PapaRoe

I am looking at two 2016 XLT's, with a towing package. One has 3.31 axle and the other has 3.71. We plan on towing a small travel trailer a few times a year. The rest of the time I will be just making short trips to the golf course and around town. I know that the 3.71 will give me better towing when it comes to hills and mountains, but I have read so much about the 2.7 having so much torque.
I would like to hear from someone who has either the 3.31 or the 3.71.

PerryB

I'd want the 3.73 ratio.

tsigwing

I went with 373's. The "hit" in mpg's isn't anything to worry about, and if you need the extra oomph from the gears, its nice to have.

Nighthawk87

3.73

marshallr

No brainer, get the 3.73.

Velosprout

What do you consider a "small travel trailer." That could mean anything from a 1800 pound pop-up to a 5000 pound Airstream.

Dcumagat

3.73, but I'm biased.

PapaRoe

Thanks for the replies. By small trailer I referring to between 20-26 foot. I haven't purchased it yet, but that's what I've been looking at. It's just the two of us and a small 24 lb dog. Since we are both retired we want to do some traveling. We have children/grandchildren spread across the country, form NM to PA. Plus we want to take in some national parks.

I just got back from driving a SCREW 3.5 Sport. Boy is that a nice truck!

Velosprout

With a trailer 20 to 26 feet you have to be careful about payload; seek out the related discussions on these forums. Going to a 3.5 EcoBoost would be advisable for the towing. The 2.7 EcoBoost is towing capable, but even with the 2.7 payload package, the payload is still often lower than other trucks. With the travel you describe, viewing the country from over a hood that has a 3.5 EcoBoost under it will provide you more confidence and pleasure.


The link http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/ shows you that the different wheelbases and engine combinations have different maximum payload figures. These are the maximum payload figures on a basic truck with absolutely no options. Every option you get on the truck decreases payload from these figures; even leather, two-tone paint, Sync3, as well as moon roof, etc. As you can see, higher payload is achieved with the 3.5 EcoBoost or 5.0 V8 engines. The payload is the maximum weight of all occupants in the truck, all cargo in the truck bed, all accessories you add after purchase, the weight-distributing hitch, and the weight of the trailer tongue. Using as an example a 26' Wildwood Hyper-Lyte camper http://www.forestriverinc.com/produc...elID=2258#Main it shows a estimated tongue weight of 634 pounds. (actual tongue weights may vary from published figures substantially).


If you have a tongue weight of 634 pounds, a 75 pound weight-distributing hitch, 50 pound tonneau cover, 40 pound Bed-Rug, 600 pounds of combined weight driver and passengers, 250 pounds of golf clubs, firewood, and misc. in the truck bed, you have a need for payload of 1649. At least a 15% cushion is desirable (grandkids do grow quickly), so 1649 + 15% = 1896 payload.

You are likely to find that the 3.5 Ecoboost, with a higher payload and fewer options (an XLT or Lariat with fewer options) will get the payload numbers you will need to be able to shop for the trailer you want. (For the highest payload, one has to special order the Heavy Duty Payload package, a rare option).


Congratulations on your retirement and it sounds like a great adventure!

92497pmu

Per the previous comments-

Although it isn't a 36ft 5th wheel tri-axle, 20-26 ft is beyond small.

Go for the 3.5 ecoboost.
Get the 3.73 gears (3.55 as a 2nd choice)
You won't be disappointed and will have more confidence & power when towing.

I have a 3.5 eco super crew with the 3.55 (best choice I could find at the time)
I feel pretty confident & capable with up to about 10,000 trailer on the factory bumper hitch with my 2-5/16 pintle

Good luck