Sponsored

Occasional Towing with 5.0...which rear gear?

Strengthrehab

Well-known member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 18, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
205
Reaction score
230
Location
texas
Vehicles
2018 STX
. I have an 18 STX with 2.7 with 3.55 (non locking) rear and it has towed my Mustang in the past, but I want to make sure I'm good for more frequent towing (5x per year or so).

So I've decided to order a new XLT Sport with the 5.0 with towing package. Is there an advantage to the locking rears (no snow here in Houston).

Which rear gear shoukd I get. I assume at least the 3.31?
Sponsored

 

Pibblemobile

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
159
Reaction score
114
Location
Sioux Falls
Vehicles
2020 F150
Locking rears help if 1 tire is in some junk and the others are fine. It’s probably necessary off-roading. How much towing on hilly terrain do you do?
 
OP
OP

Strengthrehab

Well-known member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 18, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
205
Reaction score
230
Location
texas
Vehicles
2018 STX
Locking rears help if 1 tire is in some junk and the others are fine. It’s probably necessary off-roading. How much towing on hilly terrain do you do?
Most towing will be flat..I live in Houston. I may rarely tow somewhere hilly, but don't anticipate it.

Locking wouldnt be bad to have I guess.
 

Pibblemobile

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
159
Reaction score
114
Location
Sioux Falls
Vehicles
2020 F150
Most towing will be flat..I live in Houston. I may rarely tow somewhere hilly, but don't anticipate it.

Locking wouldnt be bad to have I guess.
I’d go 3.31 elocker or FX4 which gives you the elocker, skid plates, hill descent, and floor trays.
 
OP
OP

Strengthrehab

Well-known member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 18, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
205
Reaction score
230
Location
texas
Vehicles
2018 STX
I've pulled my car (3700 lbs) on an open trailer with my 2.7/3.55 and it did fine, but that was only once.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP

Strengthrehab

Well-known member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 18, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
205
Reaction score
230
Location
texas
Vehicles
2018 STX

Blueshound

Well-known member
First Name
Dave
Joined
May 12, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
432
Reaction score
416
Location
Connecticut
Vehicles
2021 F150
I have 5.0 with max tow (not fx4). The max tow package gets you all the electronic aids, 36 gallon tank, amd 3.73 elocker. I would not have chosen it but it drives great and has a high tow rating (limited by the 1,666 weight capacity of course). The 5.0 likes to rev, I would only consider the 3.73.
 
OP
OP

Strengthrehab

Well-known member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 18, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
205
Reaction score
230
Location
texas
Vehicles
2018 STX
I have 5.0 with max tow (not fx4). The max tow package gets you all the electronic aids, 36 gallon tank, amd 3.73 elocker. I would not have chosen it but it drives great and has a high tow rating (limited by the 1,666 weight capacity of course). The 5.0 likes to rev, I would only consider the 3.73.
1666 weight capacity? Payload?
 

Bryan Simon

Well-known member
First Name
Bryan
Joined
Sep 16, 2020
Threads
13
Messages
1,449
Reaction score
1,096
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Vehicles
65 Ranchero, 66 ElCamino, 05 Ranger, and more
Occupation
Maintenance
I have the 5.0 with 3.31.
l don’t often tow anything, but with the brake controller you should be okay up to around 7k.
I personally would really not have much of an issue dragging more if needed.
I towed 7-8k on a regular basis with a 79 Chev with a 454 and 3.08
Third gear was used to keep it winding with the tall rear.
Compound Low (granny) to get it rolling.

Granted, the 3.73 is a better towing rear, but that comes at a cost the other 325 days a year nothing is hanging from the bumper.

If you were to be towing with any frequency at all then I would suggest the 3.73, but for occasional limited towing, the 3.31 will be fine.

Electric Locking Differential—not needed at all if you NEVER leave the pavement, but if you are prone to explore any off road stuff, highly recommended.

I have lockers, front and rear, in my 98 Chev k1500 (5.7/5spd/3.73), and it is an absolutely nightmare on wet or icy roads when not in 4x4.
Way to easy to inadvertently change direction. ( but I would not give that truck up for anything—true workhorse)
 

Sponsored


OP
OP

Strengthrehab

Well-known member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 18, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
205
Reaction score
230
Location
texas
Vehicles
2018 STX

Pedaldude

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
1,371
Reaction score
1,985
Location
Arizona
Vehicles
2001 Lincoln Navigator, 2021 Ford F-150
Towing frequency isn't a factor for selecting final drive ratios but the final drive ratio will dictate your truck's maximum loaded trailer weight and Ford provides a chart to help you select the appropriate final drive ratio.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...eneral/pdf/guides/21Towing_Ford_F150_Dec3.pdf

So, whether you're towing once during your ownership of the truck or you never unhitch the trailer; it's the weight of the trailer that dictates axle ratios.

You'll actually have more decisions to make than you thought, since there are three separate towing packages that are available for your trim:

Max Tow

Trailer Technology Package

Trailer Tow Package

As far as the locking rear, I have needed one on dry pavement with my last truck in a badly laid out driveway where one of my rear wheels lifted off the ground. 45 minutes of moving rocks around and a borrowed jack got me moving again but it was a 100°+ day and you better believe the option would have been worth it!

Good luck!
 

Blueshound

Well-known member
First Name
Dave
Joined
May 12, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
432
Reaction score
416
Location
Connecticut
Vehicles
2021 F150
I didn't see that the payload was that low anywhere.
Mine is pretty average. I have a loaded XLT 302a with pano sunroof. There are a few different threads on payload; without the HDPP it ranges from a little over 2000 (4*2 on lower trims) down to 1300 or so for the loaded higher trims. With HDPP payload is typically about 2600.
Sponsored

 
 




Top