Towing 3 Horse Slant Bumper Pull with Ford 7.3 Question

[Jumpin_Horses]

I have a 2000, 7.3 Ford Diesel (long bed) that Ive owned since practically new. It has always had ALL of its scheduled maintenance on time.

There is over 275,000 miles on it now, and I still trust it 100%.

It pulls my (fully loaded) 24ft Kiefer Stock (goosneck) trailer like a breeze. Dont even know the trailer is there.

I have had SO many people make amazing offers on my truck, and I just cant sell Ole Red…

Yep, love my truck

ETA: opps, just saw your post - congratulations! - thats amazing they are selling over BB price. but, it explains the offers I get on my truck all the time

[cloudyandcallie]

I have the 7.3 diesel 2001 F350 that I bought new right after 9/11. It is the best vehicle I’ve ever had, out of 11 other vehicles, including 5 sports cars. But it’s old, and I’m thinking about trading it in despite it being such a reliable vehicle. I have people calling me all the time to try to buy it. I really hate to sell it, but it’s going to be 14 yoa in september, so I am going to sell it.

What are they going for now? Mine is one owner but high mileage, and when people call me, they want to know how much I want for it. I don’t know what to price it for, but know I can get more for it in a private sale than trading it in. Plus I want it to have a good home. It’s the best vehicle I’ve every had, crew cab, leather, turbo, 4x4, etc. Mine has towed lots of different horses and different horse trailers. I bought it to tow my WB and my TB.

[BasqueMom]

Go to www.cars.com or www.autotrader.com, type in your vehicle’s info and see
what others are asking. Same on Craigslist. Visit a diesel truck forum and perhaps ask the question or they may have a classified’s section.

Our local (now national, I think) radio car guy says Ford’s 6.7 is doing great and
will prove to be as good as the 7.3. In his first life, he was a Dallas Ford dealer
for many years. His show is the Car Pro(s) and believe there is a web site where
you can email questions. His name is Jerry Reynolds.

[Macimage]

We got our truck and we are already in love with it. We are going to pull the toolbox out and add a bedliner. It has leather interior and 120,000 miles.

The photos are public:

https://www.facebook.com/joyce.mahoneyames/posts/1006241759400736?comment_id=1006271982731047&offset=0&total_comments=1&notif_t=feed_comment

Thanks for all your comments!
Joyce

[WendellsGirl]

It’s a beauty! I’m trying to find a 7.3 or a dodge 5.9 and I’m running into the same trouble you had - they sell before I can even get there to see them! I found a beautiful 7.3 but it’s 2wd and that’s not going to cut it here in PA!

[Macimage]

[QUOTE=WendellsGirl;8270449]
It’s a beauty! I’m trying to find a 7.3 or a dodge 5.9 and I’m running into the same trouble you had - they sell before I can even get there to see them! I found a beautiful 7.3 but it’s 2wd and that’s not going to cut it here in PA![/QUOTE]

Thank you! I’ve been driving it everywhere for the past two days and love it.

Yes, they do sell fast but you’ll find one!

Good luck!

[Jim_R]

[QUOTE=Macimage;8270359]
We got our truck and we are already in love with it. We are going to pull the toolbox out and add a bedliner. It has leather interior and 120,000 miles.

The photos are public:

https://www.facebook.com/joyce.mahoneyames/posts/1006241759400736?comment_id=1006271982731047&offset=0&total_comments=1¬if_t=feed_comment

Thanks for all your comments!
Joyce[/QUOTE]
Congrats on the truck.
Not a fan of bedliners, everything slides all over with them. I prefer a mat.
Driving a 96 7.3 with 165,000 and hoping to get another 10 years out of it.
We have had it since new.

[Macimage]

[QUOTE=Jim R;8272572]
Congrats on the truck.
Not a fan of bedliners, everything slides all over with them. I prefer a mat.
Driving a 96 7.3 with 165,000 and hoping to get another 10 years out of it.
We have had it since new.[/QUOTE]

We want to cover the bed as they did dent it up with some type of camper shell.

[tangledweb]

@Jim R;8272572

Not a fan of bedliners, everything slides all over with them.

They make non-slippery bed liners.
http://www.bedrug.com/products/bed-liners/bed-rug.html

Just depends what you use it for. Slippery is good if you’ll be hosing gravel or hay out of it, but it’s not so good for tack and dogs and other things you don’t want to have to tie down to keep them still.

[mvp]

Congrats!

Some suggestions:

1. Don’t get a plastic bed liner. If water gets in underneath and pools, you won’t know it and it will take awhile to dry which all add up to rust. Don’t rust a collector’s item like a 7.3.

2. Open your mind to your tool box before you rip it out. I have the same cab configuration and I love my tool box. The outdoor/mechanical stuff stays there and the indoor stuff stays in the cab. I hadn’t had a tool box before my current truck, but I’ll never go back to free-balling it with stuff like jumper cables or extra halters and ropes or oil stuffed behind the driver’s seat in the cab.

3. It’s a longer, more technical discussion, but I really like the aftermarket gauges I got, especially for towing. And I got those because my truck has a chip that changes its performance. Both add-ons have been great.

The different performance feels great as Ford seems to have designed their 7.3s to be strong but not snappy and quick off your leg, so to speak. That shows up especially in the engine feeling like it’s lugging bit before the (automatic) tranny downshifts. That’s lame and requires a spruce-up.

You don’t have to want the spruce-up of a chip. But you-- or anyone hauling with any engine (and transmission) that they like should look into getting some basic gauges. The basic three are exhaust gas temperature (a good indication of engine temperature), tranny temp (so key when hauling) and turbo’s pressure in PSI.

[Macimage]

[QUOTE=mvp;8273456]
Congrats!

Some suggestions:

1. Don’t get a plastic bed liner. If water gets in underneath and pools, you won’t know it and it will take awhile to dry which all add up to rust. Don’t rust a collector’s item like a 7.3.

2. Open your mind to your tool box before you rip it out. I have the same cab configuration and I love my tool box. The outdoor/mechanical stuff stays there and the indoor stuff stays in the cab. I hadn’t had a tool box before my current truck, but I’ll never go back to free-balling it with stuff like jumper cables or extra halters and ropes or oil stuffed behind the driver’s seat in the cab.

3. It’s a longer, more technical discussion, but I really like the aftermarket gauges I got, especially for towing. And I got those because my truck has a chip that changes its performance. Both add-ons have been great.

The different performance feels great as Ford seems to have designed their 7.3s to be strong but not snappy and quick off your leg, so to speak. That shows up especially in the engine feeling like it’s lugging bit before the (automatic) tranny downshifts. That’s lame and requires a spruce-up.

You don’t have to want the spruce-up of a chip. But you-- or anyone hauling with any engine (and transmission) that they like should look into getting some basic gauges. The basic three are exhaust gas temperature (a good indication of engine temperature), tranny temp (so key when hauling) and turbo’s pressure in PSI.[/QUOTE]

1. What would be the best bedliner to get? We need to cover the damage to the bed from the camper shell so a spray in won’t work.

2. Earlier tonight my husband suggested that we keep the tool box for many of the reasons you suggest and I agreed it’s a good idea.

3. It several upgrades that I am not familiar with yet.
   It has a TS 6 way performance chip with stock, idle, 50 hp, 75 hp, 100 hp and 140 hp.
   There is an AFE Stage 2 Cold Air intake and MBRP Turbo Back Exhaust.
   It has Autometer Gauges (efg, transmission and boost).
   Plus an XDP air intake heat delete plug, custom fuel cover, rear air bags and upgraded Spyder lights.

My husband says that you are correct that without the modifications it would not run as well as it does.

Thanks for the comments and recommendations!
Joyce

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Macimage;8273465]

1. What would be the best bedliner to get? We need to cover the damage to the bed from the camper shell so a spray in won’t work.

2. Earlier tonight my husband suggested that we keep the tool box for many of the reasons you suggest and I agreed it’s a good idea.

3. It several upgrades that I am not familiar with yet.
   It has a TS 6 way performance chip with stock, idle, 50 hp, 75 hp, 100 hp and 140 hp.
   There is an AFE Stage 2 Cold Air intake and MBRP Turbo Back Exhaust.
   It has Autometer Gauges (efg, transmission and boost).
   Plus an XDP air intake heat delete plug, custom fuel cover, rear air bags and upgraded Spyder lights.

My husband says that you are correct that without the modifications it would not run as well as it does.

Thanks for the comments and recommendations!
Joyce[/QUOTE]

1. I was thinking of a spray-in Rhino liner. I’m not an expert on bed liners so I’m sorry to say that I don’t have a better suggestion for you guys. I find that you have to re-do Rhino liners. But it’s a nice combination of matte/traction-y and “you can spray it out with a hose.” I liked the traction element better than I did my old truck’s plastic bed liner.

2. With respect to the tool box-- take your truck shopping for his/her new wardrobe and see what you end up buying. Chances are, you’ll want to put the jumper cables and tire iron and fire extinguisher and tarp/rope for covering loads in the tool box.

3. You guys are ahead of the game with your after-market stuff. The only think you could consider to help this engine more is widening out his/her exhaust. This has to do with inhaling/exhaling for the engine and easing that. You already did right by getting your truck a bigger trachea. (Also, for those of us using our trucks in actual dirt, I’m a big fan of researching air filters.) Your chip adds different levels of horsepower than mine. Mine has a 60 hp “economy for towing” setting that I use with the trailer. I drive around on the 85 hp setting. I like it better and I’m tempted to use that when hauling, too.

I learned a lot from these guys: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php

They also have sections for the 7.3 engine specifically.

They seem like the COTH of Diesel Dorks. You can find state chapters where people actually hang out. You can get good, local recommendations as well as general advice tailored to your truck and needs.

Enjoy!

[Macimage]

[QUOTE=mvp;8273921]

1. I was thinking of a spray-in Rhino liner. I’m not an expert on bed liners so I’m sorry to say that I don’t have a better suggestion for you guys. I find that you have to re-do Rhino liners. But it’s a nice combination of matte/traction-y and “you can spray it out with a hose.” I liked the traction element better than I did my old truck’s plastic bed liner.

2. With respect to the tool box-- take your truck shopping for his/her new wardrobe and see what you end up buying. Chances are, you’ll want to put the jumper cables and tire iron and fire extinguisher and tarp/rope for covering loads in the tool box.

3. You guys are ahead of the game with your after-market stuff. The only think you could consider to help this engine more is widening out his/her exhaust. This has to do with inhaling/exhaling for the engine and easing that. You already did right by getting your truck a bigger trachea. (Also, for those of us using our trucks in actual dirt, I’m a big fan of researching air filters.) Your chip adds different levels of horsepower than mine. Mine has a 60 hp “economy for towing” setting that I use with the trailer. I drive around on the 85 hp setting. I like it better and I’m tempted to use that when hauling, too.

I learned a lot from these guys: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php

They also have sections for the 7.3 engine specifically.

They seem like the COTH of Diesel Dorks. You can find state chapters where people actually hang out. You can get good, local recommendations as well as general advice tailored to your truck and needs.

Enjoy![/QUOTE]

Thank you for your help once again!

In addition to your list, I have already thought of other things for the tool box, such as the tie downs and maybe even some tools!

We are going to try to get the dents in the bed straightened out so we can go with a spray in bed liner. We have Line X or Rhino available here. Any comments on the difference?

We have a 4" exhaust with the MBRP Turbo Back Exhaust.

I’ve been on the Powerstroke forum (http://www.powerstroke.org/) and will go check out the one that you linked.

Joyce

[wildlifer]

[QUOTE=cutter99;8251135]
the size of your trailer should not be taxing to a 7.3 so you should be fine with either a long bed or short bed. You are looking for the elusive Holy Grail of trucks, do if you find a long bed, you may want to snatch it up even though it is not your ideal truck.[/QUOTE]

Didn’t have time for all the replies, but this.

I have the “Super Cab” (extended cab with doors, not Crew Cab) 2001. Initially I didn’t want a long bed either (& I’ve always owned SUVs/trucks, I’ve never had an actual car, I just thought it would be “too” long for, as it turns out, no good reason). But even when I bought mine in 2009 (151k on it & pristine, I was NOT going home without that!!), they were approaching cage-match worthy. Now they definitely are.

I drove an '85 diesel 3/4 ton suburban in high school (mid-90s, inherited family vehicle, LOL), so I have no problems with mileage as long as whatever it is has been taken care of!

But with the turbo Powerstroke 7.3L diesel, no, you’ll have no problem with your trailer (mine is a 15’ heavy steel BP, gross weight up to 9200 lbs, never flinches). I admit to giggling a little when I take the horses up into the Appalachains & on the big truck climbs when the gassers are fighting up at 45 mph, putting the turbo down & sailing by. Hey, I towed with gassers for a while, so I figure it’s not that evil…

So yep, it’s boring tan, but now I get annoyed with my work truck (for my job, wildlife biologist, so I didn’t pick it, 2015 Silverado 1500) & it’s stupid short bed where I have to put t-posts & seine nets in diagonally & sometimes still have things sticking out that back! >:( Even worse, they put a 3.4 rear axle on it, so torque = ZERO. Since I switch back & forth, work vs. personal, sometimes I forget & am surprised when I put my foot on the floor of the Chevy to haul a boat up a stream bank…and nothing happens, despite the big V8, sigh, someone’s going to have to teach those boys how to order field trucks!!

TL;DR – No problem, if you find one in good shape, don’t let it go! With good tires & care, they handle/park great (heckuva tighter turning radius than the Chevy, oh Chevy, I still love you, but 15 years & you still haven’t worked out that parking thing??).

And mine is 2WD as well (increases your mileage & tow capacity, reduces maintenance costs, had 4WD for eons, traded it in - but you can search if you want to read that whole debeate, LOL); I’m an eventer, so park in lots of grassy/sandy/muddy fields. I just put really nice A/T tires on it & pay attention & have no issues. I have a 4WD tractor at the farm for work there, so truck is not asked to slog across pasture-bogs in mid-winter to get hay!

[wildlifer]

Derp. Sorry, I’m behind, but congrats!! Mine came with Rhino liner in bed & tailgate, LOVE. Also came with factory camper shell, but I mostly leave it off.

I didn’t want the giant tool box, as everything ends up scrambled in the bottom & they’re expensive, but if it came with one, I definitely consider keeping it & just adding organization if it’s just wide open.

I purchased a great hard rubber tote recommended by the FTE guys (LOVE that forum too, they’re great). Then I just lined it with $1 store baskets so things I needed regularly would stay where I could reach them from outside the bed. Very handy space!!

I keep my actual tool box of tools in the cab for security. You’d think it’d be impossible to make off with a giant shiny box, but people are even stealing tail-gates now (I have no idea, it’s not like you can just tuck it under your arm?). shrug But the tub holds my Diesel Treat, sunscreen, bug spray, misc bungees, ropes, random trailer bits, cheap grease gun, etc.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=wildlifer;8275130]
But the tub holds my Diesel Treat, sunscreen, bug spray, misc bungees, ropes, random trailer bits, cheap grease gun, etc.[/QUOTE]

Mine gets Diesel Treat, too! She loves it.

[InstigatorKate]

For the poster asking what they’re selling for nowadays: I got $12500 in trade Feb 2015 for my 2001 7.3L F350 DRW, crew cab, lariat, long bed with 130k miles. I thought it was a good deal at the time, as I paid $16k for it with 110k miles 5 years earlier. Mine started having all kinds of maintenance issues though. I suspect I didn’t use it as much as it needed to stay running well.

I got a 2010 F250 diesel instead, and plan to keep trading every 3 years when the warranty runs out. The maintenance on the diesels is expensive!!

[wildlifer]

[QUOTE=mvp;8275352]
Mine gets Diesel Treat, too! She loves it.[/QUOTE]

LOL, yep & how can you get a more apt name then that??