AJ8916

Hey everyone new member here. I have a question regarding the 5.0 engine with 3.55s vs the 3.31s in towing. I've had to 2016 f150s both xlt sport pkgs the 1st one had 20 inch wheels and 3.31 gears it got great economy but it was a dog towing, when I towed a 4k tt from toronto to pikes peak in the summer it wouldn't even stay in 5th gear on the flat lands at 65mph. I ended up trading that truck for my current one which is identical except it has 18inch wheels and 3.55 gears, I'm wondering if I can expect a big difference between the two trucks or not. thanks guys

Dirttracker18

If you tow, I always opt for deeper gears (higher numerically) but that is just my preference.

This is a highly misunderstood area and you are going to get some uninformed responses so I will try to clear this up right away.

Many point to the slight increase in RPM as a reason not to go with deeper gears as that minor increase in RPM does not really help much. This is a misunderstanding of the use of a deeper gear. What you gain is mechanical advantage, not just moving your engine up in the RPM and thus torque range.

Using deeper gear is the equivalent to using a longer lever to mover a heavy object or a longer ratchet to loosen a nut. Deeper gears make it easier for the trucks engine to do it's job, like giving you a longer lever, it is easier to move the heavy load. The slight increase in RPM is an added advantage as it gets you into more torque.

Personal choice but I take the slightly poorer mpg and enjoy the better towing experience.

All that being said going from 3.31 to 3.55 is not a big jump but I would still make it. If available I would go up to 3.73.

marshallr

I think 8,000 lbs would be more than I'd want to tow with either, but your 3.55 gears will make a noticeable difference while towing the 4000 lb trailer.

I have the 5.0 and like the engine for my uses. But if you want to tow 8,000 lbs you really need the 3.5

Steve Osborne

I have 3.55...they tow both reasonable....sometimes i wish i went 3.73.....28ft camper 22ft atv/cargo/camper...
I lockout 5/6th...

AJ8916

okay I only ever locked out 6th maybe I'll try locking out 5th as well. out of curiosity what kind of mileage are you getting with both gears locked out?


I should have been a bit clear 8000lbs is the maximum I tow once a year and no more than 10 miles from the garden center to my house. when I tow long distance 6500 is the max I would go. the other problem I think im having is I've never towed with a N/A V8 before. I've had an ecoboost truck as well as towed with powerstrokes, I drive heavy spec tractor trailers for a living so I think my experience with forced induction motors is hindering me getting used to the 5.0 while towing

Dirttracker18

lol

Yup it would be a big difference. Don't be afraid to let that 5.0 scream a bit. The torque max is a lot higher in the rpm band so you will need to let it turn to get good power.

Keep in mind it is still be power ad torque curve than my 2007 5.4 and I tow maxed out with that. It will work harder to get there but it will do it fine. That 5.0 is making better power than the old big block motors used to make!

BRUTE448

agreed to every one eles's points..and if you find you have $2500 laying around, you can re-gear to 4.10 which are factory raptor (2011-2014) gears. i wouldn't up size tires as that will make things worse. i went to a 33x11 from 32, but i got 3.73 gears for that rear and now my effective gearing is about 3.6'ish

Steve Osborne

[QUOTE=AJ8916;5206297]okay I only ever locked out 6th maybe I'll try locking out 5th as well. out of curiosity what kind of mileage are you getting with both gears locked out?

17-20l/100kms....depends more on load/hills and my foot

acadianbob

You will effectively be towing with a 4 speed transmission; far from ideal.

If you are towing for any distance, you will soon tire of that rev'ing engine.

Hardlymoving

I had a 5.0 V8 with the 3.55 gearing to pull a travel trailer with an empty weight of 4800# but got rid of it because I did not like the constant shifting and engine reving up & down while towing. Yes, it pulled it but took a lot more shifting and engine revs to do it than I was used to with the previous 3.5 Ecoboost engine so traded back for another Ecoboost. Can't imagine that the towing experience with the 3.31 gearing would be real pleasant unless it was all flat terrain.