3:42 rear axle ratio rated to tow 17500lbs?

[Bug Out]

I think I was reading the chart wrong. I looked up the 2013 tow ratings (finally got them on line) and it listed the 2500 6. 7 etc etc w/ 3:42 axle towing 17500approx. . Did I read it wrong? Sorry if I'm not up to snuff on the current trends, but wondering if I read it wrong. .



Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Roostre]

That is what it looks like to me. About 17,250 for a crew cab4x4 with 8 foot bed.

 

[AH64ID]

Unless you get a DRW your only gear choice on a 2013 Diesel is 3. 42's, and they have some impressive ratings for that ratio.

 

[Bug Out]

Thats a mind blower..... I guess my "old school" train of thought, 4:10's/3:73's etc brings more power/torque for towing is not the case anymore... . Thanks fellas. Now off to start searching for a 2500. .

 

[JHumphries]

Thats a mind blower..... I guess my "old school" train of thought, 4:10's/3:73's etc brings more power/torque for towing is not the case anymore... . Thanks fellas. Now off to start searching for a 2500. .

It does bring more torque/power, but who would buy a 3/4 ton that was only rated for 10,000 lbs.
It seems like they are trying to bring up there CAFE rating, and therefore only offering 3. 42 ratios.
Can you tow 17,000 pounds? Yes. Will it take a while to get up to speed? Yes. Will you be able to climb a hill with 17,000 pounds? Yes. Eventually.

 

[JR]

I have heard a lot of debate lately over the choice of 3. 42 In the srw trucks. While I whole heartedly agree it would be nice to be able to choose your gear choice, I wonder how big an issue will this really be? I routinely haul 8-10k and ococcasionally more in my 13 year old truck with 3,55 gears, and half the motor and transmission the new rigs are equipped with. I am only assuming the extra gearing of the trans and more ponies under the hood would make up for the taller gearing for the 3/4 ton trucks. If Im not mistaken a lot of tractors run similar gearing. Yes they have alot more selections at the stick but they are also required to haul many times the weight of a pick up.

 

[BILLUA]

Your comparison is irrelevant due to the final output ratio of the 68RFE as compared to the trans in your 98. 5.

 

[Bug Out]

I wonder if the gearing in the auto trans was changed slightly from say 1-4th to help with launch/take off etc?

 

[JR]

Your comparison is irrelevant due to the final output ratio of the 68RFE as compared to the trans in your 98. 5.

Exactly my post if you re read it a little more slower
I said " Im assuming the extra gearing of the trans and more ponies under tother hood will make up for the taller gears"
Simply making an observation, not a comparison

 

[AH64ID]

The 3. 42's have the biggest disadvantage from a stop, otherwise the truck just gears down and has a similar gear reduction. The 6 speeds does help with that, I would prefer 4. 10s but what can you do.

 

[NIsaacs]

The 3. 42's have the biggest disadvantage from a stop, otherwise the truck just gears down and has a similar gear reduction. The 6 speeds does help with that, I would prefer 4. 10s but what can you do.

I agree, I am sure the Cummins is up to the task, high gears and all, it just sucks that it will have to do most of it's heavy towing without 6th. It takes away some of the performance qualities of the 6 speed.



Nick

 

[Cummins12V98]

I agree, I am sure the Cummins is up to the task, high gears and all, it just sucks that it will have to do most of it's heavy towing without 6th. It takes away some of the performance qualities of the 6 speed.

Nick

You will be surprised at how well the 3:42 gears perform.

I tow 28K combined load, I tow in 6th on flat land and into small hills no problem. When hilly terrain I just hit 5th and when climbing 3-4% grades I am in 4th when on 6% I am in 3rd and I hold 55 of more no problem and temps are no problem.

So those looking at single rear wheel trucks in the 13 models don't be afraid of the 3:42 gears.

 

[RVTRKN]

Its CAFE, that is dictating as to why, only the 3:42, they simply are gambling that they will hold up, at least until warranty is up. I thought long and hard about ordering my C&C with the 3:73's. I can't imagine the stress with the 3:42 and pulling at Dodges GCVWR, I did say Dodges GCVWR, most people ignore that number and tow at 22-23K GCVW.

 

[RustyJC]

Well, having dragged our 16K GVWR RV up the side of a mountain to a campground in Arkansas up what was probably a 12% (or more) grade, I know it was a long, 1st gear pull because of the switchback corners and transmission temps hit 210 degF since the torque converter doesn't lock up in 1st. That's with 4. 10 gears. 3. 42s would be extremely ill suited to such situations. As far as I'm concerned, they're mall cruiser gears.



Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

Well, having dragged our 16K GVWR up the side of a mountain to a campground in Arkansas up what was probably a 12% (or more) grade, I know it was a long, 1st gear pull because of the switchback corners and transmission temps hit 210 degF since the torque converter doesn't lock up in 1st. That's with 4. 10 gears. 3. 42s would be extremely ill suited to such situations. As far as I'm concerned, they're mall cruiser gears.

Rusty

Have you been on the West Coast with your combo? Or towed on long 6% grades? Curious how you do with I would guess 3-4K less weight. I know I can't start out as well as you on a steep grade but I sure have no problem with 55 or more on ant West Coast Highway.

I don't see a problem with the 3:42 in a single rear wheel Ram with much less than I tow.

To do it again I will get the 4:10. Dave Smith offered to swap both axles to 4:10 for $1,800 but I am happy with the way it performs with 28K combined load and 9. 5 average hand calc mileage.

 

[RustyJC]

It handles long 6% grades just fine. It downshifts to 5th, but that's it.

Rusty

 

[AH64ID]

It's not the higher speed stuff where 3. 42's are an issue, it's slow speed on steep hills where the torque converter isn't locked and the trans isn't geared low enough (6-12% grades with hairpin switchbacks at 5-15 mph). The 3. 42s are 20% taller, a hard numer to make up when 1st as low as it goes.

Then again those are the same reasons I personally don't want an auto, I have seen them get too hot with a light load on some of the roads around here.

 

[Bug Out]

Well, I'm going to pull the trigger on a 13' hopefully this week. For as little as I tow at this point,100-150 mile radius due to fuel cost, I imagine I'll be ok. The 25K GCVWR for a 2500 is all I need. I'll put on a Mag Hytec rear cover, deep trans pan and call it good. If for some reason I am totally op***ed to the gears down the road, then into the pockets I got for 4:10's myself. Thanks fella's for the input. .

 

[RVTRKN]

Good luck with your new purchase, 3:42 is not the optimum, but as you said, it will get you by. Question for you, do the diff's have the HO version where it helps to cool the diff's? The heat generated when towing will be higher than 3:73 or 4:10, so if they don't have them, then I would install one on the rear diff at least.

 

[Bug Out]

I ordered mine yesterday. I'll install a magHytec r/e cover or similar. Also a transmission pan to help with heat. The current 3500 max tow transmission heat never got over 200-210 pulling hard uphill with 17K behind me. It has the dual trans coolers and I dont believe the 13's do. Now I have to get rid of my 91 gal aux tank etc etc... .