If by 'tow kit' and 'decent axle gears' you mean waiting for the Max Tow Pkg with 3.73 gears then let's do some math
Transmission Ratios x Gear Ratios = Total Gearing
Toyota 6 speed automatic
1st 3.333 x 4.30 = 14.33
2nd 1.960 x 4.30 = 8.43
3rd 1.353 x 4.30 = 5.82
4th 1.000 x 4.30 = 4.30
5th 0.728 x 4.30 = 3.13
6th 0.588 x 4.30 = 2.53
Ford 6 speed automatic
1st 4.17 x 3.73 = 15.55
2nd 2.34 x 3.73 = 8.73
3rd 1.52 x 3.73 = 5.67
4th 1.14 x 3.73 = 4.25
5th 0.86 x 3.73 = 3.21
6th 0.69 x 3.73 = 2.57
GM 6L80E 6 speed automatic
1st 4.02 x 3.42 = 13.75
2nd 2.36 x 3.42 = 8.07
3rd 1.43 x 3.42 = 4.89
4th 1.15 x 3.42 = 3.93
5th 0.85 x 3.42 = 2.91
6th 0.67 x 3.42 = 2.29
Notice that the Toyota transmission has a tight spread, really needs a high numeric ratio to leverage it
The Ford and GM are pretty close to each other, both having significantly deeper 1st and 2nd gears than the Toyota
So off road, a 3.73 Ford or GM has more leverage than the 4.30 Toyota
It's a SYSTEM, and can't be decided on rear-end gear ratio alone
Given the much higher torque levels of GM's new DI 5.3L , the 3.42 geared GM has more torque in every gear, at every normal rpm over the 3.73 geared 5.0L Ford
Comparing the GM 5.3L with 3.42 gearing to the Toyota 5.7L with 4.30 gearing, the two trucks are within 3-tenths of a second 0-60mph empty, 3-tenths with 1,200 pounds in the bed, and 8-tenths with a 8,500 trailer attached.
Yet every day, empty, the GM would return 4-5 mpg better fuel economy, equal low-rpm off-road power, similar tow ratings, and similar street performance to the 4.30 Toyota. And simply kick the Ford 5.0's tail, being much closer to the EcoBoost with 3.73 gears, which returning better fuel economy than either.
Still want to wait for the 3.73 Max Tow Pkg?