Living the nomad life, I have tons of RV and tow vehicle knowledge I'm eager to share. I'm here to help you find the right RV and maybe a truck to tow it, then help you set it up for the way you RV.
Current Truck: 2021 F-350 Lariat SRW 7.3L Gas Last Truck: 2021 GMC AT4 HD 2500 SRW 6.6L Gas
Been RV-n for 45+ years and would agree with you on your analysis for fuel. I usually can get 250-300 miles on a tank. Thats a lot of time in the seat. Flying J & pilot are my usual 'go to's ' Some Costco's are easy, but most are not! Once in a while we'll see a station with an easy pull thru & will top off there. I carry a 5gal gas can with ~4g in it as just in case. So far over the last 10 years I have not had to use it, but it is there. If needed I can park, pour in 4g and get another 4 in it and then get to another station I can navigate.
Good information. I have a 2024 Silverado 2500HD with 6.6 L gasser and 10 speed transmission. It pulls my 9000 pound travel trailer easily. I had just retired so I didn’t even consider spending extra $10,000 up front for a diesel. Plus the DEF fluid, extra maintenance and typically 700-800 pounds less payload due to extra engine weight. Plus, at age 65 I’m way past macho stuff like worrying about other guys with diesels passing me on steep grades. I’m trading up to a mid profile fifth wheel with 10,000 empty weight and 2300 pin. My payload is 3536 pounds. I don’t carry any cargo in the bed or tow with any fresh water so I should have about 900-1000 pounds left for hitch, me/wife, 2 little dogs and stuff under the back seat. My big unknown is how much will it sag/squat. I’ve already planned that Timbrens are definitely going to be installed. Gas stations are definitely a bit of a pain and planning is a must. I’ve had some close calls on turns/maneuvering and have had to back up a few times. I like the Flying J RV lanes. I’m going to make that an integral part of my planning from now on. Thanks!
You also need to take into effect cost of oil changes and fuel filter changes. Ford recommends every 5000 miles for oil changes and every other oil change for fuel filter change on their 6.7L diesel. That's about $150-175 every oil change(13qts of diesel oil) and about $175-200 every fuel filter change (there are 2 fuel filter that have to be changed). The 7.3L gas engine calls for an oil change every 7500-10,000 miles (8 qt 5w30) and fuel filter should be changed (according to the manual) every 100K. I went from a 6.7L diesel to the 7.3L gasser because this was my everyday driver and we take trips with an 8000lb trailer once a month (about 200 miles one way) and one long trip (6-8000 miles) once a year. While I have lower MPG, I save on maintaining the truck, no DEF, and my main worry was I wasn't working the engine, so I worried about screwing the engine up from soot, acids in the oil, and having to make sure I used an additive to raise fuel lubrication at the fuel pump. Do I regret leaving the diesel? Yes, it was great on hauling the trailer and yes it got better milage. But when I calculated the cost difference (fuel usage vs cost of maintaining the diesel), especially since about 70% of my driving was relatively short trips (less than 20 miles), the cost of running the diesel was about 22% more that the gasser. And the difference can pay for a lot of gas. I'm retired but my wife won't be retiring for a few more years. After that we'll be camping more and making longer trips. At that point I may be looking for a diesel. But with the new diesel pickups (24 and later), MPG is down and DEF usage is up, so gasoline may remain in future. Just my experience and my humble opinion.
Nah, you’ll notice it’s a standard bad single rear wheel. I could have gone with a long bed dually that would handle the weight better for a bit more money, but then I’d have a longer, wider truck with a worse turning radius. Since we use this truck as our way of getting around, it makes sense to have the smaller vehicle with a few modifications.
I used to lock out the top gears in my f150 while towing. I noticed my f250 never gets to 9 or 10th gear while heavy towing. I've never used cruise control while towing. I think the manual said not to. Maybe it was the adaptive that is not recommended. Don't remember...
I have a 23 F350 with snow plow prep so it has the stiffer front springs and sits almost totally level when unloaded. When I hook up my 13,000 5W it barely touches one side of the overload springs. The rear end sits about an inch lower than the front so it looks like it's sagging a bit but it's not.
Hey, I am looking at ordering a new 2024 f350 SRW with the 7.3. The 5th wheel we have maxes out at 16,500 but will prob never actually be over 15k. Have you driven mountains at all? Do you feel confident with it or do you wish you had the diesel?
We've been to the Smoky Mountains and some steep higway sections around Flagstaff, AZ. A mapping tool said there are some 10% grades we've done. I haven't had a problem maintaining speed and have passed plenty of semis and motorhomes on steep uphills. The transmission does a great job of downshifting too, so I don't overheat the brakes. I find sections of shorter up and downs to be the real challenge. There is a long stretch between Amarillo and Dallas that is like waves, nothing flat. The truck has to rev up and then its down hill again. Long stretches of uphill are easy because the truck gets into the right gear and just does what it needs to.
34 gallons. If I know I'm going to need to fill up and I know I'm going past a Flying J or something with easy pumps, I'll do it early. I'd rather not worry about my range the last few gallons and we need to stop for the bathroom anyways. That said, the longer bed with the 48 gallon tank would have been a smart choice.
Just came across your channel and like all of your videos. They’re very informative. Ive been full timing for 2 years and have an f150 with 25ft travel trailer and looking to upgrade to a 5th wheel and an f350 7.3 like yours. Did you build and buy your truck? I’ve noticed there’s not many f350 7.3 engine options when shopping around online. Also do you have the 6.5 ft or 8 ft bed? Thanks!
5:24 also depending on what time of year and temp and state they might phase out winter blend fuel super early and winter blend with the ethanol isn’t great for mpg.
Is the view of the ball blocked if the cover is folded all the way up but still flat? I have a goose box as well and had a retractable cover on the previous truck. The cover had the opportunity to freeze on me here in Canada and I am now looking for an alternative moving forward. Thanks for the great video.
Yes, the view is blocked from the camera. What I did was hook up the trailer with a spotter, then used some white electrical tape to make a target. I have a vertical stripe to get me straight and a horizontal stripe that hits right at the edge of the bed cover so I know when to stop. With a dark bed liner, the ball was hard to see in the camera anyhow so the white tape works well. A white truck without a bed liner might be different.
Do you still like it? I’m kind of on the fence with mine. Only two weeks old and I have already noticed a few things including unfortunately not realizing it already had a dent from shipping. But it’s almost like a thin cheap paint or something because it scratches with just it folding on itself. Maybe I’m being picky but for the 8’ bed model it was $1,200
I haven't had any paint issues. Mine still looks great. After a year, the seals have gotten looser and let the panels slide a little bit to one side while folded up on tow day. Not a huge issue, we're talking maybe a half inch out of whack. The problem is, it won't fold back down like that so I have to mess with it. If I had a travel trailer, I wouldn't have to tow with it folded up and it wouldn't be an issue. Would I buy it again? Yes. I love the way it looks and it feels more secure than the fabric roll up cover.
I used to manual downshift with the cruise on but now I just get on the gas, with the cruise still set, a little to get it to downshift and pull the hill smoothly. That way I don't forget to bring the higher gears back when the terrain flattens out.
Ford said they are more concerned with torque. That is most important for towing. They are concentrating on towing with these engine. Horsepower is not the main concern. If Ram has a few more horse in that 6.4. It won’t concern Ford in the least
Hmm.. no notification! WTS! You skipped over the 2 BIG costs.. $9-11k diesel engine upgrade Dodges AISIN upgrade $12k $500 vs $100 oil changes THEN you add up your gas costs. If you ignore the upfront costs, sure, you can make an argument for diesel daily. If your Towing FOR A LIVING, absolutely go diesel, your going to make up the premium cost. But sorry, I don't see a way for an infrequent tower (say less than 4 times a month) to ever overcome the upfront costs. Especially if you consider the upfront, gas costs, maintenance costs, fuel rail replacement costs. I mean I can literally buy 2 crate 7.3's for the cost of just the 6.7's fuel rails! Those reasons are why there's an F350 CCLB 7.3L sitting in my driveway and not a diesel.
Just a little word of advice, I would change your rear end oil with a good full synthetic oil like Amsoil. I done mine and it was very nasty! How are you liking the timbren bags?
I like the Timbrens. Had them on the last truck too. They just work. My favorite add-ons are the ones I never have to think about. Considering about buying a set of Sumosprings to compare. The best improvement to my ride has been buying new tires for the trailer. I ran about 11k on the factory tires, and I could see they were losing their shape and one was starting to run higher temps while towing. I went with Sailun S637s. The trailer transfers less bump to the truck and the contents of the trailer get bounced around less. They were very affordable and a big load carrying step up. Goodyear Endurance does not have enough weight capacity for this trailer.
Cold weather on fluids is bull have you put you're hands after towing a trailer that big on differential rear end its far from cold same with engine oil it's gonna operate at temps no matter it why it has a viscosity rating.
Diesel is +65-70% more expensive vs 87 octane unleaded in my area too. This video didn't even take into consideration the maintenance costs with diesel vs gas. Diesel: Fuel Filters $58 Oil capacity 15 qts(6.7L Power Stroke) Gas: No fuel filters $0 Oil capacity 8qts (7.3L Godzilla) * Gas => No DPF clogging / replacement cost / worry No HPFP failure issues / replacement cost $$$ / worry No EGR clogging issues / worry No fuel additive concerns. If you're pulling a 7,500 lb trailer once, twice a month. Daily driver, the gasser is a way better choice. If you pull a 15,000# 5-er all over the country....of course, get the diesel. Not your daily driver..etc.
It is crazy. I have an 07 5.9 cummins. I get around 10-12 towing the fifth wheel. First time since I have owned it where the price difference almost cancels out the efficiency
Yep. Spent a good deal of time around the Smokey Mountains this summer. I don’t think interstates can be steeper than 8% but I would guess I’ve only been on 5% or 6% grades. I can hold 65 when the semis are slowing down. I don’t want to flex too hard here, it’s not a Power Stroke, but the 7.3 is strong enough.
If I’m being honest, at least part of the reason I didn’t buy a diesel is that I know I would put gas in it. I’m a creature of habit and I’ve just been using that gas nozzle too long.
This didn’t even take into affect the extra $10,000-$13,000 on the sticker price when buying a truck. I’m glad ford is now offering a gas alternative that produces good power and efficiency. I owned a 2000 V10 and if it had a better transmission it would’ve definitely been better but it was very restrictive with the 4 speed automatic. This new platform with a 10 speed is a game changer.
This diesel fuel premium is brutal over regular fuel. I don’t see this issue going away anytime soon either. You need to get 60% better fuel economy with a diesel to equal same cost per mile as a gas engine right now.
The problem is, people don't want their truck to ride like a truck. So, the manufacturers soften up the suspension for a better ride quality. Mt F250 rides better than our car does. If you are towing a heavy camper, you are better off adding something to carry the load better. Like you, I installed the Timbren's and they work for me. I had airbags on my previous truck and one failed, Timbren's are all most fool proof and less expensive.
If the price isn't rational? Your going to be stuck stuck stuck! I'm willing to pay cash for the f450 gas and fully equipped and hi tech etc. If it's not rationally priced? Keep it!
I'll be honest there's no way i'd buy a gas to pull your 5th. It's too big for your truck's power train.. If you were 10k empty with your trailer i'd say try it. With your uvw and with stuff in it I think it is a little under powered and you should have an engine brake definitely especially in the hills etc.... I do understand the pricing aspect of things. I would just mate your truck to a smaller trailer is all. Happy travels.
All these face lift changes gives the impression Ford doesn't know nor have the confidence in what they're doing!!! • Tesla hasn't changed the design of any of their cars / SUVs ever and they still sell every one they make!!! • The side steps are a copy of what Chevy already had and look pretty ugly. And to put this in a truck that may be used only 3% of the time is stupid!!! • The digital instrumentation is a joke. Porsche and other manufacturers already have clear and clean speedo & tach in digital form but unbelievable Ford still was able to botch it up!!! That digiital bar graph on a round dial looks like it was designed by a 7th grader!!! • The giant badge in the front quarter fenders behind the front wheels is another ugly design!!! • Ford really took one giant step BACKWARDS on their redesign!!!!
