F250 Tow Test with 7.3L

[Flip94ta]

Here’s a nice article with MPGs.

https://apple.news/AyqfyINeQQiWnhU4upHCymw

I’ll say it’s hilly, somewhat cold and at altitude, all of which can lower mpgs.

Impressive that it’s about 20,000lbs combined and pulling 8 mpg, 15 mpg empty.

Not impressed with the rear end squat and transmission temps.

[NASCAR9]

Yes, the 7.3 is impressive when you stay within the limits it was designed for. Looking at the trailer it's hard to tell if a weight distribution hitch was used, so jury is out on that. I too was concerned about trans temps, pulling about the same load my trans hit a max was a little lower and according to Ford my temps are Normal. I think the new fluid used likes a little hotter temps, technology moves on.

[Flip94ta]

I didn’t know they changed fluids, what’s the new fluid called? I’ve been lucky the highest temps I’ve seen are 190*, but I have a pretty loud mechanical fan. I think I’d prefer electric fans so I can hear that nice V-8 sound but I guess my trans temps and AC would suffer.

I like that GM went to direct injection, although it seems they missed the mark on displacement and tuning. If they were to punch out the 6.6L to 7.0L and be more aggressive with the tune I think it would out pull the Ford. Well maybe, they always like to torque manage the crap out of their trucks.

[Retired Copper]

These transmission have a thermostat to keep temps up.

[That 1 Ron]

I didn’t know they changed fluids, what’s the new fluid called? I’ve been lucky the highest temps I’ve seen are 190*, but I have a pretty loud mechanical fan. I think I’d prefer electric fans so I can hear that nice V-8 sound but I guess my trans temps and AC would suffer.

I like that GM went to direct injection, although it seems they missed the mark on displacement and tuning. If they were to punch out the 6.6L to 7.0L and be more aggressive with the tune I think it would out pull the Ford. Well maybe, they always like to torque manage the crap out of their trucks.

GM needs to put a ten speed behind that 6.6. I believe with the right tuning and ten speed trans, the 6.6 would be better matched with the ford.

[Digger1222]

I just did my first tow pulling our new 2600 RB. With it loaded with all our stuff it CAT scaled in at 7000. Towed with a Husky Centerline WDH with 1200 lb bars. Towed great. It would shift mainly between 7th and 8th in the gently rolling hills in southeast Nebraska. Got 9.2 mpg. That was only about a 100 mile tow. My transmission temp got up to 221 then the fan would kick in and drop it back to about 202. It would then slowly climb back up (about 30 miles later) and repeat the process. The analog transmission gauge needle never budged. Ambient outside temp was about 57F with a light wind. All two lane highway. That 7.3 does growl and sounds nice working but I suppose on a very long trip could get tiring. I guess just turn the music up.