Impact of Heavy Duty Tow Package (w/ 3.73 axle ratio) on MPG gas mileage

[SublimeHiPpOs]

I'm shopping for a lightly used 2018 or 2019 Expedition. I don't plan on towing much, but one I potentially like has the Heavy Duty Tow Package. I'm curious how much having the numerically higher ratio axle with this package will negatively impact gas mileage during typical around town and highway driving.

 

[LokiWolf]

I'm shopping for a lightly used 2018 or 2019 Expedition. I don't plan on towing much, but one I potentially like has the Heavy Duty Tow Package. I'm curious how much having the numerically higher ratio axle with this package will negatively impact gas mileage during typical around town and highway driving.

There are other advantages to the package, like 4 Low, that you don’t get without.


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[SublimeHiPpOs]

Good to know! I just want to make sure I'm aware if there are any drawbacks too.

 

[coupe11]

Our 2014 has the tow package and 3.73 gears with 4WD. It's an LE.

We check mileage every time we fill it up.

Around town we get 15 to 16 mpg.

If we do a little slow driving (45 mph) on the back roads going to the gym, shopping out on Hull St., to our youngest son's house, etc. We get just over 16 mpg (funny going down the road and seeing the tach sitting below 1500 rpm.)

On the interstate, at 65 mph speed limit we get 16 between here and the mountains, 15 in the mountains and have gotten 17 to 18 mpg between the mountains and back home (just below Richmond, VA).

We have a 2005 Silverado 4WD std. cab long bed (4.8 with a 5 speed) I feel lucky to get 16 mpg out of. In the mountains it can be around 15 mpg, sometimes a little lower. The PU is no where near as heavy as the Expedition.

 

[Wayne Decker]

Since I've only had the tow package I don't know what I'd get without it, but based on other's comments, it might cost me one mpg. I get 19 or more around "town" (a fairly rural area), 20+ on the highway.

 

[aggiegrad05]

There are several other threads on this forum that go DEEP into this “debate”. You should check them out.

 

[Deadman]

I ran my 18 Expedition Max 3.73 4x4 cross country and I forget the exact number off hand, but I made a post about it. It made like 24mpg if I remember right. It was absolutely amazing and I ran it like 85mph, but you HAVE to shut the cruise control off. The cruise control was luckily if it could even get 20 mpg. Its horribly inefficient because its slamming on the brakes and downshifting to slow down.....
If you get the 3.73 gears, they can be more efficient around town and such because its not working so hard.

 

[Dice Roll]

I wouldn’t own one without the 3.73s. Test drove one with the airplane gear and it was sluggish on takeoff. Was fine once rolling but I’m out on that. Also you get a locker and that’s always worth having. Ford doesn’t break out mpg for the gear sets. I suspect you end up in 10th more with the low gears. Would work out about the same as the high gears having to drop to 9th on every little bunny hill.

 

[Deadman]

I wouldn’t own one without the 3.73s. Test drove one with the airplane gear and it was sluggish on takeoff. Was fine once rolling but I’m out on that. Also you get a locker and that’s always worth having. Ford doesn’t break out mpg for the gear sets. I suspect you end up in 10th more with the low gears. Would work out about the same as the high gears having to drop to 9th on every little bunny hill.

My buddy has a f150 with highway gears and his drops to 8th gear on every hill. He would do anything to ditch the highway gears.

 

[SublimeHiPpOs]

Great, thanks for all the input everyone, very helpful!

 

[AKentPhoto]

You also get a dedicated trans cooler, bigger alternator and a few other goodies... Well worth the upgrades.

 

[Artie]

The gear is worth the upgrade just for the acceleration, in my opinion. 4L, trans cooler, and the others mentioned are nice as well.

 

[aggiegrad05]

To your question: you’re going to take a small hit on the gas mileage, but it’s not going to be noticeable. We’re talking a couple bucks a month type thing. The biggest drawback is the added cost at purchase. But if the one you like has it already and the dealer will deal, that probably is not a worry.

I don’t tow anything so it wasn’t worth the added expense to me. I know folks on here mention a trans cooler, but the Ford literature nowhere states that you get one of those with the Hd tow pack; the previous gens did, but I don’t think this one does. You get an upgraded radiator and a locker, but nothing says anything about a trans cooler. And if you don’t tow or need the locker, I just don’t see justifying the expense of the package. I’ve had mine for 2+ years and 30k miles and I’ve never missed the tow pack.

Bottom line, you’re not going to notice much difference with or without the tow pack in every day life. And if there’s not much increased cost on the front end, go for it and enjoy the vehicle. The decrease in mpg is certainly not worth passing on a vehicle you otherwise like.

 

[Fozzy]

If any of the trans cooler is incorporated into the radiator you would get a larger trans cooler with the HD radiator. I am not sure if it is or not. Does anyone know for sure?


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[aggiegrad05]

If any of the trans cooler is incorporated into the radiator you would get a larger trans cooler with the HD radiator. I am not sure if it is or not. Does anyone know for sure?


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I’m not saying it doesn’t, but when this question came up a year or so a few of us looked. The 1-3 gens call out a trans cooler in the marketing literature and the 4th doesn’t. Again, I’m not saying it for sure doesn’t, but I bet if it did Ford would be crowing about it...automakers aren’t generally known for downplaying features.

But, if it’s integrated as part of the upgraded radiator that might explain in. Still tho, I’d assume they’d want to brag about the increased capability.

 

[bushpilot]

I have a 2020 Max Limited Stealth w/ the HD Tow package and 3.73...IIRC it was the only way to the on-demand/e-locker, and I wanted the hitch (for rare/occasional towing)...
ours is also 4x4 (which iirc was about $1000 over non)

I was ditching a '17 F350/crew cab long bed 4x4 w/ the 3.55 (factory e-locker)

MPG wise - I have seen 17 and 19 in mixed driving running in "eco" mode...which gets me into 10th gear fastest (suspension is marshmallow soft in eco)

Hot dogging it around town Ive seen as little as 14 mpg, but thats pretty rare and manageable.

On long / interstate trips its nothing to see 20mpg and im confident I could get more 21/22 w/out much effort or pain.

if youre looking for MPG, you'll want the max for the larger fuel tank (MY2020+ = 25g vs 30g / MY2019 = 19g vs 23g)

 

[MxRacer965]

Max Platinum with HD tow. I’m in rural/suburban W MI just outside GR. Most of my driving is 55, with some stop lights thrown in. I’m getting 17MPG. When I’m on the highway I’ve seen it go as high as 22. I don’t think I’d want taller gears TBH.

 

[sjwhiteley]

I have one without the HD tow. The only advantage, I think, is the marginally quieter ride, and that'll be unnoticeable. I'm getting 17.5 in eco mode with my mix of driving, with highway at 75mph. Really, not as much of a 'saving' as I would have thought.

I wish I had the HD tow, even though I 'only' tow a 5000lb trailer, occasionally. I would say get it.

 

[duneslider]

I recently did a 300ish mile round trip that went through some mountain passes and such and averaged almost 23mpg and was 70-80mph most of the drive. I am pretty darn happy with that. I have the tow package.

 

[bushpilot]

I have one without the HD tow. The only advantage, I think, is the marginally quieter ride, and that'll be unnoticeable. I'm getting 17.5 in eco mode with my mix of driving, with highway at 75mph. Really, not as much of a 'saving' as I would have thought.

I wish I had the HD tow, even though I 'only' tow a 5000lb trailer, occasionally. I would say get it.

consider yourself doing well!

our '17 F350 (crew cab, long bed, 4x4) 6.7L Diesel w/ the 3.55 gearing couldn't get 17 on the interstate...UNLOADED (houston to virginia and back) at posted speed limits!