Help with 2017 F250 Gear Ratio Choice for FC 26U

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by OSIN

My Experience - 17 F250 Diesel towing a 17 30 Classic at 10000 Lbs 3.73 gears worked great, if you plan to change to a larger trailer, go Diesel and forgot about everything

3.73 aren't an option on the diesel, just gas, 3.55 or 3.31 for diesel.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Gas mileage when not towing will be better with the 3.73. Gas mileage when towing will be about the same with both of them. Low end will be better with the 4.3. Essentially you will have something that is closer to a diesel torque wise with the 4.3. The more loaded the truck and trailer are, the more the 4.3 will help you. The more trouble you are in pulling out of a site, the more the 4.3 will help you.

None of this says you *need* the higher ratio. Like a lot of truck decisions it's a tradeoff.

Bob

[NHdigger]

Consider your transmission ratios also. My Tundra has 2 overdrive gears which affect the final drive ratio.
Do the math to determine the real number in high gear.