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jefe here.
Our last 15 day trip to Yellowstone and vicinity brought to a head the woe of having a diesel pickup for 20 years. How’s that? In a nutshell: time marches on.
1. The noise level which was so cool in 2001 with that testosterone raising rattle/clacking has combined with our failing hearing to make difficult to talk on long trips.
2. That bullet proof 6 speed manual with a long life expectancy has proved an impediment for Jeanie wanting to drive. What to do?
3. That, “outlast me” aspect of a truck is less appealing now that we’re in our mid 70’s and don’t have that long to outlive the diesel penalty on a new truck.Jeanie and I bought this 3 weeks ago.
2020 Ford F-350 XLT 4WD single rear wheel, Short bed, super cab, 4.30 gears.
We only have about 400 miles on the odo, but are enjoying life with a quiet engine, plenty of power and lower per gallon fuel costs, with no woes with DPF, SCR, DEF, Bosch CP4.2, EGR, or sootbags. Jeanie enjoys driving this one with it’s 10 speed automatic transmission.The argument for or against either diesel or gas has been a long standing standoff with owners of one or the other huddling in their clan’s corner supporting their choice as the best choice. We are one of the rare breed on here that have enjoyed both a diesel and now a modern gas powered truck to haul our camper.
The vaunted V-10’s with their massive torque and power are fading from the scene as being too fuelhardy.
The introduction of Ford’s 7.3L V-8 gasser puts it in a class by itself. From the ground up the 445 cu.inch pushrod engine is built as an actual heavy duty truck engine with the CGVWR with a 5-er or gooseneck of up to 28K pounds.
Engine: 7.3L gas HP: 430 TQ: 475 #ft.
About 600 pounds and 525 pound feet of torque lighter than the Ford 6.7L diesel.
Transmission: TorqShift 10R140 automatic used in F series trucks up to F-750.
This is the widest ratio H.D. truck automatic trans I’ve ever run into spanning 4.6 to 0.63.
Gears 8, 9, & 10 are overdrive gears.
ratios:
First 4.615:1
Second 2.919:1
Third 2.132:1
Fourth 1.773:1
Fifth 1.519:1
Sixth 1.277:1
Seventh 1:01
Eighth 0.851:1
Ninth 0.687:1
Tenth 0.632:1
Reverse -4.695:1
The GVWR is 11, 300 pounds.
Curb weight is 6653, or 6798, or 7243 depending
payload: 4610 or 4580, or 4320, or 4066 dependingThe combination of the 7.3L gas and the 10R140 ten speed is a definite game changer.
I’m still waiting for the front tiedowns from Torklift to get the N* up and on the bed of the Ford.
I’m hoping by the time the 2021 Truck Camper Adventure Rally rolls around I’ll can offer a comparo on my experience in owning both a diesel and a gasser TC from someone who has and will continue to have both. Right now I’m doing a lot of research to assemble folks’ experience. If you have personal experience with both gas and diesel hauling a truck camper, lay it on us here.
I will try to summarize the main issues.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Hey there, Jefe!
I’ve read your post with great interest, since our prime mover “Brutus” is a 2014 Ram 3500 diesel. We really like the darn thing, (quiet and powerful) but have had one DEF so far misadventure that required dropping the DEF tank and flushing it… in the middle of a trip far from home. So the topic of a new gasser stout enough to replace Brutus has actually been discussed, and we’re looking forward to seeing your narration on this topic.
Thanks for sharing your experience – much appreciated!
Bryan & Susan
I’m still a dreamer, but so far my plans are very similar to your rig. The recent F350 have a blindspot monitor function. As someone who lives < 5 miles from an interstate, I would like to use this if at all possible. I know the sensor is in the tail light. Is there a way to still use this with your camper mounted? Would dropping the wrap storage expose the tail lights enough for them to work? TIA
Karen,
If you have a short bed truck, I would think using a non-storage wrapped camper made for a long bed using the truck’s taillights and the same weight center of gravity as the short bed model would work with this caveat:
How wide is the lens image in the tail light? If it cannot operate correctly with the center blind spot with the camper on, this would cancel your ability to use the sensor.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Bryan and Susan,
I’ll chalk your story up to, “the period of adjustment” that we all go through to find TC Nirvana. I’m thinking your 2014 has fewer woes than the 2020 version.There seem to be more than a few folks in the same boat with you.
It was just blind luck that I bought the 2001 Dodge Cummins HO at the right time. What got me as a student of drivetrains was the complete engine/drivetrain strength and longevity. I always look at the components of a truck to judge whether it suits our needs or not. It has been simple and trouble free. Of the 40-some odd vehicles we’ve owned, the Dodge Cummins has been over time the most reliable and trouble free. During the past 190K miles we have moved the lift pump down to the frame with a better pump in front of the fuel tank and replaced the clutch @ 180K miles.
Considering the latest and greatest diesels on the market trying like mad to assuage the smog devil with unreliable add-ons and potions, I have noticed a crying need for a big torque gasser to help us lowly truck camper types carry the yoke of our cottage on wheels.
Time will tell if we are thumbs up or not.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Hey Jefe, Thanks for opining on your new gasser – When the time comes, I’m not not totally sure about the prospects of hauling my 4,950# camper up and over the Sierra’s with a gasser, so will be following your reports indeed 🙂 !!
Many Thanks,
PhilCongratulations on your new rig. I am running a 2017 F350 with the 6.2 gas engine and having had a diesel in the past, I have a much higher comfort level that I am going to get where I need to go and back without problems.
I carry a 2017 Northern Lite 8.11 and I have not felt underpowered at all with mine, even when towing my 12 foot ATV trailer loaded up with my ATV, coolers etc. Mine has the 3.73 gears so I know I downshift sooner that I would if I still had my 6.2 gas with the 4.30’s but it has not been noticeable to where I wish I had gotten the 4.30’s.
I think more and more people are looking seriously at the newer gas engines than ever before and I personally cannot see me ever having another diesel. I just don’t need it for what I do.
I believe you are really going to enjoy your new truck and look forward to seeing updates from you on how it is performing.
2017 F350 Super Duty 4x4, CCSB, XLT Premium Package, 6.2 gas, 3.73 rear end, GVWR 11,300 lbs, Payload 4226 lbs, Silver Ingot, Camper Package, Split bench front seat, Upfitter switches, LED Box Lighting, Rear Step Tailgate, Air Lift 5000 Ultimate Airbags with Air Lift WirelessAIR on board compressor kit and remote, Torklift Upper Stableloads, Torklift tie downs w/ Fastguns
2017 Northern Lite 8.11 QC SEDj,
Have the dealer run you a “Detailed Vehicle Specification – (17 digit truck serial number just above the bar code on the window sticker) It’s about 10 pages of what the truck has, and what is doesn’t have, which are called,’less’. For instance, the running boards-platform are stock designation: BLBAQ. THE 18X8 CAST ALUMINUM-TYPE 1 wheels are D2UBE. It’s Fordspeak for that very truck’s inventory of parts.AFAIK, this exact truck, the 7.3 Godzilla gas V-8 only comes with either 3.55’s or 4.30’s. I’m really loving the 10 speed and have already glommed on to the manual shifting part on really steep hills, up and downhill as there is more engine braking from this gasser than my old Cummins 5.9L with 6 speed.
The Ford 6.2L gas V-8 and 6.7L diesel get the 3.73.
We just got back from a camping trip to Death Valley with lots of 4WD, low range, a little E-locking rr diff. The over all mpg from about 1K miles on the clock to 1500 miles was 12.3 mpg. Not bad considering during that time we had 16K feet of altitude gain and loss and a few sections @ 9% grade for 20 miles. One stretch from Bishop to Lone Pine ( mostly flat) got us an unbelievable 14.0 mpg. That’s with the camper on and loaded up.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Hey Jefe, congrats, those are some mighty impressive mpg numbers, and with a 4:30 to boot – I’d say very impressive 🙂 !!
For curiosity sake two questions:
1) what would you estimate your loaded camper weight?
2) since I would require a DRW (and not familiar with Fords), does the Gross cargo weight rating go up a bit with a DRW config??
My camper loaded is at about 4,950# with 66gal of water…
Many Thanks,
Phil
Phil,
The truck weighs 7243 pounds with all the 5-er and towing parts.
The camper weighs 2350 pounds.
For TC travel, subtract the tailgate weight, about 60 pounds.
X-out the powered jacks, about 200 pounds.
The tie downs weigh about 40 pounds.
Add around 600 pounds of people and stuff.
The tally comes to 9973 pounds.
The camper loaded,which includes 2 people is around 3000 pounds.2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Hey Jefe, Many thanks for the update – I’m hanging with the diesel for now, mostly because my mileage is still at about 55k, but once I begin to approach 100k I’ll be doing another evaluation…Maybe 100k’ish will be the sweet-spot for trade-in – lol
Phil
Hey jefe,we are Robandbeverly and new to TCA and researching TC rigs to order new and was surprised to read we are looking at almost your exact rig.if you will please help us understand your “4580/4320/4060” payload numbers.our dream is to pull our 3000# boat behind the rig in the mostly flat areas of the southern coastal states in the winter but explore the wild west boat less in the warmer months.we understand we are pushing the payload with the extra boat tongue weight .we appreciate any and all advice from y’alls experience.thank you in advance Rob and Beverly Charleston s.c.
Rob and Beverly,
The 4580# rating is for a bone stock F-350 with NO extras
4320# is with some more stuff added
4060 is my printed payload. I have a lot of extras like 5th wheel hitch; trailer hitch; many electrical and electronic upgrades with an inverter.
Note above all the weight of the stuff i removed to load on our Northstar Laredo.
Understand that the diesel option puts about 600 pounds more on the front axle and reduces the payload by about…..600 pounds.
We just returned from the 2021 TCA Rally and put 1500 miles on our new sled. Going south with the wind @ 65 mph mostly on freeways netted us 13.5 mpg with our 10K pound loaded TC over 688 miles.
However, the trip back north netted us only 11.2 mpg as we had a continuous 40-50 mph desert headwind, slightly off straight, the worst case scenario, and had hours of detours through city streets with signals every block, basically the worst.
Also, we did the Bradshaw trail, and the diesels outperformed the gasser in mpg while in slow-mode.
I’ll be publishing a piece on here entitled: GAS or DIESEL: CONSIDERATIONS. In it I review the yeas and nays of each.
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
JeFe,thank you for helping us clear up some of the payload questions we have prior to ordering our new truck to haul a slide in camper as well as tow a 3k lb boat.we like a lot of people I’m sure have struggled with figuring out payload capabilities of a truck that has not been built yet trying to use fords different official payload matrix that seems to be as variable as the weather while not providing the specific decrease in payload in relation to the options you can choose.were going to go ahead and order a f350 4×4 xlt premium package gasser with the camper package.we will also upgrade the tires to the lt275/70rx18e and the 240 amp alternator .due to the rising cost of fuel we are still on the fence concerning the 6.2l with either the 3.73 or 4.3 electronic locking axle or the 7.3 with the 4.3 .the boat and 2500 pound camper would only be hauled in the flat coastal areas of the southeast while the camper alone would be hauled allover the country mostly staying in campgrounds and driving on graded roads.if we may ask please give your opinion on which motor combination you would choose giving the variables mentioned above as well as should we get the 5fer option to add extra frame support in consideration of a reciever hitch extension for the boat hauling.thanks in advance Rob and Beverly
Rob and Bev,
Without a way to PM you on here, i’m hamstrung with a way to send you the whole piece: GAS or Diesel; CONSIDERATIONS.
and there is a lot to consider.
I survey the big gasser V-8’s by Ford, GM, and Chrysler/Fiat.
In a nutshell the best version for what you need is the 7.3L Ford Gas/10 speed, but I need more information. Next down the line is the GM 6.6L gasser/10 speed. Next is the Ford 6.2L gasser/10 speed, for reasons I talk about in the piece. Bringing up the rear is the Chrysler/Fiat 6.4L Hemi V-8 with it’s miniscule 100 pound feet of torque @ 1600 rpm.if you could send your email address to:
jefefourxfour@gmail.com (Put the two fours into just numbers like listed under my picture) I’m hoping this eliminates any nefarious contact. Your email will remain hidden.
I will forward you the 10 page article.
It has a lot of info, but you can digest it at your leisure.
regards, as always, jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
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