Thoughts on the 7.3l, especially towing.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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Thoughts on the 7.3l, especially towing.
Ok so i want to hear your opinions. Im looking at trading in my 2008 F350 6.4L for something new. Possibly a 2019/2020. I bought my 6.4l because i tow a 37'+ camper that weighs around 12k lbs. We will be upgrading to 40' @ 14k lbs within the year. I have been looking at another diesel, but have started to ponder the idea of looking at the new 7.3 gas motor. We like to take long trips, and being in the northeast we have our share of hills to climb. Does anyone have experience with the 7.3? Should i even consider the gas?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 727
From: Calgary Canada
My general advice for this question is if you can afford the diesel, and you liked your previous diesel, then get the diesel, and you'll be happy again. Gas engines just drive different. the 7.3L Gas engine is rated at 430hp/470tq, while the current 6.7L Diesel is rated at 475 hp / 1050 tq. It's not even close on the torque.
Now, I am certain that both the gas engines will tug that load just fine, but you'll go up the hills a little slower and louder and have to refuel more often. That's a good trade-off for a lot of people, and you'll save a few bucks, which will buy a lot of fuel.
The question is less about which engine will "do the work" and more about your feelings, opinion, and pocketbook.
Now, I am certain that both the gas engines will tug that load just fine, but you'll go up the hills a little slower and louder and have to refuel more often. That's a good trade-off for a lot of people, and you'll save a few bucks, which will buy a lot of fuel.
The question is less about which engine will "do the work" and more about your feelings, opinion, and pocketbook.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Many people have no difficulty nor issues with cruising down the highway in a gasser at 4000 RPM. I know it will not hurt the engine, but I just do not like it. If it does not bother you, then maybe you do not need a diesel.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2018
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I'm looking at taking plunge into a 7.3 myself. Some points that have convinced me.
My dad has a 19 6.7, I have an 05 v10. Per mile cost of fuel, basic maintenance, and such over 10,000 miles are cost are within $100.
initial purchase cost is 12000 cheaper by time you include other options of diesel.
repair cost. I'm a diesel mechanic by trade, with cost of def, dpf, and injectors, I could replace 7.3 after 200,000 miles and still come out ahead of diesel cost.
My truck also isnt a daily driver. Looming at hp and torque can be misleading. My v10 will out pull my previous 7.3 and 6.0 I have driven. Yes new diesel will outrun it, but you pay alot extra for 5mph faster up a hill. V10 will pull at speed limit, feedback I've seen on 7.3 seems to be the same.
My dad has a 19 6.7, I have an 05 v10. Per mile cost of fuel, basic maintenance, and such over 10,000 miles are cost are within $100.
initial purchase cost is 12000 cheaper by time you include other options of diesel.
repair cost. I'm a diesel mechanic by trade, with cost of def, dpf, and injectors, I could replace 7.3 after 200,000 miles and still come out ahead of diesel cost.
My truck also isnt a daily driver. Looming at hp and torque can be misleading. My v10 will out pull my previous 7.3 and 6.0 I have driven. Yes new diesel will outrun it, but you pay alot extra for 5mph faster up a hill. V10 will pull at speed limit, feedback I've seen on 7.3 seems to be the same.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Now the V10 pulls great, not saying that it does not. But any of the diesels pull better.
One thing to remember about the V10 versus the current 7.3 gasser, the V10 puts out maximum torque at around 2500 RPM. The new 7.3 is around 4000 RPM.
As I said before, many people do not mind running down the highway with the engine turning 4000 RPM. But is bothers me.
The issue, at least for me, is not speed, it is drama.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 405
Likes: 212
From: Texas
Ok so i want to hear your opinions. Im looking at trading in my 2008 F350 6.4L for something new. Possibly a 2019/2020. I bought my 6.4l because i tow a 37'+ camper that weighs around 12k lbs. We will be upgrading to 40' @ 14k lbs within the year. I have been looking at another diesel, but have started to ponder the idea of looking at the new 7.3 gas motor. We like to take long trips, and being in the northeast we have our share of hills to climb. Does anyone have experience with the 7.3? Should i even consider the gas?
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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Long trips. How often? If you are towing often and going long distances, go diesel.
Couple trips a year? Gas.
JMO. YMMV
Couple trips a year? Gas.
JMO. YMMV
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,425
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From: Minnesota
I think the 4,000 RPM claim for a gasser is a bit of an exaggeration. We tow a 11.5K fifth wheel with our 6.2 and spend 90% of the time between 2,000 and 2,800 RPM. Average is likely right around 2,500. The 7.3 should be even less.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2020
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Agreed. I buy diesels because I prefer not to run down the highway at 3000 RPM to 4000 RPM. Even my old 2001 7.3L PS with a 4R100 4 speed auto could pull my 11,000 lbs. trailer up the slopes of the Arbuckle Mountains in Southern OK at 2000 RPM and never downshift. Alright, the Arbuckle "Mountains" to most people would be "rolling hills". Not much of a challenge. But still. I call it "Set and Forget" driving. Set the cruise at 65 MPH and forget it. No drama.
Many people have no difficulty nor issues with cruising down the highway in a gasser at 4000 RPM. I know it will not hurt the engine, but I just do not like it. If it does not bother you, then maybe you do not need a diesel.
Many people have no difficulty nor issues with cruising down the highway in a gasser at 4000 RPM. I know it will not hurt the engine, but I just do not like it. If it does not bother you, then maybe you do not need a diesel.
Which , when is loaded to the F-ing gills is 13.5K, will Cruise down the highway in 5th around 60 something mph at 1900 rpm's no problem. I have hand calculated between8.5/8.8 mpg's with tons of power to spare. The 7.3/10 speed is proving to be far superior to the 6.2/6 speed, and if you get 4.30's , it will pull 14K easily.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Did I say you personally?
Did I say for an entire 2000 mile trip?
Over the years, this board has been full of stories by people who run 4000 RPMs, some for extended periods of time.
I personally have experience with the truck downshifting and the engine revving up to 4000 rpm when running down the highway at 65 MPH to 70 MPH and encountering a slight/medium grade.
And yes, if you slow way down your RPMs go down. But speed limits around here are 70 MPH in town. 75 MPH to 80 MPH in rural areas. And just about everybody juices that 5 MPH or so. Going to slow is dangerous.
I doubt seriously that you are only pulling 1900 RPM if you run 70 MPH in hilly country,
But I will correct myself. I prefer not to have the engine revving to 4000 RPMs, even for brief periods. And I prefer not to run 55 MPH to 60 MPH on the freeways.
And as I said before, this is simply my preference. There are tons of big gasser trucks sold everyday. Someone is buying them.
Did I say for an entire 2000 mile trip?
Over the years, this board has been full of stories by people who run 4000 RPMs, some for extended periods of time.
I personally have experience with the truck downshifting and the engine revving up to 4000 rpm when running down the highway at 65 MPH to 70 MPH and encountering a slight/medium grade.
And yes, if you slow way down your RPMs go down. But speed limits around here are 70 MPH in town. 75 MPH to 80 MPH in rural areas. And just about everybody juices that 5 MPH or so. Going to slow is dangerous.
I doubt seriously that you are only pulling 1900 RPM if you run 70 MPH in hilly country,
But I will correct myself. I prefer not to have the engine revving to 4000 RPMs, even for brief periods. And I prefer not to run 55 MPH to 60 MPH on the freeways.
And as I said before, this is simply my preference. There are tons of big gasser trucks sold everyday. Someone is buying them.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 373
I would consider it and test drive a couple. Be really good to find someone who'll let you ride shotgun as they tow something in the 5-7 ton range.
Really like how my 2002 diesel 3/4 ton tows and plan to keep it as long as I can. Just can't get excited about the new diesels. Massive power aside, considering gas and diesel prices along with price tag of the 6.7 there is little or no financial benefit of a new diesel in the light duty class. And they seem to be going through the "awkward teenage years" of trying to meet the new EPA laws.
In medium duty and above, I would likely stay diesel. In light duty, the 7.3 is worth considering. Plus, if you got a 7.3 and didn't like it, you can always trade it for a 6.7. Lot of people change cars/trucks like underwear.
Really like how my 2002 diesel 3/4 ton tows and plan to keep it as long as I can. Just can't get excited about the new diesels. Massive power aside, considering gas and diesel prices along with price tag of the 6.7 there is little or no financial benefit of a new diesel in the light duty class. And they seem to be going through the "awkward teenage years" of trying to meet the new EPA laws.
In medium duty and above, I would likely stay diesel. In light duty, the 7.3 is worth considering. Plus, if you got a 7.3 and didn't like it, you can always trade it for a 6.7. Lot of people change cars/trucks like underwear.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Following up on this thought. TFL Truck conducted a towing test up the Ike Gauntlet on both the 7.3 with the 10 speed and the 2018 6.7 with the 6 speed.
Admittedly pretty steep at 7% grade and 8 miles long.
Speed limit on that stretch of highway is 60 MPH. Both trucks were pulling 12.k to 13k trailers.
The 7.3 ran in 4th gear at 4000 RPM to 4500 RPM.
The 6.7 ran in the 2500 RPM range.
Once again, entirely personal choice. The 7.3 will run for thousands and thousand of miles at 4000 RPMs.
But I personally, prefer the serenity of 2500 RPMs.
But I also have owned three AMC Pacers, a Dodge Omni and an Olds Omega X-Car. And I just bought my second Fiat. So why you should listen to me, I cannot say.
Admittedly pretty steep at 7% grade and 8 miles long.
Speed limit on that stretch of highway is 60 MPH. Both trucks were pulling 12.k to 13k trailers.
The 7.3 ran in 4th gear at 4000 RPM to 4500 RPM.
The 6.7 ran in the 2500 RPM range.
Once again, entirely personal choice. The 7.3 will run for thousands and thousand of miles at 4000 RPMs.
But I personally, prefer the serenity of 2500 RPMs.
But I also have owned three AMC Pacers, a Dodge Omni and an Olds Omega X-Car. And I just bought my second Fiat. So why you should listen to me, I cannot say.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
These things have a few more gear choices these days.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Lost in the Ozone....
Cheers.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 405
Likes: 212
From: Texas
Not sure if others have experienced the same thing while towing with the 7.3/10sp combo, but I do not like it when you hit a modest uphill section and the transmission shifts from maybe 9th, to 7th and then all the way to 4th in a matter of seconds. This does run the rpms up higher than I prefer for about 10 seconds before it up-shifts again. My gut tells me 5th or even 6th would have sufficed with plenty of power and kept the rpms below 3000-3500. I think the programming needs some tweaking to get it to pick the appropriate gear. On my last trip I was able to avoid some of that by momentarily locking out the upper gears and forcing it into 6th or 5th when I approached a hill that I thought would cause an aggressive downshift. This is not something I want to do regularly, it should be automatic. Maybe Ford will address it in the near future. On my next trip out I am going to try to see if there is a smoother transition using the normal mode as opposed to tow/haul since my load is reasonably light <7,000lbs. Let me know if any of you have a solution short of a 3rd party tuning which I have no intention to do, at least not yet.