https://whipplesuperchargers.com/i-2...3-2024.html?q=

Maybe add power vs trading?

 

My 2017 F350 6.7 had no problem spinning the tires...at 40mph. Or just put an 871 blower on top of the 7.3.

 

Thank you. I have towed many trailers many times and you are correct. I/we did not enjoy all the downshifting and hi revving of the engine. A more relaxed subdued easy climb will suite us better.. No one answered the question about ride quality. The 250 we have is nice. Will the 350 be a harsher ride?

 

Those 3.73 gears are your hindrance. They put the engine out of its band. For what you are doing 4.30 gears would be better suited, but they kill DD fuel economy. I just went from an F450 with 4.30 gears, getting 13.4 MPG and a really rough ride, to a 350 DRW with 3.55 gears and rides nice, getting ~ 18 so far. My trailer is a 14K 5th wheel but 43' long so DRW for stability though a SRW will tow it just fine. I like training wheels. A 6.7 SO is WAY more than a 13 K trailer needs, you will love it. To me worth every penny of maintenance. It can also be filled at the truck lanes and not worry about finding a pump that can be maneuvered around with a big trailer attached. A TSD discount card can get diesel fuel cheaper than gas in most areas. My last tank saved me $16 over pump cost. Try that with a gas buddy card.

If you do decide, a CC LB 350 with 6.7 and either 331 or 355 gears will do what you want.

 

If you read the title of this thread you will see that I admitted to the mistake.

 

4.30's make a difference with the 7.3. I tow a high profile 39' toy hauler at 15,200 lbs loaded. In the mountains of AZ, NM and CO it does fine keeping speed limit up 6-8 percent grades. Coming from a 2021 Cummins HO there is a noticeable power loss with the 7.3 but has adequate power to maintain speed limit. I agree on the rear suspension sag. I have a SRW 350 and had to install Sumo Springs to maintain a level ride. My pin weight is 3600 lbs.

 

And lose warranty.

 

Test drive both and see which you like.

 

A F350 will ride stiffer than a standard suspension F250, but about the same as a F250 with the heavy duty towing package.
But, a F250 if you bag it will also ride more harsh than a F250 without the bags.

 

NM Resident here. To answer your questions:

• The F350 (apples to apples) will not ride more harsh. In many variants, the F250 is mechanically identical to the F350. The harsh ride is essentially due to recommended higher tire pressures (for towing only). I run 50-55 psi in my F350 and it's smooth. Get the F350 for the tow ratings/legal capabilities. My F350 rides way smoother aired down than my F250 short bed did aired down as well.
• You will still need airbags with a lot of pin weight. I run airbags with internal jounce bumpers so that I can run 0 psi unloaded. With a heavy towhauler, my F350 longbed was nearly at the bump stops without a ton of weight distribution and still needed bags to ride level (1800lbs hitch weight).
• Get the standard 6.7L. Plenty of power to maintain speed up steep mountains at altitude.
• Consider the long bed for the 48 gallon fuel tank. Tows way better but turning radius sucks a bit.

 

Didn’t see it mentioned…

I air the rear tires down to 55 psi or so in my f350 diesel when not towing, it really helps with the ride. I also stuck with what got me the 18” wheels.

 

The diesel has similar RPM attributes, albite at a lower overall operating range. Redline is around 4000, driving up mountains I rev to 2.5k - 3k and it sounds the same as a gas engine revving high. Well over 50% of the engine operating range. Just as loud or louder than a gasser at full song.

 

I'm not gonna say don't get the diesel - I probably would too, having had many gassers and diesels over the years. They just tow better, and if you're going to be towing frequently then it's the better choice.

That said, the 7.3 is no slouch, but the 3.55's are hurting you. You've got to get down into lower gears to get back into your power band, which in turn means slower speeds.My FIL had basically the same truck but a '22, and it did everything he asked but didn't really like it. Comparatively, I had my Power Wagon, slightly less power from the 6.4, 6 speed trans, and 4.10 gears, and mine FELT more powerful when pulling.

Gassers need RPMs to make power. The 7.3's max torque is at 4k rpm. Max horsepower is at 5500 rpm. And they're built to run those RPMs all day long, so pulling a grade at those revs aren't hurting anything - it just sounds like it's screaming.

My wife was nervous the first time we went on a longer trip with the 'Wagon and camper, because it was winding out to 5k getting up to speed on the expressway, and at 65 mph would shift into 4th and sometimes 3rd to hold speed on grades. I can't tell you what my FIL's old truck did as I never towed with it. But we were all coming from diesels, so it made all of them nervous hearing/hitting those high RPMs all the time (I'd done research, so I wasn't surprised - these aren't the days of the old Big Blocks that made gobs of torque at 2k RPM). We have since swapped back to diesels.

Long story short, the 7.3 will do the job, you just have to be aware that it NEEDS to spin up to pull grades, and you'll never win a race with it while pulling. You can either slow down or swap trucks, and it really sounds like OP is leaning toward the latter, which is fine...just be prepared to maintain it, or it'll give you headaches.

 

Get a SO 6.7 F250 3.31 WITHOUT any axle options. Should have the same rear suspension as your current truck.


F350 rear springs with 80psi or f250 axle options (f350 springs) will hurt the ride.

 

Just for what it is worth from an old guy who has run a couple of diesels, you mentioned the vehicles being discussed is / would be a daily driver. New diesels may be more tolerant of easy around town / non working but normally a diesel needs to be worked.