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K3WE

Missouri

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Joined: 05/24/2005

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Posted: 03/19/21 03:02pm

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Hey, looking for discussion from folks who have this combo...

What are your likes, what are your dislikes?

What kind of mileage do you get when you are not towing? (This will spend most of it's time as a grocery hauler, but I have joined the 3/4 ton police given that 1/2 ton trucks seem sooo short on weight capacity these days. Camper is 30 ft, 7000 lb gross)

FWIW- I have not liked GM's 6 speed transmissions. When the went from 5 to 6 speeds, It seems like they added a much lower gear and much higher gear, and "the elusive ideal towing gear" is still missing. We spend LOTS AND LOTS of time in 4th gear with the engine wound up...3rd for any hill climbing, and occasionally second. 5th gear is rare (I'm ok that it never sees 6th).

I know that's not bad, but conversely, it seems like it has always been missing a slightly higher gear for towing.

And, any rumors on reliability?

I'm considering an F-250 SRW truck with this combo.

Thanks.

K3WE

Missouri

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Posted: 03/19/21 03:13pm

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Replying to my own thread :-)

https://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm........hread/tid/30204281/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

ScottG

Bothell Wa.

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Joined: 02/25/2005

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Posted: 03/19/21 03:40pm

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Two problems I have read about.
Noise coming from transmission. Not a big deal by any means, wont leave you stranded and Ford is replacing affected tranny's w/new.
Spark plug wires failing. Again, not disastrous other than there are sometimes shortages of parts and you may have to wait some time to get your truck back on the road. Ford replacing them under warranty. Some people carry a spare if they can find one (they're cheap).

To me, these issues are diddly compared to most new designs.

Lwiddis

Near Bishop, California

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Posted: 03/19/21 04:44pm

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“given that 1/2 ton trucks seem sooo short on weight capacity these days.”

Half tons are not declining in max tow or payload. The numbers go up every year. However, 30 feet is my max for towing with a half ton.

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AMP Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

kellem

Shenandoah valley,VA

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Posted: 03/19/21 05:39pm

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I own a 2021 F250 7.3 and have been extremely pleased.

We tow a 30' 7600 lb trailer but have only pulled twice so perhaps, minimal contribution.

I'm seeing 17 mpg highway empty and 10.3 towing twice.
The truck has given me 1800 miles of trouble free service.....grin.

Gene K 2

USA

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Posted: 03/19/21 10:31pm

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kellem wrote:

The maximums go up but I'm not sure the minimum goes up. It's very possible to get a Ram or an F150 with a 1100 lb payload.

F150 Screw Lariat 4x4 502A 2.7EB with Pano Roof and all the other extras likely weighs 54xx and they only have a 6600 GVWR.

Grit dog

Black Diamond, WA

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Posted: 03/19/21 11:20pm

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Gene K 2 wrote:

kellem wrote:

2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29

theoldwizard1

SE MI

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Posted: 03/20/21 07:18am

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ScottG wrote:

Again, not disastrous other than there are sometimes shortages of parts and you may have to wait some time to get your truck back on the road. Ford replacing them under warranty.

IIRC, these were very early build, like maybe the first 2 or 3 months.

blofgren

Surrey, B.C.

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Posted: 03/20/21 09:55am

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We have several 7.3L trucks now at my work in F-350 pickups and F-550 dump trucks. They are loaded heavy, driven hard, and they are all solid workhorses with zero issues so far. I think this engine is a winner for Ford and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I were in the market. They sound awesome too! [emoticon]

2013 Ram 3500 Megacab DRW Laramie 4x4, 6.7L Cummins, G56, 3.73, Maximum Steel, black lthr, B&W RVK3670 hitch, Retrax, Linex, and a bunch of options incl. cargo camera
2008 Corsair Excella Platinum 34.5 CKTS fifth wheel with winter package & disc brakes

1Longbow

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Posted: 03/21/21 07:49pm

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I have a 2021, just pulled for the first time this weekend. I am very pleased,tows great and love the transmission,it shifts flawlessly, I had a Ram with a Cummins and while it might have gotten little better mileage ,and having owned 5 rams before this Ford, I like this engine.Good luck finding one though. I drove from Az. to Denver to buy this one. At the time the only one with that engine in 5 states