2027 Ford F-250: 7.3L Gas vs. 6.7L HO Diesel

With the 2027 F-250 down to two engines, the choice is cleaner than it used to be: the now-standard 7.3L gas V8, or the available 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke diesel. For most buyers around here, the real question isn’t which engine is “better” — it’s how often and how heavy you actually tow.

This guide breaks down what each engine tows, when the gas V8 is the smarter buy, when the diesel earns its premium, and what each costs to own over time — framed for the occasional-to-regular tower in central South Dakota.

What engines does the 2027 F-250 offer?

Two. The 7.3L gas V8 is standard on every trim, and the 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel is optional across the line. Both use a 10-speed TorqShift automatic.

The 7.3L gas is a big, simple, naturally aspirated V8 — strong, easy to live with, and inexpensive to maintain. The High-Output diesel trades that simplicity for far more low-end torque and the highest tow ratings in the F-250 lineup. There’s no longer a “middle” engine to overthink; you’re choosing between a capable standard gas V8 and the heavy-haul diesel.

How much can the gas V8 tow vs. the HO diesel?

Properly equipped, the 7.3L gas tows up to about 19,500 lbs on a fifth-wheel or gooseneck and 18,200 lbs conventional. The 6.7L High-Output diesel raises that to up to 23,000 lbs gooseneck, 22,100 lbs fifth-wheel, and 22,000 lbs conventional with the F-250 High-Capacity Axle Upgrade.

That gap matters only if your trailer lives in it. A loaded tandem-axle stock trailer or a typical fifth-wheel camper sits comfortably inside the gas truck’s range. It’s the heavy gooseneck — equipment, big livestock loads, the trailer that’s near the top of the range every week — where the diesel’s extra ceiling and torque pull ahead.

Maximums require proper equipment and vary by cab, bed, axle, and configuration. The highest diesel ratings require the F-250 High-Capacity Axle Upgrade.

When is the 7.3L gas the smarter buy?

When you tow occasionally rather than constantly, and your loads stay under roughly 19,500 lbs. For a camper on weekends, a stock trailer to the sale barn, or an occasional gooseneck, the gas V8 has the room without the diesel’s upfront cost or added upkeep.

It also wins on the unglamorous stuff: a lower purchase price, cheaper oil changes, no diesel exhaust fluid to manage, and easier cold-weather starting in a Dakota January. For a truck that spends most of its life unloaded and tows on weekends, that adds up.

When does the HO diesel pay off?

When you tow heavy and often. The High-Output diesel’s extra torque, higher tow ceiling, and better fuel economy under load make it worth the premium for buyers who run near the top of the range regularly — loaded goosenecks, equipment hauling, or long highway miles with a fifth-wheel.

The diesel also tends to hold its value well and is built for high-mileage, hard-working duty cycles. If towing is your truck’s main job rather than an occasional weekend, the diesel usually earns back its upfront cost in capability, comfort under load, and resale. Pair it with the High-Capacity Axle Upgrade to unlock the 23,000-lb gooseneck maximum.

What does each engine cost to own?

The gas V8 is cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain; the diesel costs several thousand dollars more up front and more per service, but returns better towing fuel economy and stronger resale. Ford has not yet published final 2027 pricing, so the exact diesel premium is to be confirmed.

The honest math comes down to use. If you tow occasionally, the gas truck’s lower cost of ownership is hard to beat. If you tow heavy and rack up loaded miles, the diesel’s efficiency and durability under load close the gap and often come out ahead over a long ownership period.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Take on Gas vs. Diesel in the 2027 F-250

I steer a lot of people toward the gas V8, and not because it’s the cheaper sale — it’s because most of the folks who ask me are towing a camper or a stock trailer a handful of times a year, not running a loaded gooseneck every week. For that buyer, the now-standard 7.3L is genuinely the right truck, and it keeps several thousand dollars in their pocket. When someone really does pull heavy and often, the diesel is the obvious call and I’ll say so.

The best way to settle it is to tell me your heaviest trailer and how often you pull it. Bring those numbers to Beadle Ford in Bowdle and we’ll match the engine to how you actually use the truck.