7.3 Gasser in the Mountains
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 59
Likes: 33
From: Houston, TX
7.3 Gasser in the Mountains
We have a ‘23 F350 CC Dually with a 7.3 gasser. It carries a ‘24 Arctic Fox 1150. Fully loaded on the Cat scales it weighs very close to 14000 lbs.
We took it from Houston, TX, thru northern NM, AZ then up and down California on a 6+ week, 6300 mile road trip. The truck, engine and truck camper all performed very well. There are serious mountains in CA and the 7.3 handled them with ease.
When either going up or down the mountains i put the transmission in manual, which kept the rpms in the 2500 - 3500 range and provided plenty of torque going up and a “brake” while going downhill. I tried tow/haul mode several times and did not like the display as it covered up the tach.
Anyone on the bubble about gas vs diesel for hauling a truck camper can rest assured that the 7.3 gas has plenty of power while saving 700 lb for payload and $10-11K up front. If we were hauling a big 5th wheel i would pay the price for the diesel but for TCs the 7.3 is great.
We took it from Houston, TX, thru northern NM, AZ then up and down California on a 6+ week, 6300 mile road trip. The truck, engine and truck camper all performed very well. There are serious mountains in CA and the 7.3 handled them with ease.
When either going up or down the mountains i put the transmission in manual, which kept the rpms in the 2500 - 3500 range and provided plenty of torque going up and a “brake” while going downhill. I tried tow/haul mode several times and did not like the display as it covered up the tach.
Anyone on the bubble about gas vs diesel for hauling a truck camper can rest assured that the 7.3 gas has plenty of power while saving 700 lb for payload and $10-11K up front. If we were hauling a big 5th wheel i would pay the price for the diesel but for TCs the 7.3 is great.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 891
Likes: 565
From: End of the Rockies
Your MPG was at the top in the Official MPG thread. What was your open road/highway cruising speed?
I did 2,000 mile with average 8.5 MPG. That was at 70 open road speed with wind. My best was 10 MPG with no wind (unusual) at the same speed.
2020 7.3 CC SB SRW
I did 2,000 mile with average 8.5 MPG. That was at 70 open road speed with wind. My best was 10 MPG with no wind (unusual) at the same speed.
2020 7.3 CC SB SRW
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 698
From: Minnesota
The open areas of the plains states are a killer for wind; and poor fuel mileage.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 2,416
From: Everywhere and nowhere
That's the truth. I drove across North Dakota into a 40mph headwind and got 5.9mpg towing my 5th wheel. I was hoping the return trip would be a 40mph tailwind but nope. Come back across I had a 25mph headwind and got 6.2mpg.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,951
Likes: 2,658
From: The Great State of Texas
OBS... Did you ever get your frame fixed?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 2,416
From: Everywhere and nowhere
I took it into an RV shop and they looked and said there's nothing that can be done so insurance had to total it because it can't be safely towed.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,951
Likes: 2,658
From: The Great State of Texas
That sux... Reason my current camper is a conventional, but sure do miss towing a 5th.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
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From: Everywhere and nowhere
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,951
Likes: 2,658
From: The Great State of Texas
Towing a 5th wheel is a way more relaxed experience but with a DRW towing a conventional isnt bad as long as it's loaded properly. I tow 10k with just a ball no WDH. I'm going to keep my DRW because it's paid for and I can tow anything I'd ever need to tow with it but it is getting A LOT less miles put on it now that the 5th wheel is gone. I have taken a few road trips with it because it is more comfortable with a wife and 2 dogs than a regular cab OBS but I love driving my OBS so when it's just me or me and 1 dog I still drive it. The crank seal on my 7.3 is holding up 10k miles later and the pump seal in my transmission is also still good. Just sad that my 2022 has had more issues in 45k miles than my 95 has had in 120k.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
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From: Everywhere and nowhere
To me a 2wd is useless unless its a DRW. It looks like it's in good shape but something like that is just a parts truck to me. If I saw a 4wd like that I'd jump on it too.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,350
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From: SW VA
I made due with a 2WD Dodge 3500 for several years, but always had a '78 F150 4WD for the snow.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
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From: Everywhere and nowhere
I woulda jumped on that. I have a ZF5/1356 and a D60 sitting out back just waiting for a swap. Too bad it's a shortbed though...that's almost the deal killer for me. 2WD is OK for a spare truck...although it will get stuck in some gravel driveways around here.
I made due with a 2WD Dodge 3500 for several years, but always had a '78 F150 4WD for the snow.
I made due with a 2WD Dodge 3500 for several years, but always had a '78 F150 4WD for the snow.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 168
Likes: 153
As someone that has lived at 9,250ft for 20 years, my rule of thumb that basically holds for any non-turbo gas engine:
Above 7,000 feet, reduce GCWR by 30%
As long as you hold to that rule, the 7.3 gets the job done easily. I haul a truck camper as well as a utility trailer with loads up to half of GCWR and elevation as high as 12,000 ft., with no problem.
Our county road & bridge department has an F-550 7.3 that they basically hate, but that's because they're loading it way beyond 70% of GCWR. A non-turbo engine has no way to handle the reduced oxygen per revolution at altitude, it can only run more RPMs until it's out of RPMs.
Above 7,000 feet, reduce GCWR by 30%
As long as you hold to that rule, the 7.3 gets the job done easily. I haul a truck camper as well as a utility trailer with loads up to half of GCWR and elevation as high as 12,000 ft., with no problem.
Our county road & bridge department has an F-550 7.3 that they basically hate, but that's because they're loading it way beyond 70% of GCWR. A non-turbo engine has no way to handle the reduced oxygen per revolution at altitude, it can only run more RPMs until it's out of RPMs.