Real towing numbers 6.7 vs 7.3

[RU2PED]

Thought I would share my real towing numbers from my 2020 6.7 vs my 2020 7.3 tremor. First, back in July I purchased a new boat that was at the top of my F150s limits at 9500lbs. Based on that I decided to purchase a 2020 F250 diesel. After seeing the Tremor in person I decided to trade off and purchase a 2020 7.3. I am going to use the truck for work and get a gas card so wasn't worried about mileage however I do have to eat the cost of maintenance. $190 vs $60 for an oil change is a big gap.

For comparison purposes both are loaded Lariats same features except the diesel did have the sunroof. So both very closely equipped.

6.7- I was averaging 12+MPG towing and most of the time would stay in 10th until you hit an overpass then would kick down to 9th. Very rarely would that happen.

7.3- I am currently averaging a whopping 7MPG!!... 90% of the time I have been in 8th gear with kick down to as low as 6th for some overpasses. On flat ground would bounce between 7/8 consistently.

This was at 70MPG with the cruise set! Now for those who don't know, towing a larger boat with a t-top acts like a parachute so keep thst in mind as they will have a significant impact on mileage.

If I were towing often long distances I would 100% go back to the 6.7! 7.3 has plenty of power but cannot compete with the 6.7..

 

[Smindustries]

More boat shots, please.

 

[Driftwood]

Diesel is more efficient for towing? you don't say.

Remember, the 7.3L also has 4.30 gears, the 6.7L has 3.55. That has a lot to do with what gear it runs in when pulling, and the fuel mileage.

 

[Patriot]

Thought I would share my real towing numbers from my 2020 6.7 vs my 2020 7.3 tremor. First, back in July I purchased a new boat that was at the top of my F150s limits at 9500lbs. Based on that I decided to purchase a 2020 F250 diesel. After seeing the Tremor in person I decided to trade off and purchase a 2020 7.3. I am going to use the truck for work and get a gas card so wasn't worried about mileage however I do have to eat the cost of maintenance. $190 vs $60 for an oil change is a big gap.

For comparison purposes both are loaded Lariats same features except the diesel did have the sunroof. So both very closely equipped.

6.7- I was averaging 12+MPG towing and most of the time would stay in 10th until you hit an overpass then would kick down to 9th. Very rarely would that happen.

7.3- I am currently averaging a whopping 7MPG!!... 90% of the time I have been in 8th gear with kick down to as low as 6th for some overpasses. On flat ground would bounce between 7/8 consistently.

This was at 70MPG with the cruise set! Now for those who don't know, towing a larger boat with a t-top acts like a parachute so keep thst in mind as they will have a significant impact on mileage.

If I were towing often long distances I would 100% go back to the 6.7! 7.3 has plenty of power but cannot compete with the 6.7..

View attachment 15884

The truth! Nice rig neighbor! Looking good!

 

[Apparition]

So is where you tow pretty flat? Overpasses don’t equal mountains.

 

[TIME]

In addition to Apparition's question, at what altitude are you towing? Also, when you say the "7.3 has plenty of power but cannot compete with the 6.7", how much power are you talking? For example, do you feel like you have plenty of power to still pass someone that's doing 65mph on a 2-lane road and you're still wanting to do 70 (passing them safely with enough speed so that you're not in the left lane for 5 minutes before you can get over)?

 

[ICT Tremor]

So cliff notes are that a $10K diesel option tows heavy loads with less gear hunting and more efficiency than the $2K gas option?

Do I have that correct?

As a $2K gas option buyer I had no idea. I'm furious now! Going to go beat my cat.

 

[TIME]

So cliff notes are that a $10K diesel option tows heavy loads with less gear hunting and more efficiency than the $2K gas option?

Do I have that correct?

As a $2K gas option buyer I had no idea. I'm furious now! Going to go beat my cat.

Haha, I appreciate the sarcasm with a dose of a reality check. Agreed, I don't think anyone should be surprised that the diesel will out-pull the gasser. I believe what many of us are wondering (or at least my self anyway), is if the 7.3 will handle what we need it to without feeling like you're maxing out it's capabilities.

I tow often enough and put on enough miles to more than justify the diesel. The thing is, even if the 7.3 were the same price as the 6.7, I would still be considering the 7.3 because of it's simplicity vs the sensitivity of the diesels and their 9,000 sensors. There's just too many times that I'm with the family and in the middle of nowhere with no reception. During those times, the last thing I feel like dealing with is a truck that went into a 5mph limp mode because it thinks I'm polluting the air too much.

The above said, one might think, "well good grief dude, if you're so terrified of the potential issues of the diesel then go get the gasser and be done with it!". Solid point, but in my case, if the 7.3 ends up like most other gas engines and it just can't haul a 12k trailer without feeling likes it's going to fly apart, then fine, I'll take my chances with the diesel.

I suppose the only way to know for sure is to buy one and try it for myself. Call me cheap, but I'm not thrilled about buying a truck just to see if it'll work. Though I may have to do this, I want to do as much research and learn as much as I can from other people's experiences first.

I hope none of the above comes across as a rant. It's not meant that way at all - just putting my thoughts out there.

Back to the OP...

 

[TxTremor]

Haha, I appreciate the sarcasm with a dose of a reality check. Agreed, I don't think anyone should be surprised that the diesel will out-pull the gasser. I believe what many of us are wondering (or at least my self anyway), is if the 7.3 will handle what we need it to without feeling like you're maxing out it's capabilities.

I tow often enough and put on enough miles to more than justify the diesel. The thing is, even if the 7.3 were the same price as the 6.7, I would still be considering the 7.3 because of it's simplicity vs the sensitivity of the diesels and their 9,000 sensors. There's just too many times that I'm with the family and in the middle of nowhere with no reception. During those times, the last thing I feel like dealing with is a truck that went into a 5mph limp mode because it thinks I'm polluting the air too much.

The above said, one might think, "well good grief dude, if you're so terrified of the potential issues of the diesel then go get the gasser and be done with it!". Solid point, but in my case, if the 7.3 ends up like most other gas engines and it just can't haul a 12k trailer without feeling likes it's going to fly apart, then fine, I'll take my chances with the diesel.

I suppose the only way to know for sure is to buy one and try it for myself. Call me cheap, but I'm not thrilled about buying a truck just to see if it'll work. Though I may have to do this, I want to do as much research and learn as much as I can from other people's experiences first.

I hope none of the above comes across as a rant. It's not meant that way at all - just putting my thoughts out there.

Back to the OP...

That was one of my concerns with the diesel so I did go 7.3. My tow plans include a boat in the near future but more in the 6k-7k range ( probably closer to 6k). I plan to tow it maybe a handful of times a year and maybe once a year long distance. I have a friend that had the DEF tank sensor mess up a handful of times that said the tank was empty when it was full and derated the truck. We will see I guess if the 7.3 can’t handle it maybe I’ll be jumping ship but seems like guys are hauling decent loads with it and the engine is handling it well.

 

[2020Tremor]

Thought I would share my real towing numbers from my 2020 6.7 vs my 2020 7.3 tremor. First, back in July I purchased a new boat that was at the top of my F150s limits at 9500lbs. Based on that I decided to purchase a 2020 F250 diesel. After seeing the Tremor in person I decided to trade off and purchase a 2020 7.3. I am going to use the truck for work and get a gas card so wasn't worried about mileage however I do have to eat the cost of maintenance. $190 vs $60 for an oil change is a big gap.

For comparison purposes both are loaded Lariats same features except the diesel did have the sunroof. So both very closely equipped.

6.7- I was averaging 12+MPG towing and most of the time would stay in 10th until you hit an overpass then would kick down to 9th. Very rarely would that happen.

7.3- I am currently averaging a whopping 7MPG!!... 90% of the time I have been in 8th gear with kick down to as low as 6th for some overpasses. On flat ground would bounce between 7/8 consistently.

This was at 70MPG with the cruise set! Now for those who don't know, towing a larger boat with a t-top acts like a parachute so keep thst in mind as they will have a significant impact on mileage.

If I were towing often long distances I would 100% go back to the 6.7! 7.3 has plenty of power but cannot compete with the 6.7..

View attachment 15884

Did you forget to pull up the anchor ?That is worse than I do with a TT about the-same weight and similar speeds in the Mountains. Goes to show load shape really makes a difference on economy and would not have guessed that low on mpg with that boat.

 

[TxTremor]

Thought I would share my real towing numbers from my 2020 6.7 vs my 2020 7.3 tremor. First, back in July I purchased a new boat that was at the top of my F150s limits at 9500lbs. Based on that I decided to purchase a 2020 F250 diesel. After seeing the Tremor in person I decided to trade off and purchase a 2020 7.3. I am going to use the truck for work and get a gas card so wasn't worried about mileage however I do have to eat the cost of maintenance. $190 vs $60 for an oil change is a big gap.

For comparison purposes both are loaded Lariats same features except the diesel did have the sunroof. So both very closely equipped.

6.7- I was averaging 12+MPG towing and most of the time would stay in 10th until you hit an overpass then would kick down to 9th. Very rarely would that happen.

7.3- I am currently averaging a whopping 7MPG!!... 90% of the time I have been in 8th gear with kick down to as low as 6th for some overpasses. On flat ground would bounce between 7/8 consistently.

This was at 70MPG with the cruise set! Now for those who don't know, towing a larger boat with a t-top acts like a parachute so keep thst in mind as they will have a significant impact on mileage.

If I were towing often long distances I would 100% go back to the 6.7! 7.3 has plenty of power but cannot compete with the 6.7..

View attachment 15884

Just curious what is your mileage unloaded between the two? We know the 7.3 has 4.30 and 35” tires but what about the 6.7? 33” with 3.55 or 3.31?

 

[JimmyG79]

In addition to Apparition's question, at what altitude are you towing? Also, when you say the "7.3 has plenty of power but cannot compete with the 6.7", how much power are you talking? For example, do you feel like you have plenty of power to still pass someone that's doing 65mph on a 2-lane road and you're still wanting to do 70 (passing them safely with enough speed so that you're not in the left lane for 5 minutes before you can get over)?

I’d say with the palm trees in the background he’s at least 5200 MSL....

 

[jhblaze1]

Diesel is more efficient for towing? you don't say.

Remember, the 7.3L also has 4.30 gears, the 6.7L has 3.55. That has a lot to do with what gear it runs in when pulling, and the fuel mileage.

that and a gallon of diesel has about 20% more energy than a gallon of gas.

Would be interesting to do the math to see how long the diesel engine takes to pay for itself in fuel economy.

 

[cookiemonster]

that and a gallon of diesel has about 20% more energy than a gallon of gas.

Would be interesting to do the math to see how long the diesel engine takes to pay for itself in fuel economy.

There is this calculator:

Gas vs Diesel

2020 Super Duty Gas , Miles , Per Year , Per Mile , Diesel , Miles , Per Year , Per Mile ,Type, Miles/Year Initial Cost Difference,-$8,790.00,City, 6,000 Oil, $ 42.88 , 10,000 , $ 60.03 , $ 0.0043 , $ 80.85 , 10,000 , $ 113.19 , $ 0.0081 ,Highway, 6,000 Oil Filter, $ 5.60 , 10,000 , $ 7.84

docs.google.com

You'll need to update for what you think fuel prices are and will be, as well as the mpg's you expect to see. Estimated maintenance seems accurate as well, but you'll want to update that is it's off, too.

 

[Baddestt]

Diesel is more efficient for towing? you don't say.

Remember, the 7.3L also has 4.30 gears, the 6.7L has 3.55. That has a lot to do with what gear it runs in when pulling, and the fuel mileage.

Still just shocking that Ford is running 3.55s with the 6.7 while Ram HO 6.7 cummins can be had with 4:10s in a SRW and GM Duramax 3.73s in a SRW.
I understand Ford 6.7 has 1050 torque, but in the mountains pulling 15k-20k pounds like some of these triple axle toy haulers, 4:10s can make a big difference in pull.
The 10 speed Ford must be geared low in the first 5 gears to compensate for the 3.55s

 

[davidb1841]

The 6.7 is so powerful I will keep my 3.55's and the associated MPGs. The truck just does NOT need a 4.10 or 4.30 rear end with this motor.

14,000 miles driven so far.......... ? ? ? ?

 

[thevol]

Thanks for the comparison. I love real world tests. Im seeing 8.5 mpg with my 9k travel trailer in most conditions so surprised yours is lower with a boat, campers usually catch the most wind and cause terrible econony. My 5.9 cummins which is known to be efficient without all the emissions shit got 11.5 with the same load. Seems like this new 6.7 is really doing well, if they can just simplify them I may have to switch back ?

 

[rhines81]

The 6.7 is so powerful I will keep my 3.55's and the associated MPGs. The truck just does NOT need a 4.10 or 4.30 rear end with this motor.

14,000 miles driven so far.......... ? ? ? ?

I am more concerned with the shared transmission, diesel or gas... will it hold up to heavy towing? I think both motors are great for the purpose. Whether you start your pull with the gas or diesel is a mute point. What is in the process to get the end result? Higher gears with the gas motor to achieve the desired torque or slightly lower gears with the diesel is not the issue. The transmission, which is common to all of the vehicles is the key pivot point. Will it hold up? I think so, 2nd gen, 3rd gen, whatever ... they will get it right.

 

[Cococounty]

So cliff notes are that a $10K diesel option tows heavy loads with less gear hunting and more efficiency than the $2K gas option?

Do I have that correct?

As a $2K gas option buyer I had no idea. I'm furious now! Going to go beat my cat.

That 10K diesel goes back to whether you paid MSRP or not I got 8K off of MSRP so my engine was free ??

 

[Cococounty]

The 6.7 is so powerful I will keep my 3.55's and the associated MPGs. The truck just does NOT need a 4.10 or 4.30 rear end with this motor.

14,000 miles driven so far.......... ? ? ? ?

Yes love the 3.55 had The option of 3.31 too low for me 3.55 with tow haul mode 6.7 is a beast Ford nailed it