F250 7.3L w/ 10 speed Transmission

[TeckTavern]

I recently upgraded our tow vehicle from a 2017 F250 to a 2020 F250. The '17 was a 6.7L gas engine with 6 speed transmission. The 2020 has the new 7.3L engine paired with a 10-speed transmission (3.55 gear ratio). The 6.7L gas left a little to be desired when in hilly areas, even with a 3.73 rear end. I felt like it struggled too much -- hunting in and out of 2d, 3d and 4th gear while the engine revved 4-5000 rpm.

The 7.3L/10 spd combination is a gas enthusiast's dream. The 3.55 rear end gives me the same (maybe a tad better) gas mileage than the 6.7L/6 speed!
It'll never outpull a diesel...but for folks who don't want the added cost and hastles that come with a diesel, this rig, or a similar GM or Dodge setup is a great alternative. Note the 10-speed transmission (co-developed by Ford and GM) shifts so smoothly, you have to watch the gear indicator or RPM needle to notice it's even shifting. Very happy with the new TV!

[GPurcell]

Originally Posted by TeckTavern

I recently upgraded our tow vehicle from a 2017 F250 to a 2020 F250. The '17 was a 6.7L gas engine with 6 speed transmission. The 2020 has the new 7.3L engine paired with a 10-speed transmission (3.55 gear ratio). The 6.7L gas left a little to be desired when in hilly areas, even with a 3.73 rear end. I felt like it struggled too much -- hunting in and out of 2d, 3d and 4th gear while the engine revved 4-5000 rpm.

The 7.3L/10 spd combination is a gas enthusiast's dream. The 3.55 rear end gives me the same (maybe a tad better) gas mileage than the 6.7L/6 speed!
It'll never outpull a diesel...but for folks who don't want the added cost and hastles that come with a diesel, this rig, or a similar GM or Dodge setup is a great alternative. Note the 10-speed transmission (co-developed by Ford and GM) shifts so smoothly, you have to watch the gear indicator or RPM needle to notice it's even shifting. Very happy with the new TV!

What is your gas mileage?

[grumblin]

Originally Posted by TeckTavern

I recently upgraded our tow vehicle from a 2017 F250 to a 2020 F250. The '17 was a 6.7L gas engine with 6 speed transmission. The 2020 has the new 7.3L engine paired with a 10-speed transmission (3.55 gear ratio). The 6.7L gas left a little to be desired when in hilly areas, even with a 3.73 rear end. I felt like it struggled too much -- hunting in and out of 2d, 3d and 4th gear while the engine revved 4-5000 rpm.

The 7.3L/10 spd combination is a gas enthusiast's dream. The 3.55 rear end gives me the same (maybe a tad better) gas mileage than the 6.7L/6 speed!
It'll never outpull a diesel...but for folks who don't want the added cost and hastles that come with a diesel, this rig, or a similar GM or Dodge setup is a great alternative. Note the 10-speed transmission (co-developed by Ford and GM) shifts so smoothly, you have to watch the gear indicator or RPM needle to notice it's even shifting. Very happy with the new TV!

I went the same route with a 2020 F250 7.3L. I purchased it on 7/27. It has 588 miles and is in the shop waiting for a new engine to arrive. Cylinders 6 and 7 lost oil and one of the lifters failed. Hope this doesn't set the tone going forward. I'm hoping that I can feel the same happiness after I get it back.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by grumblin

I went the same route with a 2020 F250 7.3L. I purchased it on 7/27. It has 588 miles and is in the shop waiting for a new engine to arrive. Cylinders 6 and 7 lost oil and one of the lifters failed. Hope this doesn't set the tone going forward. I'm hoping that I can feel the same happiness after I get it back.

What a drag! No one wants to go through that...
Hope it all works out for you and that a year from now it is just an unpleasant memory.

[chugchug]

I have a 2016 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. It never feels under power, the 6 speed transmission doesn't seem to hunt. It does bog down on steep hills, but it doesn't seem excessive. The only problem I have encountered is that when it is really hot outside 100+ degree, the engine temperature rises to the point that the computer reduces performance to a crowl.

Originally Posted by TeckTavern

I recently upgraded our tow vehicle from a 2017 F250 to a 2020 F250. The '17 was a 6.7L gas engine with 6 speed transmission. The 2020 has the new 7.3L engine paired with a 10-speed transmission (3.55 gear ratio). The 6.7L gas left a little to be desired when in hilly areas, even with a 3.73 rear end. I felt like it struggled too much -- hunting in and out of 2d, 3d and 4th gear while the engine revved 4-5000 rpm.

The 7.3L/10 spd combination is a gas enthusiast's dream. The 3.55 rear end gives me the same (maybe a tad better) gas mileage than the 6.7L/6 speed!
It'll never outpull a diesel...but for folks who don't want the added cost and hastles that come with a diesel, this rig, or a similar GM or Dodge setup is a great alternative. Note the 10-speed transmission (co-developed by Ford and GM) shifts so smoothly, you have to watch the gear indicator or RPM needle to notice it's even shifting. Very happy with the new TV!

[RamRider]

Nice truck, I bet you will have an awesome traveling experience with it.

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by chugchug

I have a 2016 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. It never feels under power, the 6 speed transmission doesn't seem to hunt. It does bog down on steep hills, but it doesn't seem excessive. The only problem I have encountered is that when it is really hot outside 100+ degree, the engine temperature rises to the point that the computer reduces performance to a crowl.

I’m sure ford will make good on your engine. Our motor has 6,000 miles on it, about half towing a 25 ft trailer. Mileage is about 16 around town and 11 towing.

[Starlight Mike]

Originally Posted by chugchug

I have a 2016 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. It never feels under power, the 6 speed transmission doesn't seem to hunt. It does bog down on steep hills, but it doesn't seem excessive. The only problem I have encountered is that when it is really hot outside 100+ degree, the engine temperature rises to the point that the computer reduces performance to a crowl.

Let me see if I understand this correctly, your 3.5 ecoboost never feels underpowered EXCEPT going up hills, then when its hot outside, the engine temp goes up and performance is reduced to a crawl! Wow, guess I will not be considering one of those.

[superChop]

OP wanted to say his 2017 was a 6.2L, 6 speed transmission.

We considered waiting one year to purchase the new V8 and 10 speed transmission. However, the 6.2, 6 speed is a veteran product and performed very well in our trip to Colorado. We just selected the gear we wanted and climbs and descents were very easy! Often in our 40+ years of car ownership, we have found the big 3 manufacturers use the consumer for a lot of their R&D. The responder whose 7.3L is in the shop waiting for a new engine confirms our theory.

However, after saying this, I know there are many dealers that sell their new trucks with a Limited Lifetime Wty on the driveline. We went this route, even with the 6.2. Not sure why anyone would purchase a new vehicle from the big 3 without this warranty? Just read the language in the warranty when it comes to Liability and ensure that it does not say: “Warranty Will be voided if you go over the recommended mileage for each maintenance phase”. Our says “may” be voided. Since we all travel extensively, we are required to perform maintenance away from home and with receipts from authorized maintenance centers we are in compliance with our warranty.

[tjdonahoe]

...I wouldn’t want one....I like my ram 6.7 cummalong

[JCWDCW]

Originally Posted by m rafferty

Let me see if I understand this correctly, your 3.5 ecoboost never feels underpowered EXCEPT going up hills, then when its hot outside, the engine temp goes up and performance is reduced to a crawl! Wow, guess I will not be considering one of those.

Most major manufacturers have the computer reduce power when the engine overheats. My 03 Dakota with the Mitsubishi 4.7 has always needed a nudge when going downhill after a long climb. I figured the computer was getting wrong inputs. My mechanic says it is a protective move...computer is smarter than me!
JCW

[djbar]

Same TV as OP. Very pleased with performance pulling my FC25FBT.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by m rafferty

Let me see if I understand this correctly, your 3.5 ecoboost never feels underpowered EXCEPT going up hills, then when its hot outside, the engine temp goes up and performance is reduced to a crawl! Wow, guess I will not be considering one of those.

The Ecoboost was said to have sufficient power. The poster stated that the transmission doesn’t hunt, but it doesn’t downshift soon enough on steep hills. That correlates with the vehicle overheating. Pick the correct gear.

[mtbmitch]

Originally Posted by m rafferty

Let me see if I understand this correctly, your 3.5 ecoboost never feels underpowered EXCEPT going up hills, then when its hot outside, the engine temp goes up and performance is reduced to a crawl! Wow, guess I will not be considering one of those.

Got a Transit t-250 with the twin turbo 3.5 towing a lance 1995 which is about the weight of a 23 AS but not as aerodynamic as the AS. Have towed it up mountains in the summer heat in Idaho. No overheating for me. Does the F150 in question have the max tow kit? Is there something blocking the intercooler and radiator? Non ethanol and 89 octane might be something to consider. The NOX sensors will retard the ignition with low BTU fuel.

[drbrick]

That f250 is a Nice truck.... our 2013 F-150HD FX4 3.5l ecoboost with tow package has 3.73 rearend and 6 speed trans with tow haul and down hill assist never had any trouble towing our Int'l 25 through the Rockies. While a new truck is always nice I am just happy with the one we have.

[Airhead59]

Originally Posted by chugchug

I have a 2016 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. It never feels under power, the 6 speed transmission doesn't seem to hunt. It does bog down on steep hills, but it doesn't seem excessive. The only problem I have encountered is that when it is really hot outside 100+ degree, the engine temperature rises to the point that the computer reduces performance to a crowl.

I tow with a 2015 F150 with 3.5L EcoBoost and have not experienced "bogging down" or overheating issues. Do you have the "Maxtow" package with upgraded engine and transmission cooling? I live out west and have 25k miles towing over 12,000 ft passes and in and out of the AZ Salt River Canyon at 100+F. However, I am only pulling a Safari 25' and always in Tow/Haul mode with manual override gear selection on steep descents and climbs.

[CRH]

If OPs 2017 6.2 had 4.30 gears, he would have probably would have been more satisfied with its towing performance.

[TeckTavern]

15.5 MPG unladen, 11-12 laden. 9-10 in hilly regions.

[TeckTavern]

Originally Posted by Bruce B

What a drag! No one wants to go through that...
Hope it all works out for you and that a year from now it is just an unpleasant memory.

Sorry to hear of your engine issue. Road and Track published a good article on the engine. I'm not trying to sell anyone, just putting some additional TV info out there for people to consider.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...details-specs/

[Tomfeury]

Nice!
I have a 2019 F250 with the 6.7 before the upgrade.
I have already towed my 27FC 16,000 miles and am very happy. I do notice it "hunts" on steep hills down to 3rd gear, but still it maintains speed, the RPM's and trans temp seem to be fine.

I plan to keep this for a looong time!.

best of luck with your 2020 - stream on!