Any Regrets w/7.3

[J Money]

Hello 7.3 owners. I’ve been on the hunt for trucks, no dice.

I possibly found a 7.3 but dismissed it right away as I had a diesel burned into my brain. I’ve read a lot about the topic now... gas vs. diesel pros and cons.

Let me tell you... I’ve been reading, watching videos (TFL and More), and began to really sell my self on the 7.3. Saving 800 lbs over the front end would make it WAY better in the dirt with a Carlis Kit. Off-roading is something we do around here.

I can certainly walk out the door with a 7.3 for less, maybe find one. But also... I’m liking the idea of simplicity, big cubes, serves my purpose (up to a point).

MPG is a concern, ONLY because the fuel tanks’s size. My wife has a 2020 Expedition and we have to fuel up ALL the time when towing. Almost scary.

Current trailer loaded is probably around 8K. But the purpose of this truck is to maybe step up to a 5th wheel when the time is right. I’d want to keep the trailer smaller but we’re still talking 10K dry (that’s a very favorable scenario).

Here’s and example... we live in SoCal and I’d live to be able to tow out to Texas to see family. I’m not sure the 7.3 is the rig to do this?

If it wasn’t for the range... I think I sold myself on the benefits of the 7.3. Remember... I said I live in a communist state so can’t really get a bigger fuel tank here.

I’d be leaving my 2019 Raptor but to be honest... having a simple pushrod V8 and V8 noise would probably bring a new level of joy to me.

Just concerned about the fuel. I carry an extra 10 gallons in my truck now but to be honest if I had to use that I’m already pulling off the highway to a gas station.

Any real world feedback on range towing? Also... Our current travel trailer is only 24’ and I love it, but it does suck that we can’t move up. I’d hate to drop 70K and then be upset if we got a smoking deal on a 5er and had to pass it up.

Sincerest thanks!

 

[Chris21667]

so i am team diesel ... i towed a 18 ft trailer with a 4.5k lb jeep and with a full tank a diesel and all gear i was at 16k lbs truck and trailer and gear with jeep .... towed from maryland to Utah and honestly it was great ... never had to worry about fuel or running out... also avg 14.5 mpg on the road the whole trip was 5400 miles and i le the di the rocky was easily ... a cake walk for the truck ... loved it ... and it sold me on buying the truck for me

 

[Driftwood]

11k miles on this 7.3L big block 445 cubic inch monster and loving it!

I came from a 2018 Raptor. I had no desire or need for Diesel. I don't tow but do like to off road adventure so I didn't want the extra heavy Diesel either.

The 7.3L is such a well designed and simple engine. Ford went back to the basics on this engine, and nailed it.

 

[thevol]

I get 8.5mpg towing a 32ft camper that weighs around 8k loaded plus another 1-2k in gear and passengers... it tows this load easily. You can do the math but the range is going to be better on the diesel no doubt. You would prob get around 11 mpg with a diesel and my load load as thats what my Cummins got. A 48gal tank would be optimal for the 7.3l but only available on the long bed which is a no go with Tremor.

 

[optx002]

The diesel sure is nice when towing. I have a 13k 5th wheel and you barely notice it behind you. I get 20mpg empty and 12.5 avg towing. Thats driving the mountains in colorado, utah, etc. Depends how often you are going to tow the 5th wheel also. The 7.3L does sound like its a very capable engine and with the new superchargers around, it can be made to be quite fun. If you only tow heavy a few times a year it might not make sense for the diesel. The 7.3L should be fine for the smaller trailer, but you may only notice a difference when you pull a heavier 5th wheel. It should still be able to pull the 5th wheel but the diesel will have its useful moments there. Tough choice.

 

[ECHO-24]

I sold my 6.7 PS to buy the 7.3 gas.
I did not have much luck with the diesel because of the emissions crap on them.

 

[2020Tremor]

I am very happy with my decision on the 7.3L. Has plenty of pulling power in that weight class even in the mountains.

Realistically you are going to be around 225 to 300 mile range or ~3 to 4 hours of drive time at 70 depending on winds and passes with 10K ish trailer. If pushing faster it is going to be less. A bigger tank would be nice but not a deal breaker for me.

Listed Max towing is not to far between the 6.7L and 7.3L (21,900 vs 20,000) in the F350 variant. With most 5ers limiting factor is going to be pin weight not max trailer weight. For that case the 7.3L will allow a little bigger trailer since it can take more weight (~500lbs) before going over the white DOT payload sticker in 350 varieties. In the 250 varieties that is a non issue since the Tremor GVWR is 800lbs higher on the diesel negating most of the loss of payload due to the extra engine and emissions weight. Please don’t take it as I am saying that the 7.3L will out tow the 6.7L just that the extra payload in F350 allows more pin weight before overloading the rear axle/tires.

 

[MichiganBeast]

It would have been nice to have a 40ish gallan tank on a truck so big.

 

[GaryDE]

There might be aftermarket solutions to add addition fuel capacity.

 

[2020Tremor]

There might be aftermarket solutions to add addition fuel capacity.

I have yet to find a bigger tank for the gas versions but there are larger aftermarket tanks available for the diesels. You could always add a slip tank in the box though just can’t gravity feed the main tank like a diesel.

 

[J Money]

I maybe found a deal on a Platinum Tremor w/7.3.

Jumping into it with 8K less is nice, also not needing to buy a maintenance plan/ESP which WILL ROI on the diesel.

I know the Gas will be nice off-road.

I think this is a dumb question... a 5 Start tune on a 7.3 will void the warranty just like anything else right?

I’m also considering the potential lower resale value of gas (sorry guys). However the simplicity of the 7.3 is appealing.

I also found another Tremor w/Diesel. I think both dealerships will now honor X Plan.

Now the choices are difficult.

The gas is a Platinum, the Diesel is a loaded Lariat.

So now it’s Gas vs. Diesel.

It doesn’t seem like there’s many 7.3 bolt ons beyond Exhaust, CAI, and Tune. The warranty of the tuner is concerning.

Also, anybody know what the potential service life of the 7.3 is? I’ve become fascinated with this option over the past day or two. Fuel capacity sucks but I’m not too far off than I am today.

 

[Trämör]

This is kinda all over the place. It’s like you’re looking for a do-it-all truck but then you’re wondering between those do-it-all’s which one does more...
In terms of rational choice and tie-breaking your dilemma, I’d ask myself what do you do most of over the lifetime of this truck or even just generally. Spend a ton of time off-roading? Go 7.3L. Tow all the time? Go diesel. Drive around short distance and on/off? Gasoline. Love mpg and range for road trips without towing? Diesel.
Man - you gotta figure out your needs first before being able to find your argument.

 

[2020Tremor]

I maybe found a deal on a Platinum Tremor w/7.3.

Jumping into it with 8K less is nice, also not needing to buy a maintenance plan/ESP which WILL ROI on the diesel.

I know the Gas will be nice off-road.

I think this is a dumb question... a 5 Start tune on a 7.3 will void the warranty just like anything else right?

I’m also considering the potential lower resale value of gas (sorry guys). However the simplicity of the 7.3 is appealing.

I also found another Tremor w/Diesel. I think both dealerships will now honor X Plan.

Now the choices are difficult.

The gas is a Platinum, the Diesel is a loaded Lariat.

So now it’s Gas vs. Diesel.

It doesn’t seem like there’s many 7.3 bolt ons beyond Exhaust, CAI, and Tune. The warranty of the tuner is concerning.

Also, anybody know what the potential service life of the 7.3 is? I’ve become fascinated with this option over the past day or two. Fuel capacity sucks but I’m not too far off than I am today.

I read read in the initial press release that Ford was shooting for around a 300K rebuild interval for the fleet market. It is going to be a while before we actually see what the service life really is since has only been out a year.

As far as resale in my opinion going to depend on reliability of the 7.3L and how long you plan on keeping it. That is going to be a gamble either way sine the 6.7L saw a new turbo and increased fuel pressure that if don’t have a long serviceable life could effect resale on it as well. If short term ownership and selling still under warranty the 6.7L is probably the safer choice for max resale but not a certainty.

Good luck in your choice.

 

[TxTremor]

The question is how often will you be towing? I went through the debate of the 6.7 or 7.3 and chose the 7.3. Would I like to see a little higher MPG sure, who wouldn’t, but in all honesty I’m not going to drive 600 miles straight anyways. I stop every few hours to get out and let the kids out so while having the range would be nice I am stopping anyways so filling up or not takes the same amount of time. You have to decide what you want because everyone will have a reason why the gas is better or diesel is better. For me I don’t have the work for the diesel, travel many miles, or tow heavy often. So the gas made more sense and I plan to keep this truck long term and the simplicity of the 7.3 was clear over the 6.7. Short term under warranty the 6.7 might not be a bad choice however if you plan to hold this truck long term, say 10 years, the diesel would worry me with all the emissions.

 

[7.3Tremor]

I have 2019 6.7 for towing and the 7.3 for off-road. I like driving the 7.3 better. We stop every couple hundred miles when traveling anyway so fuel is not a big concern. Mileage is 11 in the 7.3. My 6.7 with 4:10 is 13 so it’s not much of a difference.

 

[TxTremor]

Another thing to keep in mind is regardless of gas or diesel is the truck platform itself. You’re maxed out on the expedition or raptor, while on the super duty you’re looking at being around 50% of its listed capacity. So just moving to a heavy duty pickup made for hauling is going to make a world of difference right there.

I had a tundra and f250 at the same time at one point and 5k on the tundra you noticed it. Same load on the f250 barely knew anything was there, both gas engines and the Ford did better towing mpg because it was much more stable. Just something to consider as well, it’s not all about the engine.

 

[Cococounty]

I agree everyone should get a 7.3 so it will lower diesel truck prices for me ?

 

[Bmhtremor]

The short of it in my opinion is this.
If you tow most of the time and it's over 10,000 then get a diesel. If you tow ever so often get a 7.3. I had a diesel power stroke prior to buying my 7.3 zilla. The diesels can be problematic and when they have issues it's expensive, believe me. Push rod is tried and true. Could a 7.3 have an issue, sure but it won't be the costs of repairing a diesel. If you average the cost of diesel fuel and the mileage you get and compare it to the cost of gas and mileage it's pretty much a wash. Take the cost savings (9,000) and make the truck your own. Lift, tires ECT...

 

[Outnumbered]

So I went back and forth as well.... It will be my daily driver and will do lots of short trips around town with monthly camping trips (no more than 10k lbs) and off roading. Ultimately I did price comparisons on initial investment plus the miles I will likely put on it to in a year with current fuel prices (taking into account the better MPG the diesel has). For me it made more sense to go with the 7.3, I won’t put enough miles on it in a year towing or not to make up for the higher fuel cost and initial investment (10+ yrs).

 

[WildWest]

I have a 2021 F350 7.3l Tremor Lariat loaded with most options. Payload capacity is 3751lbs. I tow a GD 311bhs 5er easily with no issues up and down the rockys and Sierra Nevada mountains. Pin weight is 2400lbs 37 footer. The downside is the gas mileage but I can usually go about 3hrs between fill-ups when pulling which is fine with me because that’s when I’m due for a break and stretch anyways. So no regrets for me with the 7.3l.