Not to change anyone's mind, but the common thing I see in this thread is people with gassers are getting about 14mg empty and 7-9 hauling loads.
It is not a Ford,but my 18Chevy 2500HD Duramax gets 23 empty running 80 mph and 14 mpg with a total load of about 17,000 pounds (truck, camper, 3 horse bumper pull, animals,tack, feed ,40gal of water) running 60-65 mph.
That is about double what the gassers are claiming. With gas at $4 /gal (maybe a tad less) and diesel at a tad less than $5 a gal. That is false economy to think you are saving money. You get about a 20% cost saving on the gas, but almost a 50% loss in mileage
Realizing of course the higher initial price of the diesel and more cost in maintenance. But a large increase in pulling capability.
Yes they pull better but how about stopping with all of that weight behind a 10k# truck??
Are the diesels equipped with heavier brakes?
Some of the guys that haul cattle around here have gone to smaller 4900 International, Freightliner and other single axle tractors for hauling cattle. They found it easier on the trucks and also easier to control if needing to stop quick, fast and in a hurry.
