Ford's new 7.3 gas engine is undoubtedly a solid performer, but will it have you stopping for gas frequently when you're towing heavy loads with it?
Answering the Question
Ford's decision to build a new, big-cubic-inch, iron block 7.3-liter gas engine for use in the Super Duty was both shocking and exciting for truck fans. And its unsurprisingly been a popular option so far for those who don't really need a diesel, yet want to be able to tow heavy loads every now and then. The one big question most have had, however, is how does towing affect fuel economy with this new engine? And now we can answer that query, thanks to a recent test from PickupTrucks.com.
Photos: Ford
Test Parameters
The test involved a 2020 F-250 Lariat equipped with a 4.30 final drive ratio on a 60-mile test loop. Pickup Trucks tested the Super Duty both with and without a trailer that weighed 12,500 pounds with a 1,300-pound tongue weight. There were also around 100 pounds of additional equipment in the truck, but the tester tried to keep it as light as possible for the initial run.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about checking out the MPG of the Super Duty's 7.3-liter engine right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Comfy Experience
The loop also consisted of a variety of grades and surfaces, starting at an elevation of 4,500 feet before dipping to 1,000 and peaking at 5,400. Our tester noted that when driving without a trailer, the F-250 proved to be a smooth ride, and the flat torque curve of the engine combined with the smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic was quite a comfortable experience.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about checking out the MPG of the Super Duty's 7.3-liter engine right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Load It Up
Over the 58.8-mile course, the truck consumed 3.954 gallons of gas unloaded, which comes out to a calculated 14.87 mpg. The truck's computer read 14.9 mpg, which is spot on. So the next step was to find out what an additional 12,500 pounds would do to that number, a bit under the truck's maximum conventional tow rating of 15,000 pounds.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about checking out the MPG of the Super Duty's 7.3-liter engine right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Plenty of Torque
That experience proved to be pretty smooth as well, according to our tester. "While it was obvious there was a trailer behind the truck with that amount of weight, I couldn’t help but think that the truck could handle significantly more than what I was towing," he said. "There was never a point where the truck was traveling more than 3 mph slower than the set cruise control speed, which is a testament to how much torque the engine really has."
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about checking out the MPG of the Super Duty's 7.3-liter engine right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Get 'Er Done
While pulling the heavy trailer, the F-250 consumed 7.004 gallons of gas for a calculated fuel economy of 8.4 mpg. The computer read 8.2 mpg. Which is obviously a lot less than our unloaded figure, but plenty respectable for a gas engine pulling such a heavy load. Clearly, if you tow trailers this heavy frequently, a diesel might be the better choice. But the gasser is certainly capable of getting the job done.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about checking out the MPG of the Super Duty's 7.3-liter engine right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Mission Accomplished
"I found this engine to be an excellent choice when towing more than 10,000 pounds but less than 18,000 pounds," our tester concluded. "It controls the load much better than half-ton trucks but is limited on power when pushing heavier weights. For those not putting many miles on their trucks and not towing over 18,000 pounds, Ford’s gas 7.3-liter V-8 might be the best option." And that's exactly why Ford built this new powerhouse in the first place.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about checking out the MPG of the Super Duty's 7.3-liter engine right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
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