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Old 07-28-2021, 12:43 PM   #1
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2021 F350 7.3 - My Opinion

Just got back from a 2300 mile trip from NY to Nashville towing with my new F350 with the 7.3 Gasser and 10 Speed Trans pulling my 8700 pound camper.

Truck did amazingly well for most of the trip. Plenty of power on the way down. I was able to accelerate past truck traffic going up grades etc. I locked out 10th gear and truck settled in very nicely in 9th. Very little gear hunting.

The place where she did struggle a bit (OK a little more than a bit) was when we decided to go home through Kentucky / West Virginia. The truck did have some trouble in the mountains of West Virginia. I had some 5th gear pulls up the long steep inclines but still managed to maintained about 50 mph.

Overall I am very impressed with the power and performance of the new truck and it towed much better than my F250.
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Old 07-28-2021, 12:53 PM   #2
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Nice!
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Old 07-28-2021, 12:59 PM   #3
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Thanks for the real world write up. Btw, you're driving my next truck albeit a 22 or 23. How bout a pic?
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Old 07-28-2021, 02:08 PM   #4
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Thanks for the real world write up. Btw, you're driving my next truck albeit a 22 or 23. How bout a pic?
As soon as I get her washed - She is filthy from the trip!
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Old 07-28-2021, 02:20 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Marcm157 View Post
Just got back from a 2300 mile trip from NY to Nashville towing with my new F350 with the 7.3 Gasser and 10 Speed Trans pulling my 8700 pound camper.

Truck did amazingly well for most of the trip. Plenty of power on the way down. I was able to accelerate past truck traffic going up grades etc. I locked out 10th gear and truck settled in very nicely in 9th. Very little gear hunting.

The place where she did struggle a bit (OK a little more than a bit) was when we decided to go home through Kentucky / West Virginia. The truck did have some trouble in the mountains of West Virginia. I had some 5th gear pulls up the long steep inclines but still managed to maintained about 50 mph.

Overall I am very impressed with the power and performance of the new truck and it towed much better than my F250.
I love my 7.3. Out here in the west, I am pulling more weight, and I suspect a higher profile than you. (9500+ fifth wheel)

I have 11,000 miles on it, and over 9,000 of those towing.

I am curious why you view 5th gear as a struggle or problem? It's not a Diesel, it likes those RPMs. I have had to find myself slowing down as I occasionally gain speed on grade when those RPMs start singing. Also, I never lock out 10 (or anything else really). If I am hunting for gears, it is never between 9 and 10. T/H is good for grades occasionally, but I don't always use it. Much more likely to get used on down grades.

For anything 10,000 -12,000 pounds and under, the 7.3 is potentially a great match.

Full disclosure: I have been consistent in my one complaint. The fuel tank (SB) is too darn small......
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Old 07-28-2021, 04:01 PM   #6
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I guess I'm only saying it was a struggle because of how well it did prior. This was our first long distance tow with it and I was so amazed at how well it did prior that 5th gear and almost 4k on the tach seemed like a struggle. Most of the trip was 7th or 8th up the hills. I usually tow at 60 - 65 mph but this truck just wanted to go. I had to physically hold it back from higher speeds.

I never experienced that with my 250 / 6.2.

I agree 100% on the mileage / fuel tank thing. I could almost watch the fuel gauge swing down the scale. I did average 9 mpg though but barely...
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Old 07-28-2021, 05:26 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Marcm157 View Post
Just got back from a 2300 mile trip from NY to Nashville towing with my new F350 with the 7.3 Gasser and 10 Speed Trans pulling my 8700 pound camper.

Truck did amazingly well for most of the trip. Plenty of power on the way down. I was able to accelerate past truck traffic going up grades etc. I locked out 10th gear and truck settled in very nicely in 9th. Very little gear hunting.

The place where she did struggle a bit (OK a little more than a bit) was when we decided to go home through Kentucky / West Virginia. The truck did have some trouble in the mountains of West Virginia. I had some 5th gear pulls up the long steep inclines but still managed to maintained about 50 mph.

Overall I am very impressed with the power and performance of the new truck and it towed much better than my F250.
I-79 Charleston thru Morgantown? It has some steep grades for sure. Drive that all the time for work.
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Old 07-28-2021, 08:55 PM   #8
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I guess I'm only saying it was a struggle because of how well it did prior. This was our first long distance tow with it and I was so amazed at how well it did prior that 5th gear and almost 4k on the tach seemed like a struggle. Most of the trip was 7th or 8th up the hills. I usually tow at 60 - 65 mph but this truck just wanted to go. I had to physically hold it back from higher speeds.

I never experienced that with my 250 / 6.2.

I agree 100% on the mileage / fuel tank thing. I could almost watch the fuel gauge swing down the scale. I did average 9 mpg though but barely...
I think you are right on. 9.1 on my last pull. 9.5 lifetime, again 90% mountainous towing.

When the truck needs 5th or 6th, I go with the flow.
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Old 08-01-2021, 05:52 AM   #9
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What is your rear axle ratio?
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Old 08-01-2021, 06:12 AM   #10
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What is your rear axle ratio?
3.73 - I wanted the 4.30 but I bought the truck off the lot so I didn't have a choice...
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Old 08-07-2021, 11:02 AM   #11
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We have the 2021 F350 7.3L with the 4:30 gears. It is an absolute rockstar towing.
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Old 08-18-2021, 01:56 PM   #12
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Sounds like you've got a great and mighty tow vehicle, but I don't know anything about big heavy trailers.

Our 5.3 Tahoe is fantastic for pulling our 3,500# hybrid, but when it comes to grades it needs to shift down. I'd think that's normal. The bottom line is that it does the job very well, if not more slowly. For example 14 to 14A in the Big Horns took some time in 4th gear, but it pulled, didn't overheat, and was able to slow the trailer on the steep western descent.

Best wishes for a lot of good travels with your rig. I'd say just let it do what it does and it will get you by just fine.
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Old 09-07-2021, 05:04 AM   #13
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We have the 2021 F350 7.3L with the 4:30 gears. It is an absolute rockstar towing.
Do you feel your mileage suffers with the 4.30 when you are driving empty? Is the overdrive in transmission enough that you are running low RPMS at highway cruising speed? Considering a F-350 with 7.3 next spring so we can upgrade our camper.
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Old 09-07-2021, 01:42 PM   #14
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I will answer in my experience. Yes the 4.30 hurts MPG. I would still consider it a requirement for heavy towing and don’t really regret my choice.

I am guessing it cost about .5 MPG versus a 3.55.
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Old 09-08-2021, 05:24 AM   #15
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I will answer in my experience. Yes the 4.30 hurts MPG. I would still consider it a requirement for heavy towing and don’t really regret my choice.

I am guessing it cost about .5 MPG versus a 3.55.
Thanks, I wonder if the 3.73 is a good compromise or if I would still be better going with the 4.3 for more power towing.
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Old 09-08-2021, 06:46 AM   #16
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Given that the 250 with a 7.3 would have plenty of payload for a camper of that size and given you’ve had seat time both loaded and unloaded, would you do the 350 again? I just ordered a 350 but I am slightly concerned about the unloaded ride quality relative to the 250. I’ve heard people argue that the 350 rides just like the 250 until you put a load on it. My 5th wheel is only 11k loaded, so a 250 with 7.3 would have plenty of payload. I’m in Florida, so the 250 vs 350 won’t be a registration issue.
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Old 09-08-2021, 07:36 AM   #17
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Thanks, I wonder if the 3.73 is a good compromise or if I would still be better going with the 4.3 for more power towing.
" I would still consider it a requirement for heavy towing and don’t really regret my choice."
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Old 09-08-2021, 07:39 AM   #18
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Given that the 250 with a 7.3 would have plenty of payload for a camper of that size and given you’ve had seat time both loaded and unloaded, would you do the 350 again? I just ordered a 350 but I am slightly concerned about the unloaded ride quality relative to the 250. I’ve heard people argue that the 350 rides just like the 250 until you put a load on it. My 5th wheel is only 11k loaded, so a 250 with 7.3 would have plenty of payload. I’m in Florida, so the 250 vs 350 won’t be a registration issue.
I have a 7.3 250 WITH camper package (so stiffened springs, helper spring, and 350 axle). I pull a 10,000 pound fiver.

I guarantee you a 350 is no worse ride quality than what I am driving ....

That being said, if a 350 is the same to register an insure, I would get that instead of a 250 without question. No brainer.
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Old 09-08-2021, 09:26 AM   #19
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Thank you all for the review. Need to get a new truck this winter. Would like a diesel but I do not drive the truck enough to keep fresh def
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Old 09-09-2021, 08:47 AM   #20
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Thank you all for the review. Need to get a new truck this winter. Would like a diesel but I do not drive the truck enough to keep fresh def
That's easy to get rid of!
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