Moisture is the enemy of sensors.
and heat… without taking one of the senors apart to see the rating of the components high temperatures is a problem. And having been in manufacturing I can rest assured some purchasing agent has/or will select a supplier whose components are sub-par … after all a mill saved is a mill earned and it only takes ten to make a penny
I got an 2018 F250 6.2 gasser last year at the recommendation of my mechanic, who is the head service writer for one of the largest Ford dealers in the country and told me to just get the basic, tough gas engine and never have any problems with it. So far, 9000 miles, almost all hauling, it tows like a champ and I love it dearly.
Word of caution, if your truck is older, the new trucks are very tall and you may have to modify your trailer to clear it. I had to buy a very specific trailer to fit my truck.
My truck is a 2014 4x4. I do not have a gooseneck.
Found out what was wrong. The problem with the exhaust emissions system was the Ford place’s fault. Back in February when they put in a new DEF heater they didn’t plug something in all the way and it had come loose.
But the big problem was a bad fuel injector. The second one I have had with this truck despite being very proactive about servicing it. I wonder if it ever got the fuel filter changed by the previous owner. I am getting it fixed, cleaned up and on the market. Sounds like gas engines may be the best way to go.
I have a 2012 Dodge 4500 4x4 with a giant flat bed. I won’t ever let it go mainly because it cannot be replaced with anything remotely close for what I paid for it brand new ($41k). The only trailer I ever have to hook up is my 40’ horse trailer… otherwise, I can fit just about everything else just on the bed… which is my favorite part about it (not hooking up a trailer!) The downside is that it rides like a covered wagon when unloaded.
Anyway, I HATE all the stupid DEF crap… they are even putting that crap on tractors!!! With my last truck (dodge 3500… 2009?) my ex put a delete kit on it and got rid of all that crap. IT WAS GLORIOUS! We got amazing fuel economy even when hauling 300+ square bales over 1200 mile trips. We got 27 miles to the gallon unloaded on the highway. When my horses stop breaking stuff, and I can afford it, I will be putting one on my truck now that it’s out of warranty. $1000+ is totally worth the price tag. You’d probably drive it more too if it got better mileage and ran better in general.
Just something to think about…
Gas.
My first truck was a '94 diesel F250. My next is a 2016 Tundra, gas engine. Great switch!
One thing about diesels, as at least one other person noted, is that they don’t like to sit. If you are only putting a couple thousand miles a year on the truck, it’s not going to be happy. That was an issue with mine as it got older – it did not like to sit. And the repair bills were just ridiculous.
We have a 2012 Dodge 4500 at work. Bought used but not heavily. It’s the biggest PITA. The DEF system has been a consistent issue with that truck. It was replaced this year and the truck continues to eat DEF fluid. It’s cost my company about $12k in repairs this year which is unrealistic for a private owner. Every time that truck goes to the shop, it’s $1000 bucks.
I have a 2015 Sierra 3500 for my daily driver and use it to pull my horse trailer. It is gas and I love my truck. It pulls my trailer like a dream - seriously you have to remind yourself the trailer is there. The dealership has tried to buy it back from me due to the cost of diesels becoming so expensive. Heavy gas trucks are getting harder to find used. For comparison, shortly after we bought my truck, a diesel came up for sale. Exact same year, same trim, double Kms as my truck. Dealership wanted $19k more. You have to drive a lot of kms and have no major repair issues to make that money back on fuel savings.
The dealership has tried to buy it back from me due to the cost of diesels becoming so expensive.
well then… 2020 F-450 Super Duty Limited tow 15 tons…but Ford just unveiled this new truck, which can cost as much as $100,000
It has a special “satin chrome” grill, as well as power running boards that drop down as the door is opened to provide an easy step up into its very high cab. On the inside, the truck has lots of two-tone leather, real wood trim, heated and cooled massaging seats, a premium 10-speaker stereo, and a big panoramic moonroof with retractable shade
https://money.cnn.com/2017/09/28/lux…ted/index.html
I am pretty sure Ford will sell a lot of these to those who need a fashion statement for the grand entry at the horse show… how many Rita Crundwells are there out there? a lot
I am NOT looking for that! I am no Rita Crundwell on so many levels. LOL!!!
Ford might be “streatching the blanket” a bit on it’s claim of being a “first” in this class. From '04-'08 International produced the XT series. It was a “man-machine.” 
I started towing with gas switched to diesel, worlds better. No contest. And in 10 yrs, I’ve spent $3500 on maintenance / repairs, which is pretty darn good in my opinion, cheaper to own than any gasser I had. Oil changes cost the same as the 2015 Silverado 1500 I drive at work bc the Silverado requires synthetic.
That said, it’s a 2001 7. 3L F250, so yes, the holy grail. Simple, 2WD for max tow capacity & it. Just. Works. It’s my daily driver & gets 22 mpg.
I am not a fan of any of the newer diesels - well really any new trucks (why does everything have to be enormous sheesh, unnecessary). All these computer modules & DPF/DEF have just killed them & prices are ludicrous.
I philosophically oppose new vehicle purchases, I think it’s a terrible investment, but everyone is different. If I had to buy a new truck (someone forced me & then left a sack of money on my porch), I’d have to think pretty hard. Repairs on everything newer is going to be expensive bc of all said computers & sensors, it’s crazy what we pay on the work trucks.
For OP tho, if it’s going to sit, I’d recommend gas no question. Diesels need to move, they just don’t store well.
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