Opinion of the Ford F 250 2001 7.3 Diesel as a tow vehicle

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Opinion of the Ford F 250 2001 7.3 Diesel as a tow vehicle
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel Mishawaka Indiana on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 05:16 pm:

I have a Ford F 150 BUT I had to borrow a Large Diesel Chevy (see picture) for U haul to rent me a trailer since i guess the F-150 does not have enough tow capacity (1999) The Chevy pulled the trailer like it was not there and got 19 MPG over 800 mile trip

I have the opportunity to buy 2001 Ford F-250 7.3 Diesel at a fair price (2 WD)

Question,I have never owned a diesel. I do LIKE Fords

All Fords

For you that do a lot of driving and experience is this a better idea, sell the F-150 and buy the F-250 Diesel ??


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 05:23 pm:

I have driven an 2002 F250 long bed, 2wd with the 6.8 liter 10 cylinder for 12 years. She has 200K on the clock and have towed everything from doodlebugs to Fordsons to TTs with no issue. Just put a new transmission in her because there is no other truck out there I want - just really happy with this one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 05:26 pm:

That diesel should have no problem with pulling a trailered T.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob from Nova Scotia on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 07:21 pm:

I've been a paramedic for 17 years. Most of my units used the 7.3. Bulletproof and efficient.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 07:44 pm:

I have used two Dodges with the Cummins in them,
I was impressed with both of them, but they don't chirp the tires when they shift into second like the Fords do with the International engine.

tow truck driver's here in my area tell me the International is not as reliable as it used to be, and although they still use Fords they have Cummins engines as they are available in the larger trucks.
With the Cummins they are down somewhat on power though.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Will Copeland - Trenton, New Jersey on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:13 pm:

I tow with my 2006 Dodge cummins, I get around 20 MPG and can out pull any gas engine on the market. I will never go back to gas


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:29 pm:

The 2 wheel drive F250 diesel with the 7.3 diesel is an extremely reliable and nearly ideal tow vehicle.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:36 pm:

I bought my 2000 7.3 ,6spd manual 2wd short box super cab new. I now have 225,000 miles on it. Replaced the clutch at about 200,000 (the springs inside the disc broke). I was away from home. I pulled into the dealer at 7:00 pm(they had evening service). By noon the next day I was back on the road. I change the oil when the dipstick tells me to ( I try to never add oil) when the dipstick says add I change (that's at about 6,000 miles).
I get about 60,000 miles from a brake job. I change the Trans and rear axle fluid at about 60,000 miles
I figure its about 1/2 used up now


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:46 pm:

That ford will pull the chevy, trailer and the T without a miss.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 08:53 pm:

You must have something wrong with the F150. I have had one for 11 years and it is only 6 cylinder. It pulls the open trailer with my T just fine. Only on steep grades do I slow down but that is because it shifts down and I don't like to rev the engine. I go up 6% and steeper grades 45 mph. Going down hill or level I can keep up with the speed limits just fine and get about 16 mph on a trip pulling the trailer.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pat Kelly on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:04 pm:

I have a 7.3 in my '97 F-250 HD. That motor pulls real good with next to no problems. Oil and filters every 5K. I haul model T's, livestock, tractors, hay, and on and on. Heavy loads usually. Empty I get 19 mpg, heavy loads like my 26' stock trailer full of cows, I get 15 mpg. This is not flat country. All the F-250s are good trucks. PK


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:12 pm:

I hate to "rain of the Ford fan's parade", but my opinion of the 6.9 and 7.3 diesels is plain and simple, THEY SUCK, fuel that is. I had a 6.9 in a F250 four wheel drive that came with factory 4.10 gears. Even unloaded, I don't think I ever got over 10 MPG. I spent $500 to $600, having the front and rear axle gears changed to 3.54, the lowest numerically available for that vehicle. The best I ever got from it after the change was at the most two MPG, better. The fuel savings never paid for the gear conversion.

Thinking the four wheel drive was the culprit, I traded it for a 7.3 F350 two wheel drive, factory equipped with 3.54 gears. Same song, second verse. I may have gotten one or two MPG better, but with the cost of diesel rising at the time, I couldn't rationalize keeping it.

So, now I have a 2003 F150 with a V6. It does better on fuel mileage, but not as good as my former 1994 Chevy half ton with a V6. The Ford V6 will pull my 16' open trailer with anything I want to load on it, on flat terrain, but mountains do hurt performance and gas mileage quite a bit.

If new pickups hadn't gotten so expensive, my choice would be a new Dodge half ton with the turbocharged V6. Second choice would be a F150 with V6 Ecoboost, Third coice would be a Dodge 3/4 with a cummins, but all are out of my price range unless I win a Nigerian Lottery; better still, an American Lottery. The new Ford diesels may be better on fuel, but until some salesman can show me that they do; NO more Ford diesels for me!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Bohlen on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:18 pm:

I have 1999 Ford f350 7.3 diesel crew cab dully that I pull a enclosed trailer that can haul two Ts. It goes down the road in over drive at 65 real nice. It just has 101k and runs great.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:26 pm:

Norman I think it was a issue with Uhaul renting him the trailer.


The only issue I see sometimes with 2 wheel drive diesel , both dodge and ford is the engine is so heavy in the front the truck will get stuck on wet grass.
I help work on a 93 with a non turbo 7.3. It is weak now but gosh it has 300,000 miles on it.
Injectors pump is worn.
And the past, oh 9 years since I have been retired,I have helped put at least 2 sets of injector seals on that truck.Why they go out I dont know. Could be lousy low sulfer diesel fuel?
If it is cold where you live,this is something to consider. It cost my buddy roughly 35 dollars a month in the winter to keep the block heater on for that engine to start in the winter.
Rather it is issue with truck or whatever,that is expensive.
Just remember a oil change is exspensive and requires fuel filters to.I think every time he changes oil it eats up 85 dollars or with in that range.
The new diesels,expect to pay alot for repairs and the stoves in the exhaust can catch a feild on fire when they decide to self clean!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:34 pm:

the ford diesels are very popular, make a lot of power, and nice trucks until something breaks. extremely high cost for any motor failure, and they do fail. look under the hood once, and i'd run the other way. fender to fender full of things you cant identify, or get at to fix even if you knew how. many motor repairs involve removing the cab to get access to the part. injectors are 450 apiece, x 8. the newer cummins are not much better, i like the old ones. very simple, looks like a motor under the hood, injectors are 450 for a set of 6. perhaps not as much power, but who cares. you pay for that power in fuel mileage.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed Baudoux on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 09:44 pm:

The 7.3 Powerstroke is an incredible engine. It will serve you well. When they changed to the 6.0, the troubles began. Cabs have to come off for major engine work. Some will tell you that there are modifications to make the 6.0 reliable, but I would not recommend it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Zibell on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:00 pm:

The 7.3 Ford is very reliable. Go for it. Just about bullet proof. Just got rid of my 6.0 (started to have problems) and waiting for the 6.7 I've ordered to come in. If there was a good 7.3 in the area I would have gone with one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:17 pm:

My F250 gets around 20 mpg and will pull a trailer with a car-- my Dodge dually 3500 gets 18-21mpg, and will pull anything! Diesels are the only way to go--fuel mileage is good when you use them and, you can let it sit 6 months and start it right up without having to drain the tank and rebuild everything.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barry Fowler - Eagle River, Alaska on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:20 pm:

David I have a 2000 F350 6 speed manual w/7.3 diesel. It does a spectacular job pulling my 16 foot enclosed trailer with a T inside. The trailer is tall enough for my centerdoor and an open car can be driven in with the top up. I used to use my F 150 5 speed manual 302 V8. There is no comparison. The F150 was really working hard. The F350 hardly knows it is back there


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By charley shaver on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:29 pm:

my friend geo gaggle ran his 7.3 480,000.then it woun't go no more!!!!.charley


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John E Cox on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 10:37 pm:

I traded my 210,000 mile 2000 F250 4 wheel drive 7.3 diesel in on a 2013 F150 5 litre gas.
the 7.3 engine is still in demand and I got a good trade in. The 2000 got 15 MPG most of the time and the F250 gets 21 most of the time and rides and drives like a nice car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - 11:41 pm:

I'll have to admit, either of my Ford diesels (6.9 or 7.3) would pull anything that I could load on my trailer, including a large heavy forklift, and I couldn't tell much difference in fuel mileage, but both were non-turbocharged engines and when I got in high elevation mountains, it was like someone closed off the air intake to the size of a dime.

I don't understand how some owners can get respectable mileage from their 6.9 or 7.3's and I could get anything to brag about from either of mine. I don't have a "lead foot". On the contrary, I babied them, driving under the speed limit and getting the single finger salute from other drivers, many times. I make no apologizes, I will never own another Ford diesel unless the salesman lets me hook up my trailer; load the forklift on it and let me drive to Colorado and back, or as an option get a Colorado dealer to let me test drive his truck with my trailer, loaded.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Sayer on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 01:38 am:

7.3 diesel will more than do it, I have a 6.0 Powerstroke now and had to go that route, my F-150 with a 5.4 triton had problems pulling one single car down the road, of course it was not a Model T:?) it was a 50's Mercury, heavy heavy car:?) the 7.3 is in my opinion the best diesel ford has had.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 12:26 am:

I meant to type that "I couldn't get anything to brag about from either of them"


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