My tow set up

Motoxxx43 · 07-03-2013, 02:46 PM

I like the F150! I have a 1999 with 3.73 gears. I was looking at the 2012-13 and noticed they all seem to be running the 3.55 ratio. The only reason I can see that working for them is they now have a 6 speed tranny. Any ideas?

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vman · 07-03-2013, 03:11 PM

Those 3:55 gears won't even get out of their own way. I was going to trade mine in for a 2013 and the 5.0 version, but you can't find a truck with that motor, 3:73 gears and heavy tow package on the lots. Dealers aren't buying them. You have to order the truck from Ford to get that package. Of course when I bought my 2010 they only had a few out there and had to go to texas to get my truck. I have always had the 3;73 gears in my trucks and it pulls effortlessly my boats, and trailer filled with my motorcycles. My truck only has 32k on it, but was likeing the 5.0 but after some research it was rediculous to go through all that and have less of a truck. Its horrible what they have done to half ton trucks. They have turned them into glorified cars. Anymore you have to go up to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck to do the work a 1/2 ton used to do. My truck will pull or tow 11400 pds. I do have the 6 speed in mine as well. Its only used for towing now and just sits the rest of the time.

vman · 07-03-2013, 03:47 PM

Here is a pic of my truck towing my champon. 20.1ft, with a built 200 merc black max last weekend , was heading to my place at the Lake of the Ozarks.http://

Motoxxx43 · 07-03-2013, 05:04 PM

That's a nice setup for sure.
I had not read into the newer 5.0s an the gearing to get an understanding of if they even come with 3.73. I am aware that they come with the 3.55 to make the sticker on a new truck have a decent MPG rating... As it is they seem to do work. My uncle has the eco boost. Its very impressive. After a few years of having them on the road we can determine how impressive they really are in terms of longevity.
Anyways, if it was such a big deal I suppose one could always have the gears changed for a price.

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V-side-down · 07-03-2013, 06:55 PM

The least expensive way out I see is to put on a set of chains!!!

nonwin1973 · 07-11-2013, 06:24 PM

Jet- I used to experience the same thing you went through. I had every suggestion thrown at me. But I stuck it out till I had to get new tires. It was suggested to me, to get AT tires for that very reason. I went with the BFG AT KO's. No more spinning and tires looked great. The thicker treads have more bite into the ground giving the truck more grip. Think of when you run the tips of your fingers across a sheet of ice (this is like a road tire tread tire), then when you run your fingers tips across the same sheet of ice with a little bit of your finger nails digging in (this is like a AT tire) lastly when you run just the tips of your fingernails across the sheet of ice (this would be your MT tires) good luck!

raulston88 · 07-19-2013, 01:24 PM

Here's my tow setup,

05 F-150 FX4, 4x4 SuperCrew, 5.4L, tow pkg w/3.73 gears. Does a decent job of pulling the 21 ft Shabah....

**m&mmariah** · 07-21-2013, 03:36 AM

OK, this will be my first attempt at attaching a photo. If I'm doing it correctly, it should be a photo of our 1996 Shabah 180 hooked up to our 1993 GMC K3500 diesel pickup truck. It's parked in front of our condominium at Shaver Lake, CA. Well, here goes!