Hey y’all, please help me solve a debate in our house… we have a few pickups and need to haul an 18 foot gooseneck stock trailer on a 700 mile round trip across the state. No big deal, I’ve done the trip tons of times with our big living quarters trailer and our big truck - but this trip is a quick turn around. This trip I’m trying to save a little money on fuel if possible. The load will be around 8,000 pounds. And mostly in the dark.

So here is the quandary: the two pickups I’m choosing between are a 2002 F350 7.3 4x4 long box. And a 2019 F150 3.5 4x4 Max Tow 6.5’ box. Both have hauled this trailer for ~150 miles trips with no issue, but only on 2 lane roads going 65-70. Time is also going to be tight so will likely be going a bit quicker. The F350 has 250k on it and the F150 has 100k (and we are trying to keep some miles off it to keep it around longer - the F350 I don’t care about racking miles up). Both are in good condition, well maintained, run strong, have 10 ply tires, and should be up to the chore. SO, what would you do? I say run the 7.3 and feel more secure with the one ton. While the wife says use the EB as it has better lights, newer technology, gas is 90 cents cheaper than diesel, etc. I’m sure she’s right and I’m just trying to justify keeping the 7.3 in service… Thanks in advance!

 

I would guess that the F-350 will get better fuel mileage than the F-150. But the F-150 will probably ride nicer.

 

If both trucks are factory without modifications (tires, lifts, mpg killing stuff) id bet the 7.3L returns roughly 40% better mpg with 8k behind it and will save way more on fuel.

Driving in the dark goes hands down to the F150's headlights though. Id personally take the F150 for every other reason except fuel economy. I have an 03 6.0 and an 18 F150. The 03 is so dated as an HD platform compared to a newer 1/2 ton that the two different classes are actually comparable.