Towing Capacity

[CROW]

Truck is an 05 dually with a 3. 73 rear axle and a NV-5600. Presently have a 2001 Kountry Star 5th wheel that weighs 10,800 dry and am thinking about upgrading the fifth wheel. With the 3. 73 Dodge says I can tow a max of 13,750 (GCWR 21,000) and could tow 15,750 (GCWR 23,000) if changed over to a 4. 10 rear axle. Trailers I would consider weigh about 14,500 dry so would be about 15,500 loaded. I know I would like the 4. 10 when I am towing, but think I would really, really dislike it when not towing. Questions.

1. What do you think, could I tow about 15,500 with the 3. 73 rear axle and not tear something up?

2. Is clutch wear the big issue when one exceeds the 13,750 lb. tow rating with the 3. 73?

3. If so, would an upgraded aftermarket clutch make towing over 13,750 acceptable with the 3. 73.

Thanks for any responses.

 

[HBarlow]

This subject has been discussed and argued over endlessly and will once again bring out members who feel strongly on both sides of the issue.

Dodge has good reason for rating the truck to pull an additional ton with 4. 10 gears. I have owned and towed with both and can tell you with absolute certainty that the Dodge Cummins will pull a trailer even heavier than what you are considering with 3. 54 gears or 3. 73 gears but drivability is much better with 4. 10 gears when towing heavy.

I ordered a new '01 HO/6 speed with 3. 54 gears in 2001. At the time I pulled an 8,000# 30' Airstream. The truck pulled great and was an all around capable truck at with that load.

Several years later I grew tired of the Airstream and a later Avion and bought a used Travel Supreme 5th wheel that weighed 14,500#. It was not as good a tow vehicle with that weight. The truck would pull it, no question about that, but it grunted and stressed the clutch and driveline launching that weight and required a lot more downshifts on grades.

Any Dodge Cummins will pull a heavy trailer. One with 4. 10 gears will be more pleasant to tow with.

 

[CKelley1]

i agree, the only exception is the 06's they have the 3. 73 but they changed the g56 gearing ratio's to near match the 4. 10 in other year models

 

[RVTRKN]

Yes 4:10 would be preferred, if your going to tow a couple times a year 3:73 is the better choice, if your going to tow 75% of the trucks life, 4:10 is the better choice.



The NV5600 is capable and you will find that 5th gear pulling heavy W/3:73 will climb a little slower and depending on the percentage of the grade it will pull it in 5th. Every now and again I'll drop to 4th when steeper than 6% pulling at the axle ratings, not the Dodge ratings. It will save fuel over the long run.



With the 4:10 you will pull a grade heavy easier, but when empty it will feel like its winding and you will be looking for 7th gear a lot, not to mention the extra fuel cost. As it is, I look for 7th with the 3:73.



I love the setups I have (G56/3:73 & NV5600/3:73) and would order the same after 75K combined miles. I just had to run empty to Vegas from SoCal with my C&C and with 15MPG I'm glad I have the 3:73.



Bottom line is, as long as you don't go over the axle ratings, your setup will do the job.

 

[RVTRKN]

i agree, the only exception is the 06's they have the 3. 73 but they changed the g56 gearing ratio's to near match the 4. 10 in other year models

Is your G56 the early version with the lower ratio's?

 

[AH64ID]

Yes 4:10 would be preferred, if your going to tow a couple times a year 3:73 is the better choice, if your going to tow 75% of the trucks life, 4:10 is the better choice.

I agree, but would add if you tow at 80%or more of the GCWR more than 75% of the time...

Is your G56 the early version with the lower ratio's?

All 06's are AD, . 79OD. . only very very few 5. 9's have the AE, . 74OD.

 

[RVTRKN]

AH64ID, I don't know what the cutoff date was, but I think your right.

 

[AH64ID]

AH64ID, I don't know what the cutoff date was, but I think your right.

I have never heard one, but based on the rarity of them I would say Nov-Dec 06.

And talking with my dad, 06 G56, it seems the biggest difference in 4. 10's would be in the 55-65 mph range, where the NV5600 w/ 3. 73's is on the verge of enough rpms in hilly terrain, but a G56 or NV5600 w/ 4. 10's is turning plenty in OD

 

[AABEN]

I have a 03 that when I leva home the weight is 22. 900+ Your truck will do a very good job at pulling it. I have a jake brake on my truck. Some of the best money spent. Will save your brakes on truck and trailer!! O by the way it is a stick-6-speed.

 

[RVTRKN]

I have never heard one, but based on the rarity of them I would say Nov-Dec 06.



And talking with my dad, 06 G56, it seems the biggest difference in 4. 10's would be in the 55-65 mph range, where the NV5600 w/ 3. 73's is on the verge of enough rpms in hilly terrain, but a G56 or NV5600 w/ 4. 10's is turning plenty in OD

Yes, I can confirm that at 55MPH in 6th pulling heavy and encountering small hills, with either truck I own, causes me to down shift to stay within the proper power band for the CTD. I don't think D/C should change anything though, its California, and the stupid law makers we have. Its never pleasant towing in California, most CHP's ignore the fact that trucks and auto's with trailers go over the speed limit (55), but you never know when they will pull you over. I have a commercial license, and it is worse for me, rather than someone with a class C lic, so I try to keep it at 57-58MPH.

 

[Bob V]

4. 10 where not available with the g56 in 05&06, not sure about later, 3. 73s only

 

[AWise]

What about adding a Gear Vendors under/overdrive unit? You would get gear splitting for the lower gears and a taller overdrive when not towing. I have never used one but I am seriously considering one for my '06 with 3. 73s.

 

[HBarlow]

The original poster has an earlier truck with NV-5600 transmission. He's not considering changing to a G-56.

 

[macdaddy]

Man I love the NV 56 honey 4:10. 1 set up. I haul every summer between So Cal and North West Wa st. I tow between 60 and 63 miles an hour the motor is right in the sweet spot, around 2000 to 2150, perfect. In 6th



And 14 miles per gallon.



Mac

 

[jdiller]

How can you tell what gear ratio your truck has? In the vin#? On the axle?

Thanks

JP

 

[AH64ID]

How can you tell what gear ratio your truck has? In the vin#? On the axle?



Thanks



JP

Easiest way is RPM's. At 70mph 3. 73's would be about 2090 rpms, and 4. 10's would be about 2300.

 

[jdiller]

True 70mph or the displayed 70mph? What about the hard way? I have a feeling I have the 3. 73 but I want to be sure...

 

[AH64ID]

True 70mph or the displayed 70mph? What about the hard way? I have a feeling I have the 3. 73 but I want to be sure...

Unless your running oversized tires true is displayed, or close enough to... But true is what that uses. The rpms are different enough that you would know.



You should have a sticker in the glovebox that says the ratio, but not all rigs still have the sticker.