5.0GN tow

Just saying from someone who actually tows a gooseneck heavier than his with a super cab stx 4x4 3.55 5.0 that he really will be fine provided payload is ok. I tow at max for my truck a lot and it does it easier than any truck or tow vehicle I have ever driven. I understand the torque multiplier factor but it's not enough to account for the drastic difference. The 5.0 has larger sump oil pan than the eco, oil to air oil cooler, larger coolant capacity and generates less heat than the turbo motor.

Mike Up

Its the engine working less, from the 3.73 ratio, that decreases temps. Even if the Eco is hotter, it was designed for hotter temps obviously.

The 5.0L operates within a temperature spec. Without having a better ratio to create more torque for heavier trailers, the engine wouldn't be able to stay within that specs. Trans temps are for the trans reliabilty. No different for other engines as the 3.73 will bring the higher tow capacity.

5.0GN tow

I understand the whole working less hard, but I really can say from actual use that the. 5.0 with a 3.55 is not working hard at all towing the loads the op asked about, or even at its max rating of around 7500 to 7800lbs. The truck loafs along easily in 5th or 6th most of the time towing my gooseneck 3horse trailer which loaded is over 7k and depending on where we are going is pushing 8k. Hills keep me in 5th and sometimes 4th but she never heats up or slows below normal highway speeds.

Mike Up

It's hard to say where they came up with their tow rating for the 3.55 gears. Maybe that 7700 lbs tow rating is with a 65 sq ft surface area, w/ AC on, w/ stop and go traffic, and driving in hills.

Glad it's working great for you.

Wannafbody

That 7500 tow rating seems way low. My Silverado with 5.3 with 3.42 has a tow rating of 9500 or so.

5.0GN tow

It is way artificially low they sanbagged these big time. The 5.0 needed to tow significantly less than the eco or no one pays more for an eco. Been through all this on here before but the 5.0 is the only engine that loses more than 300lbs towing or gcwr when going from 4x2 to 4x4 with same axles and body styles. All the others gain,stay same or lose less than 300lbs. There is no possibility that other than marketing for this. In 4X2 3.55 the 5.0sc tows 9500, 4x4 it's 7800. The trucks only weigh 300lbs different. The other engines only reflect the weight change difference.

A7B2FX4

The Limited model has very low tow ratings which would mean with your logic Ford wasn't trying to sell many. Many on this thread have tried to justify the 3.55 as just as good as the 3.73. Why go with the lesser choice of the 3.55 if you plan to tow and give up the higher tow numbers.
Dealers stock 3.55 trucks. People see the number 3.55 but it means nothing. They see the base tow package option and think they can tow anything with the truck just like the Ford commercial says they can tow 11000.
If you're a well informed buyer the smart money goes with the 3.73 and the higher tow numbers set by Ford prove it. Why settle for the 3.55 if you plan to tow?

RockWVU

i have a 2012 5.0 supercrew 3.73 XLT off road 4x4

i tow a gooseneck livestock trailer of various weights (cattle, feed,hay)
and also pull a 10000 lb rated dump trailer bumper pull.

I would look within reason for the 3.73. I wouldnt fly half way across the country to get one though.

I am very happy with the truck. I drive it unloaded to work 20 miles each way and tow a couple times a month.

I would love to have a f350 but i dont haul heavy every day so it just doesnt make sense to give up economy as well as initial price tag...

I get about 16.5 mpg mixed with as much as 20.5 highway.

This truck tows circles around my old 1986 f350 dually 460 that had 3.55 with the limiting factor being payload.

5.0GN tow

I would have liked a 3.73 but 3.55 was in the truck a got too good a deal on so that is what I have. In the hills I lock out 6th but other than that it just plain does its job. In 5th the rpms with 3.55 are about the same I am guessing as 6th with the 3.73. Both are good towing trucks for sure and I think even the 3.73 is underrated for towing.

Steve62

I have the 5.0 w/3:55 1739lbs payload. I would not hesitate to pull 9500lbs with this truck. I believe that Ford has low balled the towing capacity. Saying that, I only have a boat that I tow and it is 5000lbs fully loaded.