7.3 gas engine vs Powerboost

[Warlock58]

I'm throwing this out there for some experienced feedback. I have a 2021 Powerboost, 430 hp, 575 #-ft which I use to tow a camper with a UVW of 4921 and a GVWR of 6305 lbs. Let's assume I have it loaded to 6000 lbs. I live in the Denver area and thus almost always travel west thru Eisenhower tunnel or pulling elevation in other parts of Colorado or Utah for our camping. Our PB pulls OK, but the major headache is a 30.4 ish gallon gas tank and I only get 7-8 mpg while towing. And it struggles on the 5-7% grades that are common throughout the Rockies. It is a major pain to have to travel in 175 mile chunks to stop and get gas so I'm going to make a change. I'm extremely interested in upgrading to an F-150 so my question is: The 7.3 gas engine has 475 hp and 485 lb-ft torque. Can I expect better performance from a V-8 with (let's call it similar specs) as compared to the turbo'd 6 cylinder PB? Right now I'm just considering making the leap to the 6.7 Powerstroke. Thanks for any advice you can give.

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[turbopilot]

I'm throwing this out there for some experienced feedback. I have a 2021 Powerboost, 430 hp, 575 #-ft which I use to tow a camper with a UVW of 4921 and a GVWR of 6305 lbs. Let's assume I have it loaded to 6000 lbs. I live in the Denver area and thus almost always travel west thru Eisenhower tunnel or pulling elevation in other parts of Colorado or Utah for our camping. Our PB pulls OK, but the major headache is a 30.4 ish gallon gas tank and I only get 7-8 mpg while towing. And it struggles on the 5-7% grades that are common throughout the Rockies. It is a major pain to have to travel in 175 mile chunks to stop and get gas so I'm going to make a change. I'm extremely interested in upgrading to an F-150 so my question is: The 7.3 gas engine has 475 hp and 485 lb-ft torque. Can I expect better performance from a V-8 with (let's call it similar specs) as compared to the turbo'd 6 cylinder PB? Right now I'm just considering making the leap to the 6.7 Powerstroke. Thanks for any advice you can give.

Most likely what you are seeing is a trailer with poor aerodynamics. I have been pulling my 25', 7300 lb GVW Airstream all over the Rockies for three years. The only time I have ever seen 7 to 8 mpg was going up the grade on the West side of the Eisenhower Tunnel and I got most of that back going down the grade on the other side. At high altitudes straight and level I normally see between 12 to 13 mpg pulling the Airstream at 62 mph with both of my PowerBoosts since 2021.

I do agree the PowerBoost tank is too small. I nominally plan 200 mile legs but it is still a PITA to find a gas station for the 47' rig.

In my experience pulling the Airstream, the PowerBoost has all the power I need. But remember an Airstream is about 20% more aerodynamically efficient than a typical slab sided trailer.

 

[Hans Moleman]

Buy once cry ounce and just get the high output 6.7L power stroke diesel

 

[turbopilot]

just get the high output 6.7L power stroke diesel

By next year this could be a very attractive option depending on how much of the tailpipe emission equipment is deleted by the new EPA actions. But you need a hybrid to get 7.2 kW of PPoB, something I consider to be required when pulling an RV trailer these days.

I was getting excited about possibility of a SuperDuty hybrid coming out next year until I just learned the plant that was tooled to make that truck is in Canada. Not going to happen now.

 

[Samson16]

Buy once cry ounce and just get the high output 6.7L power stroke diesel

For a #6000 loaded trailer? Buy twice cry twice and get a 5th wheel for the big diesel.

 

[UGADawg96]

I was getting excited about possibility of a SuperDuty hybrid coming out next year until I just learned the plant that was tooled to make that truck is in Canada. Not going to happen now.

 

[Samson16]

I think your mileage in the mountains might be similar, but the Super Duty 7.3L V8 is available with a 48 gallon fuel tank. That will take the edge off right there!

 

[Chris GTO TT]

I haven't towed with either, but I have driven both. Take it for what it's worth. If you feel like power wise the 3.5 EcoBoost/powerboost is only okay then you'll probably not be super thrilled with the NA gas 7.3. The torque delivery of the turbo motor is far superior to that of the NA V8. Add in the extra loss of power an NA engine has at those altitudes and you'd probably be less thrilled. You would probably see better mpg when towing since it won't drink fuel like a gas turbo engine working hard.

I have a 7500lb gvwr travel trailer and I've pulled 6% grades here in CA with my standard EcoBoost without any complaints. It actually has so much torque I I'm using relatively light throttle to maintain 60. The first time I pulled that grade after switching from my 2013 truck with a 5.0 I looked down at the speedometer and was accidentally doing almost 75 on the up hill. While I understand the elevation will have some impact, but if you're not liking the climbing performance of the powerboost you're only real option is a diesel. Personally a F250 and especially a diesel is major overkill for a 6000lb gvwr travel trailer.

 

[JCsTruck]

I’m wondering for how long that electric motor & battery can continuously contribute to the V6 before it is depleted and then you have only the power of that tiny turbo V6 pulling an extra 400 lbs of dead battery up that long steep grade. There is still no replacement for displacement.

 

[Chris GTO TT]

I’m wondering for how long that electric motor & battery can continuously contribute to the V6 before it is depleted and then you have only the power of that tiny turbo V6 pulling an extra 400 lbs of dead battery up that long steep grade. There is still no replacement for displacement.

Even without the extra torque from the power boost it still makes 500lb-ft of peak torque at a lower rpm than the 7.3. Turbos literally replace displacement....

 

[JCsTruck]

The 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine in Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks (F-250, F-350, F-450) I think produces about 475 horsepower at 2,600 rpm and 1,050 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm.

That should take care of it.

 

[dbtgt]

My long term towing experience with the F250 Super Duty 6.7L Powerstroke combo is that it is vastly superior - especially in the mountains. It handles so much better and the torque makes towing almost effortless. Yes, it costs more, but it is so much more comfortable towing than any F150 and well worth the extra money IMHO. I personally wouldn't consider anything else.

 

[Snakebitten]

I tow (now) with both.
In fact with a helper-driver, I recently towed two RV's with the Powerboost AND the 7.3 F350 from coastal Texas to the Tampa area of Florida, and back.

The F350 has a 48 gallon tank, as mentioned earlier, so it could have kept on going each time we stopped for fuel when the Powerboost was crying uncle.

Interestingly, aerodynamics is quite the equalizer when it comes to fuel mileage though. Regardless of the considerable difference in cubic inches and number of cylinders, both vehicles got fairly similar fuel economy at 65-70mph. (sea level, obviously)

And although neither truck was towing "heavy", in relationship to their tow capacity, the monster sized F350 with the Godzilla under the hood was no match for the Powerboost from 0-60 under tow. My helper driver drove the F350 most of the time, and he was stunned at how the Powerboost pulls.

I've towed at elevation with the 3.5 Ecoboost. I have not done the same with the Godzilla. But I can't help but believe that the beast truck would actually take the bigger hit on power up high in the Rockies. Great truck. Fantastic bones, if you will. I love it. And I bought it specifically for towing. It will rarely ever have miles unhitched.
But it's no Powerboost for pure utility when RV'ing.

I ran out of patience for the SuperDuty Powerboost. So until it arrives, I need both trucks.

 

[huhner5]

I've towed with both(3.5 and 7.3). the Ecoboost tows better... unless you need a heavier truck... 6.7 diesel trumps both

Standard 3.5 eco.. can be equipped with a 36 gallon tank

 

[Txtruckguy]

My 7.3 only had a 32 gallon tank. I got 12mpg day to day. 8mpg towing a 5th wheel. My 1500 5.0 has a 36 gallon tank. No idea why Ford did that, but be careful if your not getting a long bed. Unless you want to drop 3k right away on a transfer flow tank, it will still suck.

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