I am considering trading my 09 XLT SC 5.4 3.55 rear end for a 2010 FX2 SC with the same engine/tranny/rear end....Its nearly 10k off sticker..anyway, it has the 20" wheels and my current truck has 17".. I noticed the 60mph RPMs are about 100 RPMs lower on the 2010... I tow a 6k pound (loaded) travel trailer about 200 miles 4 or 5 times a year... Will I notice substantial negative effects on towing due to the larger wheels ???? I cant find where Ford has changed the towing capacity in any of its towing capacity charts due to wheel size options... Has anyone experienced this scenario or a similar one ????

 

Before 09 they would deduct 500lbs for over 17", but I don' tthink that continued 09+.

 

The trucks with 20" rims have an extra leaf spring compared to the trucks with the 18s. That is still true with my buddy's 2011.

 

I did not know about the extra leaf spring.. Thats a towing advantage...The bigger tires?lower RPMs = slight disadvantage in power band..

 

Hold on a second - don't automatically assume that a 20" wheel means you have a "bigger" tire. You're worried about overall tire diameter, which affects tire circumference, ultimately affecting gearing.

You can put a low profile tire on a 20" wheel and achieve more favorable gearing than a big 35" tire on an 18" wheel.

 

No, that ended job 2 2010 MY.

As of Job 2 2010 neither max tow pkg or 20;s got you extra leaf. MY 09 and Job 2 2010 that was the case. 4 vs. 3.

Ford cut one leaf to save 7lbs a side. ("with same capability")

 

Yes thats true overall diameter is the same across the board (I think even with 17s) But 04-08 they did knock off 500lbs off your max tow limit (for whatever that is worth) if you had 18 or 20. (20s was 06+)

 

I have that the same truck you are speaking of, and a very similar trailer( around 5700-6000 loaded). Hook it up and drag it anywhere you want to go.

 

I am pulling a 6500 lb travel trailer (for the last six months) with my 2010 Platinum, with the 20 inch wheels. I am in Illinois, not a lot of hills, but I get about 8 or 9 mpg pulling it on the highway @ around 70-75 mph. I just put it in tow/haul mode and it does fine. It seems to pull at less RPM's than my 2003 Avalanche (350) did, but that might be due to the six speed transmission.

The only issue I have..... My truck had a shake on take off when I first got it. They shimmed the driveshaft, and now I only feel it when pulling my camper. But it only last for about 3-4 seconds on take off, so I just live with it.

I do wish that I had some different tires, rather than these crappy Pirelli's. I've had good luck with Goodyear Wrangler w/ Silent Armor before, so I am waiting for these to wear out.

Good luck, and keep us posted!!

Chris

 

I have experienced negative effects with 20's. It was because if the mass of the tire and rim combo, which translated into loss of power to move the extra rolling resistance. I'm not saying it was a deal-burner, but it was noticable. I chose 18's for my last 2008 F-250 and my current ride (2010 F-150 Screw), and if I get a new truck soon, I will definitely be lo0king at 20's again. I like the looks of 20's better and the amount of daily driving days (unloaded/not towing) outweighs the towing days. IMO, there is something about an 18" rim under the 6.5 foot bed that makes the wheels look small.

FWIW, I experienced this loss with my 2006 & 2007 F-250 diesels, and a 2008 F-150 Screw.

 

I am still going back and forth as weather to get the FX2 or order a 2011 F250 with the 6.2 gasser (there are none on the lots around here)... I built it online and an XLT Supercab with a few extras is under 37k..with a 3,500 rebate..... I figure it will cost about 5k more in the end...Wont be concerned with towing then !!!