Ford f250 with the 7.3 godzilla and 3:55 rears ??

[FedMill]

The above subject vehicle is the one I am very interested in. I love my F150 2.7 Ecoboost but I am at the upper end for towing my Grand Design 2600RB Travel Trailer. I feel the F250 with the 7.3 would be a Great Choice for me. My wife and I plan on moving up to a Reflection 278BH Fifth Wheel in a few years or similiar model so the F250 would be a Great fit for the Fifth Wheel also.

Has anyone here purchased this Truck and can give me some honest feedback ? I think it would tow my loaded 2600RB (7ksh) like a dream,,,

Joe & Lori
2019 F150 (STX/FX4) SCREW WITH 2.7 ECOBOOST
2021 GD 2600RB PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2020

[Russ Olin]

As far as the gearing on this truck. Thats hwy gearing. Driving around town gearing. Light load gearing.
373's in between town gearing & pulling gearing. Pull med. size trailers.
430 gears, pull gears. This is what you want to use to pull heavier trailers. Its gets you up the hills & off the other side.
355 gears are usually something that you find in a diesel truck. That has 1000 foot lbs of torque to the higher gears under load.
Gas engines like 430 gears.
Just my 2 cents,
Russ

[FedMill]

Russ,
I do understand the gearing however, I have read that the 10 speed and this motor (7.3) and the 3:55 Allows much better low end torque in the lower tranny speeds and the torque is still plenty across the power band. I agree the 3:73 and the 4:30 would be better for much heavier towing but wondering if there really is a huge difference? As I stated I’m at approx 7k loaded. If I go fifth wheel I anticipate no more than 12k Gross and the 7.3 is rated for 16000 I believe for gooseneck application.

[Joe1967]

The gearing in this new 10R140 transmission starts out so low, rear end gear ratios don't mean as much anymore, IMHO. Gearing for the 10R140 https://www.dieselhub.com/trans/10r1...qshift-10.html and the 6R140 https://www.dieselhub.com/trans/6r140-torqshift.html. As you can see, 3rd gear in the new transmission is almost the same as 2nd in the old one. I would also make sure the F250 has enough payload for any trailer upgrade you make make. A 12K GVW trailer could have 2,500 lbs of tongue weight (20%).

[Jerryr]

Let me add, since you are in Florida licensing costs for a 250 and 350 are similar.

[NB Canada]

Shorter gear ratios can start a load moving faster but is that really important?

I guess if you were hauling often gear ratio might mean something but for most the trailer is parked most of the time at the campground or they are weekend warriors

I prefer a taller gear ratio because the vast percentage of the time my truck is my daily driver, I don’t fit well in my wife’s VW, and I enjoy the performance and economy on the highway


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Jerryr]

My advice is Skip the 250 and go for a 350. The ride empty is very similar to a 250 but it will give you an additional 1,000 lbs of payload for about $1,000 more in MSRP. If you find you want a 14,000 lb 5th wheel you won’t be limited.

Your limiting factor when going to a 5th wheel will likely be payload. Payload on a Ford is listed on the Yellow Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver doorpost. Payload is the “combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed weight.

You won’t believe how different and effortless towing with a Super Duty truck is compared to your F150.

I don’t have experience with the 7.3L new gas engine but reports are good. The 10 speed is a great transmission. The top 3 gears lock out torque converter so if you want you can lock out 9th and 10th and drive all day long on the highway in 8th gear so I don’t think you will have issues with ever rear you go with.

[Spike32]

My advice is Skip the 250 and go for a 350. The ride empty is very similar to a 250 but it will give you an additional 1,000 lbs of payload for about $1,000 more in MSRP. If you find you want a 14,000 lb 5th wheel you won’t be limited.

Your limiting factor when going to a 5th wheel will likely be payload. Payload on a Ford is listed on the Yellow Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver doorpost. Payload is the “combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed weight.

You won’t believe how different and effortless towing with a Super Duty truck is compared to your F150.

I don’t have experience with the 7.3L new gas engine but reports are good. The 10 speed is a great transmission. The top 3 gears lock out torque converter so if you want you can lock out 9th and 10th and drive all day long on the highway in 8th gear so I don’t think you will have issues with ever rear you go with.

I too am considering the 7.3L with a 3.55 rear end. As others have noted, I'm only considering an F350 to tow my 2970RL. From what I have been reading, the new 10-speed transmission does allow for what before would be considered only highway ratios when towing. I have also seen some good reports from owners who have supercharged their 7.3. I just can't bring myself to get one of these late model diesels with their ridiculous emissions controls (I have a 2002 duramax with none of that stuff).

[EncoreJoe]

I'm towing the 2150RB but bought the F350 with 7.3 and 3.73 gearing in long bed dually configuration. Haven't done any mountains yet but will be going to Yellowstone this summer.

The long bed gets 48 gallon tank and the payload is 6,300 pounds. That also opens the door for a truck camper if we decide to do it.

Good travels to you no matter what you decide.

Joe

[FedMill]

...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 !!