first time buying a new truck
hey all. looking for opinions new 2016 F150 (left on the lot) with XLT pack (some toys) and the 5.0 but has 331 gears and 7000 gvwr package or 2017 ram no toys but standard gears. opinions on...
Forum Discussion
Wills6.4 Hemi wrote:
Im not sure I would purchase any gas vehicle for towing with out at least 3:73 gears. The extra gears that come in the new tranny can not overcome the high gear ratio you are looking at on the Ford.
Not that it's bad having 3.73 gearing, but my F-150 XLT 3.5L Ecoboost came with the Ford tow package and that included the 3.55 locking rear end. By that I would say that 3.73 or higher isn't essential, and for the light load the OP is contemplating, it certainly wouldn't be deal breaker. With the 3.31's though I'd want the tow package to include the transmission cooling, Tow/Haul shifting mode, etc. The only real problem I'd see is on long downhill runs possibly overworking the brakes.
IdaD wrote:
Whatever you do, get the factory towing mirrors. They are essential. I also really like having an integrated brake controller. At 5000 lbs and under I think either truck will work fine as a tow vehicle. If mileage is a big consideration you might give the ecodiesel some thought.
I don't have factory tow mirrors and get along just fine. Certainly not something that I would reject a TV for if all else was good. My slip on tow mirrors do the job, and when I take them off, the truck fits in the garage without folding the standard mirrors.
