Not happy with towing capability
07-06-2016, 08:20 PM
#11
It really sucks when saleswomen have no effing clue what they are talking about. Probably cant even back up a trailer, but they are standing there giving truck buyers who will actually use a truck as a truck "advice" with a straight face.
Research it to death if you must. Read all of the other threads. But here is what you will need to do to actually be happy in the end.
Trade in your truck for one that has a 5.0 engine with 3.73 gears or a 3.5 ecoboost with 3.55 gears, make sure it has the towing package. Hell post the window sticker on here before you buy, we will tell you if it will suck *** for towing or not. The sooner the better before you devalue your current truck any farther. Chalk up the lost equity to learning a lesson about gearing the hard way and move on with life.
Next time do your own research before pulling the trigger instead of taking the advice of any salesperson on a car lot. Sorry for your loss.
Research it to death if you must. Read all of the other threads. But here is what you will need to do to actually be happy in the end.
Trade in your truck for one that has a 5.0 engine with 3.73 gears or a 3.5 ecoboost with 3.55 gears, make sure it has the towing package. Hell post the window sticker on here before you buy, we will tell you if it will suck *** for towing or not. The sooner the better before you devalue your current truck any farther. Chalk up the lost equity to learning a lesson about gearing the hard way and move on with life.
Next time do your own research before pulling the trigger instead of taking the advice of any salesperson on a car lot. Sorry for your loss.
Op, you don't want to wander down the same path as ol' k-stater88, who's going through hell at the moment.
Whatever random quirk is afflicting this configuration isn't co-operating with the investigators.
Best o' luck!
MGD
The following users liked this post:
Aj06bolt12r (07-06-2016)
07-06-2016, 11:00 PM
#12
Wow I have a 3.5 EB with 3:15 and NO problem pulling a 6000# TT with it @ 70 MPH with a head wind. It isn't the gearing, it has to be the programming.
07-07-2016, 02:27 PM
#14
Senior Member
OP,
A couple of the links are threads that I started due to similar issues. The dealer agreed that the towing performance of the 5.0L/3.31 is lackluster, but Ford says it's with in designed parameters. I don't know how much playing you've done with the truck, but mine had more power at lower rpm's (and speeds under 50 mph) than it did at highway speeds. That's what led me to belive there was something wrong with the computer as I was only getting 7-8 mpg with a light trailer.
I used a flex with a detuned 3.5EB/3.16 (similar power curve to the 5.0) and it pulled my same trailer like it wasn't even there in 6th gear even. That should sum it all up right there.
I'd be interested to know more if your issues are like mine. My 5.0L with a 3.31 should out pull my old 2010 5.4L with 3.55 but doesn't.
If you go to a dealer, I'll tell you that mine kept the truck for 2.5 weeks only to test it against others on the lot and I got no where. good luck.
A couple of the links are threads that I started due to similar issues. The dealer agreed that the towing performance of the 5.0L/3.31 is lackluster, but Ford says it's with in designed parameters. I don't know how much playing you've done with the truck, but mine had more power at lower rpm's (and speeds under 50 mph) than it did at highway speeds. That's what led me to belive there was something wrong with the computer as I was only getting 7-8 mpg with a light trailer.
I used a flex with a detuned 3.5EB/3.16 (similar power curve to the 5.0) and it pulled my same trailer like it wasn't even there in 6th gear even. That should sum it all up right there.
I'd be interested to know more if your issues are like mine. My 5.0L with a 3.31 should out pull my old 2010 5.4L with 3.55 but doesn't.
If you go to a dealer, I'll tell you that mine kept the truck for 2.5 weeks only to test it against others on the lot and I got no where. good luck.
Last edited by k-stater88; 07-07-2016 at 02:30 PM.
07-07-2016, 03:55 PM
#15
Senior Member
It seems pretty obvious that there is some problem with the 5.0/3.31 combo, but I've gotta believe there is more to this than simply gearing. I can understand seeing a difference between 3.31's, 3.55's or 3.73's as you approach maximum loads. But these guys are having issues pulling 1/4 to 1/3 of what the truck is rated for. I don't think it is simply an issue of the gears not being low enough.
A 3.42 axle has been the most common available in Chevy 1/2 tons for years and are rated for nearly identical weights even with a slightly less powerful engine. They don't have any trouble pulling their advertised weights.
A 3.42 axle has been the most common available in Chevy 1/2 tons for years and are rated for nearly identical weights even with a slightly less powerful engine. They don't have any trouble pulling their advertised weights.
07-07-2016, 04:10 PM
#16
Senior Member
It seems pretty obvious that there is some problem with the 5.0/3.31 combo, but I've gotta believe there is more to this than simply gearing. I can understand seeing a difference between 3.31's, 3.55's or 3.73's as you approach maximum loads. But these guys are having issues pulling 1/4 to 1/3 of what the truck is rated for. I don't think it is simply an issue of the gears not being low enough.
A 3.42 axle has been the most common available in Chevy 1/2 tons for years and are rated for nearly identical weights even with a slightly less powerful engine. They don't have any trouble pulling their advertised weights.
A 3.42 axle has been the most common available in Chevy 1/2 tons for years and are rated for nearly identical weights even with a slightly less powerful engine. They don't have any trouble pulling their advertised weights.
07-07-2016, 05:47 PM
#17
Senior Member
I'm not sure what any of the transmission ratios are, but I've never seen any that weren't 1:1 in top gear, not including OD. Gears 1-4 and OD may vary slightly between manufacturers, but 5th should be 1:1.
All of the issues I'm reading about claim plenty of power in the lower gears with them dying in 5th with the engine seemingly not putting out the power it should.
I realize 3.31 gears aren't ideal. These trucks are rated for 9,000 lbs and that is probably optimistic. But we're talking about 2000-3000 lbs here. I've pulled that much weight with 3.08 gears. If these guys were having issues with 6000-7000 lbs I'd blame it on the gearing. The 3.31's aren't helping, but there is something else happening here.
All of the issues I'm reading about claim plenty of power in the lower gears with them dying in 5th with the engine seemingly not putting out the power it should.
I realize 3.31 gears aren't ideal. These trucks are rated for 9,000 lbs and that is probably optimistic. But we're talking about 2000-3000 lbs here. I've pulled that much weight with 3.08 gears. If these guys were having issues with 6000-7000 lbs I'd blame it on the gearing. The 3.31's aren't helping, but there is something else happening here.
07-07-2016, 05:52 PM
#18
Official HTT Greeter
agreed....I definitely think it has something to do with the ECM limiting something. I'd like to see someone with this problem get a tune and test it.
07-07-2016, 07:10 PM
#20
Platinum R.R.
I believe, could be wrong, Ford came out with the 3:31's to make the E.P.A. Mileage look better.
The salesperson was trying to save you some Gas money or didn't understand how important gearing is when Towing?.
I've always had the 3:55 or 3:73's. I 'm in a lot off Colorado Mountain driving.
It's not that easy to take a Truck back for another one.
Good Luck. You need to do some research before you make your next Very Large Purchase?
The salesperson was trying to save you some Gas money or didn't understand how important gearing is when Towing?.
I've always had the 3:55 or 3:73's. I 'm in a lot off Colorado Mountain driving.
It's not that easy to take a Truck back for another one.
Good Luck. You need to do some research before you make your next Very Large Purchase?