Ford F-150 5.0 V8 Towing

So I looked it up on the GM website, and it is more than we were told. The 3.08 has a 6300lb towing capacity, and the 3.42 has a 8200lb towing capacity. So there is a 1900lb difference in the 2 gears. The 3.73 was not listed. Nor was a 4.10.
Still to be sure. We will go by a GM dealer and get their input.

Any way. I told him. He may would be better off looking at a smaller Motor Home, than buying a TV, and TT. Cause he ain't towing much of anything with that Burb

Well. All I can say is. Y'all gonna have to argue with the Ford, and GM engineers. I have the Ford Factory towing specifications right here, and there is a HUGE towing capacity difference between the 3.31, and the 3.73, and the 3.15 is NOT even listed with a towing capacity.

APT (as usual!) is right on point. Gears probably mean less than ever with these six speed transmissions. My '10 w/ the 6 spd and 3.42 gears (same 5.3 engine) tows the pants off my prior '05 w/ 4.10 gears and the old 4 spd. Without those huge gaps between 2-3 and 3-4, I'm able to find the right gear for the occasion all of the time.

FWIW, my F150 has 3.55 gears, and for what I tow (6500 lb TT), I would see no reason to go higher. With the Ecoboost, I can tow in 6th gear 90% of the time.

Of course, with the 5.0, you're going to be down a gear or two under similar situations, I expect, since it makes it power much higher up the rpm range.

X2. New trans have deeper first gears. Much better off the line under load.

Terry, I disagree. GM's tow rating differences are due the HD trailing equipment. The tow rating between GM half tons with 3.08 and 3.42 is about 500 pounds, but the HD trailering package (read trans cooler) equipment adds another 2500-3000 pounds.

GM's 6-spd with 3.08 is better than GM's prior 4-spd with 4.10 axle:



Ford's 6-spd with 3.31 is better than its prior 4-spd with 4.56:



I would still recommend the shortest axle ratio offered even with today's 6/8 speed transmissions, but even the economy gears provide adequate performance for towing 7000ish pounds.

My SIL has a 5.3 Burb. With the 3.73, It can tow 9000lbs. With the 3.08 it came with. It can only tow 5000lbs.

Something's not right with that. 2009+ GM half ton SUVs came with 3.08 or 3.42 axles. 3.73 is not offered with the half ton/5.3L, only 3/4 ton with 6.0L. That's also the only way to get 9000+ tow rating, 3/4 ton 6.0L/3.73. Even prior to 2009, the 5.3L available axle ratios were 3.08, 3.42, 3.73 and 4.10. I don't think the 5.3L in SUVs has ever had 9000 pound tow rating. It's low-mid 8000 pound since 2000.

Anyway, an F-150 with 5.0L is mated to 6-spd trans and 3.31, 3.55, or 3.73 gears. All will accelerate better than 3/4 tons from 10 years ago.

APT wrote:
The 5.0L has plenty of power with any axle ratio Ford offered due to the 6-spd. Of course, numerically higher is generally better under load.

You'll want the upgraded transmission cooler if it doesn't have the OEM HD towing package. And you should make sure it has enough payload for 900 pounds of TW plus your family in the cab and 200 pounds of camping stuff in the bed.

In truth. The gear means as much now as it ever did. Accordint to Ford any way, and BTW according to GM as well

My SIL has a 5.3 Burb. With the 3.73, It can tow 9000lbs. With the 3.08 it came with. It can only tow 5000lbs. When it comes to towing. the 6 speed means little. You can't us those higher gears anyway, and you still have to get it going, and that is what the lower rear gear is for.

Turbo failures are rare. Ecoboost engine failures are rare. It's on it's 5th year and has been as reliable as any V8, so much so it bumped the 6.2l out of the F150. The humidity studder and plug gap problems just about disappeared after 2013. There are no other major issues with the ecoboost other than bald rear tires. Haters are just going to hate.

And a 'bit more power' would be a vast understatement. The eco will run 1-2 gears higher while towing that much weight. It will forever change your view of how a gas engine should tow.

The 5.0L has plenty of power with any axle ratio Ford offered due to the 6-spd. Of course, numerically higher is generally better under load.

You'll want the upgraded transmission cooler if it doesn't have the OEM HD towing package. And you should make sure it has enough payload for 900 pounds of TW plus your family in the cab and 200 pounds of camping stuff in the bed.

Here's a thread in the Tow Vehicle section that may be of some interest to you.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28478584.cfm

I believe that it was the 2011 or 2013 model year that Ford brought in the Max Payload package for the crew cabs with long box. I really wanted one but could not get a dealer to get me a good price locally. It gave a payload of approximately 2200 lbs or maybe a little more on the older F150's

Fast forward to this year and I have a 5.0 with just a standard F150 short box. The payload on one of those is 2000 lbs due to the aluminum body.

Agreed with the above in that you will need the 3.73 rear end and if you can find one with the higher GVWR (I think it was 7600lbs with the max payload package).

When I looked at a truck I stuck with just the 5.0 due to the simplicity of a standard V8 vs a turbo V6. I plan on keeping this vehicle for 7-10 years with likely close to 200k on a motor before thinking about a new vehicle. I just don't have confidence on the ecoboost beyond the warranty period. Yes it has a bit more power but gas mileage is just about the same as the 5.0 plus if you cook a turbo...

Just my thoughts.