Tow vehicle recommendation

[2dogs]

From the internet;
"What gas mileage does the Ford 7.3 gas engine get?
Image result for new ford 7.3 gas engine reviews
We generally assume onboard fuel-economy computers will fudge their numbers upward, but if that's the case here, then the 7.3 could use an umbilical cord connected to a tanker truck. While towing, we saw an indicated 8 to 9 mpg, and that figure didn't improve much without a trailer—we're talking 12 mpg.Sep 28, 2020"

[Chuck_S]

12,000 miles of towing annually is more than I'm currently driving for all uses.

Consider a 6 month, 50,000 mile "350 dually" of an Enterprise "long term" rental. They call them back at 50,000 miles which the hot shot truckers usually hit in about 6 months. These will be current or late last year model trucks with mainly highway miles. Enterprise services these trucks the entire time, not the operator.

-- Chuck

[GPs37FLH]

Originally Posted by 2dogs

From the internet;
"What gas mileage does the Ford 7.3 gas engine get?
Image result for new ford 7.3 gas engine reviews
We generally assume onboard fuel-economy computers will fudge their numbers upward, but if that's the case here, then the 7.3 could use an umbilical cord connected to a tanker truck. While towing, we saw an indicated 8 to 9 mpg, and that figure didn't improve much without a trailer—we're talking 12 mpg.Sep 28, 2020"

That's crazy low mileage for a gasser or diesel. If those are true numbers for the new 7.3 Ford engine, I'll take a diesel any day of the week, including twice on Sunday's. I'm getting 12mpg on my diesel dually towing a 43 foot 5'er and well over 15mpg without.

[5er_tom]

My Class C with the 7.3 weighs 14,000 #’s plus I am towing a 5,200 # Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4 wheels down. Today, going east across Iowa and Illinois I got 9.7 MPG. Yes, had a little tail wind but mostly the wind came at my side. I use cruise control and set it at 62-64. Yesterday pushing wind across Minnesota and Iowa I got 8.6. It was not a howling wind.

I have towed fifers all over this country with a Ford diesel, so I know what is going on. I am not at all disappointed with this engine. Yup, slow up the steep grades, but I am not in any hurry.

BTW: In 8 years towing with the Ford 6.7 diesel I had two of them blow up. One at 129,000 and one at 48,000 miles.

[njfishing]

I’m towing a 34 foot 8500 pound loaded travel trailer with my 2018 F150 3.5 Ecoboost max tow package. I’m averaging 10 or 11 MPG. The Ecoboost has a ton of low end torque and I’m never at a loss for power, even up long steep grades it stays under 3500 rpms. I will say it’s doesn’t behave all that well behind the truck and I’d be way better off with a 3/4 ton but I take my time and keep it at 65 or less.

[ppine]

How much is a 7.3 gas engine truck worth with 175,000 miles?

[GPs37FLH]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

My Class C with the 7.3 weighs 14,000 #’s plus I am towing a 5,200 # Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4 wheels down. Today, going east across Iowa and Illinois I got 9.7 MPG. Yes, had a little tail wind but mostly the wind came at my side. I use cruise control and set it at 62-64. Yesterday pushing wind across Minnesota and Iowa I got 8.6. It was not a howling wind.

I have towed fifers all over this country with a Ford diesel, so I know what is going on. I am not at all disappointed with this engine. Yup, slow up the steep grades, but I am not in any hurry.

BTW: In 8 years towing with the Ford 6.7 diesel I had two of them blow up. One at 129,000 and one at 48,000 miles.

Your bad experiences with the Ford 6.7 diesel are certainly an exception and not the norm. I've had nothing but great, reliable work from mine, and other 6.7 owners I've talked with have had the same experience with theirs. My diesel mechanic shop and others I know in the truck industry also have nothing but the same accolades for that engine.

[5er_tom]

I was very surprised to have had those bad experiences. Both trucks had all services completed on time at a Ford dealer. I was not overloaded by a long way.
I am really glad that I had an extended warranty through Ford for the first event. It took 8 weeks to get a new engine from Ford and the warranty had a $100 deductible.
The second one was under the original Ford warranty so no deductible. But, another 8 weeks for the repair.
If no warranty the cost would have close to $16,000.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by ppine

My obvious point is that buying a diesel is the smart money. Better performance, better mileage, much longer service life and much better resale value.

Originally Posted by ppine

How much is a 7.3 gas engine truck worth with 175,000 miles?

Considering I invested the 10k that I didn't spend on the diesel in 17 and the 10k I didn't spend on the diesel on the new truck... -Even considering the used market is crazy enough right now that I got within a 100 bucks of what I paid for my 17 gasser...I'd rather bet on the invested 20k by not buying the diesel the last two times.

[ARhappycamper]

Originally Posted by ppine

My obvious point is that buying a diesel is the smart money. Better performance, better mileage, much longer service life and much better resale value.

Alot more expensive GM, PM, and if anything needs replaced or repaired, alot more expensive than a gas engine.

[GPs37FLH]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

Alot more expensive GM, PM, and if anything needs replaced or repaired, alot more expensive than a gas engine.

More expensive, yes, but not that much more expensive these days. I know of others that've had gas engine repairs this year and last that were every bit as expensive as it is for a diesel. You can thank the out of control inflation, lack of qualified mechanics and parts shortages for that.

[oxcamper]

Originally Posted by adamstee

Thank you for your replies, it seems the 3/4- ton minimum hands down. Now to find one we can afford��

Yeah! Good luck with that. 3/4 and 1 tons are a rare breed up in our area, and the ones you find are high mileage and a lot of $$$.

I was looking for about a year and finally ended up with a GMC 3500HD dually. A bit more than I really wanted, but as with my 2000 GMC 3500, I'll have no worries about pulling anything.

Good luck in your search.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

Alot more expensive GM, PM, and if anything needs replaced or repaired, alot more expensive than a gas engine.

Have you owned both an know this for a fact or just regurgitating forum talk?
I own several gas engine pickups and one diesel. All are older, the newest is the diesel at 2007. I keep pretty good maint and repair records. All my trucks have over 100k miles, one has 350k. Over their lifetimes, the gas engines have cost more money per mile than my diesel, hands down.
Of course the older gas engines do not last much over 100k but are fairly cheap to replace, so there is that cost for most of my older gas engines. So far the diesel at 180k has had only minimal normal maint cost and the cost of a lift pump add on.
As far as the cost of oil changes. Yes, the diesel can be almost double the cost, but that cost is not bad, and if oil change costs figure in whether you can afford a certain vehicle, you have much bigger financial problems.
Bottom line is diesels don't always cost more per mile than gas engines. They do last longer and resale much better. At worst, the cost difference is probably a wash.

[adamstee]

You folks are awesome with your comments, thanks so much!

Now have a 2018 Silverado 2500HH Duramax and seeking your opinion on weight distribution systems. Windjammer tongue wt 882#, trailer 8850 GVWR.
Considering Blue Ox BXW1500 Vs Camco Recurve R6. Thoughts?

[Germanrazor]

I can only speak to the Recurve 6. I love this system. Others mileage may vary.

[Chuck_S]

Equalizer (tm) 10,000 pound hitch.

-- Chuck

[ppine]

People with gas trucks seem to believe a lot of folklore about diesel trucks.
Nothing goes wrong with my 7.3. In almost 200k miles the wiring harness sagged. The little clips made of plastic were replaced with copper. No problema. That's it. Brakes lasted 140 k miles. New front end at 160 k miles. Maintenance. That's it.

It is worth close to what I paid for it 20 years ago.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by ppine

.....It is worth close to what I paid for it 20 years ago.

So sell it and show us the value. Doesn't matter what item it is (vehicle, house, lawn mower or beanie baby)....its only worth that much when the $ hits your bank account.

I can easily state that I purchased my '16 F250 6.2 in '18 for $35k retail. Blue book trade in value is now $38k and private party is $42k. But, it doesn't matter. If I'm not selling it ever, what's it matter what it's worth?

There's a constant statement of diesels are worth $xxx amount and they will last 500k miles. So, are you keeping it 500k miles where the monetary value is of little importance or are you cashing in and getting rid of it for a premium so the longevity isn't of value?

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Equalizer (tm) 10,000 pound hitch.

-- Chuck

Yep ! LOVED that hitch.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by ppine

People with gas trucks seem to believe a lot of folklore about diesel trucks.
. ...

Your 7.3 is among the best of the last-a-long-time motors with little required to keep it that way....there is no denying it at all...But to correct your statement: People that think what applied to diesel vs gas trucks from two decades ago haven't kept up with current truths.