I am following a 5th wheel pulled by a Chevy pickup doing about 40mph
and don't know if it was a diesel or not, going up the Alcan highway in BC in one of the smooth spots. Thank goodness it wasn't in the Yukon because there aren't many smooth roads. What I am driving is a 2002 F250SD CC 4x2 and am pulling a 2001 Montana Travel Trailer that weighs 9800lbs. After about 2hrs of this I just can't stand it anymore so I wind up my 7.3L and kick it down. I whip around the Chevy and fifth wheel and the turbo kicks in and I am really surprised how this thing will go.

Here I am pulling a 10000# trailer and I look down and I am doing 85mph and am still climbing. Scares the hell out of me, I never in my right mind ever imagined this thing would run like it does (stock). I immediately eased off the accelerator and slowed down to 60mph. This truck was built to work and I would never believed how much it wants to work. We travelled over 15,000 miles on this trip, mountains, mountains, mountains and more mountains and never had a complaint from this truck.

If I ever need more power I don't know when it will be. I'm retired and now just take my time. If you have a 7.3L don't ever sell it, it may be a classic and you'll never be able to replace it.

Cheers,
fknipfer1

 

wow 15,000 miles is alot! where all did you travel. yes, that is powerstroke power for ya!

 

Great post fknipfer1. That's the kind of stuff we 7.3 gearheads love to read.

 

Great Post!
There has never been, and there never will be another engine more loved and respected than the 7.3L. Even when I do buy another new truck, my '01 stays with me. You know the 6.0L owners ( that know better ) do envy us.
I wear a smile everytime I'm behind the wheel.

Austin

 

We started in Wichita Ks., went thru the Rockies in Denver and headed North, up thru Calagary, Alb, went to Dawson Creek and up thru White Horse, Yukon. The next leg was down to Haines from White Horse (really beautiful drive one of the best I have ever seen). Next leg from Haines to Anchorage, and then on to the Kenai *****ula clear down to Homer. The next leg was on to Denali Park and back to Kenai. Next Leg to Fairbanks and on to the Artic Circle. Back to Anchorage from Artic Circle to pickup kids. Left Anchorage and then went down to Washington to California on the coast. Los Angeles to Wichita direct on 40. Speedo when we left was 52215 and when we parked it in front of the house in Wichita it read 67542 so that totals out at 15,000 miles.
Fuel average pulling trailer 10mpg.
Fuel average without trailer 19.5mpg.

Really had a great trip and now am letting it rest for a couple of weeks before starting to plan another escapace.
fknipfer1

 

i wont give up my 7.3's till the epa wont let me on the road with it!!

picked up my new deere 6420 in bakersfield yesterday and able to fly up the grapevine at 75mph with about 18k behind me......nothing like the power of the 7.3

 

I'm impressed! Where are you going to use that Deere monster?

Pop

 

using it on the ranch, and at work getting the backhoe attachment for it. went through 10 gallons of water in the water injection trying to keep it under 1200degrees. had a buddy with me thats a die hard dodge guy, he didnt think it would be able to do it i had to prove him wrong......