Towing 6500lbs. F250 3.73 or 4.30s? Not sure which ones to get.

[All50States]

Need to upgrade my current tow vehicle to a truck.  Looking at a F250.  Most of those come with the 3.73. Wondering if I should order one with the 4.3s.  There is much debate over this. Thought maybe some of you guys have had both and can share your experience.

Here's some more info:
- I'm towing a 27 foot camper weighing 6520 pounds (CAT scale weight).
- GVWR for the camper is 7500 pounds
- I have a daily commute to work of about 6 miles so looking for a gas truck
- I tried for a long time to get a F150 to work. However, when we camp we like to bring the kitchen site. We went to the Smokies over Memorial Day weekend and I weighted everything going into my current SUV. Blackstone griddle, generator, 20 gallon propane tank, plus trailer hitch weight and me and my wife we were at 1481 lbs. That doesn't include firewood or additional passengers. I don't want to be maxing out the truck from the very beginning. Plus, I want a stable tow vehicle that my wife would feel comfortable towing
- I plan on maybe 8 camping trips a year. 2-3 in the NC mountains
- I plan on one 3-4 week camping trip out West each year (I'll be working from the road). In August, we're heading to the Rockies. - - Next year, maybe the Grand Canyon.

Thoughts on going with the 4.3 for only camping 8 times a year?  What is the normal MPG hit?  I would plan on keeping this truck for 10 years or so.

Thanks!

 

[darsben]

When do you plan to retire?

 

[SpencerPJ]

Other Ford guys will be along, and I'm the first to usually say go with the bigger rear end, but 3.73 is pretty decent, and some of the newer transmissions make all the difference with their 8 or 10 speeds.  The 4.3 would definitely be a great puller, but really necessary?  The F250 will have such a better stance and suspension.  Do still pay attention to payload by individual truck by all means, some of those loaded F250s don't have squat for payloads. I'll be interested in this discussion, I too have been stewing over a replacement tow vehicle, not liking my options, I'm even considering a new Expedition, ordered correctly will pull 9000lbs, and about 1800 payload.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The 3.73 or 4.30 is usually a diesel. Is that what you are looking at? If so, the diesel and a 3.73 won't even notice a 6500 lb trailer. It will tow 10,000-12,000 lbs without raising a sweat.

 

[All50States]

darsben, awesome question! I'm targeting retiring in about 5 years and then going on the road for extended 3-4 month trips.  That sounds like the 4.3s for sure. 

The payload of a F250 6.2 gas XLT is around 3200lbs.  That's plenty for me. 

One question you guys could help with.  I've started doing some reading and I'm not getting how the 4.3 truck would pull different going from 18" wheels to 20" wheels.  For pulling and ride comfort, do I want the 20" wheels?

 

[scale obsession]

I have 373s in my 6.2 gasser. It does a very nice job. I opted for 373s because I use the truck as a daily driver as well. It seemed like a good compromise for daily use.

 

[steveblonde]

4.30s will suck back the gas but faster out of the hole - when i bought my current dually i shied away from 4.30 im glad i did i have 3.55 and get way better mileage than my buddies chev with 3.73  but he kicks my butt off the line. with that light a trailer 4.30 is over kill

 

[lynnmor]

The 3.73 or 4.30 is usually a diesel. Is that what you are looking at? If so, the diesel and a 3.73 won't even notice a 6500 lb trailer. It will tow 10,000-12,000 lbs without raising a sweat.

You can't get those gears in a new F250 diesel, only 3.31 & 3.55.  Except for certain options, both gears act the same because of tire sizes.  Actually a gas engine needs the lowers gears as the engine spins faster.  An F250 diesel will pull the subject trailer effortlessly.  If he wants the gas engine, get the lowest gears for better engine braking as well as better mountain climbing.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Even the gas engine F250 ought to tow a 6500 lb trailer effortlessly with 3.73 gears.  The tow rating in the 6.2L with 3.73 is around 13,000 lbs (varies with trim & cab style), so still double that 6500.  Changing to 4.30 gears bumps it up to about 16,000, far overkill in my opinion.

You can't get those gears in a new F250 diesel, only 3.31 & 3.55.

I see I am out-of-date on Superduty axles - mea culpa!  The Ford site shows 3.31, 3.55 for the SRW diesel but 4.10 and 4.30 are available on DRWs.

 

[darsben]

If you retire and then decide to full time you will at some point desire a bigger  trailer or a fiver.
To me that means overkill on everything.Better to much truck than not enough and you buy another truck. You have been down that road once already.
VERY VERY rarely is there some one on the forum that is unhappy because they bought a too large truck. Many complain they have to buy a new truck cause they want to go to a larger rig.
I would think diesel if you are planning to keep the truck into retirement. Just because of the longevity of diesel versus gasser.

 

[steveblonde]

If you retire and then decide to full time you will at some point desire a bigger  trailer or a fiver.
To me that means overkill on everything.Better to much truck than not enough and you buy another truck. You have been down that road once already.
VERY VERY rarely is there some one on the forum that is unhappy because they bought a too large truck. Many complain they have to buy a new truck cause they want to go to a larger rig.
I would think diesel if you are planning to keep the truck into retirement. Just because of the longevity of diesel versus gasser.

Now your talking 350s not 250s

 

[darsben]

Now your talking 350s not 250s

May be but I am trying to make the OP think long term not just the next few. As most of us know retirement is for fun not for problems. So figure out now what you need in retirement

 

[steveblonde]

May be but I am trying to make the OP think long term not just the next few. As most of us know retirement is for fun not for problems. So figure out now what you need in retirement

Agreed 100%

 

[rbrdriver]

Why not go with F350 Dually and that way you're set for whatever trailer you will upgrade to, which you probably will do. 8)

 

[SpencerPJ]

Why not go with F350 Dually and that way you're set for whatever trailer you will upgrade to, which you probably will do. 8)

But but, if he does that, he can't retire in 5 years  :

 

[grashley]

Per the Ford web site, on a F250, the 3.31 and 3.55 rear end is DIESEL ONLY.  The 3.73 and 4.30 rear end is GAS ONLY.

I agree that gas is the right motor for you to use as a daily driver.  Same for 3.73 gears for a daily driver.  With a 7500# camper, you will have plenty of power with the 6.2L and 3.73 gears. 

If you were pulling 14,000# over the Rockies, my answer would be different, but that is not what you asked.