F450 2008-2010 towing - Page 2

**Dave&Ginny** · 03-10-2014, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Not to mention, with your own RW you know who slept in the bed last, or at least we hope you do.
That was worth a lot to us when we were still showing our Cats. Plus the Cats we at home in the Montana/RW vs a strange Motel with who knows what kind of smells.

Yep, that's a good point. I got to where I would only stay at the best hotels but I was always disappointed because I could always hear the guy in the next room snoring, going to the bathroom or hearing that damn elevator ding all hours of the night. Also it's so much easier to pack all the clothes I have to carry in the RV. I can have my professional clothes and still pack leisure clothes for going out later or relaxing.

I was staying in a nice hotel in Bolder several years ago and I noticed that my bottle of Jack kept evaporating a little each time the folks came in and made the bed. I ended up taking pictures of the bottle each morning to verify the level. The lady was nice enough and we spoke briefly in the hall, so I knew who was doing it but I didn't let her know I was on to what she was doing. When I left on the Friday morning, I went to a store and bought a fresh bottle and left it with a note in the room telling her to have a nice weekend. I was just grateful that drink my Jack was all she was doing.

almcc · 03-10-2014, 04:28 AM

Dave. I haven't looked at the Ford specs in detail since I got our 2011 F-450 pick up. You are correct about the de-tuning of the engine but it applies only if you purchased a chassis cab (say a medium duty 450 or 550) and then added a custom box. Those MDT engines are substantially different than the F-450 pick ups with different turbos and other tuning differences. The 450 pick up has the same engine as your 250's and 350's.

When I bought our 2011 pick up it was early days for the model year, Ford had just bumped the HP and torque via a re-flash to give 400 HP and 800 lb-ft of torque in order to beat the competition. I had the dealer plug in a computer to the truck to ensure that I had the additional 15 HP to get the 400HP and the torque increase (the latest re-flash at that time).

As far as fuel economy on these diesels goes, I've noted that the Ford diesels I've owned (1991 7.3 non-turbo, 1995 7.3 powerstroke, 1999, 2002, 2003 and the latest 2011 Ford diesel engine) have all had the same fuel mileage plus or minus a MPG or so, the big change is that the engines have achieved this mileage going from around 150 HP to 400 HP and hauling 5th wheel campers starting with 8,000 lb and going to our current Redwood weighing around 14,000 lb. That's a significant improvement in my book!

I note that for 2015 the 450 pick up will go back to 19.5 inch tires (their excuse for going to the 17 inch tires in 2011 was that the 19.5 tires were "speed limited"), who knows, maybe the older 450 pick up wasn't enough truck for some folks!

**Dave&Ginny** · 03-10-2014, 04:58 AM

almcc

today's trucks are so well built and the extra horses and torque are unbelievable. As for the speed rating goes....I think they're just trying to keep up with each other requiring bigger tires. Don't get me wrong I like the looks of the bigger tires I just don't like replacing them due to costs. I guess my tires aren't speed rated and neither are the Redwood G tires but I've had mine rolling rather fast at times when I had to get from point A to point B in a hurry. With the tuning on my truck the speed limiter has been removed. As long as I have the budget for the fuel...sometimes I just have to go fast. On a 2800 mile trip that extra 20 per hour can make a difference

I can tell you without a doubt...the Redwood handle great at any speed regardless of the wind.

Oriana · 03-10-2014, 05:33 AM

Brad - when I was working our expenses were similar to yours - 47c per km and everything else was by receipt. Accommodations were limited by the rate the company negotiated in each region, by season. Normal maximums were about $100 per night. However that covered most of the quality chains.

atom ant · 03-10-2014, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oriana

Brad - when I was working our expenses were similar to yours - 47c per km and everything else was by receipt. Accommodations were limited by the rate the company negotiated in each region, by season. Normal maximums were about $100 per night. However that covered most of the quality chains.

I always stick with one of the big three, but I have to plan ahead or they sell out of the government rates. I've got 7 or 8 free nights and the wife is looking at me but I only want to use the Redwood, I don't want to fly anywhere

atom ant · 03-10-2014, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

I was staying in a nice hotel in Bolder several years ago and I noticed that my bottle of Jack kept evaporating a little each time the folks came in and made the bed. I ended up taking pictures of the bottle each morning to verify the level. The lady was nice enough and we spoke briefly in the hall, so I knew who was doing it but I didn't let her know I was on to what she was doing. When I left on the Friday morning, I went to a store and bought a fresh bottle and left it with a note in the room telling her to have a nice weekend. I was just grateful that drink my Jack was all she was doing.

That's a cute story!

Oriana · 03-10-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atom ant

I always stick with one of the big three, but I have to plan ahead or they sell out of the government rates. I've got 7 or 8 free nights and the wife is looking at me but I only want to use the Redwood, I don't want to fly anywhere

Taking the Redwood would have been perfect, only problem is most of the places I was going to on the BC Coast couldn't handle rigs our size. On the other hand road trips in the Mustang were fun.

Best was Victoria, where except for the summer months I could normally get a room at our timeshare. Two bedroom suite for $35 a night or penthouse with hot tub for about $50. The bonus was fully fitted kitchens so I didn't have to eat in restaurants. The suites were about as comfortable as taking the Redwood.

homeguy · 03-10-2014, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atom ant

I've justified that a few times myself! I only get mileage and cost of campground with the government, so its far from paying the actual cost of fuel, but its fun to take the Redwood anyway.

Those are incredible mileage numbers on those new trucks. Don't think this one will get close. Something to look forward too. Dealer just pointed out that in a couple of months the 2015 Expeditions are coming out and they dropped the V8 in favor of the eco-boost twin turbo V6 and 6 speed auto. She now thinks HER TV is getting replaced before mine

Whats up with that!

I feel your pain! We just bought my wife a new tv(toy vehicle, not tow vehicle). It's a little Fiat 500 and she loves it. Guess dreams of my Longhorn will have to be a dream for a little while longer.

atom ant · 03-11-2014, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homeguy

I feel your pain! We just bought my wife a new tv(toy vehicle, not tow vehicle). It's a little Fiat 500 and she loves it. Guess dreams of my Longhorn will have to be a dream for a little while longer.

I like it - Toy-vehicle. Those Fiats are cool! We got a VW cc last year, which I love and which is why we just didn't jump into a new dually, but it was wrecked last weekend and I'm not sure my love won't fade for it.

atom ant · 03-11-2014, 05:51 AM

Andy, there is certainly something to be said for low hassle and fun of a Mustang and a room key

Oriana · 03-11-2014, 03:28 PM

Brad - Could help you out getting a new vehicle, as Mustang is getting detailed tomorrow when we get home, then it is for sale.

atom ant · 03-12-2014, 05:18 AM

I remember you saying that Andy - so sad.

I could never turn the wife loose with pony like that - she would hurt herself!

atom ant · 03-13-2014, 08:37 PM

Well, I had the chance to do a little test:

Between Las Vegas NM and Raton on I-25, which is the most boring road I can think of, I tested in 20 mile segments just to see what speed does to mileage on this old 4:10 noisy horse (no trailer):

60 mph = 21 mpg
65 mph = 18 mpg
70 mph = 17.2 mpg
75 mph = 13.4 mpg
80 mph = 10.8 mpg

I know its not real scientific, but I was able to drive 240 miles through Colorado after that with a 19.2 avg still on the dash. I never went past 65, which about drove me crazy because the rear end really howls at that speed

Oriana · 03-13-2014, 09:35 PM

With the fuel cost and possible tickets when going over > 70 mph the expenses start to get excessive.

Fortunately with retirement, we are rarely in a hurry to get anywhere.

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