Towing with the 6.2l/3.73 gearing?

[MarkRizRV]

I can’t see where the 4:30s would be a big advantage over the 3:73s except on starting from a dead stop, and giving a bit more closer transmission ratios between gears.

Wouldn’t 3:73s in 5th gear run about the same RPMs as a truck with 4:30s in 6th gear ??

If the 4:30s need 4th to pull a hill, 3rd should do it with 3:73s.

The engine does not know what final drive ratio you have and what transmission gear you are in, it just gives you the RPMs required to turn the rear tires.

Except explained previously, the hole shot would be the exception, as well as a lower final drive ratio would close up the transmission ratios, perhaps causing a bit more shifting with the higher ratio.

The 4.30 gives you 15,000 lbs vs 12000 of towing capacity, so it gives you more of a buffer to work with.

[jw^2 family]

If you end up going with 3.73 ratio and decide later to swap for 4.30 ratio, I would expect a shop to charge about $1,500 for parts and labor on a 4WD truck.

[Fishwater]

Well the deal is done, came home with our new 2019 F-250 Lariat Ultimate 6.2 with.....3.73 gears! This was the third one I drove with the 3.73’s & it felt great. The last one I drove with 3.73’s had the 20” wheels & it was terrible, maybe the truck had issues? Regardless the 20’s might be a little too much tire for the 3.73’s? The one we purchased has the 18” wheels & has plenty of power, on the hour drive home from the dealership in mixed driving I didn’t feel like the truck was underpowered at all, plenty of power getting on the highway, passing etc. Also impressively with only 18 miles on the odometer I averaged 12.9 mpg which is about what I averaged on the 6.7L. I’m leaving for 1000 mile business trip on Monday, when I get home the fifth wheel prep package should be waiting for me at the dealership so I can install it prior to our 1500 mile trip pulling the fiver in August.

[MarkRizRV]

If you end up going with 3.73 ratio and decide later to swap for 4.30 ratio, I would expect a shop to charge about $1,500 for parts and labor on a 4WD truck.

I considered this before I ordered my truck with the 4.30, but the dealer estimated the cost to install to be $2500
Mark

[Fishwater]

I considered this before I ordered my truck with the 4.30, but the dealer estimated the cost to install to be $2500
Mark

I agree, in my area at a dealership the cost will easily be $2500 or so, labor is about $100 per hour at a dealership.

[manofslip]

Well the deal is done, came home with our new 2019 F-250 Lariat Ultimate 6.2 with.....3.73 gears! This was the third one I drove with the 3.73’s & it felt great. The last one I drove with 3.73’s had the 20” wheels & it was terrible, maybe the truck had issues? Regardless the 20’s might be a little too much tire for the 3.73’s? The one we purchased has the 18” wheels & has plenty of power, on the hour drive home from the dealership in mixed driving I didn’t feel like the truck was underpowered at all, plenty of power getting on the highway, passing etc. Also impressively with only 18 miles on the odometer I averaged 12.9 mpg which is about what I averaged on the 6.7L. I’m leaving for 1000 mile business trip on Monday, when I get home the fifth wheel prep package should be waiting for me at the dealership so I can install it prior to our 1500 mile trip pulling the fiver in August.

I am glad it worked out for you.

[Retired Copper]

Nice truck congratulations and enjoy the ride.

[Fishwater]

Unfortunately for me my business trip for next week got canceled, I was hoping to spend a week in the truck breaking it in prior to installing the fifth wheel prep & camping in 3 weeks. Oh well, I’ve been driving it as much as possible & put 250 miles on it so far so the 1000 miles isn’t too far off.

What I will say is that I can’t believe how much better this chassis rides than the last one, it’s like night & day. My last truck was a 2015 F350 6.7L, the prior one was a 2003 F350 6.0L & I can’t get over how much better this truck is. This new one feels like a half ton to me, very sporty, doesn’t feel like a 3/4 ton & doesn’t rattle your teeth out. I’m super impressed & really happy that I made the switch.

[jasonl78]

Fish,

I know the deal is done but if it helps, my in-laws have a 2018 F-350 with 6.2L and 3.73s. He pulls a Reflection 337RLS. Sometimes they even pull the 17.5' boat behind the fifthwheel. I urged him to go 4.30s for the extra towing but fuel mileage scared him out of it. He seems happy with his choice. Gets around 8 mpg pulling. Empty the best was 18 mpg.

I run a Ram 3500 with 6.4L Hemi and 3.73s pulling a 28BH. My camper runs right around GVWR (11,000 lbs). I debated 3.73s and 4.10s. 95% of miles are not towing and I have no need for the extra 3,000 lbs of towing so I went 3.73s. Towing is 8-9 mpg. Best mpg was 20.5 mpg twice. Non towing of course.

Just a few data points to help validate your decision.

[Retired Copper]

If it was like me; the more I drive it the more I like it. I think it is my favorite truck so far. I too am towing just under 10k and it does just fine and is a stable platform. Son in law just traded his 2011 deleted 6.7 and went 6.2 because he doesn`t tow there camper but a few times a year. He said this one was his favorite too.