2011 Ford Super duty 6.2 3.73 tow 10k+?

[chrsnl05]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I bought a toyhauler and are looking to upgrade our truck. We have a 09 f250 crew cab short bed with the 5.4 and 4.10 gears. It pulled our former 27 ft travel trailer well at about 9k fully loaded and even with a 600 lb utility quad in the bed.

The toyhauler (07 Raptor 3110 TT not 5th wheel) we bought is 9200 empty and has a gvwr of 13k. I towed it home from the dealer and the 5.4 did ok at under 60mph but when i turned onto the interstate 65 - 70 what a stuggle but we had a hard headwind (trailer was obviously empty since we were bringing it home from dealer). We bought the trailer assuming we would look for another truck.

I like the 6.2 and we are looking at used but the 4.30 gears seem impossible to find used or even new for that matter. I have test drove a few 6.4 psd but the fuel and maintainence cost concern me especially if it breaks down. I have been reading through post in the 6.2 all week and have found plenty of people that town heavy with 6.2 and 4.30s but not too many with the 3.73. Will the manual shift option make up for the taller gears by not using 6th gear? or will it feel underpowered? I understand that it will likely be in 1 gear lower then the 4.30s on hills but concerned that it will run out of power when pulling heavy since the towing capasity is only a few hundred lbs more then my 5.4 (11700 vs 12000) but the 4.30 are rated for around 15000. We usually camp within 3 hrs of home but have alot of hills in my region (WNY and Northern PA) but would like to go to some of the offroad parks in tn ky and wv 8 to 10 or so hrs away. Im not concerned with empty mpg since i have another vehical that is my dd. towing power is more important to me then 1 or 2 mpg. But if the 3.73 will do the job better fuel economy is never bad.

I have not driven a 6.2. We found 1 we like at a good price but it is 5 hrs away and dont want to waste our time to go look at it if its not up to the task.

Thanks for your help

[chrsnl05]

alexleblanc wrote:
Great looking truck, I'm jealous of the cap too, I need to look into one of those!
I test drove a few 6.2's and found they had all kinds of power with the 3.73's, I think you'll be plenty happy with it.

Thanks. I really like the high top caps. Its amazing how much room it gives you inside and it stays secured and dry. It also wout help my old truck stay in high gear a little easier when pulling my enclosed trailer. Doesn't effect towing mpgs up or down but I think I lost a few on the highway. Empty with my old truck. (5.4). Right now I have a tonnoae cover on it until it gets paint.

[alexleblanc]

Great looking truck, I'm jealous of the cap too, I need to look into one of those!
I test drove a few 6.2's and found they had all kinds of power with the 3.73's, I think you'll be plenty happy with it.

[chrsnl05]

MFL wrote:
Congrats on the new truck!! That is a nice color combo (not inc green), and with the low miles, it is just broke in. At least with the 2-wheel drive, you could switch the gears, if needed, but don't think you'll feel the need.

Happy hauling,
Jerry

Thanks. I like the 2 tones as well. I will paint the cab maroon (ford calls it royal red metallic) but its far to cold since my garage isnt heated. So far 3.73 rear has surpriced me. Empty it will cruise around just off 1k rpm and does fine. It seems to have good torque at most rpm. Time will tell when I get some seat time with a trailer. Anyone know if there is a break in period? I read somewhere you shouldn't tow heavy until it has 5k miles on it but im not sure if it was even for a ford. I couldnt find anything in the owners manual.

[MFL]

Congrats on the new truck!! That is a nice color combo (not inc green), and with the low miles, it is just broke in. At least with the 2-wheel drive, you could switch the gears, if needed, but don't think you'll feel the need.

Happy hauling,
Jerry

[chrsnl05]

I want to thank everyone for their valuable input. I am now the proud owner of a 2011 f250 lariat. Its 2wd, im on the fense on that but with less than 4k miles nearly loaded i paid $5k less the a similarly equipped 4wd with 22k miles and a few less options namely heated and cooled seats. I bought it yesterday so i have not towed with it yet. My initial impression is it feels more powerful the my 5.4 4.10 with the 5star 93 tune. The new one is stock tune 3.73 gears. Ignore the green cap, thats coming off to be repainted in the spring to match. I dont have any other pics yet.

[Redsky]

With a 6-speed transmission and towing the difference in MPG will be too small to measure. When towing your truck will never make it into 6th gear and will be mostly in 4th or 5th gear.

The taller gears help the EPA mileage calcs for the truck companies fleet rating more than they help MPG in actual use by the owners. The difference in RPMs at towing speeds will be less than 10% and most of the horsepower is going into overcoming wind resistance or with elevation gains going up a hill where relative RPMs are not a factor at all in determining the fuel economy.

The downside with overly tall gearing is more frequent downshifts for the engine to cope with the load being towed. Not only bad for mileage it is a pain for the driver.

[Gdetrailer]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
The smallest stock tire size also has the lowest load weight capacity. This negatively affects the truck's ability to carry a heavy hitch weight. Better off having a higher rated tire (18" or 20"), with a lower ratio axle (4.30).

I call B.S., you don't know what you are talking about.

My 2013 F250 IS equipped with the smallest tire size FROM FACTORY in 17"

LT245 75R17 Load Range E

That tire is rated at 3195 lbs max cap at 80 PSI

That is 12,780 lbs max tire capacity for the truck.

Take away my trucks weight (5600 lbs)you have 7,180 lbs LEFT OVER for "cargo".

My truck has cargo weight tag of 3,400 lbs.

That gives me 3,780 lbs EXTRA TIRE CAPACITY that I can not "use".

I would highly doubt that even a F350 is going to exceed those tires either....

Haha. No BS about it, kind sir. I know exactly what I'm talking about. Sorry but you picked the wrong guy to go toe to toe with here. Check the ratings on the 18" and 20" tires for yourself. 3195 lb load rating per tire is flat out puny these days on a single rear wheel 1-ton pickup.

By the way, my F350SRW has 3750 lbs per tire load rating and I have used every pound of it on the rear axle on that truck (7500 lbs).

PER FORDS 2013 TOWING GUIDE..

HERE
See slide in camper chart..

F250, 6.2, 10,000 GVWR MAX (all cabs and lengths), with cargo weight ratings ranging from 2,229 lbs to 3,773 lbs

F350, 6.2, LOW OF 10,000 GVWR, cargo 3,160 lbs to a high of 14,000 GVWR, cargo 6,163 lbs

Please note, the ONLY way that you would NEED the increased capacity of a 18" or 20" tire is if you buy a F350 AND it is equipped with the camper package which gives you a max GVWR of 14,000 lbs.

However, you will MOST LIKELY need to ORDER that configuration since MOST if not all F350s on the lots will be 10,000 GVWR to 11,500 GVWR.

PLEASE NOTE>>>> 11,500 GVWR DOES NOT EXCEED the ratings of the LT245 17" tire.

F250s DO NOT "NEED" any extra tire capacity, period. Those tires if selected are more for looks...

MOST IF NOT ALL F250s AND 350s on the lots WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH 3.73 AXLE. This is why the OP is having a difficult time FINDING any other axle...

SoCal, I would put your "needs" and configuration in the minority category.. Not "everyone" will need or use the tire capacity above the stock LT245 17" size.

When you make such a recommendation you should preface it with ALL the facts... The fact is not ALL F350s can take "advantage" of a higher load rating of the tires above the stock 17" size.

[goducks10]

Dbl post

[goducks10]

JMO but if it was a DD then I'd opt for the 3.73. If I were towing heavy I'd opt for the 4.30 even if it's used as a DD. 4.30's will give better acceleration from a dead stop, and also keep your speed up easier in the mtns.
If I were towing mainly on the flats then 3.73's even when towing heavy.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

MFL wrote:
I am not going to be involved in a keyboard spat, but will give my opinion. I chose to use the standard size 245/17, with 3.73 gears, when I ordered mine. Mine is a 4x4, so height was important, due to garage door clearance, and to keep my FW level. I also know that there is a gearing difference between the standard 31" tire vrs. the optional 34" tall tires.

Mine is a 250, so I do not need the load carrying cap. of the larger tires and wheels.

If I did need a heavy duty 350, with the big tires and wheels, to carry a big load, I likely would have opted for the 6.7, rather than the 6.2. If I had the big tires and wheels on a 350 and wanted the gasser, I would get the 4.30 gears needed to help off set the tire diameter.

JMHO, Jerry

I agree.

You have a very clear line of thinking there, Jerry.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

F250/350SRW factory standard and factory optional tire sizes and load capacities-

245/75-17E, 3195 lbs @ 80 psi, 31.5" dia.
265/70-17E, 3195 lbs @ 80 psi, 31.6" dia.

275/65-18E, 3525 lbs @ 80 psi, 32.1" dia.
275/70-18E, 3640 lbs @ 80 psi, 33.2" dia.

275/65-20E, 3750 lbs @ 80 psi, 34.1" dia.

[MFL]

I am not going to be involved in a keyboard spat, but will give my opinion. I chose to use the standard size 245/17, with 3.73 gears, when I ordered mine. Mine is a 4x4, so height was important, due to garage door clearance, and to keep my FW level. I also know that there is a gearing difference between the standard 31" tire vrs. the optional 34" tall tires.

Mine is a 250, so I do not need the load carrying cap. of the larger tires and wheels.

If I did need a heavy duty 350, with the big tires and wheels, to carry a big load, I likely would have opted for the 6.7, rather than the 6.2. If I had the big tires and wheels on a 350 and wanted the gasser, I would get the 4.30 gears needed to help off set the tire diameter.

JMHO, Jerry

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Gdetrailer wrote:

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
The smallest stock tire size also has the lowest load weight capacity. This negatively affects the truck's ability to carry a heavy hitch weight. Better off having a higher rated tire (18" or 20"), with a lower ratio axle (4.30).

I call B.S., you don't know what you are talking about.

My 2013 F250 IS equipped with the smallest tire size FROM FACTORY in 17"

LT245 75R17 Load Range E

That tire is rated at 3195 lbs max cap at 80 PSI

That is 12,780 lbs max tire capacity for the truck.

Take away my trucks weight (5600 lbs)you have 7,180 lbs LEFT OVER for "cargo".

My truck has cargo weight tag of 3,400 lbs.

That gives me 3,780 lbs EXTRA TIRE CAPACITY that I can not "use".

I would highly doubt that even a F350 is going to exceed those tires either....

Haha. No BS about it, kind sir. I know exactly what I'm talking about. Sorry but you picked the wrong guy to go toe to toe with here. Check the ratings on the 18" and 20" tires for yourself. 3195 lb load rating per tire is flat out puny these days on a single rear wheel 1-ton pickup.

By the way, my F350SRW has 3750 lbs per tire load rating and I have used every pound of it on the rear axle on that truck (7500 lbs).

[Gdetrailer]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
The smallest stock tire size also has the lowest load weight capacity. This negatively affects the truck's ability to carry a heavy hitch weight. Better off having a higher rated tire (18" or 20"), with a lower ratio axle (4.30).

I call B.S., you don't know what you are talking about.

My 2013 F250 IS equipped with the smallest tire size FROM FACTORY in 17"

LT245 75R17 Load Range E

That tire is rated at 3195 lbs max cap at 80 PSI

That is 12,780 lbs max tire capacity for the truck.

Take away my trucks weight (5600 lbs)you have 7,180 lbs LEFT OVER for "cargo".

My truck has cargo weight tag of 3,400 lbs.

That gives me 3,780 lbs EXTRA TIRE CAPACITY that I can not "use".

I would highly doubt that even a F350 is going to exceed those tires either....