Which pickup truck is best for you? Is it the upcoming new 2023 Ford Super duty with the 7.3L “Godzilla” V8 or is it a new 2023 Ford F-150 with a 5.0L “Coyote” V8? We recently got this question from Peter K.
“I am looking to replace my ’17 F250 XLT 6.2 with a 2023 7.3 gas V8, as sadly I lost the aforementioned in a black ice accident near Wisconsin Dells. Teach me to stay south & not venture north in the winter. I was getting 10.5 max average mpg with a total weight, of 9,700 – 9,800 lbs. (SpaceKap work slide-in with a ladder rack, bed slide & loaded with tools, 35×12.50 tires, 425-ish lbs of aftermarket bumpers, side steps…) I also had airbags in the back to get rid of the slight squat. Now I’m not sure if I should get another F-250 even though I loved my old one, if the F150 with the 5.0 could carry similar weight without losing too much mpg from what they say it can pull with a few passengers & some luggage, which is 22-23 mpg highway. Can you help me with this decision? The builds are pretty close in initial cost, the F150 is about $1300 cheaper than the F250, & no power fold & extend on the mirrors are the only differences I know, though I’m sure there are others, other than the obvious powerplant, frame, suspension, etc.“
Hello Peter, thank you for the note.
My first impression is that you still need a heavy-duty truck, hence the new 2023 F-250. It sounds like you use your truck for work and play. You loaded up your previous truck with a slide-in, rack, and tools. One of the heaviest F-150 payload packages gives you a GVWR of around 7,400-7,800 lbs. While an F-150 may be able to handle all of your tools and equipment – it will be close to its payload capacity. Also, the F-150 will need some suspension lift to clear 35-inch tires. The fully-loaded 5.0L V8 efficiency may not be very good either.
The new 2023 Super Duty trucks will be available with a new 6.8L gas V8 engine as well. The 6.8L V8 is rated at 405 horsepower, while the 7.3L V8 is at 430 hp. We hope to drive the new 2023 Super Duty within the next couple of months, and we will do more real-world loaded and towing reviews with the new trucks.
What do you think? Please add your feedback for Peter in the comments section below.
