Now that the 7.3 has been out for a little bit, how does it, and its 10 spd transmission, compare to the 6.2? What would you recommend to someone pulling a 7500-10000 lb GVWR trailer? I have a '21 6.2 currently and it did pretty well on my first pull. I have 4.30 gears and did a couple of 6% grades that topped out at 7k feet, the truck was at 3500-4500 RPMs in 3-4th gear if I was driving at 65ish mph. I also have 35's but no suspension mods. I still had the power to pass trucks, but it left me wondering if I made a mistake going with the 6.2. I could have spent about 2k more and gotten a 1 ton with the 7.3 vs the 3/4 6.2 I bought. The main reason I bought the 6.2 was perceived reliability. The early 10r140 problems kind of scared me, as did having a new engine. I was also at the top of my budget, the only reason I was buying new was that covid really messed up the used truck market. Taking advantage of the current market I could get $52k for my truck, I paid $48,500, this would leave me at about a $1300 loss in tax and license, but I have driven the truck for 4400 miles, most of which was one long camping trip.

In reality, I probably wouldn't sell my truck until the end of the summer when all of my planned trips for the year are done, so who knows how much of a loss I would take then. I just wanted to get a thread going on the topic for myself, and anyone else that is contemplating the two power trains, but not towing heavy.

 

I bought my 2020 7.3 liter for towing our 31’ TT that weighs dry just over 6000 lbs. Could not even tell it was back there. However, haven’t pulled any real grades yet so I will not be able to comment on that.

As far as would I buy it again, in a heart beat.

 

When I started my research I asked the same questions.... I picked the 7.3. After pulling a large trailer to Vegas and back, through 2 different mountain ranges I am impressed with it. When pulling a grade it dropped from 10 to 8, mostly to 9. 3000 rpm once. Now someone can take only from my cold dead hands. Great motor.

 

I made the same decision as you for the same reasons but I will only be pulling a 7,000 lb trailer. I figure the 7.3 will be a good engine, Ford has a good track record with non-turbo motors. My main concern was the transmission.

I had a class C RV with the 6.8l V10 and towed my Jeep Wrangler. Gross weight was about 17,000 to 18,000 lbs. It would run at 4,500 up a mountain and only pull about 45 mph. But it would do it for miles and it never complained. I expect the truck and trailer combo, coming in at about 14,000 lbs will do better as it has more power pulling less weight. So I won't look back on my decision, but the power figures on the 7.3l is impressive.

 

I got my ‘19 with the 6.2/4.3. Couldn’t be happier with it.... but needed it before the 7.3 was available and I wanted to give them some time to work out the bugs. The next truck I need I’ll most likely spring for the 7.3 as people seem really happy and it’s everything the 6.2 has proven to be plus more.

 

I was in a similar situation. My last truck was-literally- falling apart and needed to be replaced. Spring of 2020 inventory was very limited and plants were closed due to Covid. It was my intention to order a new truck with the 7.3 but no one could tell me how long it would take or when the factories would start producing again. I needed a new truck immediately. I test drove both the 6.2l with ten speed and the 7.3 l with ten speed and found no difference in “seat of the pants” feel.
There were very few 7.3 available and i could not find one with the options I wanted after searching for a good month. I needed to pull the trigger soon. I did find a nice truck with the 6.2 and ten speed and pulled the trigger.
After one full year of ownership and pulling our Airstream (12,000 lbs) or truck camper on all of our usual trips (White Mts of NH) I have no complaints at all and am super pleased with the truck.
I am surprised to see some of the mpg data being posted on the 7.3, but bottom line is I am very happy and plan to have the 6.2 for a long time (typically keep my trucks at least ten years).

 

No-brainer, the 7.3 is better resale value too.

I tow a 12k # RV with it, up and down the East coast 2x now and it's awesome.

 

I have a 2015 F-250 with the 6.2 and a 2021 F-250 with 7.3. There is a very real difference between the 2 pulling the same trailers some of it is the transmission but there is no doubt that the 2021 does a much better job of pulling and day to day unloaded. However the 6.2 has pulled some kind of trailer for about 50,000 miles and I have not had any problems from it other than an exhaust manifold that had to be replaced. the 2021 does have almost 9,000 miles all ready and no problems so far. they are both used in my construction business daily.

 

I tow a 16k 5th wheel with a 7.3 and it's damn impressive. Sits in 10th gear surprisingly quite a bit, i assumed it would be in 8th most of the time. What I would recommend? 6.2 is probably good for what your towing and it would probably do fine with what I'm towing. Atleast in the areas I tow that is.(slightly rolling hills)So if it's just to upgrade because you want to 7.3 all the way. Anything to do financially I'd just keep the 6.2.

 

I just ordered a 22 and had the same questions and a hesitancy to pay an extra 1700 for the 7.3. What sold me were the stellar reviews, the Fast Lane Truck video of the Ike uphill test and the fact that the 7.3 is paired with the same 10 speed tranny that goes behind Ford's 1050 torque diesel engine.

 

I love driving my 7.3L Gasser F250. I recently pulled my 7,000 lb. (Dry Weight) trailer about 900 miles including both up and down two long, step grades without it building up a sweat! BTW, averaged about 9.5 mph.

 

7.3 all the way .. I traded a 2016 6.2 6 sp. with 3.73s .. My 2020 7.3 10sp. with 3.73s pulls the same 15,000 lb. 5th wheel ..
Going to Florida last winter had to stop half way up mount eagle on I-24 in Tennessee ..
When traffic cleared I still topped the grade at over 50MPH I don't think the 6.2 could have done that !!
I'm very happy with the truck .. I'm a former diesel owner 2000 7.3 6sp. 3.73 really like that truck ..
Just could not justify a new diesel with fuel + DEF cost vs gas and the expense of repair for new diesels !!

 

So is the 6.2...

For $1700, the 7.3 is a no brainer over the 6.2.

The new ten speed is a real game changer for gassers. Got me out of a deezul after 15 years!

 

The 6.2 is plenty capable. Our fiver is 12K + and have no issues with how it pulls. I've got a couple of F350 6.2's with the 10 spd (2020, 2021) here at work and I'm not totally sold on the 10spd yet. The 2020 sometimes shifts a little funky but it's intermittent. That said I'm seriously thinking about a 2022 with 7.3. When I bought my truck there was no 7.3 and I needed a new rig so the 6.2 was it. 44K on my 6.2 and still love it but no one ever said I don't need anymore power, this is enough. haha.

 

Is your 6.2 a 10 speed or a 6 speed? I'll bet that a 10 speed would improve the results on a 6.2

We pull a 11K 5er with our 6.2 4.30's and 6 speed. Works fine. We do see 3 to 4 K on the tach on heavy grades in the mountains.

Keep your 6.2