I currently tow a 6200 lb dry trailer with my 2015 F-150 with 3.5 eco and max trailer tow package. its bee been fine for the past 5 years but I'm looking at a 2022 F-250 with the 7.3 gasser as we will likely move up to a 5th wheel later this year. My confusion is with the ford towing guide. I'm looking at 3.55 rear end, SCREW, short box 4x4 which shows conventional towing at 14,700 lbs, just 300 less than the diesel with same engine/rear end. But the 5th wheel towing spec shows the diesel going up to 15,700 lbs while the gasser stays at 14,700. What gives here? I'm also looking at the 10,000 GVWR package but not sure what that buys me as its not spec'd in the towing guide.

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Weight police gonna have fun with this one!!!

 

O'k Frank, i kinda waited to see what you would get for response. Let me simply state first what I BELIEVE and 2 why.
I have a 2020 F-250, SRW, 7.3 Gasser. 3:55 rear, 6'9 box, 10 speed transmission, 4x4, like yours. I do not claim to be an expert or to know it all but I have owned 4 TT up to 6500 dry weight which I towed with 1/2 ton RAMS.
We decided we wanted a larger 5th wheel so bought the F-250. Our new (2021) 5th dry weight 11,000 with 2310 dry pin weight. I am sure now, loaded with empty grey and blk water tanks I'm pushing 12,500 and pin probably 2600+. 18" tires rated 85lb air cold max. I run 70lb when towing, 60 when not in the rear tires. When I drop trailer on pin the rear drops 3". tires show NO bulge and run cool.
The truck pulls the trailer very easily. Next to no sway (I have it balanced). If I do not set cruise between 65-70 on interstate after a while I look and am towing 80. Yes it can be said thats too fast and a definite waste of gas. Like I said I run cruise 65-70 to keep the speed down.
Biggest reason I went with the 7.3 is the fact it's $10,000 less than the diesel and I like the technology. 3:55 gears? The end ratio ending speed to rear wheels is the ratio that is important, With the 10 speed the truck WILL find its own comfort zone towing and get better fuel mileage non towing.
You will be fine!

 

Thanks for the detail, Don. Ive also had a couple or Ram 1/2 tons as tow vehicles and on my 3rd TT with F150 ecoboost. And, like you, Im looking at the 7.3 mainly due to cost. I might get better gas mileage with the diesel but I can buy a hell of a lot of gas for $10k. The 5’ers Im looking at are all around 10,000 lbs dry so Im not too concerned with the 7.3 capabilities, at least on flat terrain. But, I live in the west and we tow mostly in the Rockies, Sierra’s and the like throughout AZ, CO, UT, NM and CA (I live in AZ). What’s your, or anyone’s experience with 7.3 towing up steep grades? Im talking 6000’ incline in less than 100 miles.

And I still dont have an an answer to my original question…how can the diesel handle 1000 lbs more 5th wheel than bumper tow. Where’s the math that supports this?

 

Frank, I’m not into the math deal…much. I’m more in actual results. When going 3/4 ton I was going Ram 6.4 all the way. Rode in a 3500 Ram dually the other day, ( 1 ton) quieter, better interior in my mind and rode better than my F-250 single wheel.
No one claims the 7.3, or any gasser will tow with the diesel, it’s not intended to or expected to. Do a search, they did a test when the Godzilla came out in 2020. Godzilla vs. Ram 6.4 vs chevys new 6.9? Godzilla and the new Chevy built for towing with the Ford being old tech aiming for longevity fuel mileage. The test was done in the Rockies the steepest pass in the US. Godzilla outperformed the competition…..a lot.
Don’t forget maintenance……the gasser will be lots more affordable.