In search of a better truck for towing the M6060 and folding cutter.

[McMXi]

It was a beautiful day today, so the pup and I took the truck for a 120 mile drive around the lake this afternoon. It's only the second time I've driven the truck, and 2-1/2 hours in this thing was revealing. Everything about the drive exceeded my expectations, but I will need to look deeper into the "Lane Keeping System" which frankly is annoying. Fortunately it can be turned off, or one of three settings can be selected.

I removed the tinted strip from the windshield a couple of weeks ago, and I'm probably going to remove the tint from the front driver and passenger windows too. It's just too dark and I feel that it poses a safety risk, particularly when wearing sun glasses.

It's one of the most comfortable vehicles I've ever driven, and although I'm still in learning mode given the dizzying array of features, the overall driving experience today left me thinking that this is one heck of a truck. I tried out the seat cooling feature which is great, and the Bang & Olufsen 1000W, 14 speaker, factory sound system is pretty darn amazing. The engine and transmission are quiet, smooth and powerful. The ride can be a little choppy at times when the road surface isn't great, but overall it's very comfortable. I'm looking forward to pulling stuff with this truck over the coming months.

 

[Bmyers]

It was a beautiful day today, so the pup and I took the truck for a 120 mile drive around the lake this afternoon. It's only the second time I've driven the truck, and 2-1/2 hours in this thing was revealing. Everything about the drive exceeded my expectations, but I will need to look deeper into the "Lane Keeping System" which frankly is annoying. Fortunately it can be turned off, or one of three settings can be selected.

I removed the tinted strip from the windshield a couple of weeks ago, and I'm probably going to remove the tint from the front driver and passenger windows too. It's just too dark and I feel that it poses a safety risk, particularly when wearing sun glasses.

It's one of the most comfortable vehicles I've ever driven, and although I'm still in learning mode given the dizzying array of features, the overall driving experience today left me thinking that this is one heck of a truck. I tried out the seat cooling feature which is great, and the Bang & Olufsen 1000W, 14 speaker, factory sound system is pretty darn amazing. The engine and transmission are quiet, smooth and powerful. The ride can be a little choppy at times when the road surface isn't great, but overall it's very comfortable. I'm looking forward to pulling stuff with this truck over the coming months.

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Glad you are enjoying the new truck. I don't know if you use the cruise control much, but I was surprised the first time I came up to a drop of speed on my route and the truck adjusted the speed down very quickly. Although, I do like the adaptive cruise control. The wife on the other hand, if the speedometer doesn't read 85, she isn't happy. I even told her we are in a school zone, she said those rug rats need to learn to stay out of the road.

She believes in tough love or at least that is what she tells me when she is throwing the punch (I'm joking of course).

 

[McMXi]

First time towing with the new truck today and what a difference 22 years makes! I wasn't happy with the positioning of the tractor and disc on the trailer but I didn't have any other option. I could really use the Kaufman 30 ft gooseneck that I ordered but still no word on when it'll be available to pick up. It can't get here fast enough to be honest!

As for the F-450, it pulled the load today with ease and it continues to impress in every way possible. It's a real pleasure to drive this truck, and it inspires confidence.

 

[jimh406]

As for the F-450, it pulled the load today with ease and it continues to impress in every way possible. It's a real pleasure to drive this truck, and it inspires confidence.

Fwiw, my wife was sold on the F450 the first time she had to brake in a hurry. Personally, I like the tight turns I can make although braking is of course important. My F450 is a 2010, btw. I've had it 13 years, and it's still completely solid.

I'm glad you are enjoying the F450.

 

[Kennyd4110]

The ORANGE clashes with the RED, it would look much better with a GREEN tractor


Just kidding of course, that's a beautiful setup you have there.

 

[McMXi]

I bought DEF yesterday for the first time ever and it remains a mystery as to why it's called "Blue" or "Add Blue". I was at NAPA picking up a drain plug with 7/8-14 threads so that I could make an adapter for the Scorpion control grip that's now in the MX. As I was waiting at the counter I noticed a bunch of DEF in the middle of the store and figured that I'd better buy some in preparation for the nearly 3,500 mile roadtrip that I'm starting in a little under a week. This stuff is triple filtered so it must be good right? I bought it since it's a "known" quantity and I simply have no experience buying DEF at fuel stations around the country. I have no idea as to what's available or the quality of the DEF in MT, WY, SD, IL or NE, so having "America's #1 DEF BRAND" in the Decked toolbox seems like a good move. On second thoughts, it might be better to keep it in the cab since it's supposed to be stored between 23°F and 86°F. Seriously?! What do DEF users do in the middle of the summer when it's 100°F or more out. The DEF in the tank in the vehicle is going to get above 86°F.

I had no idea as to the capacity of the DEF tank in the F-450 so I bought 5 gallons. It was full when I bought the truck and nowhere near empty, but after checking the owner's manual it seems that all Super Duty 6.7L diesel trucks have about a 7.5 gallon DEF tank. The F-450 has a 48 gallon fuel tank so it'll be interesting to see how much DEF is used per tank of fuel. I'm expecting to go through it faster when towing of course.

So what do the DEF consuming members on this forum buy, and where do you buy it?

 

[Kennyd4110]

So what do the DEF consuming members on this forum buy, and where do you buy it?

I have bought and used the Walmart brand MANY times, no issues. But generally I get it at the pump at a local smaller truck stop, it's about 1/2 the price of the stuff in the containers and no waste to get rid of.

 

[JasonW]

Good idea to carry some with you at first until you get some data on its uses. As stated above it’s way more cost effective to buy it at the pump at truck stops. Usage will depend with fuel mileage. Anywhere from 2k-5k miles per DEF tank.

As far as the storage temp I believe that’s to help it store longer as it does go bad over time. Internet says stores up to a year “stored properly”.

 

[McMXi]

Thanks @Kennyd4110 and @JasonW for your feedback. I have no experience with DEF but folks seem to have "debates" about it just like every other fluid and filter.

The local Ford dealership claims to have changed the oil and filter before the truck was put up for sale, but I'm going to change it tomorrow before I set off on the 3,500 mile road trip this Saturday. I called the parts department to ask if the F-450 oil pan drain plug uses a gasket, and at first the parts guy told me that it doesn't, but after he checked he told me that it does and that it's $9.44 for the gasket! Good grief!!! There seems to be no end to the price gouging.

This is the first time that I'll be changing the oil on the new truck, and maybe the last time I buy a gasket from Ford. I'll know more once I've drained the oil, but I can see another Fumoto drain valve in my future. The cost of three gaskets is close to the cost of a Fumoto drain valve.

 

[MOOTS]

Saving the environment, one single use plastic jug at a time… at least the nozzles are handy to have around.

 

[Kennyd4110]

Saving the environment, one single use plastic jug at a time

There's a meme floating around about that...a 55 gallon drum/trash can overflowing with empty DEF containers all around it. The absurdity of the truth!

 

[Kurt Shaul]

You can’t beat that 5.9 L Cummins VP44 engine. My 02 F650 just passed 450,000 miles, zero issues since new. I have a flat bed installed and mounts for either 5th wheel or Gooseneck. Here in Calif there is a threat that new emission laws will make the non DEF rigs declined for registration. I’d side step that easily by registering it in Nevada, I’ve got some property there. Doubt it would ever backfire on me, hopefully since I want to keep the 650 for years to come. I use the 650 to tow my 25 foot gooseneck trailer, on top I carry up to my Caterpillar D4 and down to the B26.
Advice for the diesels, use lubricant additive to fuel. Save your high pressure pump. The ultra low diesel doesn’t have the lubrication quality that the earlier diesel engines were designed for.

 

[biketopia]

Advice for the diesels, use lubricant additive to fuel. Save your high pressure pump. The ultra low diesel doesn’t have the lubrication quality that the earlier diesel engines were designed for.

This is good advice, OP should look into the disaster prevention kit. It's a little coslty and takes some time to install, but well worth it versus having to replace the entire fuel system from tank to injectors.

Also, here's a link on DEF handling that happened to come out via my fuel suppliers' weekly e-mail series for those interested.

What’s That: Proper DEF Handling and Storage

 

[jimh406]

You can’t beat that 5.9 L Cummins VP44 engine. My 02 F650 just passed 450,000 miles, zero issues since new.

You obviously can which is why other engines are made. I'm assuming your F650 has the 7.3. The older models have almost zero power in comparison.

Sure, the later model emission systems make it harder to keep a diesel going, but they can make high mileage, too. There are people all over the diesel forums with no luck with "reliable" engines and high miles on the supposed "unreliable" ones. The key is to know what you have and treat it the way it needs to be used/treated.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I bought DEF yesterday for the first time ever and it remains a mystery as to why it's called "Blue" or "Add Blue".

Because the Marketing Department won't call it "Goat Piss," though that's what it smells like.

 

[McMXi]

I'm a little under half way through a 3,400 mile road trip with the F-450, and the three-day drive out here got me thinking about the engine, transmission, rear end and wheels/tires. I made up a spreadsheet to show rpm at different mph and gears, and based on what I've seen the theoretical values are very close to actual. Running empty at 70mph I'm getting a little over 15mpg. At 85mph that drops to 13.5mpg. I'm curious to see how much of a difference a 7,000lb trailer makes to those numbers.

The cells with yellow highlight are where the truck has lived most of the trip. I doubt that many buy an F-450 with a 4.30 rear end as a commuter vehicle or to take on road trips unless their family owns an oil company.

Speaking of the truck, I'm LOVING it and enjoying learning all of the features and looking forward to pulling the trailer home during the last two days of the trip.

 

[McMXi]

The town where the company I work for is based has a scale at the grain elevator just a couple of blocks from main street and it's accessible 24 hours a day. I stopped by after work on Friday to see what the red beast actually weighs with a full tank of fuel. The scale is accurate since it nailed my weight when I got back into the truck.

Ford says that the base curb weight for the F-450 4x4 Crew Cab is 8,627lb. 48 gallons of fuel weighs around 336lb and the Decked tool box is 103lb so that would theoretically put the weight at 9,066lb. But I have a B&W gooseneck kit, four chains, four binders, six or more shackles, six heavy duty straps, a tow strap, a Craftsman toolset, a pair of bolt cutters, jumper cables, a gallon of oil, and a couple of quarts of PS diesel treatment in the Decked tool box. I also have a B&W turnover 3" hitch in the receiver. So it all adds up to the tune of about 400lb of "stuff".

I'm picking the trailer up tomorrow and had close to a 500 mile drive out here to Holdrege, NE as well as about 100 miles of puttering around last week crossing into Iowa a few times. Anyway, 15.8 mpg running at close to 80 mph most of the way, just over 600 miles down, and still more than 100 miles in reserve is pretty darn good for a truck that's close to 10,000lb.

By the way, I'll have to look back at the images of other trip screens to see if the calculated average fuel consumption matches the reported value. The 15.8 mpg shown below was right on the money when I did the math for this last fill up of 38.336 gallons at $3.15/gallon for 604 miles. Typically those "lie-o-meters" are a few mpg optimistic.