Actual Ford 7.3 Godzills gas milage

[NASCAR9]

Here is a link back a couple of pages on this site of my 1st tow that might answer some questions, actually my only tow with COV-17 right now.
https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/show...350-Tremor-7-3

[Rovers]

Over on some of the other brand RV forms there is a lot of talk on diesel ownership costs. Its 2 to 3 times of the gas depending on factors (FT or 2 weeks a year) daily driving miles, etc...

I don’t have a horse in the 7.3 race but I can speak to the cost of a diesel vs gas (and I know this can cause this thread to devolve into rants pretty quickly but that’s not my intent.)

I have a Ram 1500 diesel and before this truck I had a Hemi 1500. The diesel is my daily driver as well as tow vehicle and the diesel costs me LESS than the gas Hemi. Fuel mileage in the diesel is nearly double (15 mpg’s gas vs 26 mpgs diesel on the highway) when empty. When towing the Hemi gave me 7 to 9 while the diesel returns 13 - that’s a difference of 30 to 45 percent. And the torque and diesel braking makes towing much more comfortable. Diesel prices in my area run about 15% higher than regular gas ($1.89 vs $2.21) so with the fuel mileage I’m still money ahead (that’s assuming regular gas - for towing 89 or 91 octane was recommended for the Hemi.) My truck takes 8 gallons of DEF and runs me about $20 for a fill up in the truck lanes once a quarter.

Emissions issues on modern diesels show up when the trucks are driven on short drives preventing the emissions system from fully heating up. Diesels work best when they’re driven to full temp for extended periods.

But we all have to make the choices that work for us. For me, the diesel makes towing our TT a pleasure and financially I’m money ahead. Your mileage may vary.

Bob

[PaulCoache]

I’ve got a 2000 F250 Super Duty with the 7.3 lyrics diesel. My first 5th wheel weighed 7000lbs. In 2015 I purchased a Reflection 303RLS. It weighed in at 9000lbs. I get 10/12 MPG towing mostly level roads. In the mountains I get maybe 7/8.
I now have just shy of 212000 miles on it. The only problem I had, last year, the transmission went out. Of course I was on the road. Got that fixed and modified so that won’t happen again.
I’ve had great luck with this truck.
I don’t know the greasing. I have a Diablo hand held to change settings. I run it in towing mode most of the time, towing or not.

[powerscol]

I’ve got a 2000 F250 Super Duty with the 7.3 lyrics diesel. My first 5th wheel weighed 7000lbs. In 2015 I purchased a Reflection 303RLS. It weighed in at 9000lbs. I get 10/12 MPG towing mostly level roads. In the mountains I get maybe 7/8.
I now have just shy of 212000 miles on it. The only problem I had, last year, the transmission went out. Of course I was on the road. Got that fixed and modified so that won’t happen again.
I’ve had great luck with this truck.
I don’t know the greasing. I have a Diablo hand held to change settings. I run it in towing mode most of the time, towing or not.

Paul Thanks for the input. I too had the old 7.3 IDI back in 1995-2003, but what I am talking about here is Fords New 7.3 GAS engine. Its called the Godzilla. I am considering it based on the high operating costs and issues with new diesels. I don't need gobs of power for my new 5er.

Getting the new one is down the road a bit. Just gathering information that I can.

[KheSahn068]

Recenty sold my 2001 Ford F250 with the V10 and bought a 2019 Ford F250 with the 6.2L. However, I ordered it from the factory with the 4.3 rear end and upon receipt, had the Firestone AirBag system installed on the rear springs . . . I pull a Reflections 337RLS with no problems and have crossed the Rockies twice and from California to Reno up I80 as well several times.

Pulls like a champ and with trailer I get about 7.8 to 8.2 miles per gallon, without trailer about 10.2 to 11.0

[bmbl-bee]

Living in Colorado as I do, you will never look back if you go with a diesel truck. The amount of towing power and the engine breaking are incredible and make the towing experience so much better. How do I know--I owned a 6.2 gas F-250 and now own a 3500 ram Cummins with the Aisin transmission. Couldn't be happier. A lot of fake news out there about diesel trucks and the expense to keep them running. I grew up in Kansas. Living there, I would agree that the gas trucks would be adequate. My trailer weighs in at around 10,000 lbs with a tongue weight of 1000 lbs. Fuel economy towing 10 to 12 and unhooked highway 22 city highway around 17.

[NASCAR9]

This is not a thread about diesel vs gas. If you haven't driven and pulled with the 2020 7.3 10 speed 4.30 geared truck you might be in for a big surprise. This engine was designed for the middle ground where a 6.2 might not be enough and a diesel is overkill. I too had owned a 2018 F250 6.7 diesel and I've stated on a few forums the diesel was overkill for my 12k load. The 7.3 is not a replacement for a diesel, it's just not necessary if you are "in between". I would draw the line for the 7.3 gas around 15k, at that weight the decision would probably favor a diesel.

[bmbl-bee]

This is not a thread about diesel vs gas. If you haven't driven and pulled with the 2020 7.3 10 speed 4.30 geared truck you might be in for a big surprise. This engine was designed for the middle ground where a 6.2 might not be enough and a diesel is overkill. I too had owned a 2018 F250 6.7 diesel and I've stated on a few forums the diesel was overkill for my 12k load. The 7.3 is not a replacement for a diesel, it's just not necessary if you are "in between". I would draw the line for the 7.3 gas around 15k, at that weight the decision would probably favor a diesel.

The OP made several comments about cost of ownership between diesel and gas. He said he is trying to gather as much information as he can before deciding on a vehicle after the Covid passes. That being said, I appreciate you letting me know that this is not a gas vs. diesel thread. My opinion is just that. If the information I posted is of use to the OP good, if not nothing lost or gained. Some on these forums are like dogs in heat just waiting to jump on someone. Living in Colorado and dealing with 10,000 ft. passes every time you tow is a big deal. Getting up the pass is one thing, getting down is another.

[NASCAR9]

Any of the big three diesels are awesome towing machines and return decent mileage, I'm not trying to fool my self thinking the gas V-8 will out perform a modern diesel with turbocharging. The attached is a video of a 7.3, 4.30 towing 16k up a 11,0000 foot Colorado mountain, Ike Gauntlet. It's about 10 minutes of your life you'll never get back, lol. It's unedited by the posters. While 16k is pushing the limits of the 7.3, it was over 2 minutes faster up the mountain than the GM, and they are still waiting for a Ram 6.4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ture=emb_title

[bmbl-bee]

Any of the big three diesels are awesome towing machines and return decent mileage, I'm not trying to fool my self thinking the gas V-8 will out perform a modern diesel with turbocharging. The attached is a video of a 7.3, 4.30 towing 16k up a 11,0000 foot Colorado mountain, Ike Gauntlet. It's about 10 minutes of your life you'll never get back, lol. It's unedited by the posters. While 16k is pushing the limits of the 7.3, it was over 2 minutes faster up the mountain than the GM, and they are still waiting for a Ram 6.4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ture=emb_title

That thing does pull. 234 degree transmission temp in January is a concern. Running full throttle at 4,500 rpm--wondering why that 10 speed didn't downshift sooner. 2.2 mpg. Now turn around and go back down with that weight on it.