunear said
08:55 PM Dec 7, 2009
I would go for the F-450 dually. It is a heavier duty truck and more stable when pulling a large 5er. Also when and if you go up in trailer size you would not have to up grade the truck. I've pulled several large trailers with my F-350 dually, you get a feeling of security when pulling vers a single rear wheel.
injunear
phyllen said
05:44 AM Dec 8, 2009
Terry- our F250 does have the tow haul package.
Well, we looked at the 450 and loved it last night. However, we learned the deal was not as we understood. (Ain't that always the way?)
The difference of $17,000 did NOT include the payoff of $8,000 on our 250. Our original loan is 0% interest. So if we traded up and added the 8,000 we would now be paying interest on it. This is more debt than we want to take on. We could pay off the 8,000 at any time but why do it when it is not costing us anything and we are getting a little keeping it in the bank. AND if we did pay it off we would still have the $17000 loan and less money in the bank.
So, bottom line. No trading up at this time. We want as little debt as possible when we take off in less than 5 weeks.
Thanks for the replies, comments and thoughts. You are the best.
Phyllis
Mallo said
07:19 AM Dec 8, 2009
Phylis,
Your Montana shows a pin wght from the factory of 2060 and a total Carrying Capacity in the 15500 range.
If you run with a 20 percent pin weight your looking at 3100 pounds on the back of the truck.
2006 F250 diesel would be;
Max Fifth Wheel Weight SRW 15,800 4x4 or 16,500 4X2 so your good there as long as you don't over load the fiver.
The more important number is the pin weight number;
I don't see what Cab type you have or if the truck is 4X4 or not so I'm going to give you the pin weight in a range.
Crewcab 4X4 and 6.0 Diesel would have a cargo capacity of 2078 up to a Standard Cab 4X2 and 6.0 Diesel with a cargo capacity of 2918.
The fewer options the higher the cargo capacity. You have enough truck in any configuration to haul the "base factory Montana" loaded up it's a depends situation the truck should be OK with it but with your truck I'd want to hit the scales and see where truck and trailer sit.
But don't just assume your overloaded. Some folks believe that if you tow anything heavier then a John Deere riding mower your over loaded.
I would go with the debt free option, but I'd also look into a trip to the cat scales and an evening of running the numbers.
Mallo
phyllen said
10:16 AM Dec 8, 2009
Thanks for the info Mallo.
We have the 4x4 but the extended cab, not the crew cab. In addition we have a heavy Ranch Hand custom bumper that I bet sure adds some weight to the truck. The bumper, I am told, is a mans thing. GEESH! Although after the "run in" with the deer, I am keeping my mouth shut.
We will be getting the rig weighed.
Phyllis
4x4given said
11:59 AM Dec 8, 2009
Phyllis,
Sound like y'all made the best choice. Drive safe and have fun!
Hope to meet y'all someday,
Dutch & Tina
Thanksgiving Sunday we broke down 425 miles from home. When we pulled over and looked under the hood, it looked like mud streaming out of the radiator. We got the truck home and back into the shop. They said the coil they installed was crimped. Ford is concerned that there is a lot of contamination and has ordered a new engine, radiator, heater core and lots of other stuff I don't understand be replaced. Total cost of repairs is around $25,000. All under warranty THANK GOODNESS.
In the meantime, the dealer has available a 2008 F450 with only 12,000 miles on it. We only owe $8,000 on the F250. They offer a trade in deal on our F250, pay off our loan and we owe $17,000. In effect we are trading up to a F450 for $9,000.
I realize we would be better off with a dually pulling our Montana. However, I hate debt and as we start fulltiming in less than 5 weeks, I am really conflicted.
Also, we face the cost of getting the fifthwheel installed. And, a few months back we got a gigantic Ranch Hand bumper installed that cost us around $1,500. I just know my dear hubby would want another one as two weeks ago going 55 mph a deer ran in front of us. The deer is dead. Only damage to bumper was a few hairs on the grill.
What to do! What to do! Would we be that much better off with a F450? Especially since we are now getting a new engine on the F250. We had only $60,000 miles on the old engine.
Any thoughts?
Jo and I just traded for a used Ford F450. While it might be a bit rough on some roads, it otherwise drive and rides just fine for us. Of course, we are Okies and are used to bad roads. What can I say about that?
A friend here at work HAD an F250 pulling his fifth wheel. One day, driving down near San Antonio, he crested a hill and confronted a lane to lane interstate parking lot in front of him. (Meaning lots of cars stopped on the interstate.) He did manage to get shut down before hitting the vehicle in front of him, but in the process, the sudden panic stop damaged the F250's engine in some way. (He had thought he was alright with the F250 based on comments by the salesman at his Ford dealership and the salesman at his fifth wheel dealer.) He traded up to an F350 with single rear wheels. He wishes now he had gone with a dually.
In our trade, we traded in a 2002 F250 on the 2008 F450 with difference of about $30,000. It had 46,000 miles. Connie and Tracy in Colorado traded for a 2008 F450 recently as well. Theirs had 29,000 miles and the dealer was asking for $37,000. I don't know what they managed to trade in regards to difference, but I would think a deal like you are looking at would be advantageous to you.
Should you later decide that your Montana isn't what you wanted and wanted to trade it off, you would probably still be safe in the capacity of the F450. Jo and I are looking at a fifth wheel with a GVWR of about 18,500 lbs. An F450 is an excellent choice for it. Ours has a 4:88 rear end and the transmission has the "Tow/Haul" mode. (The 4:88 rear end allows a higher weight capacity.) The Tow/Haul allows one to safely handle things on the downhill side of mountain passes. It basically removes a need for an engine brake or exhaust brake.
Good luck and happy traveling.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 7th of December 2009 01:58:09 PM
injunear
Your Montana shows a pin wght from the factory of 2060 and a total Carrying Capacity in the 15500 range.
If you run with a 20 percent pin weight your looking at 3100 pounds on the back of the truck.
2006 F250 diesel would be;
Max Fifth Wheel Weight SRW 15,800 4x4 or 16,500 4X2 so your good there as long as you don't over load the fiver.
The more important number is the pin weight number;
I don't see what Cab type you have or if the truck is 4X4 or not so I'm going to give you the pin weight in a range.
Crewcab 4X4 and 6.0 Diesel would have a cargo capacity of 2078 up to a Standard Cab 4X2 and 6.0 Diesel with a cargo capacity of 2918.
The fewer options the higher the cargo capacity. You have enough truck in any configuration to haul the "base factory Montana" loaded up it's a depends situation the truck should be OK with it but with your truck I'd want to hit the scales and see where truck and trailer sit.
But don't just assume your overloaded. Some folks believe that if you tow anything heavier then a John Deere riding mower your over loaded.
Here is a link to the 2006 Tow Guide.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2006/2006_default.asp
I would go with the debt free option, but I'd also look into a trip to the cat scales and an evening of running the numbers.
Mallo