scott8
california
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Joined: 03/23/2012
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We plan to purchase:
- Keystone Cougar 25RLSWE (dry weight 6172, hitch weight 630, we are light packers, no kids no dogs)
- Ford F150 ecoboost V6 supercrew, 5.5 foot bed, 145" wb, trailer tow package
We prefer the 3.55 axle ratio which is rated for pulling 9800lbs with GCVWR 15300lbs and max payload about 2000lbs
The 3.73 axle with max tow package increases max TT weight to 11300lbs and GCVWR 16900, however we understand that it implies a less comfortable drive (suspension and noise from tires) and may decrease gas mileage. Note that this will be our every-day car when we don't tow.
We are sure that the towing capacity of the 3.55 axle is sufficient for our loaded trailer, does anyone have any experience with a similar configuration that would help us decide if we should get the 3.73 axle?
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Turtle n Peeps
California
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Joined: 06/23/2008
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IMHO I think you will be fine with the 3:55. The turbos get the air flowing at a very low RPM. This gets the torque coming in early so it acts like a big engine when towing.
The more HP you have down low the less gear advantage you need. I would go with the 3:55's.
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lbrjet
Liberty, IN
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The max tow package itself doesn't change the ride. The HD payload package may do the things you describe. The max tow trucks have 'P' rated tires. It would be worth it just for the towing mirrors. You are not going to get 2K payload with the 3.55 gears, but would be close with the 3.73.
You are confusing the max tow package with the HD payload package (which includes max tow).
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Terryallan
Foothills NC
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While there is a difference in the towing cap. There is only 100 RPM difference at 60 mph. As for the tire, Why would they make more noise? unless they have a more agressive tread.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
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2112
Texas
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My experience was that I had a 1997 F150 4.6L with 3.55 rated for 7000Lbs. I bought a Sportsman in 2004 with a dry weight of 3500Lbs and travel weight of 5200Lbs. The RV shop suggested upping to 3.73, my mechanic suggested the same. I ignored them, this was my daily driver as well. In 2007 I had to rebuild the tranny and the rearend in 2008. At that time I put in the 3.73 and it was like a different, better TV. It took me 4 years and $3500 to do what I should have done day one.
I now drive a 2011 F150 EB SCab Max Tow 3.73 and get 20 mpg mixed. Even with Timbens installed it's still a smooth ride. My opinion is you loose more capability and longivity with the 3.55
YMMV
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab, Timbrens, PullRite SuperGlide 2700 15K
2013 KZ Durango 1500 2857
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rrupert
NW PA
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If you want the tow mirrors the dealer can swap those for you. I did it as part of the deal.
Rich and Joyce
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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I think you would be better off from the beginning to get the most capable truck you can afford. Things like ride quality are very subjective and personally I could give a rats behind about but some folks seem to think is very important. Get the max payload/max tow version. As already noted the difference between a 3.55 and 3.73 is very small and will not be noticed
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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It is not the axle ratio that increases the payload etc. It is ordering the Heavy Duty package. You should ALSO be able to order the lower gearing without the HD option.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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lbrjet
Liberty, IN
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skipnchar wrote:It is not the axle ratio that increases the payload etc. It is ordering the Heavy Duty package. You should ALSO be able to order the lower gearing without the HD option.
Apparently you are not aware that the max tow package also increases payload. You need the 3.73 for max tow. I realize the axle rating has nothing to do with payload, but indirectly you get a higher payload rating with the max tow package than without it.
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gsxr1300
ma
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might as well get the max tow and HD payload as you may want to upgrade the TT in the future
2011 Ford F250 Lariat 6.7 4x4 LB
2010 Crossroads Sunset Trail 29QB
2001 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 Turbo Charged 300+RWHP
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