Tow vehicle
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
Tow vehicle
Ok just got a new fifth wheel last month. Got a canyon trail 33 ft. Measures 40 ft from end to end. Wonder how they get 33 ft. Weighs 14k full loaded. We want to gomthru the mountains with 6% grades.
We are considering a new f350 6.7 diesel but what would be the best rear end for this load and still get good fuel mileage?
We are considering a new f350 6.7 diesel but what would be the best rear end for this load and still get good fuel mileage?
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
If you want a 6.7 srw then you are limited to 3.55 or 3.31
If you go DRW F350 then you can get 3.73
F450 you can get 4.30.
IMHO lots tow with the srw and 3.55 and say it is just fine with the new 6 sp tranny but for me 3.73's is where it is at.
So 14K is the wet or GVWR of the trailer?
If you go DRW F350 then you can get 3.73
F450 you can get 4.30.
IMHO lots tow with the srw and 3.55 and say it is just fine with the new 6 sp tranny but for me 3.73's is where it is at.
So 14K is the wet or GVWR of the trailer?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Ok just got a new fifth wheel last month. Got a canyon trail 33 ft. Measures 40 ft from end to end. Wonder how they get 33 ft. Weighs 14k full loaded. We want to gomthru the mountains with 6% grades.
We are considering a new f350 6.7 diesel but what would be the best rear end for this load and still get good fuel mileage?
We are considering a new f350 6.7 diesel but what would be the best rear end for this load and still get good fuel mileage?
I hate to see a question just left hanging as it gives the impression no one is interested, which is not the case.
Steve
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Arizona/Texas
Just doing a little tinkering on the Ford build and price website and you come up with this:
3:31 srw 16,700
3:55 srw 16,300 4x4
3:73 drw 23,900
3:73 drw 4x4 23,500
So I'm thinking that if fuel mileage is your starting point, then you need to get the highest tow rating with the lowest number gear. If you weigh your trailer and truck and the 16,700 will pull it, that's your best choice.
But do you need 4x4?
What will be your final totals when you are loaded and pulling out of the driveway?
And if you think like allot of folks, you need about 25% to spare on you GVWR, just for good luck and to save wear and tear on the tow vehicle.
I don't know how much fuel mileage you lose with dual rear wheels, but I bet it's enough to get your attention.
Good luck with this thread, I hope we get some more input, as I am also trying to match the trailer I want with the proper tow vehicle.
3:31 srw 16,700
3:55 srw 16,300 4x4
3:73 drw 23,900
3:73 drw 4x4 23,500
So I'm thinking that if fuel mileage is your starting point, then you need to get the highest tow rating with the lowest number gear. If you weigh your trailer and truck and the 16,700 will pull it, that's your best choice.
But do you need 4x4?
What will be your final totals when you are loaded and pulling out of the driveway?
And if you think like allot of folks, you need about 25% to spare on you GVWR, just for good luck and to save wear and tear on the tow vehicle.
I don't know how much fuel mileage you lose with dual rear wheels, but I bet it's enough to get your attention.
Good luck with this thread, I hope we get some more input, as I am also trying to match the trailer I want with the proper tow vehicle.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Man, tough issue if it is mileage as you have to decide how much mountain time versus flat or relatively flat and in the end, I bet there is darn little difference between the two ratios, all other things being equal.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
This was wet weight (went over certified scales, unhooked and weighed just the truck to get this weight) and we would be in the mountains probably 6 times a year. Just don't want to kill the engine with overheating issues.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
You don't have to worry about any overheat issues and believe or not I have gotten as high as 19.6 unloaded hwy run when I first bought the truck.
I don't have any long distance towing runs yet to be accurate on that.
Mine is a DRW F350, 3.73 gears with the 6.7.
I don't have any long distance towing runs yet to be accurate on that.
Mine is a DRW F350, 3.73 gears with the 6.7.
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Ok just got a new fifth wheel last month. Got a canyon trail 33 ft. Measures 40 ft from end to end. Wonder how they get 33 ft. Weighs 14k full loaded. We want to gomthru the mountains with 6% grades.
We are considering a new f350 6.7 diesel but what would be the best rear end for this load and still get good fuel mileage?
We are considering a new f350 6.7 diesel but what would be the best rear end for this load and still get good fuel mileage?
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: NC's Outer Banks
Have a Raptor 36 ft toy hauler that's about the same weight. I initially had a F250 6.2 with airbags and a SCT tuner. Seemed to do ok. We pull almost all flatland. Traded the truck for a F350 6.7 with the 3:55 based on conversations with my service manager. World of difference. The 3:55 seems to offer decent all around fuel mileage and the pulling isn't even comparable. Only regret is not getting the diesel to begin with.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
Have a Raptor 36 ft toy hauler that's about the same weight. I initially had a F250 6.2 with airbags and a SCT tuner. Seemed to do ok. We pull almost all flatland. Traded the truck for a F350 6.7 with the 3:55 based on conversations with my service manager. World of difference. The 3:55 seems to offer decent all around fuel mileage and the pulling isn't even comparable. Only regret is not getting the diesel to begin with.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
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From: Southern Cal
To the others points... You can get great towing but poorer mileage or visa versa. No free lunch here.
My 6.0 isn't nearly as powerful but the 3.73 gear ratio pulls just fine with my 15,500 gvw. I would think the 3.31 or 3.55 would both do just fine.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Usually the rig is measured from the pin to the back bumper. Mines a 32' toy hauler on the tag but really measures 34' total. How you get 7 extra ft seems odd. Are you sure the tag or model # is only 33'?
To the others points... You can get great towing but poorer mileage or visa versa. No free lunch here.
My 6.0 isn't nearly as powerful but the 3.73 gear ratio pulls just fine with my 15,500 gvw. I would think the 3.31 or 3.55 would both do just fine.
To the others points... You can get great towing but poorer mileage or visa versa. No free lunch here.
My 6.0 isn't nearly as powerful but the 3.73 gear ratio pulls just fine with my 15,500 gvw. I would think the 3.31 or 3.55 would both do just fine.
Steve
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