Am I crazy for wanting a Crew Cab 7.3 DRW??



And before you ask, I might tow between a few cheeseburgers and 15,000 lbs here and there. DRW trucks have always been my fav since I was a little kid. Definitely a dream truck. I know the cons. I know the pros. But a 7.3 DRW basically makes the motor the "weak link"

I am curious to see the 2026 build to see if the STX can be had in the 7.3 XL truck. Based on how I read it, it SHOULD be.

 

I just wish you could get that Marsh Gray on the XL

 

I have a 2024 7.3 DRW Crew Cab with 4:30 gears. I pull 17K occasionally. I do not consider the 7.3 a weak link. For me the DRW's stability while towing is well worth the investment.

 

True. I know the engine is strong, but in DRW configuration I just mean the truck could handle a good bit more obviously with diesel.

Our dealer has a few left over ‘24 models in 7.3 DRW they can’t seem to get rid of. Not a common configuration.

Glad to hear you like yours. 4.30 is the way I would go too.

 

I pull a 13’6” tall 17,500# 5er with combo on CAT scale right at 27,500 with stuff in truck and full fuel including 30 gallon bed transfer tank. Put 300k miles on 3 dually diesels before abandoning the headaches for a gasser. Too many week long wait for parts or 3 week waits to get in to diagnose problem - sitting in dealer lot or campground nearby.

Versus my 7.3 with 10 speeds and 4.30 gears:

Flat land, sea level, no wind = not much difference versus the 2015 6.7 diesel 6-speed with 3.73 gears. Newer ones have more hp and more gears.
Rolling hills, sea level, no wind = not much difference but need to anticipate hills and manually downshift before you get behind the power curve.


20-30 mph headwinds on flat land - a whole different story, particularly at elevations above 3500 feet. Ok pull but a LOT more cabin noise because of higher rpm’s to get the hp needed to pull that 4x8 plywood above the top of the cab of the truck - in those winds 65=equivalent of 85-95 mph drag,

20-30 mph headwinds on grades - you get all that extra noise AND go slower. This is where the weight of the trailer versus hp and torque of a diesel come into play.

All of the above is amplified at elevations. However if you are alert and downshift before you get behind the power curve (4k), you will pass slower moving semis on hills..

Zero white knuckle driving, in some ways better because you are a more attentive driver, but it would wear me out if I tried an 8 hour day. Never felt that way with a diesel - but days spent outside of a shop are priceless - inside the shop a really big pia.

15k low profile trailer 90% of the time I would not hesitate to go 7.3 with 4.30’s. High (12-foot+) 15k, ditto FOR ME - if you want to go faster or drive longer days, get a diesel with 3.30+/-…

 

Probably the best post that I've ran across since agonizing over the 7.3 myself.
if you slip under the above parameters or close and can understand the value of an entire crate engine costing far less than the 6.7 option itself or possibly one trip to the shop...no brainer.

 

That’s my reasoning for going 7.3

I keep trucks for a long time. I enjoy the relative simplicity and knowing I could buy an entire engine for cheaper than a 6.7 fuel system is comforting as well.

I still have my 2011 f150 5.0 with about 90,000 that I bought new. Clean as a whistle. I know you have to drive it when towing to maximize its power band. I know the 7.3 has a large amount of more trq, but the rig is heavier so some of that will get eaten up.

I appreciate the comments. I feel strong in my decision. Hoping it will happen soon enough. 🙂

 

I'd buy it. I tried to change my 7.3 SRW order to a DRW, but it was too late and I already had a VIN. That's a very capable truck.

 

I've had 2 7.3 DRW crew cab long beds. A 3.73 and 4.30. I towed the same 5th wheel grossing over 27,500lbs and either truck would do it. Some people are overly sensitive to the transmission shifting to stay in the power band and they've obviously never towed with a class 7 or 8 truck before. I get between 13 and 14mpg empty at 80mph in my 4.30 geared DRW. The sweet spots for MPGs is about 42-45mph and about 60-62mph you can get 20+ mpg if you can sustain that speed for an extended period of time. I towed my 5th wheel down the 101 and I-5 in Washington, Oregon and California between 40 and about 60mph and I could easily average over 9mpg per tank.

A 7.3 DRW is more stable towing the same load than a SRW 6.7 with any gear ratio.

 

I appreciate the positive feedback. I know this setup is more of a unicorn, but gosh darn what a cool rig. I test drove a 24 Lariat the dealer has (they've had it for 6 months) (7,000 miles) and loved it. Too fancy, but almost the perfect rig.

 

Meh, it would be great for a slide in camper rig … but beyond that PSD makes more sense if you really do tow 15,000 on occasion. If you just haul donuts, buying a DRW is silly though.

and yes, I have owned and towed with both the 7.3 and PSD. Great trucks.

 

No it doesn’t.

 

Unless I was towing heavy trailers frequently I’d forego the hassle of a dually. And I know people will say “just park in the back are you lazy?” I have duallies in our fleet and yes I can park one and yes I can walk to the back of a parking lot. But unless I’m towing heavy a SRW truck is much nicer to get around in and they ride nicer when unloaded too.

on that same token; if I’m towing heavy enough frequently enough I too would go with a 6.7 for the same purpose. Just personal preference I know we’re all different though.

 

Oh.

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This does make the 7.3 DRW a red headed step child in this instance. It’s basically a payload king. Most people see a DRW and expect diesel.