Last post about buying ... last minute advice

[newbie_101]

Hey guys,

I'm still jumping back and forth between the Dodge and the Ford. I have 5 days to put something in my driveway. The problem here is the stock available on the lots. I have a quick question regarding axle ratios.

I will be pulling 15,500 lbs. The specs on the 08' are strange to me as the maximum trailer weight for the 3.73's and the 4.10's in a 350 dually are identical for the 4x4 at 15,200lbs. I would have thought that number would go up with the higher ratio.

Second question is regarding mileage. I know, it's not a huge concern of mine, more of a curiosity I guess. Does anyone have some real life numbers in mileage difference between the two axles?

[AutoJim]

What the lack of difference in GCWR between the two ratios tells you is that the axle and driveline aren't the limiting factors.

The 3.73 will give you better mileage under most circumstances. How much, I can't readily say, and as they all say, "your mileage may vary". [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

As far as which one I'd pick, if I was towing up/down mountains on a regular basis, I'd go with the 4.10:1 or even the 4.30:1 Tow Boss ratio if it was available. Otherwise, including the occasional mountain, the 3.73:1 is plenty, IMO.

[exoval]

Its better to have to much truck while towing than not enough truck. There needs to be a good safety margin with you and your family while towing 15,500 pounds or things could turn ugly real fast ie: rain, wind, and poor road conditions.

[SmokeyWren]

2008 F-350 DRW 4x4 PSD longbed:

With 3.73 or 4.10 ratio, the GCWR is 23,500. If your trailer actually grosses 15,500, that leaves 8,000 pounds for max weight of the wet and loaded tow vehicle. My 4x2 SRW weighs around 8,000 when wet and loaded for the road. And the later models are a few hundred pounds heavier than my '99.5. So you certainly won't have too much truck for towing 15,500 pounds. In fact, I'll bet you'll be overloaded by around 1,000 pounds.

The TowBoss pkg raises your GCWR to 26,000 pounds. Now, you have a little breathing room. 15,500 plus a 9,000-pound tow vehicle = 24,500. Yes, if your tow vehicle is a 4x4 DRW PSD longbed, it's very easy to load it to 9,000 pounds before you tie on the trailer.

So here's my ifs, ands and buts:

If you plan to tow that trailer often in mountains or hills, then order the TowBoss pkg that includes the 4.30 rear axle ratio.

If you sometimes tow 15,500 pounds in mountains or hills, get the 4.10 axle ratio.

If you can live without limited slip rear axle, and you almost never tow over about 12,000 pounds in mountains or hills, then get the 3.73 rear end.

[Cram]

I always try to stay under 80% of the tow rating of the truck. I believe it makes the truck last longer, makes it more reliable, and safer. Pulling a trailer that weighs 15,500 I would go with the F350 DRW with the towboss package. It has the 4.30:1 rearend in it. My last 6.0 L was a towboss and I routinely pulled 16000 lbs around with it and it handled it very nicely. At 100% tow rating the tow boss is rated for 18,400 to 19,200 depending on configuration, Crewcab, 4x4, etc... I also pulled 24,000 around with this same truck, it was hard on the transmission and not very safe as the brakes and tires were not ment to take that much weight.

[DesertSailor]

CG
Real life numbers?

I have 570miles on her. Tonight she rolled home avg 13.8 mpg empty. When Mon rolls around I'll fit the Reese bars and mounts in for the hitch, then we'll figure the "Loaded numbers" out on hwy-20 into the Cascades.

I will say 500 mi was a "magic point". Prior to that mpg was 11.5 at best....then suddenly "POOF" over 13?? Cool.

Rough hand figgered (from dealer fill up...not anal rententive "to-the-neck-slow-fill"...like I do) mileage from top off this afternoon shows that the info panel is semi accurate. 11.5 mpg works for total mileage on truck....but it is rough.

Next fill up will tell truth more closely....at $2.94 gal!!!!

[tedncindy]

Cory,

I pull a 40 foot toy hauler. I get about 8-9mph depending on speed (60 v. 70mph). I have a stock F-350 DRW and have experienced no problems. These haulers are heavy and you will know it is back there, but the tow/haul is Great.

See my sig though....I have an 06 6.0 and I don't know how the 6.4s will do, but I have no doubt it will be enhanced.

Good luck

[newbie_101]

Well guys, just wanted to say thanks for all the advice on such short notice.

Just made a deal on a black on black FX4 350 dually. Is it gonna be hot in the summer? Yup. Am I gonna have to be extra careful with the black paint? Yup. Did the wife fall head over heals for it? Yup. Is it one bad ass looking truck? Absolutely. The pain in going to be waiting until Wednesday to give them time to spray the liner and install the hitch.

Thanks again guys. I'll post pics as soon as I get it home.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Can anyone tell me about the incentives? Two that come to mind are the $1000.00 in accessories and the $1000.00 rebate for repeat customers.

[GruntTorque]

Congrats! Black isn't that hard to take care of if you keep up on it. I'm actually doing my yearly buff polish and wax on mine right now..

[newbie_101]

Nice looking rig!

What wax do you use? I've been using Zaino but I'm thinking of switching to something with a black tint.

[GruntTorque]

Thanks!

The wax I got from our mobile detail supplier from work. Its called Blue Carnauba 503. Not sure if its the best stuff I could be using or not but it seems good.

[dirtyharry]

What is this $1000 rebate for repeat customer? I haven't heard of that but I should be picking up my truck near the end of this week. anyone got details?

Rob

[newbie_101]

Not really, that's why I was throwing it out there. I have heard of repeat customers receiving a cheque in the mail. Just wondering if there's anything a person has to do ensure they are included in the program.

[DesertSailor]

"Ford Owner Loyalty Incentive"...it IS worth $1000. Believe home office generates the paperwork, however my dealer did require a copy of my MIL ID card for the $500 active duty incentive. Not sure if both are tied together.

If no $$ in a few weeks, I'll be in contact.

[newbie_101]

So it sounds like an automated process, as in no requirement of paperwork on our part.