New F-350

[The Glampers]

Interesting how this thread migrated from drw/srw to 3.55/4.10. It’s exactly the methodology that I went through. The drw decision was far easier than the gear ratio choice.

We have the 18’ f350 drw with 4.10. I did happen to drive my friends 17’ f350 srw 3.55 pulling a lighter 5er and it performed great.

We chose the 4.10 because I was concerned that our 394m at 19,000#-ish would pull better up the hills. The RPMs are slightly higher, slightly worst mpg - but theoretically better engine braking.

Would the 3.55’s suffise, yes. But, if you spend a lot of time pulling in the mountains, then you might be better served with the 4.10’s.

Tough call.

///chile


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[DougW9876]

With the 6 speed transmissions I don't see the 4.10 gears as needed. So what if it downshifts when going up a grade, all those gears are for it to choose from so it can maintain optimum performance and economy for a given situation. If it is shifting all of the time when towing and you don't like it to, you just lock out 6th gear and drive it in 5th.

[Boomer58]

I am towing now with the 3.55's on my '17 F-250 and it is pulling just fine. I have only towed it between Alabama-Florida and Florida- New York with the only real hills being I-81 Va, Pa. and NY. We plan to go west through Co. up to Id. across Wa. down the west coast, across the Southwest and then back to Florida in the fall. Next year will be Nova Scotia to British Columbia then wind up back in Florida. We will probably encounter a hill or 2, that's why I was thinking the 4.10's might be better but I still like the 3.55's and I'm sure they will be ok for our trailer. I have found a lot of trucks online that are equipped just how I want but have the 4.10's so the 3.55's are a little hard to find. I will be going to the dealer this week and making a decision. I really appreciate all of your replies, it has been very helpful with some great info. I'll let you all know what I decide, Boomer.

[Farfaraway]

Boomer, dealers order them with 4.10's because that's the truck that tows " 30,000+ lbs!" I'd be happy with 3.55's, and I pull thru the mountains plenty, but I wouldn't walk away from the right truck because it had the "wrong" gears. If you end up with 4.10's you sure as hell won't be disappointed by how it pulls! Good luck!

[TheLexx]

Well my truck only comes with 4.3 gears so I had no choice. I will say that I pulled my relatively light 11k lb trailer up and down many 7 - 8% grades last summer with no issues at all.

Gas mileage of course is not great. I got about 8.5-9.9 towing and unladen I get 12-14.5. I bet the 3.55 guys get better. And they can run faster on the freeway more easily. But in my case it doesn't matter because the top speed of the commercial rated tires isn't that high anyway.

[orbsah]

I was very interested in this truck until I saw that it had 4:10 gears:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...6072/overview/

Looks like a decent deal otherwise. . . .

[TheLexx]

I was very interested in this truck until I saw that it had 4:10 gears:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...6072/overview/

Looks like a decent deal otherwise. . . .

I'd be a little leery of "Must finance with dealer source."

[FT4NOW]

I'd be a little leery of "Must finance with dealer source."

When I bought my truck from a Ford dealer they gave me an extra $1000 off if i financed with them, wasn't a "must" unless I wanted that portion of the discount. Did it and refinanced with USAA before i made my first payment.

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[xrated]

I've got an "older" F350 Dually (2016 model) and feel fortunate because it's got the 3.73 rear end....best of both worlds IMHO. BTW, I towed a 20K GVWR Momentum 394.

[Keebler]

When I bought my truck from a Ford dealer they gave me an extra $1000 off if i financed with them, wasn't a "must" unless I wanted that portion of the discount. Did it and refinanced with USAA before i made my first payment.

I had the same cash back situation, although my terms required me to hold the loan with Ford Motor Credit for three months. I did and refinanced; inconvenient, but worth it for the rebate.

Regarding the gearing; i have the 3.55 and regularly pull a ~14,000 lb rig up Black Mountain, NC (about a 5 mile, 6% grade) without breaking a sweat.