Buying a new truck, need advice on tow package
10-16-2012, 11:15 AM
#31
I don't agree that how far you tow or how often you tow should be a factor in matching tow vehicle to trailer. If you tow only 5 miles there and 5 miles back, and do it only once per year, you don't want to be overloaded when you do it.
All of the popular tow vehicle manufacturers (GM, MOPAR, Ford, Toyota, Nissan) state you should NEVER exceed the GVWR or GCWR of the tow vehicle. And they do not make any exceptions for short distances or infrequent towing.
All of the popular tow vehicle manufacturers (GM, MOPAR, Ford, Toyota, Nissan) state you should NEVER exceed the GVWR or GCWR of the tow vehicle. And they do not make any exceptions for short distances or infrequent towing.
Comparing some of the mentioned packages online, a F-250 with the same 3.5L might not be much more expensive if at all since some of the towing options you want to add are standard. I think it's atleast worth a look, especially if you think you might get heavier in the future.
Last edited by Greg_8507; 10-16-2012 at 11:32 AM.
10-16-2012, 12:01 PM
#32
Senior Member
Last edited by EcoboostKev; 10-16-2012 at 12:09 PM.
10-17-2012, 12:22 PM
#33
Comparing some of the mentioned packages online, a F-250 with the same 3.5L might not be much more expensive if at all since some of the towing options you want to add are standard. I think it's atleast worth a look, especially if you think you might get heavier in the future.
10-17-2012, 02:18 PM
#34
Grumpy Old Man
Compare the 6.2 V8 with the EcoBoost. The 6.2L has a little bit more HP and a bit less torque, and the same GCWR of 17,100 pounds in an F-150 with 3.73 axle and the Max Tow pkg.
Put that same 6.2L V8 in the F-250 with 3.73 axle and it has 19,000 GCWR. In the SuperDuty, the 6.2L is tuned as a work horse and not as a street fighter, but it's still plenty strong.
So with the same engine, tranny, and rear axle, why does the F-250 have more GCWR (and tow rating)? Frame strength.
EcoBoost in an F-150 = 365 HP and 420 torque
6.2L in an F-150 = 411 HP and 374 torque
6.2L in an F-250 = 385 HP and 405 torque
Put that same 6.2L V8 in the F-250 with 3.73 axle and it has 19,000 GCWR. In the SuperDuty, the 6.2L is tuned as a work horse and not as a street fighter, but it's still plenty strong.
So with the same engine, tranny, and rear axle, why does the F-250 have more GCWR (and tow rating)? Frame strength.
EcoBoost in an F-150 = 365 HP and 420 torque
6.2L in an F-150 = 411 HP and 374 torque
6.2L in an F-250 = 385 HP and 405 torque
10-17-2012, 03:23 PM
#35
Senior Member
Compare the 6.2 V8 with the EcoBoost. The 6.2L has a little bit more HP and a bit less torque, and the same GCWR of 17,100 pounds in an F-150 with 3.73 axle and the Max Tow pkg.
Put that same 6.2L V8 in the F-250 with 3.73 axle and it has 19,000 GCWR. In the SuperDuty, the 6.2L is tuned as a work horse and not as a street fighter, but it's still plenty strong.
So with the same engine, tranny, and rear axle, why does the F-250 have more GCWR (and tow rating)? Frame strength.
EcoBoost in an F-150 = 365 HP and 420 torque
6.2L in an F-150 = 411 HP and 374 torque
6.2L in an F-250 = 385 HP and 405 torque
Put that same 6.2L V8 in the F-250 with 3.73 axle and it has 19,000 GCWR. In the SuperDuty, the 6.2L is tuned as a work horse and not as a street fighter, but it's still plenty strong.
So with the same engine, tranny, and rear axle, why does the F-250 have more GCWR (and tow rating)? Frame strength.
EcoBoost in an F-150 = 365 HP and 420 torque
6.2L in an F-150 = 411 HP and 374 torque
6.2L in an F-250 = 385 HP and 405 torque
From what I'm reading from the racing boys, the F150 Ecoboost is built tough enough to handle some pretty hefty mods. So it should be able to handle a 19000 GCWR, if the rest of the truck can.
Maybe the marketing folks didn't want the Ecoboost to compete with the 6.2L head-on, or maybe they didn't think people would accept a V6 in a Superduty.
10-17-2012, 07:34 PM
#36
Senior Member
I am as confused as well. But after reading through all this I think my bass boat ~2200 lbs should be fine with the regular tow package and 3.55's
10-17-2012, 08:11 PM
#37
Senior Member
The tranny is a Torq-Shift 6R140 used for both the diesel and 6.2L. The F250 brake rotors are 14.3" versus 13.7". And I'm sure the rear end and suspension are heftier as well.
With the diesel, the F250 has a GCWR of 30,000# (with 3.73 rear end) and GVWR of 10,000. Think it needs more than just a stronger frame than the F150 for that.
Last edited by brulaz; 10-17-2012 at 08:26 PM.
10-18-2012, 08:49 AM
#38
Grumpy Old Man
With diesel engine, the 3.73 ratio is available only in the F-350 DRW (Dooley), and it has 30k GCWR.
I don't keep up with the new Ford diesel details, such as who makes the rear axles now. But back in my day with the 7.3L diesel, my F-250 had a Ford "Sterling" rear axle with 3.73 ratio, while the F-350 DRW had a heavier-duty Dana 80 rear axle, also with a 3.73 ratio. They both had the same 20k GCWR, so apparently the Dooley needed the heavier duty axle for the increased GVWR of 11,500 vs. my 8,800.
Last edited by smokeywren; 10-18-2012 at 08:56 AM.
10-18-2012, 09:15 AM
#39
Senior Member
You're misreading something, somewhere. New F-250 with diesel engine is not available with 3.73 axle ratio. The F-250s and F-350 SRWs with diesel engine and available 3.31 or 3.55 axle ratio have GCWR of 23,500.
With diesel engine, the 3.73 ratio is available only in the F-350 DRW (Dooley), and it has 30k GCWR.
...
With diesel engine, the 3.73 ratio is available only in the F-350 DRW (Dooley), and it has 30k GCWR.
...
But my main point is that there's a more of a diff between a 6.2L F150 and F250 than just a beefier frame. Certainly the tranny and brakes are heftier.
I can't find anything specific in the tech literature about the suspension or rear-end though. Just my guess that with a 10,000# GVWR, you'll need a heftier suspension and rear end than an F150 with 8200# GVWR.
10-21-2012, 11:59 AM
#40
When Ford released the 6.0 back in 03 to replace the 7.3, the 6.0 was rated for more HP and torque, however, when pulling a heavy load (especially up hill) the 7.3 will out perform the 6.0 any day. On flat ground with no load the 6.0 will out run the 7.3 easy, but once you put a load behind it, there's no replacement for displacement.