3.73 vs. 4.30 AXLE RATIO

[GPG52_]

We are about to factory order our first Ford product.
F-250 SRW 4x4 Super Cab, 8ft box XLT;
6.2 L V-8 gasser 385hp @ 5,500 RPM; torque 405 lb/ft. @ 4,500 RPM;
6-speed transmission;
Snow Plow Prep Package;
Payload max. weight rating 3,250 lbs.
Our current 5th-wheel comes in at about 9,000lbs (wet) but we are looking at possibly upgrading in the next few years and would like to broaden our options or possibly add a boat (2,000 lbs) behind the coach.
We travel about 7 to 10,000 miles per year mostly the eastern seaboard crossing Allegany, Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge area and southern state flats.
The TV will dedicated solely to towing our 5th wheel as we have another vehicle for daily in town transportation.
QUESTION:
We have two rear end ratio options
I) 3.73 ratio; 5th wheel towing capacity of 12,500 lbs
II)4.30 ratio; 5th wheel towing capacity of 15,300 lbs
Would anyone have any practical experience which would help comparing the performance of these two ratio options?

[pbo_Mo]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

pbo_Mo wrote:
I had an 11 F350 SRW with 3.73's. Was a great truck. Recently upgraded our camper to a 42' toy hauler. As a result, traded trucks for an 11 F450 with 4.30's. Having never owned a DRW, I was shocked how much better the f450 handles a trailer. Love the 4.30's except for when I look at the avg miles per gallon...yikes.

The newer 350-3500's would have done the same thing as the 450.

I just wish people would read what you said about being shocked at how much better it is to tow long and heavy with a dually.

I was in the market for an f350 but came across a deal I couldn't turn down on an f450.

[Vulcanmars]

GPG52! wrote:
Hi Rynosback...
Totally agree, 350/3500, diesel,air blower, engine brake is the ultimate TV if you need that much muscle and have unlimited funds...but not everyone wants to tow a 45ft, tri-axle 18,000lbs toy hauler.
As you pointed out horse was out of the barn and water is just fine

See original post
"We are about to factory order our first Ford product
F-250 SRW 4x4 Super Cab, 8ft box XLT;
6.2 L V-8 gasser 385hp @ 5,500 RPM; torque 405lb/ft. @ 4,500 RPM...
QUESTION:
We have two rear end ratio options
I) 3.73 ratio; 5th wheel towing capacity of 12,500 lbs
II)4.30 ratio; 5th wheel towing capacity of 15,300 lbs
Would anyone have any practical experience which would help comparing the performance of these two ratio options?

Yep. That's what I would order for my little TH or similar.

[GPG52_]

Hi Rynosback...
Totally agree, 350/3500, diesel,air blower, engine brake is the ultimate TV if you need that much muscle and have unlimited funds...but not everyone wants to tow a 45ft, tri-axle 18,000lbs toy hauler.
As you pointed out horse was out of the barn and water is just fine

See original post
"We are about to factory order our first Ford product
F-250 SRW 4x4 Super Cab, 8ft box XLT;
6.2 L V-8 gasser 385hp @ 5,500 RPM; torque 405lb/ft. @ 4,500 RPM...
QUESTION:
We have two rear end ratio options
I) 3.73 ratio; 5th wheel towing capacity of 12,500 lbs
II)4.30 ratio; 5th wheel towing capacity of 15,300 lbs
Would anyone have any practical experience which would help comparing the performance of these two ratio options?

[rynosback]

wandering1 wrote:
Look at the towing specs to see what configuration you need to haul the trailer you want and it will tell you the ratio you need. Dont depend on personal opinions. Its your truck, get the facts.

Ford Towing Specs

ol Bombero-JC wrote:
Order the one ton - "no brainer" no matter what brand the truck is.

Search and ask your rear end ratio question on one of the Ford Diesel forums!
Broader range of info.
Ford Trucks are the *only* reason folks are there..:C

One of several Ford forums

.

He pulled the trigger already. I think he was set before he even posted. You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make them drink.

[wandering1]

Look at the towing specs to see what configuration you need to haul the trailer you want and it will tell you the ratio you need. Dont depend on personal opinions. Its your truck, get the facts.

Ford Towing Specs

[SuperDutyMan]

You"ll be very happy with that combo,and by the way,when I ordered mine they said 6-8 weeks,it was the same time of year,and it came in in 3 1/2 weeks....Enjoy

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Order the one ton - "no brainer" no matter what brand the truck is.

Search and ask your rear end ratio question on one of the Ford Diesel forums!
Broader range of info.
Ford Trucks are the *only* reason folks are there..:C

One of several Ford forums

.

[GPG52_]

SPECIAL THANK YOU
to all for your feedback and years of trailering wisdom.
We bite the bullet yesterday and ordered our new tow vehicle.
After taking everyone's advice in consideration here is where we landed.
F-250 4x4 SuperCab, 8ft box, SRW, 9,900lbs GVWR (opted out of the 10,000lbs as it would have required commercial inspection tickets every year)
6.2L EFI V8
4.30 Elocking
6-Spd Auto Trany
LT275/70BSWAT18
Trailer Tow Pkg, 12.5 K Trailer hitch, in dash electric trailer brake
PowerScope Telescoping Trailer Mirrors
Snow Plow Pkg (beefier suspension/stabilizer bars)

Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Deluxe 40/flow through console/40 6-way power seat
Pwr Slide Rear Window
AMFM/CD/Siriusxm Sat,
Security Group, Keyless Entry
Pref Equip. Pkg, XTL trim, Running boards, Fog Lamps, Remote Start, Rear View Camera, Tailgate Step, Electronic SOF 9 (voice command, Bluetooth, Upfitter Switches(5, full cab carpetingwith summer floor matts.
Tough Bed, Splash Guards, Whl well Liners,

Dealer gave us 21.0% discount from the MSRP (I know there are various ways to make this calculation) and added N/C Hood Deflector, Side Window Deflectors, All weather Matts and added N/C Adjustable Gas/Brake pedals for the wife (as I had forgotten).

Eight (8) weeks build and delivery.
Our RV dealer is ready with the 5th wheel mounting kit and will install my Reese 5th wheel including match and adjust the truck/trailer during installation. Then comes retractable multi-position tonneau cover.

All in time for a spring run to Nashville. (I HOPE!)

Stay tuned!
GPG

[Dave_H_M]

I have the F250 (2012) gasser and tow an 11.5K fifth wheel. I ordered the two wheel drive since I have no use for 4X4, and also ordered the 4.30.

My thought is, why order a 3.73 if you are only going to use the thruck for towing? Mine runs 2000 R's at 65 which is what I tow at.

BTW I towed with a rattler for 13 years and will not go back nor do I understand why so many people cannot awnswer the OP.

Anywhay, I get along fine and just towed thru the Smokies for the third time. My experience towing the rolling hill country and the 6% grades is tht you would be in 5th gear almost all of the time with the 3.73 diffy. With the way my vehicle performs, I know I would be running 5th gear if I had the 3.73.

Also take a look at the power band and when this motor really comes alive. It does not like to be grunting around any where under 2000 with a nice load back there. Too bad I cannot take hou for a spin in mine when hooked up.

My prediction is that if you get the 3.73 you will rarely use the top gear when towing your rig.

[spud1957]

bigdon68 wrote:
Gotta go with a lot of other folks. Get the F350 Diesel and go with the 3:73 rear. I have been towing a 40ft'r since early 2007 (yea I know I got one of the very early 2008 models) and it has been great. You will pay a little more but in the long run it will pay off. Take it from some one who knows. And yes -- you can go with the SRW -- it does a great job as well.

Enjoy the road. We do.

The 3:73 rear end, with the diesel, is only available with DRW.

[bigdon68]

Gotta go with a lot of other folks. Get the F350 Diesel and go with the 3:73 rear. I have been towing a 40ft'r since early 2007 (yea I know I got one of the very early 2008 models) and it has been great. You will pay a little more but in the long run it will pay off. Take it from some one who knows. And yes -- you can go with the SRW -- it does a great job as well.

Enjoy the road. We do.

[spud1957]

GPG52! wrote:
The only difference will be 2" vs 4" blocks on the rear

I will stand to be corrected but the current models have the same spacer when you look up the part numbers. The overload springs are the differentiators.

[avvidclif1]

If I were ordering, never have but a nice thought, I would go SRW CC F350 long bed with the diesel. Maybe dually if a bigger 5er in the picture. Mine has the 3.55 rear end and at 64 it's turning 1700 RPM and loafing along in overdrive.

[GPG52_]

The only difference will be 2" vs 4" blocks on the rear

Hi OH48LT...
Can you help me out what do you mean by 2" vs. 4" blocks?
GPG