superd34

This is my first post (long one), as I'm looking to purchase a new Ecoboost 6.5 box 4x4. The question I have is if it is worth the extra dollars for the max tow package(and they are hard to find in stock around here). When it comes down to it I need the truck to go from MN to the Rocky Mountains 1-2 times a year pulling a 4 place enclosed trailer with 4-5 sleds, 4 guys, gear out there and back running with diesels, at 5 mph + over freeway speeds typically (Nebraska 75mph speed limit). Aluminum trailer w/sleds and gear close to 6000lbs.

1. Will this truck be able to handle this? (Headwinds-always! and hills)

2. Is a person better off having the 3.55 ratio and dropping it into 5th?
3. Will it pull it in 5th?

4.Will it pull 6th in those conditions with 3.73 ratio or will I have to drop it into 5th? (Will it want to run in between 5th and 6th with this ratio?)

Those that have similar experiences can you educate me?
Thanks in advance!

beakie

I have no experience to give you... but I ordered my SCrew Eco, 6.5' bed a few weeks ago, waiting for it to be built.

I decided max tow with the 3.73 gears for these reasons;
1. difference between 3.55 and 3.73 at cruising speeds is negligible, my math sucks, but it was within 100-200 RPM I think.
2. no question whether I "could" tow my Jeep with spare parts, camping gears etc
3. off chance I ever put slightly larger tires on in future, back near 3.55 ratio anyway
4. choosing gears now was relatively cheap as opposed to realizing down the road I wanted to tow more and re-gear = $1200 or so easy

I originally chose 3.55, few days later, more reading and more re-search (I have thread on here asking same question) and I called dealer and said "max tow, I want it"

good luck

Watt-maker

I would at least go with max-tow if not hd suspension too. I'm sure the 3.55 gears could pull it but it will be a little easier with the 3.73. Plus you get the trailer tow mirrors that are great to pull (and just drive) with. If you get anything other than the hd suspension pkg it will come with squishy P-rated tires, which I would recommend upgrading to something better.

The eco will keep up, even towing, but your diesel buddies will probably get slightly better mpg and will probably be a little more stable while towing. You may want to find a dealer that will let you take your trailer w/sleds, gear and load up an F150 to see how it handles it.

If I were closer (I'm in NM) you could try my truck out. Too bad you didn't post a few weeks ago, I was in ND and MN with my truck.

116Rob

I tow a 26' inline aluminum snowmobile trailer that will hold 4 sleds. I chose the Max Tow package with the 3.73, see truck in signature. The F150 replaced my 06 F350 powerstroke that was tuned. No doubt the F350 pulled like a mule and the added weight of the F350 crew cab 8' box handled like a dream. But I'm really impressed with the eco-boost so far. It will hold sixth gear on the flats and downshift to 5th in the hills. No lack of power but expect 7-9mpg pulling @ 75mph with a headwind. The 36 gallon tank sure is nice for that reason. I'm also tuned with 5*. Awesome shifting, torque converter lockup and hold's 6th gear better. Now if we could only get some damn snow to ride in. Been a terrible year in Michigan for snow, lost everything this weekend with the rain.

Also for 2013 the max tow mirror's are power fold and power extend.

superd34

Thanks for the replies guys. Helps me with my decision.

superccs

with a 6speed tranny why would you go for the 3.73? Get those revs down when cruising and let it drop in to 5th if you are dragging the garage around with you.

You guys with your silly high gears :P The EB gets piles of torque so doesn't need crutches in the form of high ratio differentials.

I towed a 34" boat through the Sierras up to Seattle with 3.55s and 275/70/18 rubber and there was no issue ever. It downshifted when necessary and stayed in 6th when in the flat. Averaged 12mpg doing 55-70mph through the mountain passes and valleys (definitely not the flattest route).

EcoboostKev

If your buying new then do yourself a favor and at least get the max tow pkg. You will get the extra 500lbs of payload which can come in handy for all that snowmobiling gear and the telescoping tow mirrors make a big difference too! The difference in mpg between 3.55 and 3.73 is very little with regular driving but when towing up a big hill trying to maintain speed with your buddies the 3.73's are what you want. Especially at 70+ mph! You will have absolutely no problems towing 6,000lbs. My travel trailer is 7500lbs and 33' long and all though i don't go over 65mph i do average 10.6mpg!

A7B2FX4

X2 Lots of states here(western US) now at 75 for speed limit. I tow 30' TT with EB Max Tow 3.73 and get about 10.4 at 65mph mostly level and it does plummet going up the front range and passes but the setup has all the pep to maintain. 3.73 and max tow gives you the payload advantage at a miniscule cost in MPG's. Footnote: We're stuck with 10% ethanol here and mileage has taken a hit.

mbopp

The 3.55's would do it...
But....
Hauling 4 guys (I assume a SCREW) and their gear you'll WANT the extra 500# payload the max tow gives you.
As for 5th or 6th gear - let the tow/haul mode decide.

93Cobra#2771

iTrader: (2)

3.73 plus max tow.

By the way, trailer tires are speed rated to 65mph maximum.

At 65 mph with 3:55 gears, you will be at 1500 rpm. Flat ground pulling the travel trailer it will mostly stay in sixth. But any amount of hilly terrain and it will drop to fifth, unlock the torque converter, and turn 2100-2200rpm.

At 65 mph with 3:73 gears, you are around 1850rpm, much closer to the EB peak torque production. Much less likely to downshift. In this particular case, mpg is actually better with 3:73.

Will it pull it with 3:55s? Yep. Will it pull it even easier with 3:73s? Yep.

Cargo capacity/tongue weight is what you will be close on, as mentioned above.

When you are shopping, open the drivers door and look at the yellow sticker that tells maximum cargo. You might be surprised just how little cargo some of the loaded luxury trucks have.

Here's mine for my xlt.