My new truck 2021 F350 7.3gas

[Machinebuilder]

I picked it up a couple weeks ago. Special ordered in November.

F350XL Supercab, 8'bed, 4x4, 7.3L Gas 4.30 axles Stone Gray

This Truck sits really tall, the floor board is about 40" from the ground (mid thigh)
as soon as I got home I ordered a set of NFab cab length podium step bars.

At least now I can get in easier.

This shows the difference in height from my 2011 F150

 

[Machinebuilder]

A Little background.

When I bought the 2011 F150 I was searching for a truck with an 8'bed. it was the first one I found (it took 3-4months).

It is a super cab 8'bed 5,0 3.73 axle HDPP. (2200lb payload)

the truck served me very well. I was getting into Dual sport motorcycles and "adventure touring". It's a lot of fun and I went some interesting places. As I was getting older and tired of small tents, I got a 6x12 cargo trailer. it worked great, I could put 1 bike in the truck and 1 in the trailer, and stand up inside. Then I took it down some very long dirt roads and found I do not like towing a trailer for 40-50mi down washboarded dirt roads.

I had seen an Alaskan Camper at one campground and thought it seemed like a good way to be self contained. after much research and going to Overland Expo East. I ordered a FWC Granby Shell, I picked it up Jan. 2018.

the combo did pretty well, I had some wallowing in the rear so I put a set of Firestone air bags on. they helped with that.

I did some small trips near home, and bought a hitch hauler to take a bike with me. I thought it was going to work out well.
Then I stopped and weighed my truck and camper. I only had 800lbs left and didn't have food. water clothes, and 2 large dogs in. there was no way I was going to put 550lbs of motorcycle and carrier 3' off the back bumper.

I made a long trip to Overland Expo West (2019) and toured through New Mexico,Arizona, and Utah.

2020 was a bust for me, I haven't gone anywhere, everything local has been really busy.

I turned 59 this year and had been giving a lot of thought for when I stop working and retire. I decided this is a good time to buy a new truck while I still have income coming in.

I researched trucks, and learned that for me going to a F250 would not give me that much more Payload capacity, I did not like being close or over GVWR. So I decided that I would get a F350. I knew I did not want or need a diesel, and spent much time on different forums to see how the 7.3 gas would do. it seems like it will be a very good engine. I spent way too much time searching for something at a dealer close to what I thought I wanted.

In November I decided to go to a local dealer and order a truck that had what I think I want. 10 weeks later I picked it up.

I ended up with 4800lbs of payload capacity!!!, I was expecting about 4000lb. yes it rides a bit stiff empty, but a couple thousand pounds of camper and gear will settle it down.

The truck came with goodyear wrangler kevlar tires, I do not recommend then, the fill up with mud instantly and do not clean them selves out.I've been using the 4x4 often just on my property

The weather and life is not cooperating with me so I don't have the Eyebolts in the bed yet. so no camper yet.
I have gotten 2 stall mats and fit them in. My longer pllan is to remove the bed and put a CM ALRD flatbed on, and a Buckstop Outback Bumper on the front with Baja design lighting.

It's a cold rainy day here in East TN so I probably will not get the camper on again this weekend.

 

[fish more]

Nice truck, what's your fuel mileage?

 

[Machinebuilder]

Nice truck, what's your fuel mileage?

according to the computer 12-14, Thats just local rural driving, I haven't really checked it yet

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Other than mileage, in your research, did you see anything negative about the engine? I may move to a a dually at some point, and I’m not sure I can justify another diesel.

 

[Machinebuilder]

Other than mileage, in your research, did you see anything negative about the engine? I may move to a a dually at some point, and I’m not sure I can justify another diesel.

None, the best source has been Ford Truck Enthusiasts.
There is surprisingly little talk about the 7.3, other than many threads "gas or diesel?"
There are a couple guys that are hotshot drivers and another that must be a heavy equipment serviceman. the later had over 100,000 mi on a F550 in less than 1 year, 5 sets of tires, a set of spark plugs, 2 transfer cases, little to no problems with the engine or transmission. As I recall he grosses about 15000 lbs.

I have recently learned that the company I work for makes several transmission components and are bidding on some engine components, the comment was they are really beefy in comparison to similar products.

IMHO its a big heavy truck, I am not expecting huge gas mileage.

I got about 15mpg with the F150 with the camper on, close to 19mpg empty, on the highway, 70-75mph.
If I get close to 14mpg empty with this truck I'll be happy.

The diesel is a $10k buy in, and I hear lots of horror stories on repair bills.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I love my 6.7, but I’ve had 6 turbos in it. It’s a great truck, but my confidence about the turbo in this particular truck has taken a hit. As we have a heavy hard side that will be around for quite a while, a DRW truck might make driving a bit easier. Decisions...

 

[BBZ]

Nice truck!

I myself just purchased a 16 F150 super cab 8 foot bed with HDPP and excited about the increase in payload from my 14 F150 (from 1500 to 2600).. We recently aquired a 2013 grandby and realized we were going to be overweight quite a bit.. I was thinking about a newer truck anyway, and found one with only 45k on it..

 

[Machinebuilder]

I love my 6.7, but I’ve had 6 turbos in it. It’s a great truck, but my confidence about the turbo in this particular truck has taken a hit. As we have a heavy hard side that will be around for quite a while, a DRW truck might make driving a bit easier. Decisions...

Wow 6 turbos, any idea why they are failing? most of the problems I read about with the diesel are Def related and people who use them for short trips have different exhaust problems. a diesel really does best when run hard.

the Dually will give a tremendous boost in payload, the GVWR goes up to 14000lb. The guys I know with them also say they are much more stable under load. BUT are not as good off pavement.

 

[Machinebuilder]

Nice truck!

I myself just purchased a 16 F150 super cab 8 foot bed with HDPP and excited about the increase in payload from my 14 F150 (from 1500 to 2600).. We recently aquired a 2013 grandby and realized we were going to be overweight quite a bit.. I was thinking about a newer truck anyway, and found one with only 45k on it..

nice truck, I think there was many changes from a 2011 hdpp to a 2016 HDPP, I had the bastard 7 lug wheels, and your aluminum body adds a lot to the payload.

In East TN the truck market is such that its not worth buying used. I get Xplan price and the price of a heavily used truck is too close to a new one.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

The original turbo failed because of EGR cooler issues that may have been fuel or DEF related, the next four were remanufactured units and all failed or were replaced because of strange noises. After the fourth, Ford authorized a factory new turbo. I paid for the first, Ford paid for the next four.

 

[ramblinChet]

Great looking truck and I am looking forward to hearing more about your rig once you mount your camper and perform other modifications. I like the fact that it is a simple truck with an 8" bed and it is a F350 - it reminds me of my recent factory order for a RAM 3500 Tradesman with a standard cab and 8' bed. Just keeping it simple.

 

[BBZ]

nice truck, I think there was many changes from a 2011 hdpp to a 2016 HDPP, I had the bastard 7 lug wheels, and your aluminum body adds a lot to the payload.

In East TN the truck market is such that its not worth buying used. I get Xplan price and the price of a heavily used truck is too close to a new one.

I hear ya, the used market is a little nuts, but in that regard I got a lot more for my 14 F150 than I thought I would get.. was shocked. I also found that dealers have no idea what a HDPP is and found one in Virginia for a fair price. I priced one out to order a new one and it was damn near $50k.. ouch

 

[steve whiteside]

Wow Machine builder I like your thought process and I like the truck you bought! I have a 2012 F350 diesel 4x4. Im very happy with it. I had heard the following rule of thumb at the time I bought it new:

- the F250 is optimized for towing
- the F350 is optimized for a load in the bed
- you will never make back the money for diesel in gas mileage - the reason to buy diesel is if you need the torque (like you have a super heavy trailer you are towing)
- If you buy the diesel you need to keep your engine oil super clean as dirty oil leads to turbo issues.

Given all of the above I think you bought the right truck!

Steve

 

[Machinebuilder]

I Did get the eyebolts mostly in, I need to bring a 9/16" deep well socket home from work to finish tightening them.

it sucks laying on wet cardboard in 39 degree weather.......

Edit: It looks like its a good thing I started the work to get the camper in the pickup bed.
my local CM dealer doesn't stock aluminum flatbeds and is saying probably 14-16 weeks to order one.

At least I have my camper already.

 

[Machinebuilder]

Thanks Chet and Steve, I really do prefer a basic truck. although I did spring for sync3 to get carplay, (also give the 4" dash display)

I spent a lot of time going through the order guide. I think I got what I wanted and what I need.

BBZ my F350 was $50K, outside dimensions are the same as a F150, They share the same cab. but are much heavier duty.

 

[BBZ]

Thanks Chet and Steve, I really do prefer a basic truck. although I did spring for sync3 to get carplay, (also give the 4" dash display)

I spent a lot of time going through the order guide. I think I got what I wanted and what I need.

BBZ my F350 was $50K, outside dimensions are the same as a F150, They share the same cab. but are much heavier duty.

yeah, I didn't want to drop 50k on a truck so happy with what I got. I use my truck for a lot of work and a good amount of driving and while I would have loved a 250 or 350 for the camper, not a great rig for everyday driving.. got the 16 F150 for 27 and sold the 14 for 19k (new truck has 1/2 the amount of miles) so feel I made out ok.. I got real close to buying a 250... I am with you on the basic truck, all the bells and whistles are really not that necessary to me, except the blue tooth... thats just a safety feature in my opinion

 

[windy]

I was fortunate enough to find what appears to be an immaculate 2002 F350 single cab DRW 4x4 7.3. I literally had to go across the country to get it. (I’m near Portland, OR and I bought the truck in Virginia). The price made the trip well worth it.

If I were buying new I would have definitely gone with gas.

 

[JHanson]

That's a beautiful truck. Looking forward to seeing the finished setup!

 

[Machinebuilder]

That's a beautiful truck. Looking forward to seeing the finished setup!

Thanks, But are we ever really finished?