Ford 7.3 Gas motor

[1Longbow]

Anyone towing with the Ford 7.3 gas motor?Likes or dislikes so far

[Groover]

lenr wrote:
Yes speaking of numerical ratios because they are precise and easy to understand.

I knew a guy who ordered a car with the towing package and the lowest gearing available. The dealer gave him something in the order of 2.27 gears. The car could barely get started going up a hill but the engine was purring softly at 80mph. It is much less confusing to talk numerical ratios.

[lenr]

Yes speaking of numerical ratios because they are precise and easy to understand.

[Grit_dog]

lenr wrote:
Straight from the Super Duty Order Guide ^^^^ are correct about 3.55/4.30 in 250 and 3.73/4.30 in the 350. Interestingly, the 6.2 is only available with 3.73/4.30. The 250 with 3.55 also has a lower tow rating than the 350 with 3.73. These lower ratios seemed to start in 2020 with the 10 speed transmission. Me thinks Ford is trying to improve their fuel mileage. It makes some sense that Ford would pick the 250 to try for better mileage since it has a derated GVWR.

I think you're confusing lower gear ratios with lower numerical ratios.

[dodge_guy]

lenr wrote:
Straight from the Super Duty Order Guide ^^^^ are correct about 3.55/4.30 in 250 and 3.73/4.30 in the 350. Interestingly, the 6.2 is only available with 3.73/4.30. The 250 with 3.55 also has a lower tow rating than the 350 with 3.73. These lower ratios seemed to start in 2020 with the 10 speed transmission. Me thinks Ford is trying to improve their fuel mileage. It makes some sense that Ford would pick the 250 to try for better mileage since it has a derated GVWR.

Correct. And keep in mind that fuel mileage savings is across the entire build fleet of gas F250’s. The consumer will never see the savings. And you have a lower rated truck to top it off. Unless you are buying a gas F250 to drive solo on the highway, always opt for the lower gearing. Even with the 10speed it will be a better performer!

[lenr]

Straight from the Super Duty Order Guide ^^^^ are correct about 3.55/4.30 in 250 and 3.73/4.30 in the 350. Interestingly, the 6.2 is only available with 3.73/4.30. The 250 with 3.55 also has a lower tow rating than the 350 with 3.73. These lower ratios seemed to start in 2020 with the 10 speed transmission. Me thinks Ford is trying to improve their fuel mileage. It makes some sense that Ford would pick the 250 to try for better mileage since it has a derated GVWR.

[4x4ord]

^^^^You're right the F250 is either 3.55 or 4.30 and the F350 is either 3.73 or 4.30. I find that a little surprising but I guess it kind of makes sense.

[kellem]

4x4ord wrote:

kellem wrote:
Yes, bought a 2021 F250 7.3 and tow a 30 ft 7600# trailer with full fresh water tank rendering a 1200# tounge.

The 7.3 paired with the 10spd transmission has exceeded expectation, especially in steep mountains where my previous 2500 struggled mightily.

In tow mode, the transmission utilizes all gears 1-8 and locks out 9 and 10.
Driver can also lockout gears on the fly making hilly country a breeze.

I chose 3.55 gears and occasionally see over 17 mpg on long highway trips and 10-11 towing in the hills, impressive.
Heavy towing, I'd opted for 4.30 gears.

I'm confident this 7.3 is going to prove to be a very durable engine with low maintenance costs as it's a simple design.

Time will tell but a very satisfied Superduty owner.

The 7.3 is available with 3.73 or 4.30 gears. I can’t see any reason for getting 4.30 gears. I think if I was towing less than 12 k lbs I’d want 3.73 gears and towing over 12k I’d probably want a diesel even though I’m sure the 7.3 would do.

If I'm not mistaken, believe the F250 7.3 only has the 3.55/4.30 gear options and also believe you'd have to move up to a F350 to have 3.73 as an option but only marginally sure.

[4x4ord]

kellem wrote:
Yes, bought a 2021 F250 7.3 and tow a 30 ft 7600# trailer with full fresh water tank rendering a 1200# tounge.

The 7.3 paired with the 10spd transmission has exceeded expectation, especially in steep mountains where my previous 2500 struggled mightily.

In tow mode, the transmission utilizes all gears 1-8 and locks out 9 and 10.
Driver can also lockout gears on the fly making hilly country a breeze.

I chose 3.55 gears and occasionally see over 17 mpg on long highway trips and 10-11 towing in the hills, impressive.
Heavy towing, I'd opted for 4.30 gears.

I'm confident this 7.3 is going to prove to be a very durable engine with low maintenance costs as it's a simple design.

Time will tell but a very satisfied Superduty owner.

The 7.3 is available with 3.73 or 4.30 gears. I can’t see any reason for getting 4.30 gears. I think if I was towing less than 12 k lbs I’d want 3.73 gears and towing over 12k I’d probably want a diesel even though I’m sure the 7.3 would do.

[MFL]

While mine is a 6.2, it tows my FW well, in all conditions. The 7.3 has more HP and TQ, at a lower rpm. What's not to like? Any gasser with power to tow heavy, getting 8 mpg or more, while towing, is a winner!

Jerry

[Groover]

IdaD wrote:
I haven't towed with one but I think expecting 10-11 towing is very optimistic. Fuelly says the average MPG is a little under 12, which would include towing and not. I think Fuelly tends to be pretty close to real world. I'd probably bank on most folks getting more like 8 towing. Obviously driving habits play a big role.

The downside of Fuelly is that you don't know how much is towing or even what type of towing. I would bet that in general the more capable rigs are worked harder than the less capable ones and comparing their towing economy numbers is misleading.

[Hannibal]

With Covid messing up our plans, we haven’t towed very much with ours but so far I’m also very pleased with it. Much like Kellem’s experience.

[Let_s_Go_Explor]

I have a new truck the 7.3L and am waiting for a new 5th wheel. I had a 2006 F350 with the V-10 and 4:40 gears. I can already tell that this truck has more zip and will handle towing better. I'm already getting "better" local and highway unloaded mileage with a brand new drivetrain than I did with the broken in V-10. My last truck was very reliable. Hope this guys is too. ("Better " in parenthesis since we all know that good gas mileage in a large truck is a relative term. lol!)

[kellem]

Yes,take what I said regarding tow mileage with a grain of salt as I've only towed twice with the truck.

[IdaD]

I haven't towed with one but I think expecting 10-11 towing is very optimistic. Fuelly says the average MPG is a little under 12, which would include towing and not. I think Fuelly tends to be pretty close to real world. I'd probably bank on most folks getting more like 8 towing. Obviously driving habits play a big role.