7.3 gas or 6.7 diesel?

[BSLE1208]

I'm new here and getting close to pulling the trigger on ordering a Tremor but struggling between 7.3 gas or 6.7 diesel. I don't do a lot of towing but we do have a camper that is 7,000 pounds that we use in the summer. For those of you that have the 7.3 gas, how does it handle towing 7,000 + pounds? Do you ever wish you would have bought the diesel? Wondering if the $10K more for the diesel is necessary for pulling my camper 10 times per year. thanks

 

[Bones]

The age old question that has been debated here several times - and I don’t think there is a 100% right answer (I went diesel and sometimes I think I was wrong) I think it really comes down to more towing (diesel) or off roading (gasser).

 

[WA-TREMOR]

The age old question that has been debated here several times - and I don’t think there is a 100% right answer (I went diesel and sometimes I think I was wrong) I think it really comes down to more towing (diesel) or off roading (gasser).

If you don’t mind pay the extra 10K go diesel, better towing, life of the motor, and resale if you ever plan on trading or selling

 

[rhines81]

7K is fairly light for these trucks, even if you went for the 6.2L gasser. You'll be fine. Ask yourself if you really need to deal with a diesel (fuel not available at many gas stations - at least near me without going out of the way), extra maintenance, regen cycles, etc.... sounds to me you can probably even get a F-150 with a tow package and be fine.

 

[Iron Man]

I'm new here and getting close to pulling the trigger on ordering a Tremor but struggling between 7.3 gas or 6.7 diesel. I don't do a lot of towing but we do have a camper that is 7,000 pounds that we use in the summer. For those of you that have the 7.3 gas, how does it handle towing 7,000 + pounds? Do you ever wish you would have bought the diesel? Wondering if the $10K more for the diesel is necessary for pulling my camper 10 times per year. thanks

I don’t have an RV yet and I’m so PROUD TO SAY.

 

[Cococounty]

I’m diesel all the way love the mpg and the power

 

[PapaRaptor]

Both!!!!

 

[PapaRaptor]

I'm new here and getting close to pulling the trigger on ordering a Tremor but struggling between 7.3 gas or 6.7 diesel. I don't do a lot of towing but we do have a camper that is 7,000 pounds that we use in the summer. For those of you that have the 7.3 gas, how does it handle towing 7,000 + pounds? Do you ever wish you would have bought the diesel? Wondering if the $10K more for the diesel is necessary for pulling my camper 10 times per year. thanks

The Super Duty trucks drive big. Thats why I kept my Raptor Trust me its nicer to drive around in a loaded F150, its comfy and easy. 7,000.00 is no problem

 

[Mike Alcocer]

Diesel is 2 seconds faster in quarter mile. Better fuel mileage. Better towing. Gets more chicks.

Only thing the gas motor has is it's lighter and costs less.

 

[Cropgun]

I don't own a trailer or camper of any kind. Bought a diesel. Camper is in the long term plans but who knows if that will ever pan out.

I tend to keep vehicles a long time. I figured an aluminum truck with a diesel engine should last me 20 years or more.

Not that a gasser wouldn't last. But diesel is king of longevity and who knows what life may bring.

I'm in the "buy once cry once" camp.

 

[ECHO-24]

Gasser, unless you are worried about a small shoe size.

 

[Briski]

If your towing much, the diesel is the option especially at altitude like Colorado. Gasser struggle at 11,000 ft in the mountains.

 

[ECHO-24]

Gasser, unless you are worried about a small shoe size.

I went from a 6.7 PS to a gasser, it is perfect for me, I don't tow everyday, when I do its a max of 15K, and that's a short distance, under 100 miles.
If I towed a lot, I would have kept my diesel, but the light duty stuff I used it for killed it because the emissions crap.
I don't have a need to flex my shoe size, so the 7.3 is perfect! lol
See how I tossed the gernade into the room there?!! LOL

 

[Jrod250]

After my last 3 trucks being diesel, I went with the 7.3 this time. I do tow a 16k toy hauler 4-5 times a year and only one of those trips is over 100 miles. I know it won’t tow like the diesels did, but I just didn’t want to spend the extra cash again for the little towing. Plus I only put around 6k miles on my truck a year. Most my trips are 1-5 miles, which isn’t great for diesels.

 

[Raspy]

None of the answers address the questions of reliability, cost of repairs or difficulty of working on the diesel. Take a careful look at the issues related to the emissions equipment, and Ford's history with diesels. Understand that a lot of repairs require lifting the cab off the truck and likely can only be done at a Ford dealer. How far will the nearest dealer be when you are on a trip?

Everybody wants more torque and better mileage. Of course, we all do.

The only reason I seriously considered a Tremor was because of the 7.3. The rest of the truck is great, but the diesel was an absolute no. Period. No way. And I'm a diesel guy. I have been for a very long time. Love them. But there is no way I would, at this point, buy a Powerstroke. So, all of these reasons like "better to pick up chicks", "its got 1050 ft lbs of torque", and "I need it to pull my camp trailer twice a year", just make me laugh. If you want it, get it. It's as simple as that.

If you get one, I suggest getting a very good warrantee and not keeping it beyond the end of that warrantee. Make sure the included towing will get you to a dealer, and not just a shop who cannot get the cab off. And make sure the warrantee covers the DPF. It is a filter and may not be covered. If you tune it or delete it, your warrantee is probably void. If you get a load of bad fuel, you will not be covered, and replacing the injection pump and injectors will probably cost more than a whole new 7.3 crate engine ready to run. And you already spent $9,000. extra to get the diesel in the first place. But yours will probably never have a problem.

If you sell it in good running condition, it may bring a higher resale than the 7.3. Who knows?. I don't buy my vehicles to resell, but if you do, remember you paid $9,000. extra to get it in the first place, and much more to maintain it all the time you had it, so it better sell for more.

Get whichever one you want. It's great to have choices. But saying you have to get the 6.7 because the 7.3 won't pull your travel trailer, is ridiculous. Try telling that to the guy with the F650 dump truck, powered by a 7.3.

 

[Raspy]

I don't own a trailer or camper of any kind. Bought a diesel. Camper is in the long term plans but who knows if that will ever pan out.

I tend to keep vehicles a long time. I figured an aluminum truck with a diesel engine should last me 20 years or more.

Not that a gasser wouldn't last. But diesel is king of longevity and who knows what life may bring.

I'm in the "buy once cry once" camp.

It seems like a significant leap of faith to say the recently redesigned 6.7 Powerstroke, with its complicated and very expensive exhaust system, regens, DEF injection, and EGR system, will last for twenty years or more. That is what we expect from a Cummins 5.9, or an International 7.3 diesel. I guess we'll know in 20 more years.

 

[Bravo Whiskey]

My last two trucks were 6.7 diesel powered, that being said, my new Tremor is a 7.3. The 7.3 will absolutely handle your situation. I fall in the category of never buying another Powertsroke. The repair bills on a modern diesel are shocking. If you must have the power of a diesel, buy the extended warranty.

 

[TxTremor]

I went through the same thought myself, 6.7 or 7.3, and I ended up with the 7.3. I will be towing a handful of time a year around 6k-8k lbs or so, plus I don't put on a ton of miles, under 10K miles/year. For me I felt the 7.3 would do all that I needed out of the truck and just didn't want to spend the upfront cost to getting a diesel. Now, I own and operate a number of heavy equipment that range from tier 3 to FT4 engines so I know understand the positives and negatives of diesel engines. Yes the 6.7 has more power, can get better mileage, and will provide a higher trade in value over the gas engine but you are paying for all that. For the extra $8k you should get more power, better mile, and higher residual value, I mean who would pay that premium if it was only marginally better or the same?

Now longevity is the question, diesel has had a reputation of lasting longer, however I am not so sure how that will hold up with these new engines, plus I have seen V10 fords last for years with little maintenance. Personally I would be cautious to own a used modern diesel engine with over 100,000 miles, mostly due to the new emission systems. In my line of work many guys are moving to lease programs for new equipment due to the cost, it make no sense to buy these new machine out right any longer. So basically you get a 3-4 year lease covered under warranty and then roll over to a new machine at the end. These new engine with emissions can take a lot of money to maintain and keep running long term. If I remember correctly for the cost to replace some components on a diesel, turbo, fuel system, or def system, comes close to the same cost to replace the entire 7.3 engine.

When comparing gas to diesel its not the same comparison it was 15 years ago, and more specifically the 6.7 to the 7.3. The 7.3 actually develops a lot of its torque at low RPM not red line like other gas engines. So in a way the 7.3 is a little like to 6.7 in it develops its power at a lower RPM which helps when towing. Not saying they are alike but just remember the 7.3 is a new engine and not designed like the 6.2. We don't know about the reliability, resale, or longevity of the 7.3, only time will tell, but it does look promising, plus the simplicity of the engine is great.

Tow a lot or put on a ton of miles the diesel makes sense. Tow some, drive some, and plan to own the truck short term you could go either way. Looking to keep the truck long term and don't tow much or heavy I would almost lean towards the 7.3 on this one. In the end it is your time and money so spend it on what makes you happy and works for you. Both are pretty good options just need to decide which one fits your situation best.

 

[Jrod250]

These gas/diesel threads remind me of the Jeep forums. Rubicon vs sport vs Sahara

 

[Jay D]

I don't own a trailer or camper of any kind. Bought a diesel. Camper is in the long term plans but who knows if that will ever pan out.

I tend to keep vehicles a long time. I figured an aluminum truck with a diesel engine should last me 20 years or more.

Not that a gasser wouldn't last. But diesel is king of longevity and who knows what life may bring.

I'm in the "buy once cry once" camp.

I too have a diesel (21 F250 Tremor), but unfortunately I have to disagree. with all the emissions they require on a diesel these days, a modern gasser is likely to outlast a modern diesel. Sad but True.