7.3L Ford Excursion 2003

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snofish

New member
Made our first trip with the new rig, pulling the four place enclosed and was dissappointed in the fuel mileage, which was about 12 with four sleds and four passengers. Vehicle tires inflated to 65 psi and trailer to 50 psi and a slight cross breeze.
Running the highway without the trailer, we get around 16-18 mph, depending on conditions.
This is not what I expected; was expecting to see 20-22 highway and no less than 15 with the loaded trailer.
How does this compare to what others are seeing? Am I doing something wrong? My son says I need to buy a chip; if so, which one?
Thanks for any insight!
 
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Cat Woman

New member
I had a Superchips program in my '99 7.3 & 4" exhaust with no muffler from the turbo back - helped immensely!!!!!!!!!
 
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landoman

New member
Had the same vehicle and got the same pulling a 3 place open with 3 on it. I did not play with a chip, tire pressure, or anything. Also did not matter if i had a tailwind, crosswind, or headwind. Always 12mpg.
 
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Paul

Board Admin
snofish said:
Made our first trip with the new rig, pulling the four place enclosed and was dissappointed in the fuel mileage, which was about 12 with four sleds and four passengers. Vehicle tires inflated to 65 psi and trailer to 50 psi and a slight cross breeze.
Running the highway without the trailer, we get around 16-18 mph, depending on conditions.
This is not what I expected; was expecting to see 20-22 highway and no less than 15 with the loaded trailer.
How does this compare to what others are seeing? Am I doing something wrong? My son says I need to buy a chip; if so, which one?
Thanks for any insight!
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That mileage sounds about right on for the Excursion. I can get well over 20 towing or not if I keep mine below 55. Once over 70 it drops like a rock, so if your concerned about mileage the slower the better. I normally drive at 68, and can get 2-3 miles better than driving 70.
 
heckler56

heckler56

Active member
I had a 7.3 in a 2000 X and got 17-19 towing, but it was two wheel drive. Also just let go a 2003 6.0 4x4 and it provided about 15-17 towing. So if you have a 2003 with the 7.3 and a 4x4, figure about 20% down from the 6.0 which would be about 13.
 
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reaper969x

New member
Well friend you need a downloader with a decent program. I get 12mpg pulling a 28 foot car trailer weighing in at around 8000-8500#. That was into a dead straight headwind up and down hills on a two lane. Got 16-17 pulling a 6000# open trailer, on the interstate at 80. Oh yeah I sit on 6" lift spring and turn a 38" tire. I run a SCT xcal2 downloader with a 110 horse / 200 ft lb program in it. You need to run a decent Cold air intake, and a 4" downpipe, free flowing exhaust helps a lot as well.
 
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snofish

New member
I was talked into getting the 7.3L because of it's exceptional gas mileage and reliability. I wonder now if it was worth the premium. I could have gotten all kinds of V10's for a lot less money; paid about six grand more for the diesel version. Thoughts?
 
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mccaleb

New member
12 isn't bad considering you can maintain speed and have plenty of power. If you purchased the V10 you might get 10 if your lucky and will be downshifting on grade increase. My Navigator with a 5.4ltr and inline trailer gets between 8 and 10. The diesel has so much more torque.
 
heckler56

heckler56

Active member
Do not be upset with the diesel. The 7.3 was a workhorse and guys love them over the 6.0. Ask around and there is a ton of info on that engine for improvements. Hands down the best tow vehicle I have had the pleasure to drive is an X. The V10 is a killer on gas mpg. Most guys I know had a tough time breaking 10 mpg and the torgue is why different.
 
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dab102999

New member
Lots of veribles here. First if you buy a chip, do it for power and not mileage. Exhaust to make it breath and intake to get the air in. The reason I say to buy a chip for power is everyone I talk to has a different answer. 7.3 as stated is a workhorse for sure. Find a great used one with low miles and will be $3000 more on a lot then the same truck with a 6.0 that is 4 years newer. Biggest thing is r.p.m.'s. I have an older chevy 6.5. I decided a few years back to upgrade the motor because the truck was so good, and good to me and I couldn't justify the difference to get into a 7.3. For about $3000 I almost doubled my hp and increased my torque a lot. I can pull and keep up with my dad's 03 dodge cummins. Now with that said as long as I keep it below 2500 r.p.m.'s I get about 2 1/2 miles a gallon better then I did before. If I really stand on it and don't care about anything but getting there I still get about 1/2 mile gallon better. But as I stated before I wasn't doing it for milage. That was just a bonus. As far as milage I think pulling that same trailer at that same speed with a V10 you would be jumping for joy to get 10 m.p.g. I had a buddy that couldn't wait to get rid of his when he would pull 4 quads on an open trailer and only get 6 out of it.
 
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dab102999

New member
Also don't forget the winter usually take a mile or two off your average also. I get 16-17 all summer and 14-15 in the winter.
 
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skeeter2010

Member
My brother inlaw has an Excursion with a V10 I think it is a 6.8 liter and has a fairly light travel trailer and gets around 7-8 pulling it in the summer. I have a Dodge V10 8.0 liter 488 Cubic Inch. I am lucky to get 7-8 MPG pulling my 2 place clam shell. and around 6-7 pulling the travel trailer.(For thoughs of you that know WI I can make it from Waukesha to Brokaw just north of Wausau on 28 gallons)

The Ford V10 is a good motor but has some issues like exhaust manifold bolts and Ford 3/4 tons seem to be real hard on ball joint on the 4x4s

All I can say is just be glad you don't have a Dodge V10

I think you made a good choice give it some time
 
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dinkis

New member
I have a V10 Crew cab 4x4 and 8 or 9 is what I can expact with that load. Don't worry about the gas mileage. You didn't spend that much money on a tow rig to worry about 3 or 4 Mpg's, you bought it for the power.
 
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snofish

New member
You guys are giving me some great help here! As for power, you're right, I'm very impressed; it seldom down shifts and maintains speed very well. (I do have a low profile trailer.)
Someone suggested Amsoil, that was one of the first things I planned to change, however, a certified GM diesel mechanic told me with 140K miles, it would be a mistake, since the molecules are smaller, they would bypass the rings and cause oil burning. I've been meaning to contact Amsoil for their take on the this; albiet biased, still good info and plan to get their input too. I run Amsoil in everything but the wife's mixer.
The road speed/rpm issue is interesting, but as someone stated, you ussually want to "get there".
And lastly, I was not aware the V-10 towing mileage is SO bad; would not like 6-8; 12 sounds pretty good! Thanks guys!
 
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coldbear

New member
U R Kidding?!?

You are pulling with the "Crown Jewell" of sno-tow vehicles and you're gripeing about a few MPG? I'd almost kill to get your milage. Try 8-9 on a good day with a 2009 Power Stroke pulling a tri- axle enclosed,16,000#'s.Tough love at the fuel islands,a delight in the mountains.
 
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snowlover

New member
Try a 6.0L Chevy gas...7.5-8 mpg pulling a 27 ft inline with 4 sleds in it. In the summer I get 10-12 mpg pulling it. When I plow snow 5-6 mpg. My next truck will be a diesel.
 
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joks79

Member
snowlover said:
Try a 6.0L Chevy gas...7.5-8 mpg pulling a 27 ft inline with 4 sleds in it. In the summer I get 10-12 mpg pulling it. When I plow snow 5-6 mpg. My next truck will be a diesel.
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The diesels will burn fuel when plowing snow. I am getting 10-12 when plowing snow and then driving to work without the plow on. I do live on the edge of the snowbelt in northern delta county and my plow is a 9'2" Boss V steel plow. I does take me a hour to plow my drive and room around the house and garage.

The truck is a 06 6.0L F250 CC with 500lbs of sand in the bed.
 
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