Bought a 2024 F250 Ultimate Lariat CCAB 6.75 box, 7.3L gasser to pull our 13K GVWR 5er and boy did this dog ever struggle in the hills of New Mexico, Wa, Ut, etc. Screaming up 5% grades at 4K rpm in 4th gear is a bit nerve racking while people are buzzing past pulling much larger trailers. We put less than 7K miles on this truck and are looking to trade. We will be taking a big hit to the wallet so I don't want to make the same mistake twice. The truck also sagged a bit more than I would like. SO...... Do we move to a 350 with the HO diesel, stay with a 250 w/ the diesel option and add air bags, 3.31 or 3.55 gears? And HO vs SO?

TIA

Bill

 

If you're taching 4k RPM you should be at least maintaining speed, if not increasing, especially with only 13k lbs. The engine will steadily work in the 3k-4k range with no worries. Some people don't like the noise of the revs, so don't mind. I've driven gas tractors for years, so I'm used to it revving higher to make power.

 

I just went from. ‘15 F250 6.7L to a ‘23 F350 6.7L H.O. towing around the same as you maybe a little more…gooseneck. The F250 had to have 7500lb air bags in the rear to keep it level. Even at much lower HP and torque and only 6 speeds though the F250 pulled the load with no issues. The F350 H.O. sits dead level with OEM suspension and tows the load like a feather.

Prior to getting my F250 I was renting trucks from Enterprise. Once they gave me a brand new ‘20 gasser. Pretty sure it had the 10 speed. It was the absolute worst towing experience I’ve ever had. Same exact issues as you expressed.

Personally, I think you would be fine with a F350 6.7L SO. The HO is just icing on the cake, but it’s good icing.

 

How much do you use the truck for towing? With a 5th wheel, I would always prefer an F350, even a 5th wheel at 13K. A 250 will do it but an F350 will give you more margin. If you want to go diesel, the standard output will be more than enough.

What speed were you doing while others were passing? I wouldn't care if others were passing me as long I was maintaining a reasonable speed. If the high revving bothers you, then a diesel is the solution although it comes at a cost both in terms of initial price and maintenance.

 

Go with the SO 6.7l. I have 21' F350 DRW CC LB with truck camper in the bed 99% of the time pulling 6500lb boat 90% of the time. Lots of wind resistance with that big truck camper in the bed and on the scales @19k lbs truck/truck camper and boat. Truck never breaks a sweat and I can count the fingers on my hand how many times it's down shifted in ~34k miles.

 

Also, if you trade for a ‘25 I believe the ‘25 6.7L SO is the same as a ‘23/‘24 6.7L H.O.

 

As others have said, you will be fine with the standard 6.7 diesel 350. As to your question about gear ratio, you will be fine with either the 3:31 or the 3:55 and the 10 speed transmission. My 2022 has 3:31 gears and tows my 15k fiver like a boss. My 2016 had 3:55s with the 6 speed and there was no drop off going to the 10 speed and 3:31s.

 

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!
Learn to drive the truck and work the transmission. I have had 3 7.3 trucks (20 F250,22 F350 & 23 F250) and have had absolutely no complaints pulling 11,000# of 24’ travel trailer all over Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico and Nebraska.
I don’t think I have ever wound any of them over 4K.
The 7.3 is a strong and torquey engine if you keep it in its powerband which seems around 2-2.5k it will pull strong.
Your towing a large trailer- why worry if morons are passing you towing their large trailer?
Unless you have an overwhelming desire to be a moron towing a large trailer fast…..

 

Thanks for all the input so far. I should've mentioned the 3.73 gears as well. I'm an old retired gear head and love the sound of that 7.3 but it is kinda irritating listening to it scream for that long. I'm afraid it won't last 200k+ miles. Unloaded it is a dream to drive. I am retired now and this will be my dd as well. How much harsher is the ride of a 350? Does the SRW have the same turning radius as a 250? It will be a 6.75 box as well

Thanks,
Bill

 

To my ears, the 7.3 at 4000 rpm is singing, not screaming. And I don't find it "nerve racking" when someone passes me. But it sounds like the diesel will be a better fit for OP. I recommend the F350 with 6.7HO, better safe than sorry twice.

 

Well, that was helpful... If you don't have any input, be quiet please

 

I suspect the OP is like me and falls into the group that really values the comfort and reduced stress the diesel provides when towing. Not having to worry if you are in the right gear or at the right RPM range going into a hill...that is worth something and adds value over just the typical want vs need or strictly cost of ownership discussions. Does it cost more and can it be done without having a 6.7 under the hood, yes. But for what these trucks cost anymore I don't blame the OP for trading to get exactly what he wants.

 

I don't care if people were passing me. My point was I had my foot to the floor trying to keep up with traffic and wasn't able to. I had 8 - 10 locked out and on the flats was running 68mph @ 2500 rpm in 7th gear. Even on the flats if I tried to go past 7th it would downshift back to 7. I just feel for our towing style we would be better with the diesel option. I test drove both before purchase and I said to my wife " I'm not old enough for a diesel". Meaning I still enjoy spinning tires occasionally..... So it looks like a 350 with the 6.7 SO diesel. Is the HO worth the extra $2K? Is it worth it for possible future upgrades? I know the '25 will have the HO as standard but if we hang on to this truck that long the hit will be worse, I do believe

 

A thought occurred to me after reading this and this thread, OP you didn't say what axle ratio this gasser has.
Would make a difference as far as ease of towing, would likely still be pulling some revs going up the hills, but some 4.30's would make it pull better.

As to swapping to a diesel F250 or F350, either will handle the load, and a F250 with the heavy tow package will handle the weight the same as a F350.
My F250 handles 13K on a regular basis and doesn't squat below level, of course it is 2WD so it has different rear springs than a 4x4.

 

I was providing constructive input.