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  1. #31
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    Some people have said diesels have to many problems. That's true sometimes. However, my brother bought a brand new F350 with 7.3 gas and 10 speed transmission. At 7,000 miles, the truck started running rough. The transmission had also been shifting hard from gear to gear. He took it into the Ford dealer. Turns out an internal seal was bad in the motor and the valve body was bad on the transmission. Now he is waiting for a new motor and transmission valve body to be installed.
    2021 GD 31MB; 2022 F350 Rapid Red, Lariat Ultimate Package, CCSB, 4x4, 6.7 Powerstroke, B&W 20K Patriot slider

  2. #32
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    Quote Originally Posted by FedMill View Post
    ...After more research I will most likely go with the 4.3 gears if I go Ford F250. As folks have said previously, the fuel mileage is basically negligible and the benefits are definitely a plus... I just don't want to make the wrong decision when I upgrade to a fifth wheel it's more than the 10/11000 gross weight I now anticipate.

    Thanks for all the Input !!
    Don't have time to post the link, but look up You Tube- 7.3 Godzilla towing 24K through the Rockies.

  3. #33
    Big Traveler Grandesigner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joe1967 View Post
    Some people have said diesels have to many problems. That's true sometimes. However, my brother bought a brand new F350 with 7.3 gas and 10 speed transmission. At 7,000 miles, the truck started running rough. The transmission had also been shifting hard from gear to gear. He took it into the Ford dealer. Turns out an internal seal was bad in the motor and the valve body was bad on the transmission. Now he is waiting for a new motor and transmission valve body to be installed.
    That's exactly what warranties are for, the bad ones that got thru. Too bad both of them happened to your bro...but he should be good to go after the replacements.
    Dan and Rita
    2021 Reflection150 260RD, built June 2020, w/400W solar + 2 size 31 AGMs, added 2" lift blocks to match the
    2022 F350 SCSB 7.3 GdZa 4x4, 10 Sp w/4.30s - Lariat Sport in Atlas Blue

  4. #34
    Seasoned Camper Scramjet's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FedMill View Post
    ...After more research I will most likely go with the 4.3 gears if I go Ford F250. As folks have said previously, the fuel mileage is basically negligible and the benefits are definitely a plus... I just don't want to make the wrong decision when I upgrade to a fifth wheel it's more than the 10/11000 gross weight I now anticipate.

    Thanks for all the Input !!
    I am towing my 303RLS with the 6.2 gas engine and 4.30 gears. About 12,000#. Yes, I did test drive the F-350 diesel. It was nice but I settled on the F-250 gasser. I have towed from Ohio to Florida, Texas, Arizona and Montana so plenty of mountains with no problems. Towing at 62-68 MPH I averaged 7.5 to 8 MPG. Just another data point to consider.

    All the new trucks are pretty capable. I am sure you’re fine with any decision but pay attention to the payload numbers.

    Brian
    Last edited by Scramjet; 03-23-2021 at 06:45 PM.
    Brian & Shea+ Zeke & Roxy GSP’s
    2018 GD Reflection 303RLS 800w solar 400ah LiFePO4
    Sold 2018 Ford F-250 CCSB Lariat gas 2,980# payload
    2024 Ford F-350 4x4 CCSB Lariat diesel 4,000# payload

  5. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grandesigner View Post
    Wow, 6300 lbs...is the ride kind stiff?
    It's a little stiff but not as bad as the 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 short bed it replaced.

    When towing with a load it rides better. We are taking our 2150RB from Texas to Yellowstone this summer and that will be the first big trip.

    Joe
    Joe and Sheryl Fabrygel

    2018 Imagine 2015RB - "Let the good times roll"

  6. #36
    Setting Up Camp
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    Quote Originally Posted by Russ Olin View Post
    I guarentee you one thing, you buy a 5th wheel that weighs 14,000 lbs & you have a gas motor. If you dont get the 430 gears it will be the biggest mistake that you ever made. If you plan on pulling a RV in the high country of Colo or the west you will need that gearing up & esp back down the other side of the mtn. That is the reason that they offer different rear end gearing. If a transmission could make up all the difference they would only offer one gear. Period. Trust me, I have pulled in the mtns of Colorado all my life. All the passes many times. With 460 V'8, V10's & diesels. 14,000 lbs is a heck of a tow. Better think wisely.
    Russ

    I have read many reviews on everyone telling us that a 4.30 will out PULL a 3.73 cruising down interstate and the numbers do not show that. With a 4,5 or 6 speed transmission back in the day yes it would. But not now with a 10 speed transmission.
    Let's look at some simple numbers:2020 7.3L 10 speed transmission with 3.73 gear multiplied by the TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIO to give Final Drive Ratio's

    Final Drive Ratio's
    1st 3.73 x 4.615 = 17.21

    2nd 3.73 x 2.919 = 10.89

    3rd 3.73 x 2.132 = 7.95

    4th 3.73 x 1.773 = 6.61

    5th 3.73 x 1.519 = 5.67

    6th 3.73 x 1.277 = 4.76

    7th 3.73 x 1.010 = 3.77

    8th 3.73 x 0.851 = 3.17

    9th 3.73 x 0.687 = 2.56

    10th 3.73 x 0.6321 = 2.36

    2020 7.3L 10 speed transmission with 4.30 gear gear multiplied by the TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIO to give Final Drive Ratio's

    Final Drive Ratio's
    1st 4.30 x 4.615 = 19.84

    2nd 4.30 x 2.919 = 12.55

    3rd 4.30 x 2.132 = 9.17

    4th 4.30 x 1.773 = 7.62

    5th 4.30 x 1.519 = 6.53

    6th 4.30 x 1.277 = 5.49

    7th 4.30 x 1.010 = 4.34

    8th 4.30 x 0.851 = 3.66

    9th 4.30 x 0.687 = 2.95
    10th 4.30 x 0.6321 = 2.72

    So what do we learn here? If you towing 12,000lbs or less you might be able to pull in 9th gear with 4.30 gear as it is a lower final drive 2.95 vs. 2.56 (3.73) . Winner goes to 4.30 But in every other gear the 3.73 has a lower number final drive number pulling.
    9th (4.30) 2.95 vs 8th (3.73) 3.17 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 and will definitely pull a trailer of 12,000 or more better. Why because it is a slightly lower final drive ratio.
    8th (4.30) 3.66 vs 7th (3.73) 3.77 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 these 2 gear ratios are about the same, but still the 3.73 is geared lower.
    7th (4.30) 4.34 vs 6th (3.73) 4.76 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 and will definitely pull better.
    6th (4.30) 5.49 vs 5th (3.73) 5.67 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 and will definitely pull better
    5th (4.30) 6.53 vs 4th (3.73) 6.61 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 these 2 gear ratios are about the same, but still the 3.73 is geared lower.
    4th (4.30) 7.62 vs 3rd (3.73) 7.95 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 and will definitely pull better

    As most of us towing down the highway at 55-70 mph the ratio that will pull the best is the 3.73 gear. You can achieve slightly better pulling with a 3.73 gear by simply dropping down 1 gear on the transmission when pulling.
    Taking off yes the 4.30 will move the trailer/boat easier. But let's all be real we are not flooring it taking off with a trailer/boat behind the truck. Just roll into the gas and let the engine and transmission do the work. Coming up on a ramp yes the 4.30 will get you up to speed maybe a few seconds faster. But I can lock into 3rd gear with a 3.73 and have more pulling power then a 4.30 gear in 4th gear.

    The bottom line is this. If you are towing your big rig down interstate at 55-70 mph the 3.73 gear will pull better by dropping the transmission down 1 gear vs the same transmission and a 4.30 gear. When you unhook the trailer you will also have an engine turning less RPM's cursing down interstate at 70-75 mph with the 3.73 gears and get better MPG.

    These numbers don't lie! When you are looking into gear ratio's you have to take a look at final gear ratio's to get accurate numbers.

  7. #37
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    I have the 3.55 gears and will tell you that the low gears are plenty low towing 9000-10,000 lbs. Normal towing it usually runs in 7th or 8th gear on the interstate doing 70-75 mph. Only sees 10th gear pointed downhill. But when not towing it uses 10th gear most of the time steady state. Towing I see 7 to 9 mpg. Empty around 15 mpg.
    2020 Reflection 150 240RL
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  8. #38
    Big Traveler Grandesigner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by in6seczone View Post
    I have read many reviews on everyone telling us that a 4.30 will out PULL a 3.73 cruising down interstate and the numbers do not show that. With a 4,5 or 6 speed transmission back in the day yes it would. But not now with a 10 speed transmission.
    Let's look at some simple numbers:2020 7.3L 10 speed transmission with 3.73 gear multiplied by the TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIO to give Final Drive Ratio's

    Final Drive Ratio's
    1st 3.73 x 4.615 = 17.21

    2nd 3.73 x 2.919 = 10.89

    3rd 3.73 x 2.132 = 7.95

    4th 3.73 x 1.773 = 6.61

    5th 3.73 x 1.519 = 5.67

    6th 3.73 x 1.277 = 4.76

    7th 3.73 x 1.010 = 3.77

    8th 3.73 x 0.851 = 3.17

    9th 3.73 x 0.687 = 2.56

    10th 3.73 x 0.6321 = 2.36

    2020 7.3L 10 speed transmission with 4.30 gear gear multiplied by the TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIO to give Final Drive Ratio's

    Final Drive Ratio's
    1st 4.30 x 4.615 = 19.84

    2nd 4.30 x 2.919 = 12.55

    3rd 4.30 x 2.132 = 9.17

    4th 4.30 x 1.773 = 7.62

    5th 4.30 x 1.519 = 6.53

    6th 4.30 x 1.277 = 5.49

    7th 4.30 x 1.010 = 4.34

    8th 4.30 x 0.851 = 3.66

    9th 4.30 x 0.687 = 2.95
    10th 4.30 x 0.6321 = 2.72

    So what do we learn here? If you towing 12,000lbs or less you might be able to pull in 9th gear with 4.30 gear as it is a lower final drive 2.95 vs. 2.56 (3.73) . Winner goes to 4.30 But in every other gear the 3.73 has a lower number final drive number pulling.
    9th (4.30) 2.95 vs 8th (3.73) 3.17 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 and will definitely pull a trailer of 12,000 or more better. Why because it is a slightly lower final drive ratio.
    8th (4.30) 3.66 vs 7th (3.73) 3.77 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 these 2 gear ratios are about the same, but still the 3.73 is geared lower.
    7th (4.30) 4.34 vs 6th (3.73) 4.76 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 and will definitely pull better.
    6th (4.30) 5.49 vs 5th (3.73) 5.67 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 and will definitely pull better
    5th (4.30) 6.53 vs 4th (3.73) 6.61 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 these 2 gear ratios are about the same, but still the 3.73 is geared lower.
    4th (4.30) 7.62 vs 3rd (3.73) 7.95 which has the lower final gear ratio? 3.73 and will definitely pull better

    As most of us towing down the highway at 55-70 mph the ratio that will pull the best is the 3.73 gear. You can achieve slightly better pulling with a 3.73 gear by simply dropping down 1 gear on the transmission when pulling.
    Taking off yes the 4.30 will move the trailer/boat easier. But let's all be real we are not flooring it taking off with a trailer/boat behind the truck. Just roll into the gas and let the engine and transmission do the work. Coming up on a ramp yes the 4.30 will get you up to speed maybe a few seconds faster. But I can lock into 3rd gear with a 3.73 and have more pulling power then a 4.30 gear in 4th gear.

    The bottom line is this. If you are towing your big rig down interstate at 55-70 mph the 3.73 gear will pull better by dropping the transmission down 1 gear vs the same transmission and a 4.30 gear. When you unhook the trailer you will also have an engine turning less RPM's cursing down interstate at 70-75 mph with the 3.73 gears and get better MPG.

    These numbers don't lie! When you are looking into gear ratio's you have to take a look at final gear ratio's to get accurate numbers.
    Interesting...shows the advantage of all those intermediate gears the 10 speed has.

    Now if only I could put one behind my 7.3 PSD it would be a real beast! Now I have about a 1000 rpm drop between gears, all 4 of them, lol. You can feel the shift makes the engine work real hard, but if the rpm drop was only 500 rpm or so, easy peesy...

    The only problem here is this title of the thread says F250...you can't get 3.73s unless you get an F350, which is fine for anyone towing a 5th wheel that's not gigantic. So comparing 4.30s to 3.55s might not be as favorable...
    Last edited by Grandesigner; 06-21-2021 at 08:00 AM.
    Dan and Rita
    2021 Reflection150 260RD, built June 2020, w/400W solar + 2 size 31 AGMs, added 2" lift blocks to match the
    2022 F350 SCSB 7.3 GdZa 4x4, 10 Sp w/4.30s - Lariat Sport in Atlas Blue

  9. #39
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    The diesel will have a better resale value and will get better mpg's towing or not towing. Most diesel owners never recoup the $10K premium for the diesel option but IMO thats a moot point as it's no different that buying a Lariat over an XL. You get back a percentage of what you paid for every option. The two big pluses to owning a diesel over gas and towing heavy are the exhaust brake and the mpg range. You go from averaging 8-8.5 to 11 to 12 mpg. That may not seem like much but with say a 36 gal tank you get an extra 100 mile range.
    If you're towing in the east where there's fuel stations all over then it's no big deal. Head way out west where fuel stations are spread out more and it's nice to be able to pick and choose you next fuel stop.
    Having an exhaust brake is one of the most useful things when towing. If you've ever descended a 10% grade towing heavy without an EB then you'd be in for a huge surprise at how easy it would be. I don't care how well a gas brake works it's never going to compare to an EB from a diesel.
    Gas trucks are fine for weekend trips and the occasional long trips, but if you're out in real mtns then a diesel is king.

  10. #40
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    For now, I rent my 3/4 TV from Enterprise. I have the choice of gas or diesel, of which I always request the diesel. I also have the choice (sort of) between Ford F250 and the Ram 2500. So far, I have only been able to get the Ford, but I am looking forward to getting a RAM for our next trip. The Ford diesel gets about 22 MPG unloaded at highway speeds, about 17 combined. However, that drops to 12-13 highway with our 22MLE. I never take it above 65 on the highway and drive with a light foot regardless. I was surprised with the towing mileage, although I think it may have less to do with weight than towing a trailer with the wind resistance of a brick.

    I think the newer Ford gassers at Enterprise are the 6.2, but not sure. For one of our trips I will request a gasser just to compare. Thankfully, I made my truck and campground reservations a year in advance. 2 days before my last trip, Entreprise called me and wanted to make sure I still needed the truck. If not, there were about 10 people on the waiting list !!
    Mitch and Alisa Frank
    2020 Imagine XLS 22 MLE
    2020 RAM 2500 Diesel

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