ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Greene728 wrote:Michelle.S wrote:The addition of the Exhaust Brake was a major factor for me upgrading from my 2005 Duramax to a 2011 Duramax. In approx 30K miles the 2005 need new brake pads, while the 2011 was still on the EOM pads when traded with 115K on the clock.
Sounds like operator error to me if your replacing brakes every 30k miles.
My truck is only used for towing and I'm in the mountains a lot. I can see that kind of mileage if I didn't have an EB.
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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ScottG wrote:Greene728 wrote:Michelle.S wrote:The addition of the Exhaust Brake was a major factor for me upgrading from my 2005 Duramax to a 2011 Duramax. In approx 30K miles the 2005 need new brake pads, while the 2011 was still on the EOM pads when traded with 115K on the clock.
Sounds like operator error to me if your replacing brakes every 30k miles.
My truck is only used for towing and I'm in the mountains a lot. I can see that kind of mileage if I didn't have an EB.
I'll go with the driver or equal error. My 05 DW dmax went 140K miles before needing new pads all around. I was running around upwards of 16K gvw, and 25K gcw at times, mostly doing local stuff.
Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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blt2ski wrote:ScottG wrote:Greene728 wrote:Michelle.S wrote:The addition of the Exhaust Brake was a major factor for me upgrading from my 2005 Duramax to a 2011 Duramax. In approx 30K miles the 2005 need new brake pads, while the 2011 was still on the EOM pads when traded with 115K on the clock.
Sounds like operator error to me if your replacing brakes every 30k miles.
My truck is only used for towing and I'm in the mountains a lot. I can see that kind of mileage if I didn't have an EB.
I'll go with the driver or equal error. My 05 DW dmax went 140K miles before needing new pads all around. I was running around upwards of 16K gvw, and 25K gcw at times, mostly doing local stuff.
Marty
So you spend most your time going over Stevens and Snoqualmie with a heavy load, no EB and got 140K out of your brakes?
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4x4ord
Alberta
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I think Stevens and Snoqualmie are about 5% grades? My 03 Duramax was maxed out holding back a 14,000 lb trailer on about 7% grades (1st gear and about 5000 rpm). Unless your pulling a very heavy trailer an EB is hardly needed for 5% grades.
* This post was
edited 11/11/23 04:42am by 4x4ord *
2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
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2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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Snoqualmie is 3-4% max
Stevens is in the 4-6% range.
As noted before, local roads are in the 10-20% range around here. Freeway/Interstate roads are not a worry from a braking standpoint.
Scott is near me, Simonds is 11% on nw side, 9% se. 228th by gunclub is over 15%.
Marty
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willald
NC
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I don't own a pickup truck with the 7.3 V8, but I *DO* own a Motorhome with the 7.3 V8 engine (see signature). Sooo, I can provide what I think the original poster was asking for - Real world experience from someone that actually owns and has towed heavy loads with the 7.3 (instead of just fueling the diesel vs gas brow beating and chest pounding that this thread has become, haha).
Anyway, I have driven our Newmar with the 7.3 V8 quite a bit the last 2 years we've owned it. Been through many mountain passes towing our Jeep (probably around 25k total weight). It handles the hills very well, about like you'd expect a big block gasser. Yes, it drops down a gear, turns some higher RPMs and gets loud. But, it will go up the mountain passes just fine, going pretty much as fast as I want to.
I am not going to suggest this engine tows as good as a diesel, nor that it slows, has braking like any diesel. Two entirely different animals, and there is no doubt that for heavy, heavy towing, diesel is the better choice, provided you can afford it and can deal with all that comes with owning a diesel.
However, I will tell you, that as far as gasser engines go, this 7.3 is the best I've ever owned for towing. And I've owned several - two different 6.8 V10 powered vehicles (Ford Excursion towing 34' TT and 36' class A MH towing various cars), as well as several smaller V8 powered trucks. The 7.3 puts out very, very good torque at low RPMs for a gasser. Don't recall specifics, but IIRC, the torque curve on the motor is very flat, it puts out over 400 ft-lbs of torque from 2000 RPM on up. It is a big improvement over the 6.8 V10 it replaces - Generates its torque lower in the RPM range, so a good bit quieter overall. And, when it does get loud, its a good loud, as in, a throaty V8 growl, haha. The V10 didn't sound quite the same.
As far as engine braking goes - Any time I start down a hill, I just make sure its in tow/haul mode, and just lightly tap the brake when I need to slow down, it drops down a gear, and holds it down to whatever speed I want. No, it is not like a diesel exhaust brake, but it works fine for me and our 25k of Motorhome and Jeep. Is a big improvement over the V10 it replaced.
No, its not a diesel. But, its a big improvement over the engine it replaced, and I don't believe there is any other stock gasser engine that comes close to it for heavy towing. Ford definitely narrowed the gap some with the diesels when they came out with this engine. It provides a great option to those that need to tow fairly heavy loads, but don't want to shell out all the $$ a diesel costs, or don't want diesel for other reasons.
If the day ever comes that I go back to a towable RV and need a heavy pickup for towing.....There is no question what it would be: Either an F250 or F350, with the 7.3 gasser V8.
Will and Cheryl
2021 Newmar Baystar 3014 on F53 (7.3 V8) Chassis ("Brook")
2018 Jeep Wrangler JK ("Wilbur")
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Thanks for that Will. If I had to replace my present diesel truck, I'd go gas because all the diesels are too complicated and unreliable IMO. Further, after owning a Dodge car for 8 years with a (low mileage) 6.4L eng, I'd never own another Hemi. So my next truck (if I have to buy) would be a Ford 7.3L.
But someone's gonna have to pry my hands off the steering wheel of my trusty Cummins first!
* This post was
edited 11/13/23 01:26pm by ScottG *
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FishOnOne
The Great State of Texas
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ScottG wrote:Thanks for that Will. If I had to replace my present diesel truck, I'd go gas because all the diesels are too complicated and unreliable IMO. Further, after owning a Dodge car for 8 years with a (low mileage) 6.4L eng, I'd never own another Hemi. So my next truck (if I have to buy) would be a Ford 7.3L.
But someone's gonna have to pry my hands off the steering wheel of my trusty Cummins first!
Scott,
What year model truck do you have?
'12 Ford Super Duty FX4 ELD CC 6.7 PSD 400HP 800ft/lbs "270k Miles"
'16 Sprinter 319MKS "Wide Body"
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Samsonsworld
West Texas
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cummins2014 wrote:Samsonsworld wrote:Never owned an FCA that I could keep out of the shop. So I see a lot of advantage in a Ford.
You should let my friend know that , he's been thru two 6.7 Powerstroke engines on his truck ,the first was a broken crankshaft , the second I didn't hear ,but it had to be replaced . I'll stick to the 6.7 Cummins .
Maybe I just change my user name to Godzilla and troll Ram threads so I have some sort of self claimed credibility.
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willald
NC
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Samsonsworld wrote:cummins2014 wrote:.....
Maybe I just change my user name to Godzilla and troll Ram threads so I have some sort of self claimed credibility.
I was trying to stay out of the chest pounding and brow beating, but to this, I gotta say, in the words of 'Larry the cable guy':
"Now thats funny right there, I don't care who you are!" ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Will
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