Towing with my 2011, 3500, High Output

[Cummins12V98]

Does anyone have what the od ratio is in 5th with the 3:42 compared to 6th with the 4:10?

 

[RustyJC]

Does anyone have what the od ratio is in 5th with the 3:42 compared to 6th with the 4:10?

5th gear ratio = 0. 816:1

Overall reduction in 5th with 3. 42 gears = 3. 42 x 0. 816 = 2. 79:1



6th gear ratio = 0. 625:1

Overall reduction in 6th with 4. 10 gears = 4. 10 x 0. 625 = 2. 56:1



In effect, you have 5 usable ratios with the 3. 42s versus 6 with the 4. 10, and where you really lose out is at launch. Effectively, you're starting out in 2nd gear with the 3. 42s compared to the 4. 10s.





Rusty

 

[AH64ID]

5th with 3. 42's is a 2. 79:1 drive ratio, and 6th with 4. 10's is a 2. 56:1 drive ratio. Running 1 gear lower with 3. 42's is just a little lower than the next gear with 4. 10's. Because of the 6 speeds this is why people tow heavy with 3. 42's and don't feel the high gears once up to speed, but starting from a stop will be hard on the trans. Tow ratings are based almost solely on acceleration and torque over time to the drivetrain. So it takes as much enigne torque to get 17K GCW moving with 3. 42's as 24K with the 4. 10's. It takes 20% more engine torque to make the same wheel torque on 3. 42's vs 4. 10's, and 3. 42's will use more fuel when towing for the same reason.

 

[kcook]

My bet the weakest link would be the transmission... Good luck been there done that!

 

[kcook]

Max tow package came with dif up grades, steering and transmission added cooling also.

 

[kcook]

5th with 3. 42's is a 2. 79:1 drive ratio, and 6th with 4. 10's is a 2. 56:1 drive ratio. Running 1 gear lower with 3. 42's is just a little lower than the next gear with 4. 10's. Because of the 6 speeds this is why people tow heavy with 3. 42's and don't feel the high gears once up to speed, but starting from a stop will be hard on the trans. Tow ratings are based almost solely on acceleration and torque over time to the drivetrain. So it takes as much enigne torque to get 17K GCW moving with 3. 42's as 24K with the 4. 10's. It takes 20% more engine torque to make the same wheel torque on 3. 42's vs 4. 10's, and 3. 42's will use more fuel when towing for the same reason.

You can do a real world test get on your mountain bike or 10 speed what ever you can get. Go for a ride and start in the first gear and shift normally through the gears start at the bottom of some good hills "you said you tow in BC and Canada right?" So make it some steep hills Canada especially BC has some real steep stuff... The do the same route only start in 4th or 5th gear let us know what you find out



Then let us know if you agree with the Engineers that the 4. 10 ratio will really handle 11,000 more lbs. of trailer weight than the 3. 42.