Best/Worst deisel truck for towing?

[brian_g]

This may not be the right forum, but I know that a lot of people here have a ton of experience with diesel trucks.

My 2006 F250 was stolen 2 days ago and I don't think I'm getting her back. I will be replacing the truck with another diesel (same size) and I am wondering what the "best" truck is.

I have heard people say that the 6.0L Powerstroke Ford (which I owned, loved, and never had a problem with) is horrible and prone to failure. Was I just lucky? Is replacing a Ford F250 with another Ford F250 a mistake?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

-Brian

[noquestion25]

Love my 7.3 ford diesel. Never any issues. Tows great and gets fair economy.

[DOGHOUSE26]

Where was your's stolen from? So sorry it happened but don't give up yet! I had my 2005 F250 4WD Crew stolen 6 weeks after I got it; I was at the Bali Hai restaurant at a SD Rod & Reel meeting, it was stolen within the first hour and I found out that area is a hotbed for stolen Ford 4WD trucks! Anyway the insurance companies have alot at stake so they hire "bounty hunters" to go out and find them; they don't like those 40-$60K payouts! Mine was found in Mexico within 1 week stored at a police station storage yard between TJ & Rosarito and it took a week and 1500-$1800 to get it back across the border. I lost about 3K in tools but everything else was fine.

I now have 180,000 on it and it has been OK to me; they're not as bulletproof as the 7.3 (I've had 3-7.3 trucks all had 300-400,000 miles still running strong)but the 6.0 has alot more power and the tranny is better too. I lost a turbo @ 88,000, waste gate @ 80,000, and a couple of other minor problems all covered under warranty until 100,000 miles. at 108,000 I lost another waste gate, at 116,000 I replaced the injectors on one side(about $3500). Probably could do the other side now. The truck goes through batteries every 30 months and the originals are not covered but replacements are 36 months. I diligently warm my truck up every morning for 3-5 minutes, and I don't drive it to the metal like a V10 gasser; I accellerate slowly and let the torque build and keep the rig rolling so weight doesn't really affect it. However I know Hijole had problems with his first generation 6.0 and Professor had just about everything break on his everywhere else but local! The 2003 & 2004 engines had more problems than later years; too many people installed chips in the 2003s so in 2004 Ford introduced a recording device in the main computer which monitored boost and other things caused by performance enhancing chips. Many warranty claims were soon denied after that and I believe the stock engine is pretty much power maxed out. I get at least 10mph more pulling my blackman up the tallest grade than in my 99 with the 7.3 Powerstroke, so consequently I don't have to push it as hard. I think the Duramax has a little more power than the 6.0 but the Ford auto 5 speed shifts down more often than the 6 speed Allison and keeps the revs up making the Ford seem faster.

I needed a new 1 ton flatbed in 2007; Ford's first year of the newest twin turbo motor and I didn't want to chance it so I bought a Chevy Duramax instead. My first Chevy since 1978. I've been very happy with the motor/tranny package and I love the Royal Contractor Body, but the basic Chevy Truck holding everything together seem a little below average. smaller, squeekier brakes, interior trim that won't stay on, and doors you have to slam to lock up tight. I have 40,000 on it and it has performed well and nothing tows better than dual rear wheels!

If Ford keeps this current motor in service I'd probably go back to Ford after they get the bugs out except I'll never buy a Ford Twin I Beam truck again, you always eat up those front tires fast . I'd either go 4WD or F450 and up. If you have to stay with a 2006 model, I think you'd be OK just don't put a chip in it!

Hope they find your truck soon!

[Honeygirl]

I love my 2002 ford 250 4x4, 7.3.( More because its paid for) The guy next door has the 1st gen 6.0 and has had alot of problems, but my brother has a 2006 and its a great truck no problems and nicer inside.

[Honeygirl]

I love my 2002 ford 250 4x4, 7.3.( More because its paid for) The guy next door has the 1st gen 6.0 and has had alot of problems, but my brother has a 2006 and its a great truck no problems and nicer inside.

[brian_g]

Thanks for the advice and kind words.

I call the Officer in charge of my case each afternoon to see if anything has come up, but in 3 days nothing has.

Doghouse, to answer your question: It was stolen from my work parking lot.

-Brian

[Wa Mei]

96K mostly problem free on my 2006 6.0 Powerstroke. My neighbor
uses his 2005 for delivery and he's at 300k. His previous truck was
a 7.3 powerstroke. It went 400k when he sold it in good running condition.

Ford covered the EGT replacement at 90K. I have a small oil leak and
it's making a mess of my drive way. Ford have covered multiple gaskets
getting changed to solve the oil leak. She's going back in next week
to see if they can actually find that leak. She's paid for and I am hoping
to not have to replace it for another 3-5 years.

My previous '99 F250 V10 was a workhorse...Went 180k without any
issues or oil leaks but I was only getting 8 miles to a gallon.

[NoSlack]

2000 F250 with a 7.3.
Pulls like a mule, trouble free.

Mike

[Professor]

Where do you work? I'd like to park my F350 there for a few weeks.

[Mac Attack]

I have owned two Ford Diesels, a 97 7.3 and my current 2006 6.0. The 7.3 had what I thought way more power than the 6.0. Never have had a problem with the 06 but it just turned 14k on the odometer. Use it strickly for towing.Interior on the 06 is super plush.



Mike

[Libre]

I had a 2006 4WD F250 Turbo Powerstroke Diesel. I had a Turbo blow twice. Second time it happen they were on back order and I had to drive with a blown turnbo for two weeks. Other than that I really liked the truck. I pulled a 26' toy hauler with it all the time. Hardly noticed it was back there.

Sold it in 2008 and bought a F250 extended Econovan. Other than the gas suck I love that thing! I have the back seat out. I can get all packed up the night before and leave dirt bikes in it or camp equipment, surf gear. Can load up the family and all the stuff (4 kids = lots of stuff) and don't have to worry about it being in the back of the truck if we stop for food, etc. Doesn't tow as well as the diesel truck, but I hardly do any towing these days.

[yellowfin1]

My 2002 F-250 4X 7.3L Powerstroke does the job just fine. Like others I have had no problems whatsoever. I have heard that the first 2 years of development, the 6.0's had some turbo and drive train issues but, I've also heard that those have been worked on newer models.

[brian_g]

Border Patrol just found my truck 50yds South of the US/Mex. border stuck in the mud up in the mountains near Jacumba! I hope she's still in one piece.

[DOGHOUSE26]

Border Patrol just found my truck 50yds South of the US/Mex. border stuck in the mud up in the mountains near Jacumba! I hope she's still in one piece.

Congratulations, just make sure the truck is COMPLETELY CLEAN when you get it back from them(ie hidden compartments and the complete underside of the truck.

[Libre]

Congratulations, just make sure the truck is COMPLETELY CLEAN when you get it back from them(ie hidden compartments and the complete underside of the truck.

That's no joke! My buddy is a Lt. Coloner. Squeaky clean guy, never smoked weed in his life. Got his car stolen and then returned to him. Was going on base under high security and one of the dogs was freaking. They tore his car apart and found bags of weed inside his dash.

Tony

[brian_g]

That's no joke! My buddy is a Lt. Coloner. Squeaky clean guy, never smoked weed in his life. Got his car stolen and then returned to him. Was going on base under high security and one of the dogs was freaking. They tore his car apart and found bags of weed inside his dash.

Tony

I will make a point to look for inconspicuous bags! As of last night the Border Patrol was trying to figure out a way to get to the truck with something that could pull it out. It is in a difficult area with no roads or trails....

The Officer that initially told me about the recovery also mentioned that now the drug guys know where my truck is parked each day, they will more than likely come back for it in the future. Great...

They also said that white 4X4 F250's are the truck of choice for the people running drugs because from a distance they look similar to Border Patrol trucks.

The one positive thing about this is that I'm learning a lot about car theft professionals and drug smugglers.

[DOGHOUSE26]

Tell them to Get us close and we can help you dig it out! Time is wasting!

[Malu Lani]

My F250 had a fuel system sec switch the truck will not start even if you have the keys.

[sharkwaters]

I hope you get your truck back intact

No one uses the dodge with Cummins. I had a 93 for 10 years and I did not have one problem ever. The reason I sold it was I had a newborn at home and it woke him up every time I left at 3:30 to go fishing.

A co worker had a 2006 Powestroke, 6.0. He had so many problems that he went the Lemon law route and Ford bought it back. He changed turbos, injectors, wire harness, a one of the heads multiple times. All under warranty in three years.

Bob

[DOGHOUSE26]

I think the Cummins is probably the best engine of them all, it's just surrounded by a bunch of crap! Great milage but they had tranny trouble and Dodge was about 3 years behind in the 4 door Cab model.

[Sleigher1]

I wasn't going to jump in on this but with that comment I went red.
I have a 94 Dodge with 225,000 miles. Hardly a problem worth commenting about. A seal here and there. I did crack the transfer case but that has to do with pushing my trailer back into place.
The interior is practically new, I am running the original: alternator, turbo, injectors, water pump, injection pump, pulleys, radiator etc, etc. So, where's the crap?
The Dodge, Ford and Chevy all use the same (with slight variations)manual transmissions, transfer cases and differentials.
To answer the original question: I would find a low mileage 94-98 manual transmission Dodge (twelve valve). This was before they put all the electronics on them. These trucks will get better mileage than anything from the big three that came after.
It is the same engine that that the racers are getting over 1000 horsepower out of.
I have two Ford work trucks. They are falling apart with less than half the miles of my truck. As far as the Chevy is concerned? Well, I wouldn't own one.

[Knot Now]

Well, I guess I did not pay any attention to your advice. LOL

My F150 gave up the ghost again.....and it was too little anyway.

Just bought a 2008 F250 Lariat 4x4 long bed (55K miles) with all the bells and whistles....

Time will tell how she holds up.