I feel like we are just going in circles here. I am really confused, did the OP just learn how to do math and is wanting participation points or what? Maybe call or email Ford and tell them they should rate the 3.73 trucks to tow more than the 4.30 geared trucks since 3.73s pull better when your in a lower gear with 10 speed transmission, although that has always been true with every transmission, apparently you couldn't do that until the 10 speed came out.

 

I think the OP's point is we should rethink things because of the 10 speed transmission stretching the power band in both directions. More small steps allows the 3.73 to have plenty of power down low on start ups, although not quite as much as the 4.3. But it gives the 3.73 the advantage at higher speeds where we spend most of our time. That's all while towing. Running empty gives the 3.73 a wider advantage in whole range, unless jack rabbit starts are your priority. Options for all of us, and there is no one perfect option for everyone.

 

It all comes down to what you are using your truck for not weather 3.73 are better than 4.30 gears. In my case because I pull our 16K high profile trailer 75% of the time on both flat lands and high mountain elevations the 4.30 gears are a no brainer because of the added mechanical advantage and it's not just the off the line but the ability to hold a gear before downshifting. Anyone that has pulled hard on grades at elevation knows that whenever you downshift you lose momentum plus the less downshifting the less wear and tear on the driveline. Lots of options out their and buy what you think is right for you but do try and school others on what you think is best for them. There's a lot of heavy towing experience on the forum and we know what works for us and what lasts.

One of the biggest advantages of the 10 speed is to make a small motor feel like a big motor like I have in my F150 2.7 EB with 3.55 gears, geat truck but it has its place. I will take my F350 DRW 2x4 6.2 4.30 gears when I have work to do .

Denny

 

I see where the OP is coming from with this and as stated above certainly gives options if you don't mind manually shifting and paying more attention while towing. 4.30s give a set and forget tow.

Unless your towing over the trucks "rated" capacity I don't believe you're going to wear the engine out periodically with higher rpms. Besides most people aren't keeping these trucks long term/ high miles.

After seeing the video with the guy pulling the equipment trailer over weight for the F250 with a 3.55 gears in Wyoming 3.73 gears would handle it and 4.30 would shine towing it.

A side note though is, midwest to east coast there really aren't that great of towing challenges of long steep inclines for "mountainous" climbs like you could experience in the west.

 

Denny I remember when I had my 2008 V10 with 4.30 gears pulling 14,5k and was into some hard curves in the beginning of the mountain grade and the speed/ momentum kept dropping down to about 5 mph before it finally "caught" it's breath and picked up speed. I thought it was not going to get up the mountain on that one.

 

Ha! Kind of puts the whole argument to bed, doesn't it!

 

I've towed all over the US and beg to differ.
WV has steepest grades and sharpest turns that I've navigated.....on roads they consider highways.

 

True story, Sandstone on I64 in WV and Fancy Gap on I77 in VA are two that come to mind. Several of the US highways in WV as well.

 

Small gears and trucks just don't match, but ford likes them for fuel mileage numbers. My brother had a 91 f150 4.9 with a 4 speed and a 2.73 rear end. Why? No pulling capacity. I bought one with a 3.08 and a 5 speed off a lot and the guy before me used it as a plow truck. Why? Trucks need a bigger gear 4.10 or greater. Went to look at a Chevy last year. Said I want to have a gas engine and pull 20,000 lbs. The guy at the desk said, go somewhere else. The whole notion of 80% of the people buying 3.73 is they don't know any better. Ford is saving money that way by giving you a sterling axle over the Dana. Most folks want their cake and eat it too. You want mileage, slow down. Torque gets you off the line and horsepower keeps you there.... When I ran a 65 ford, 7 litre, I used 4.56 for a reason. Move that mass. It did a great job racing and never missing a gas station. But I didn't care about mileage when a had two four barrels on it!

 

Yes, I quoted myself just to show that I believe 4.30 are better if towing at max and mountainous terrian but for folks that don't want to run 4.30 while daily commuting.

Looking at the bigger picture of "tow" ratings the 3.73 & 4.30 are equal till you look at the gooseneck/ 5th wheel, then really seperate in ratings at the drw level having the extra rear wheels.

As a fulltime rv'er using my current setup of a 35' 5th wheel at 16k within the GCWR the 7.3 engine would be no problem using 3.73 according to Ford. As the OP said originally just drop a gear or 2 and be in the sweet spot of hp/ torque on a long mountain climb.

For the guys using the 6.2 the 4.30 is almost a requirement to makeup for the lower hp/ torque # compared to the 7.3.

 

With a .63 overdrive and the 33-34" diameter tires the new trucks come with I don't see any reason not to get the 4.30 gear ratio. Running in 10th gear at 75 MPH with the 4.30 only puts you at 2000 RPM.

 

I can certainly agree with that logic especially when towing in the upper end of trucks capacity.

My case is perhaps a little different as I tow in twisty mountainous terrain quite a bit and have always kept trailer size to a minimum, never exceeding 30 ft.
My 7.3 with 3.55 gears is hardly being tested pulling a 7600# trailer and rarely will it exceed 3000 rpms in the hills.
Not so sure I'd feel a significant improvement pulling at only 50% of the trucks capability. Idk

 

Real #s of 3.73


Still a wash.

 

I'm sure you have and think WV and other eastern states that have low elevation "mountains" have some tough roads to tow on and I'm pretty sure I might have pulled equipment trailers on some of those so called roads dodging tractor trailers hauling coal when I was on the east coast removing rr tracks going to the mines in WV, KY, VA. Those where good training hills for the high elevation mountains in the west we travel on now with the 5th wheel.

Like you I have traveled and pull trailers in every continental united state and not just the interstate highways, some off the wall back roads.

 

It's funny, my father always told me never go over 75%. That was in the 70"s, with 70's trucks, but I still go by that today. I wanted 15,000 so I went for 20,000. When I pulled my son home from Vegas, his 7000 lbs was like it was not even there. I dropped less then 1 mpg average on the way home.