ProPickup Road Test
FORD’S HEAVY-DUTY GASSER
2013 F-250 Crew Cab 4Ă—4 6.2L a journeyman performer for the working man who needs a little towing muscle from time to time
by Bruce W. Smith
Look around any heavy construction jobsite and the majority of the Âľ- and 1-ton Crew Cab Ford pickups are going to be diesels.
Not surprising as diesel Super Duties are the go-to truck when towing and hauling heavy loads are part of the daily work load.
But when such tasks only come up a couple times a month, shelling out $8,000 for the diesel option might not make economic sense for some business owners.
That’s where F-250/F-350 Crew Cabs powered by the line’s base 6.2L gas V8, work well.
Ford’s heavy-duty gassers have the same maximum tow capacity with a conventional hitch (weight-distributing) as their diesel counterparts – but without the added cost.
The 6.2-liter gas V8 makes 385hp and 405 ft-lbs of torque, and with the optional ($390) 3.73 axles it’s rated to tow the same as the 6.7L Powerstroke that makes 400hp and double the torque.
We tested the Crew Cab 4Ă—4 diesel version two years ago (February 2011) and used it as the base for our Project Super Crew in 2012.
So it was an easy transition into a 2013 powered by the gas engine for this road test.
F-250 XLT OPTIONS
For an HD, the 2013 Super Duty XLT F-250 Crew Cab 4Ă—4 is moderately priced. The one I tested came with $5,700 in options, bringing the sticker price to $47,390.
Those options included mostly functional add-ons valuable around the jobsite: rear view camera; tailgate step; electric shift-on-the-fly transfer case; skid plates; spray-in bedliner; sliding rear window and tow mirrors.
It also came with Michelin LTX A/T 2 “all-terrain” tires – a $955 option – that one soon finds out are best suited for dry conditions.
The Michelins are good street tires, but not that great for off-pavement use. (Our advice, save the grand and pick your own tires if you want better off-pavement traction.)
On the other hand, the cloth seats with the $300 40/console/40-configuration, is worth the price; the mini-console is roomy and serves as a fine armrest during longer drives.
COMFORTABLE RIDE
Speaking of comfort, for a pickup that has the 9,900-pound GVWR package, Ford’s big gasser is a very comfortable ride. It’s quite inside and absorbs road irregularities with aplomb for a heavy-duty truck.
The interior ergonomics are also quite well done, too, making it a very good crew transport.
Ford’s interior designers have all the controls and switches in locations that make sense. It’s an easy truck to get comfortable in quickly.
The “upfitter” switches, a $125 option are a nice touch as they make it very easy to add auxiliary lights, warning lights and other switched electrical components.
Another nice feature of this truck are the manual/automatic front hubs. They allow the driver to lock them in manually before driving in off-pavement situations where traction varies from good to bad as you drive.
Having the hubs locked lessens the chances of blowing a hub should it not be locked all the way and then automatically slamming in when the tire is spinning.
6.2L A STEADY PERFORMER
Fuel economy is commensurate with most 5.0L- 6.0L V8s: 13.2mpg city driving and 15.4mpg cruising down the interstate at 70mph on a wind-free winter day.
One thing I noticed with this truck/engine package is vehicle speed really plays a role in the F-250’s fuel economy. I saw 16.5mpg running 55mph and 14mpg at 75mph.
The 6.2L is very sensitive to a heavy throttle and wind drag above 55mph. That will literally pay to keep in mind if you have these in a fleet.
The E85-capable 6.2L V8 features a single overhead cam with twin-variable cam timing — advanced features that help optimize power throughout the speed range as well as fuel efficiency.
The engine, backed with the 6-speed automatic, is one of the quietest, smoothest running HDs we’ve tested.
It’s also one of the smoothest driving with the six-speed’s shift points well placed so there’re no lag spots when driving. It’s just velvet-smooth.
DRAGSTRIP NUMBERS
On the Gulfport Dragway 1/4-mile the 2013 F-250 6.2L performs like one would expect from a 7,000-pound 4Ă—4.
Our 0-60mph sprints at Gulfport (MS) Dragway averaged 9.8 seconds while 60-0mph panic stops averaged 140 feet. The best 1/4mi: 17.3@83.6mph.
(In comparison, the 6.7L diesel is about a ½-second quicker to 60, and 2/10ths and 3mph faster at the end of the ¼-mile.)
All in all, my take on the 2013 6.2L F-250 4Ă—4 Crew Cab is this:
The gas V-8 base engine is an excellent alternative for the company who needs the Super Duty’s big load carrying/towing capacity, but not often enough to warrant the much higher price tag of a Powerstroke.
Ford’s gasoline-powered HD definitely has it’s place in a work truck fleet.– Pro
2013 F-250 6.sL FAST FACTS
- Vehicle: 2013 Ford Super Duty
- Model: Crew Cab 4Ă—4 XLT
- Base Price: $40,620
- Price as Tested: $47,390
- Engine: 6.2L V8 Gas; 385hp/405 lb-ft
- Axle Ratio: 3.73 (auto-locking diff)
- Transmission: 6spd Auto
- Observed MPG: City 13.2 / Hwy 15.4
- Max Towing Capacity: Conventional: 6,000 lbs. w/o WD hitch; 12,500lbs. w/ WD hitch
- 5th Wheel/Gooseneck: 12,400 lbs.
- Max. Payload: 3,240 lbs.
- Performance: 0-60mph: 9.8 sec.; ÂĽ-mile: 17.3 sec @ 83.6mph
