Dodge V-10 questions

[STLfirewood]

I'm going to look at a 2000 Dodge 1-ton 4x4 witha V-10 and an auto tranny. It's a nice looking truck. I don;t want to get into any debates between what's better gas or diesel. I know Diesel is better. I had a Cummins truck and loved it. I have a powerstroke truck now and think the engine is a POS 9mpg loaded in my F-550 and less power then a cummins. I love the truck and the way it handles weight but hate the engine. I don't want to swap in a cummins yet. Anyway anyone out there have one or has had one. What did you think and what kind of MPG did it get towing and empty. This truck would be a back up truck and it would be used sparingly.

Thanks Scott

 

[mdavlee]

A friend of mine had one for about 6 months. It didn't get but 12 mpg empty and about 7-8 towing some small trailers. He traded it on a cummins truck. It would probably work as a extra truck if it's a good deal. I know in my area you could get them for 4-7k depending on mileage. The gearing in the F550 is what kills the mileage. Those 4.88 rearends suck power and you turn way more rpms than needed. A cummins swap will do a couple mpg better.

 

[MOE]

If you need a heavier truck but don't put many miles on a V10 is the way to go. My dad has a dodge 2500 with a V10 and 5 speed. It pulls very well. He gets around 12 empty and 9 or so towing 10,000 lbs of tractor and trailer. I just bought a chev with an 8.1 because I need something that pulls well but I don't put many miles on it,(maybe 3000) in a year. I saved a lot of money going this route over a diesel.

 

[gr8scott72]

If you need a heavier truck but don't put many miles on a V10 is the way to go. My dad has a dodge 2500 with a V10 and 5 speed. It pulls very well. He gets around 12 empty and 9 or so towing 10,000 lbs of tractor and trailer. I just bought a chev with an 8.1 because I need something that pulls well but I don't put many miles on it,(maybe 3000) in a year. I saved a lot of money going this route over a diesel.

Yeah, I ran the numbers on the diesel vs gas thing. It takes at least 70k miles of towing before the diesel is cheaper than the gas.

I have a 2000 Ford Excursion with the V10. I know it's different than the dodge but everything I've read says that mpg numbers are very similar. I get about 11-12 empty, 13 empty on hwy, 8-9 mpg towing 8k - 9k lbs, and about 7 mpg towing 11k - 12k lbs.

 

[treeman82]

I used to have a 2WD dodge 2500 with the V-10. GREAT engine. Other parts of the truck weren't as good, but let me say that the engine never left me stranded ANYWHERE. Truck just wanted to run. Pulled a 250XP without any trouble. Pulled a friend's L48 w/ trailer and the truck was ok with it. He told me that it was about a 12,000 lb load. That was going up some descent hills too. Don't remember what I got for mileage. I sure do miss that engine though.

 

[Bearcreek]

Never driven the Dodge V-10 but i've been very impressed by the 360 V-8. Plenty of power and ok fuel mileage for a gas engine. From the mileage numbers i've heard I think I would rather have the V-8 than the V-10.

 

[rms61moparman]

The V-10 has awesome low and mid-range power.
It is kinda halfway between the 360 and the CUMMINS!

I thought about one when I bought my CTD but the 21+ mpg of the diesel was irresistable.