JackB
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• Prairie, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 2/16/2003 |
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• 11 posts |
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 Posted:2/16/2003 05:36 |
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I'm in the market for a used Excursion, probably a 00, and trying to decide between gas/diesel.
The trailer is a toy hauler, 21' probably around 6K loaded.
I test drove a 00 Limited V10 for a day and hooked up to the trailer. It pulled great! I was able to set cruise at 75 and it did a good job even staying in overdrive a bit until we hit some good hills.  Pulling I was getting around 6 MPG and not pulling around 11 MPG. These numbers seem to jive with what I've read here.
The question is does the diesel fuel mileage decrease as much when towing? Am I correct in assuming that the diesel towes as good or even better than the V10? Any idea what I might see fuel mileage wise out of a diesel?
I'll probably tow 20K miles this year and it would seem that if I can get 12 MPG in the diesel, twice that in the V10, that the diesel would pay for itself in a year or two.
Thanks in advance! |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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 Posted:2/16/2003 08:33 |
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Jack,
The diesel makes more power at lower RPMs and is perfect for towing. I can only speculate, but I would think you'd see better towing mileage out of the diesel when compared to the V10. Around town and on the highway (while not towing) you will definitely see better mileage. During the summer months when I'm running straight Diesel #2 (they making a blended Diesel fuel for the winter time so the fuel won't gel up with the colder temps) I see 18+ MPG doing 70-74 on the Internstate. 16 MPG around town.
Also remember that the diesel will have a transferrable 100,000 mile warranty on it even if you purchased it used. That's also an additional consideration to make as well.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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RS-TX
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• Little River, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 11/22/2002 |
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• 298 posts |
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Posted:2/17/2003 15:09 |
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Jack, the PSD will be a better tow vehicle, without a doubt. Even the most ardent V10 owner will not argue that. If you tow a significant amount (I believe you said 20K miles a year) it will pay for itself. If, like me for example, you only tow a small trailer twice a year and for a short distance, the engine of choice becomes a more personal matter, as each has its benefits and its drawbacks.
Good luck. Let us know what you get.
Rick
2004 VW Jetta TDI |
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JackB
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• Prairie, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 2/16/2003 |
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• 11 posts |
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Posted:2/17/2003 16:03 |
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Hmmm, test drove two diesels today. One 2003 with 450 miles on it, not the new 6.0 Diesel. Drove 15 or so freeway miles, average fuel got up to 13. Drove a 2000 with 45K miles and fuel got up to 14.6. Neither seemed to have the grunt the V10 had.
The wife doesn't like the noise, sound, or smell of the diesel. So even though the diesel fuel MPG is better, I'll probably end up getting a V10 for now. I've got some time, just going to look for a good deal. |
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greateastern
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• Southern, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 9/21/2002 |
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• 93 posts |
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Posted:2/18/2003 01:32 |
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Jack, my 7.3 Powerstroke X gets about 17.5 on the highway solo. When I tow our camper, which weighs in at about 5.5K, I get between 11-12 mpg. Definitely better than with a gas engine.
If you intend to tow a lot, the diesel is the only way to go.
Happy hunting!
- Gary
Gary
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'02 X LTD, 4X4, PSD, 3.73LS. True Blue & Gold. 15K miles. Pretty much stock. (Sigh!) Upgraded load range Steeltex tires. Roof rack bars removed. Ford spare tire organizer. Way overdue on getting guages... Sunnybrook 30FKS travel trailer, 31ft, 8000lb. |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:2/18/2003 03:35 |
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| Quote: | Hmmm, test drove two diesels today. One 2003 with 450 miles on it, not the new 6.0 Diesel. Drove 15 or so freeway miles, average fuel got up to 13. Drove a 2000 with 45K miles and fuel got up to 14.6. Neither seemed to have the grunt the V10 had.
The wife doesn't like the noise, sound, or smell of the diesel. So even though the diesel fuel MPG is better, I'll probably end up getting a V10 for now. I've got some time, just going to look for a good deal. |
Jack,
Wives can be trained to like a diesel! Inside the cab, the diesel isn't much louder when cruising on the highway. The smell of diesel is an aquired taste...much like drinking Busch Beer. Once you get used to it, it's a mighty fine thing! 
Good luck with your search!! 
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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JackB
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• Prairie, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 2/16/2003 |
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• 11 posts |
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Posted:2/18/2003 11:21 |
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Thanks guys!
| Quote: | Jack, my 7.3 Powerstroke X gets about 17.5 on the highway solo. When I tow our camper, which weighs in at about 5.5K, I get between 11-12 mpg. Definitely better than with a gas engine.
If you intend to tow a lot, the diesel is the only way to go.
Happy hunting!
- Gary |
Gary, that's about the numbers I thought I'd get. Thanks for confirming! It does make the diesel very attractive. I'm figuring I would save about $2800 in fuel the first year.
I'll have to wait and see what deals I find.
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Wheels
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• Visalia, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/20/2003 |
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• 214 posts |
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Posted:2/18/2003 12:12 |
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Jack,
I have a V-10, my figures are: towing 8 mpg, around town 9-10 mpg, and highway 12-14 mpg. I just got back from a 500 mile trip towing about 6500 - 7000 lbs over the grapevine and back, for the trip I averaged about 8.2 mpg. I knew when I bought it that the mileage would not be great. But I still love it!!!!! |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:3/5/2003 20:24 |
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You will definitly get better milage with the diesel. And the power is there too.
I happen to have an 00 and its a diesel. And its a darling. I will look you up if it turns out that I can't make my payments. Work has been a bit sparse these days. Diesel is cheaper too
Based on the imperial gallon which is 1 qt more than the us gal, this one is getting 21+ on the highway in warm weather. The comp says 12ltrs/100km (not towing mind you).Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to try it out long distance yet but I'm fairly sure that 23 Mpg can be obtained, most likely on the second tank on a long trip.
Parting thought, oil changes are 14 liters a crack. 
Dave
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2
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Posted:3/5/2003 20:50 |
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2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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