Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Tow Vehicles: Towing with a Powerstroke 7.3L (expectation/realistic)

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Topic: Towing with a Powerstroke 7.3L (expectation/realistic)

Posted By: Kamyo91 on 05/30/16 08:48am

I'm looking at upgrading to a 11.5K loaded fifth wheel.

I currently tow a 6K TT.

Truck is Bone stock except for (DP infinity tuner and a 6.0L Trans Cooler)
2000 F250 7.3L CCSB SRW auto 4x4 Lariat 3.73 with 90K miles.

I live in the Pacific NW so passes and grades are part of life here.

So question goes to you guys with turbo 7.3L towing around 11-12k
whats your speed, RPM, gear when ascending and most important what
have you done, or has been done to your truck to accommodate the pull.

Thanks in advance.

Posted By: Artum Snowbird on 05/30/16 09:06am

As an owner of a 2000 F350 LB SRW 4X4 7.3 I can say a lot about hauling my FW that weighs about 9300 pounds loaded.

My truck is rated to tow 10,000. Max capacity is 9900. Truck weighs 7300. Your capacity is less.

Feeling that weight behind me pushing me downhill can be a nerve wracking experience, and I have a lot of experience with this truck.

Here is a post in another forum you should read before you consider your purchase.

F250 towing.

Mike
2012 Winnebago Impulse Silver 26QP
2005 16.6 Double Eagle
2018 Jeep Wrangler JK
previously Snowbird Campers,
Triple E Motorhome and Fifth Wheel

Posted By: Kamyo91 on 05/30/16 09:20am

I understand GVWR, GCWR, GWAR (rear and front) Truck is equipped with Ford camper pkg and setup as a F350 even thou fender badged as a F250. 20K GCWR and truck weighs in at 7300

Posted By: cummins2014 on 05/30/16 09:32am

Kamyo91 wrote:

I spent nearly 16 years towing with a 7.3. F350. I towed from 7k-13K. The truck did pretty good in the mountains until I went to my present fifth wheel at 13K, then it pretty much fell on its face. It was okay on the flat, pretty slow getting going on freeway on ramps , and struggled in the mountains . It did just okay under 10k, but as said not good over 10K.

I did about all you could do to make it run better without doing injectors ,and turbo. DP tuner, 4" exhaust , 6.0 transmission cooler, and intercooler, plus AIS air intake. Of course gauges for EGT's, transmission, and turbo.

First off you don't have the power with that 7.3, and you are overloaded with that F250 if trying to tow a 12K fifth wheel. You will not be happy unless you are towing in Kansas [emoticon]

Then it still won't be pleasant.

Posted By: csamayfield55x on 05/30/16 09:52am

Don't plan on getting anywhere very quick. The 7.3 was not a power monster by any means. My stepdad has a 01 I have used quite a lot. It is very dependable but just lacks power.

His Sportsman trailer weighs about 5K. My old Sprinter weighed close to 9K He could not keep up with me on ANY real hills. It just doesn't have the power. He is chipped with an Edge J/A. It does get much better fuel milage than my 08 Ram though

Chris

Posted By: rhagfo on 05/30/16 09:53am

Install a PacBrake and you a are good to go!

Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

Posted By: hotpepperkid on 05/30/16 09:59am

Mine has been chipped for so long I don't remember much about towing stock. The chip made a big difference. Stock and a 8K TT up Vail pass into the tunnel was 2nd gear at 45 MPH, with the chip and a 10K 5er it was in 3rd at 55-60 MPH

2019 Ford F-350 long bed SRW 4X4 6.4 PSD Grand Designs Reflection 295RL 5th wheel

Posted By: cummins2014 on 05/30/16 10:01am

rhagfo wrote:

Install a PacBrake and you a are good to go!

Seriously, you towed much with the 7.3 F250 with 12K hooked up . You can install all the PacBrakes in the world, won't change anything but a bit better on the downgrades, but first you have to get to the top to go down the other side.

Good advice on the PacBrake, but totally bad advice on the good to go. There is nothing good to go towing 12K with a 7.3 .

Posted By: Kamyo91 on 05/30/16 10:51am

^^hotpepperkid
Do you have cold air and modified exhaust?

Posted By: Bedlam on 05/30/16 12:18pm

rhagfo wrote:

Install a PacBrake and you a are good to go!

Chevy Sonic 1.8-Honda Passport C70B-Host Mammoth 11.5-Interstate Car Carrier 20-Joyner SandViper 250-Kawasaki Concours ZG1000-Paros 8' flatbed-Pelican Decker DLX 8.75-Ram 5500 HD

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