3.31 gears at 40,000 lbs gross.

ShinerBock wrote:

RoyJ wrote:

OEMs have to cater to the masses, so no, they can't expect owners to lock out OD and over-ride computer shift points. Thus they lower the tow rating on taller geared trucks. As enthusiasts, we're often surprised how many people don't know what a tach is in the "general driving public".

But this is not the case with Ford. The only rear gear option with the SRW trucks is a 3.31 and 3.55, and both are rated to tow the exact same amount in every configuration with a max of 22k in the F350. With the DRW trucks, you only have 3.55 and 4.10 as an option. The 4.10 is rated to tow just 3,400 lbs more at a max of 35k and the 3.55 at a max of 32k. That is A LOT for a 3.55 even with a 10-speed.

RoyJ wrote:
The counterpoint being raised is given an enthusiast driver who cares about his truck (not a fleet driver), towing heavy with a 3.31 puts very little additional stress on components other than the driveshaft / u-joints.

This is where we disagree. I know that the added stress put on the driveshaft/u-joints is also placed upon the output shaft of the trans which in turn is being held to the input side of the trans via clutches. I don't see how anyone can say that there is added stress on the driveline, but not added stress on a clutch and output shaft that is connected to that same driveline.

It could be that if the 10R140 can only handle a 35000 lb trailer behind an F450 a guy should be careful towing any more than about 26,000 lbs behind his 3.31 equipped F350. In my case I don't tow over 26,000 lbs that often and when I do it's usually on fairly level roads.