Community Forums

Bellavance · 09-17-2020, 06:12 AM

My new trailer (Keystone 26RBS) weighs only 6600 lbs + cargo.
I’m about to order a 2021 Ford F-150 equipped as follows:
V6 3.5 engine
Standard (not Max) Trailer Towing Package.
This truck has a 10-speed auto transmission, and can tow 10,500 lbs and the same 16,200 lbs GCWR with EITHER the 3.31 or 3.55 AXLE RATIO, according to Ford.
I was thinking about ordering the 3.31 axle ratio for fuel economy on flat highways, and pulling the trailer in 9th or 8th gear if necessary, which would raise the axle ratio as needed.
Can anyone help with this decision?
Thanks.
Pierre

GCSuper · 09-17-2020, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bellavance

My new trailer (Keystone 26RBS) weighs only 6600 lbs + cargo.
I’m about to order a 2021 Ford F-150 equipped as follows:
V6 3.5 engine
Standard (not Max) Trailer Towing Package.
This truck has a 10-speed auto transmission, and can tow 10,500 lbs and the same 16,200 lbs GCWR with EITHER the 3.31 or 3.55 AXLE RATIO, according to Ford.
I was thinking about ordering the 3.31 axle ratio for fuel economy on flat highways, and pulling the trailer in 9th or 8th gear if necessary, which would raise the axle ratio as needed.
Can anyone help with this decision?
Thanks.
Pierre

For sure get the 3.55 and use tow/haul. That trailer will be pushing 8K. You'll need all the help you can get.

JohnBoyToo · 09-17-2020, 06:54 AM

on both my f-250 and f-350 pulling my HEAVY 5'ers I still got the taller gearing because most of my driving was without the 5'er behind me...

It did fine in all cases, but the diesel engine did have enough grunt to do both jobs.

While the ecoboost is a great little engine (my wife's explorer sport has 135k miles and still screams!) with a load, you will always be in the turbo's ...

I'm wondering if the f-150 is the correct truck for the trailer you have ?!? good luck

GypsyR · 09-17-2020, 08:33 AM

I've had 3.31's and 3.55's over the years and have come to prefer the 3.55's. Just a little more grunt starting off on steep hills and such. I have a particular road with a stop sign I've been driving on for 25 years to test this. I've not really noticed any difference in mileage. I don't really track mpg's though. Current truck had 3.331 open rear for about two years until I swapped it for a 3.55 Traction-Loc rear. Which I like much better.

450Donn · 09-17-2020, 09:25 AM

3.55 always. If your towing you will always want the highest numerical ratio available to make the towing experience pleasand.

Bowtie Jim · 09-19-2020, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450Donn

3.55 always. If your towing you will always want the highest numerical ratio available to make the towing experience pleasand.

And get the max tow package too. Why wouldn't you? You're towing right around four tons loaded. Four tons .

mistercee · 09-19-2020, 07:41 PM

Had a 2019 3.55 max tow before trading it in on an F350.

18MPG non-towing
12-15 with 8300 lb trailer

Towed like a champ. Reason for trading was we wanted the added length/weight/stability of the F350 for towing cross country.

DKRITTER · 09-20-2020, 05:43 AM

My 2019 has the 3.55 ratio and with the 10 speed it all works very well. I also have the Max tow package, I would highly recommend it also, 36g fuel tank, better hitch and I think wiring for the price it's a very good idea.

Bellavance · 09-20-2020, 05:51 AM

Where can I get approximate payload, towing weight, etc ... for the F-150 V6 3.5 truck with the Max Towing Package?

DKRITTER · 09-20-2020, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bellavance

Where can I get approximate payload, towing weight, etc ... for the F-150 V6 3.5 truck with the Max Towing Package?

Look on the ford website.

mistercee · 09-20-2020, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bellavance

Where can I get approximate payload, towing weight, etc ... for the F-150 V6 3.5 truck with the Max Towing Package?

Published website weights will be for a stripped based models so unless that's what you plan on getting, they will not be very helpful. You are better off going to a dealer and opening doors to check the stickers. You will see there will be a wide range of payloads, depending on option load and cab configuration. Payload is your vehicle's listed GVWR - Curb Weight....as it left the factory. It includes the weight of a full tank of gas, but no passengers.

Published tow ratings are also pretty meaningless. The only way to know what your specific truck can tow is to get the pertinent data (payload, axle ratings, GVWR) from that truck's placards and do the math.

I can give you one real world example. My 2019 XLT SCREW, 3.5L EB with Max Tow had 1873 lbs of payload per the door sticker. And as a side note that truck was 'rated' to tow 11K+ lbs as configured. There is no way I would be able to tow a travel trailer weighing that much. Manufacturer tow ratings are based on towing a loaded hay wagon, not a travel trailer or 5th wheel.