2012 F250 SuperDuty 6.2L 4.30 -- Towing
 

Hi all,

Just wanted to share my towing impressions with my 2012 F250 SuperDuty 6.2L 4.30...and my 2012 LOOK 7x20 Cargo trailer rated at 7000 GVWR.

Overall...I am very satisfied! It does a remarkable job! :-X22

6.2L ---
Likes to rev. Even more so than my '03 V10 did. Pulls hard high into the rpm band...and never looses breath. Averaged 12.3 mpg towing. IMHO...that is a result from the deep 4.30 gears! :-X04 Oh yeah...the sound or growl is awesome! Definitely know you have a V8 under the hood.


6R140 tranny ---
While in Tow / Haul mode...the tranny is fantastic. Holding the shifts longer...and keeping the load moving very smoothly. It is rather aggressive with the downshifts decending a 4 thru 7 % grade...with a push of the brake pedal. So...when leaving the mountain...I decided to use "M" mode...and hold the gear I wanted to be in. Also another huge benefit of the 6R140 tranny...is the ability to lock-out the higher gears. Many times...I would lock-out 5th and 6th climbing a grade...and let 4th pull that grade. Definitely helps keep the tranny from searching gears.


Nav screen with backup camera ---
Awesome! About as easy as it gets with hitching up the trailer. Spot on!


Suspension ---
Definitely rides smooth. Might be a little to soft...IMHO. As you'll see in the pics...it does squat some. Not enough to engage the Camper Package Overload springs. This is obviously due to the level stance when unloaded. Not a deal breaker by any means...and always felt like I was in control.


Integrated tow brake and sway control ---
Does a very good job. I was towing on I40...and that is a major interstate for the big rigs. I was steady at 70mph...and the few times I was passed by an 18 wheeler...the truck held firm. YES...I could feel the passing effect...but the truck and trailer tracked just fine. I had to do a few passes myself...and again...the truck and trailer passed with ease. Very impressed...because I did not have my Equalizer setup on this trip. I wanted to see what a conventional hitch would do. Works well...IMHO! :-X22


So...I am a happy towing SD owner at this point! Here are a few pics of my setup...:-X22


biz
:-wink

Thanks for the update. Good looking setup! Was your enclosed loaded up with toys? How's your highway mileage running empty and no trailer? I test drove a 6.2L F250 with the 3.73's recently on some 7% to 8% grades and could tell the 4.30's are the most likely way to go. Just curious. Thanks.

Great write up and truck/trailer combo Biz!

wyo2track, based on the mpg threads, there's not much of a difference in mpg's between the 3.73's and 4.30's (I seem to be a special circumstance with my crappy mpg's).

I specifically went with the 4.30's in anticipation for going to a larger tire.

[quote=2000silverbullet;wyo2track, based on the mpg threads, there's not much of a difference in mpg's between the 3.73's and 4.30's (I seem to be a special circumstance with my crappy mpg's). [/quote]

Thanks for the info...Yeah, I've spent the hours after gettin' the kids to bed 'researching' some of those mpg threads. The lead foot seems to be the biggest factor in these SuperDuty 6.2's. I wonder if Weight Watchers has got a beer and pizza remedy for the lead foot symptom?;)

Haa haa, but then you gotta analyze whether paying weight watchers money outweighs the gas you'd be saving.

I'll tell ya one thing, it's hard to keep your foot off the floor with any of Fords' motors (6.2, 6.7, 6.8, etc).

LOL! Now there's the excuse I can use..why help support Marino or Berman when I could just use it all on gas:D
Speaking seriously, I test drove 2 different 6.2's with 3.73's, one brand new, nice and tight, the other was a 2011 CC XLT with, get this, 81,000 miles on it, yeah, came out of the natural gas fields. Dealer said he'd give me a hell of a deal on it. I passed, however, driving it along I-80 the motor really moved out nice; on side streets with 40 mph limits, it was difficult to keep it under the limit, really wanted to move out...well broken in. Avg mpg on that truck showed to be in the 15's. That impresses me for that heavy of a truck. What also impressed me was Fords new information center and the ease to learn how to use it. Very intuitive. All the functions are where you'd think they should be.

Oh yeah...had the toys loaded and ready to play. Plus...a lot of equipment to support them...and the family outing. See pic...

I'm running empty at 13.5 city and 14.5 hwy. Hwy is running about 65 thru 70 mph. When I run 75'ish plus...the mpg drop dramatically. So...I usually don't drive that fast...unless I just have to get there. :-X21

Plus...currently have only about 2600 miles on truck. So...she is still tight...and being worked in. :-X22

Hey guys...appreciate the comments! :D These SD's really are amazing...


biz
:-wink

Hello,
What is your RPM Sweet Spot

That is a loaded question...LOL!

All depends on what and where with the truck. So...towing a 4% or more grade the truck sits easy at about 3500 rpm. And has plenty of rpm's to work with. Driving in town unloaded...hitting the 1800-2000 rpm with 6spd lock-out...feels good to me.

I'm sure it would be different for a SD with 3.73 gears though...


biz
:-X22

Everyone's definition of sweet spot is different. For some, it's when you're gettin' the best mileage. For me, it's around 3500-4000, that thing really opens up and starts howling. From then on, it's all gravy.. :-jammin

I am asking that question because I just sold my f350 dually 2002 v10 zf6 4.30 axle and with my fifth wheel Montana 11k 2100 rpm + between 65 and 70 mph that was a sweet spot.

Hey biz4two..thanks for all the info! Sure do appreciate it! BTW, good lookin' pair of ATV's.

Hell, your getting better mileage towing than I am empty. I'm averaging 12.5 enpty with mixed driving. CC LB with 3.73's and 18 inch wheels. I'm gonna have to figure this one out

4.30's are the way to go on this truck the same as they were on the V10. You have to let it rev so it is not working as hard.

Super8, the way to go is 6spd lock-out , let it run in 5spd between 2500-2800 rpm between 65 and 70 mph?