Lets see those 5th wheels
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,519
Likes: 917
From: Home Base Nebraska
The 6.2 is a very capable motor but to get the most out of it 4.30 gears work the best, our trailer runs right around 16K when loaded with up to 3400 on the pin depending on how its loaded and being a DRW I have 17" tires lowering the final effective gear ratio even lower than a SRW. It's also a dedicated towing truck so it's a 2x4 giving us better mileage both pulling and running solo. I've pulled over 11300 ft passes and with the 4.30 gears 2nd gear is what we run with some 1st depending on the final grade at the top, I never run it over 4300 on a grade I just find a gear it will pull in and set the cruise. For the ones that have never pulled a high pass if it's a 2 lane the speed limits are down around 30 mph range and intetstates run 55 mph normally. I never check my mileage over short runs but over long runs with multiple fill ups, towing we average between 8 and 9 with empty being 13 to 16 the best I can tell because we just don't make long runs empty. 3.73 gears and 4.30 gears both have their place, if you pull occasionally and run the truck empty most of the time 3.73 would be the best fit but if you pull most of the time like us 4.30 are the best option.
Denny
Denny
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 692
Likes: 134
The 6.2 is a very capable motor but to get the most out of it 4.30 gears work the best, our trailer runs right around 16K when loaded with up to 3400 on the pin depending on how its loaded and being a DRW I have 17" tires lowering the final effective gear ratio even lower than a SRW. It's also a dedicated towing truck so it's a 2x4 giving us better mileage both pulling and running solo. I've pulled over 11300 ft passes and with the 4.30 gears 2nd gear is what we run with some 1st depending on the final grade at the top, I never run it over 4300 on a grade I just find a gear it will pull in and set the cruise. For the ones that have never pulled a high pass if it's a 2 lane the speed limits are down around 30 mph range and intetstates run 55 mph normally. I never check my mileage over short runs but over long runs with multiple fill ups, towing we average between 8 and 9 with empty being 13 to 16 the best I can tell because we just don't make long runs empty. 3.73 gears and 4.30 gears both have their place, if you pull occasionally and run the truck empty most of the time 3.73 would be the best fit but if you pull most of the time like us 4.30 are the best option.
Denny
Denny
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 6
From: Alabama
The first time I test-drove a 6.2L gasser (SRW) I inadvertently squawked the tires - despite my current tow vehicle being the Ford (SRW) V10.
Normally that'd be plenty of power to satisfy me ... but I had the fever and so instead I purchased my first 6.7L (another SRW).
Several years later, with a new (heavier) fifth wheel I traded my TV again, for my currently listed buggy.
Other than fuel my operating costs are lower than most folks: my FIRST oil change is coming up in two weeks, at one year in service and about 3700-3800 miles (mostly all pulling).
Normally that'd be plenty of power to satisfy me ... but I had the fever and so instead I purchased my first 6.7L (another SRW).
Several years later, with a new (heavier) fifth wheel I traded my TV again, for my currently listed buggy.
Other than fuel my operating costs are lower than most folks: my FIRST oil change is coming up in two weeks, at one year in service and about 3700-3800 miles (mostly all pulling).
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,519
Likes: 917
From: Home Base Nebraska
The first time I test-drove a 6.2L gasser (SRW) I inadvertently squawked the tires - despite my current tow vehicle being the Ford (SRW) V10.
Normally that'd be plenty of power to satisfy me ... but I had the fever and so instead I purchased my first 6.7L (another SRW).
Several years later, with a new (heavier) fifth wheel I traded my TV again, for my currently listed buggy.
Other than fuel my operating costs are lower than most folks: my FIRST oil change is coming up in two weeks, at one year in service and about 3700-3800 miles (mostly all pulling).
Normally that'd be plenty of power to satisfy me ... but I had the fever and so instead I purchased my first 6.7L (another SRW).
Several years later, with a new (heavier) fifth wheel I traded my TV again, for my currently listed buggy.
Other than fuel my operating costs are lower than most folks: my FIRST oil change is coming up in two weeks, at one year in service and about 3700-3800 miles (mostly all pulling).
Denny
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 6
From: Alabama
I suspect my next fifth will be smaller/ lighter and so a dually won't be required (but I won't get rid of a perfectly good TV like I had to do when going heavier).
With a smaller/ lighter fifth my next TV can be whatever I find, like and can afford; unicorns are more plentiful than duallys in my area.
I'm reasonably certain it would still be a diesel - principally because I didn't like the higher revs my former V10 churned out at times. But to me that 2002 V10 was preferable over the old noisy stinker diesels (7.3, 6.0) of its time.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 72
From: Springfield
Ive posted it before but I was able to get it out for the first trip of the weekend last weekend. Was hoping to get a pic of my uncles 5th with his white super duty but no luck. Ill be in the market for a newer/ bigger one next year hopefully.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,352
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I would rather deal with snakes and bears than the antics that take place in the concrete jungle. We were in Philadelphia in May and it was a stern reminder of why I live in the country and stay away from large population areas.
We prefer boondocking in the mountains, but sometimes a good ACoE park is nice to hang out at.
Happy camping all!
We prefer boondocking in the mountains, but sometimes a good ACoE park is nice to hang out at.
Happy camping all!
