The family is at the point where we need a serious tow vehicle for horses and the occasional Jeep haul, so it’s time to retire the old ‘79 F-150. We’ve always stuck with Ford, so I’m leaning toward an F-250, but I’m new to diesels and trying to figure out what’s worth it.
There are tons of opinions on which diesel engine is best, and it’s honestly a bit overwhelming. This is the truck I’m about to test drive—would love to hear some real-world input before I pull the trigger:
I think you’re gonna love it. The 6.7 Powerstroke is probably the best diesel Ford has made. I’ve got a ‘17 Lariat, and it’s been rock solid. I’ve done a few things to it (emissions-wise), but overall, it’s been reliable and super comfortable. Plus, it’s a great-looking truck.
@Shan
Got a ‘24 F-250 6.7 and can confirm, it’s an awesome truck.
$50k for a used XLT with that mileage seems a bit high, even for a SuperCrew Powerstroke.
Eli said:
$50k for a used XLT with that mileage seems a bit high, even for a SuperCrew Powerstroke.
You might want to compare prices with Costco Auto (both new and used). It’s a great way to see what dealerships are offering in your area and can help figure out if private sales are worth considering.
@Eli
I didn’t even know that was a thing. I’ll definitely check it out—thanks!
Paden said:
@Eli
I didn’t even know that was a thing. I’ll definitely check it out—thanks!
I didn’t buy through Costco Auto, but it helped a lot with price comparisons.
Last year, I picked up a ‘17 F-350 Platinum crew cab short bed with 50k miles for $62k. It came with a bed cover, airbags, and an upgraded tank.
Depending on location, prices vary a lot. But if it’s a $10k difference, a cheap plane ticket and a road trip home might be worth it. These engines can easily hit 300k miles with good maintenance, so don’t be afraid of slightly higher mileage if it was well cared for.
@Eli
That’s my biggest concern—how well it was maintained. I know these trucks don’t like neglect. 35k miles isn’t much, so even if the previous owner wasn’t great with maintenance, I figure I can do some frequent oil changes early on just to be safe.
Eli said:
$50k for a used XLT with that mileage seems a bit high, even for a SuperCrew Powerstroke.
I hear you. It’s tough to swallow, but I’ve been searching for weeks, and it’s rare to find a diesel under $45k in my area. Gas models are easy to find in the $30k-$35k range, but diesels are another story.
Just picked up my first diesel a few weeks ago—‘24 F-250 Lariat. I upgraded from an ‘02 F-150 XLT (gas). I’ll be towing for work (contracting), but honestly, I just wanted a big diesel truck.
It’s smooth, fast, and handles great. Absolutely love it.
I also just bought my first diesel, and it’s definitely a different experience from gas. A couple of things I’ve noticed that can be annoying:
You can’t idle for long periods without risking issues with the DPF (diesel particulate filter). I’m not sure how long is too long, but today I had to idle for 30 minutes while refilling my tires, and I was wondering if that was bad for it.
If you live somewhere cold, I’d highly recommend the auxiliary cab heater. This thing takes forever to warm up compared to a gas truck.
That said, it’s an awesome truck and a great starting point for a project if you want to tweak things over time.
@Dakota
I’m in Virginia, so winters aren’t too brutal, and I think I’ll be okay with the standard heating setup.
I’ve also heard that idling for too long is bad, but my background is firefighting, and we had trucks that would idle for hours. One of our oldest rigs is a ‘94 with a Detroit Diesel that’s still running strong at 300k+ miles. I know newer diesels are different animals, but I feel like idling isn’t as big of a deal as people make it sound.
@Paden
Yeah, from what I understand, it’s mostly an issue with newer emissions systems and the DPF clogging up.
How much does your horse trailer weigh when fully loaded?
The 7.3 gas engine makes about as much torque as the older 7.3 diesel, but with twice the horsepower. You might find that it’s more than enough for your needs.
@Clove
Most of the time, we’ll be towing a 2-horse trailer, but occasionally, we’ll haul a 4-horse trailer (~4k lbs empty) with 3-4 horses. Add tack, and we’re close to 10k lbs.
Our area is pretty hilly, too, so a lot of steep grades. I know gas could technically handle it, but I won’t lie—the little kid in me just really wants a big, bad diesel truck.
@Paden
I’ve got a ‘17 F-250 with the 6.7 (first time going diesel after always driving gas). The first time I pulled my 10k-pound 5th wheel, I knew I made the right choice. The torque difference is night and day.
@Paden
Gas will do it, but if you’re towing horses regularly, diesel is just smoother and easier on the animals. If you’ve ever ridden inside a horse trailer while moving, you know what I mean.
@Paden
If that’s what you want, and you’ve got the budget for it, 100% go for the diesel.