3.73's v 4.10's

[Carlacee]

Calling all 5er's !!... Will be towing a big toyhauler, 18k rating.



I'm in the market for a 3500 QC 4x4 DRW 6 speed manual trans and my question is;



Do I want 3. 73 or 4. 10 ratios... ???



Whats best for towing a Big Rig??



Don't need to go 80, just need to trip from place to place, no big rush.



Thanks for your time,



Cee

 

[HBarlow]

4. 10 differential gears are normally a better choice for hauling a heavy trailer like the one you mentioned which will probably exceed the factory GCWR. However, I'm not sure you have a choice. I think at one time Dodge only offered the 3. 73 gears with the G-56 transmission.

 

[Jim W]

I was looking at the Dodge sales literature for a 2008, 3500 HD Quad Cab LB. The manually transmission with 3. 73 gears is rated for a tow capacity of 13,700 LBS 4x4, the 2x4 is rated for 14,150 LBS. The GCWR is 21,000 LBS for both styles. This is all they offer with a manual per the sales literature. The automatic transmission with 4. 10 gears is rated for 16,800 LBS 4X4, and the 2x4 is rated for 16,900 LBS. The GCWR is 24,000 LBS for both styles.

Hope this helps.

I read where you want the manual trans but I would ask what others think about the new 6 sp auto for both the pick-up and the C and C models trucks.

Just my $0. 02

 

[jeepit]

From what I have read here about the auto 6 sp that is the transmission I would go for.....

 

[Simplysmn]

I am not a clutch guy but I Really Luv the new 6 sp auto and exhaust brake I have towed a 50 ft 3 axle with 2 dodge crewcab's on it behind my 08 and it pulled sweet never any Issues with slowing down or speed and i have the 410's towing at 70 mph I run in the 2200 rpm range or lower

 

[RVTRKN]

Do a search, there are lots of posts/Threads and arguments on this seemingly controversial subject. Your cruising speed at 70MPH will be at 2050 RPM with the 3:73 and you will always be looking for 7th gear. :-laf I can say I love mine as well as the 2500 W/NV5600. If you pull heavy 100% of the time get the 4:10 other wise, don't waist your fuel/money.

 

[CUMMINZ]

6 speed 68rfe for sure with 4. 10s.

 

[HBarlow]

I own an '08 Ram 3500 cab and chassis with the Aisin six speed automatic and 4. 10 gears. It makes an excellent combination for driving empty or towing heavy.

Unless you simply want to do your own clutching and shifting the new six speed automatics, whether MOPAR or Aisin, are great transmissions and when you factor in the fully integrated tow/haul mode which holds gears and delays shifts longer, shifts firmer, downshifts earlier, and the fully integrated exhaust braking function, they make great towing machines.

With either of the automatics Dodge uprates towing capacity as reported above and, in the pickup version, the engine is detuned to only 610tq when the manual G-56 is selected whereas the MOPAR automatic gets the engine with full 650tq.

TDR member EB, who is an oilfield hotshot hauler pulling a huge tandem axle dual wheel flat bed gooseneck trailer, heavily loaded every day, has 210,000 miles on his Aisin with nothing more than routine service. It's only my guess but I'd estimate that with the G-56 he might have already been forced to replace at least one clutch in over 200k miles of daily heavy towing.

I'm sold on the six speed automatics but every buyer must make his own choice.

 

[SBeretz]

With a late model 05 or newer, the G56 with 3. 73 is like the older trucks with 4. 10's. I have that exact combo in my truck and pull a 40ft toy hauler. I have came across the scales at over 25K with full waste water tanks, full fresh water tank and full of quads and stuff for camping. The truck pulls it will 0 issues. With an exhaust brake, the manual transmission is awesome for me. I like manuals and the G56 is spaced perfectly for pulling large loads, and the 1st gear will get about any load moving without throttle. It is pretty handy. If you like manuals, check out a 3500 with the G56 and I am sure you will like it. They are an excellent pulling combo. I know the new auto's are awesome also, but I am kind of a manual guy. Scotty

 

[jandtjil]

Carlacee
Also consider what part of the country you expect to be operating in or JUST frequenting.
The 410s might be the right combo for a tow vehicle in the more mountainous regions, guaranteed the 3. 73 rig will do the job superbly. The 410 just might do it with controlled authority and more longevity. With a new 5th wheel purchase on the horizon, we are strongly considering an axle change from the 3. 54 of our old 2nd gen, it has done great with a 6500 lb trailer, probably not so well with 9800+ in the mtn west.
JJ

 

[Grey Wolf]

With a late model 05 or newer, the G56 with 3. 73 is like the older trucks with 4. 10's. I have that exact combo in my truck and pull a 40ft toy hauler. I have came across the scales at over 25K with full waste water tanks, full fresh water tank and full of quads and stuff for camping. The truck pulls it will 0 issues. With an exhaust brake, the manual transmission is awesome for me. I like manuals and the G56 is spaced perfectly for pulling large loads, and the 1st gear will get about any load moving without throttle. It is pretty handy. If you like manuals, check out a 3500 with the G56 and I am sure you will like it. They are an excellent pulling combo. I know the new auto's are awesome also, but I am kind of a manual guy. Scotty

I have to agree with Scotty I have the same combo with 0 issues...

 

[Radshooter]

I have an older '03, so these fancy trannies were not an option for me. I went with the 3. 73s because I do more empty driving then hauling. Our fiver weighs 17,xxx lbs, and I have hauled it all over western USA without any problems. No, I don't go up the hills at 70 mph, but I do go up the hills. Also, when empty, the 3. 73s give me an edge in fuel economy.

If I were a hotshotter and towed all day every day, I would have the 4. 10s without a doubt. But for a daily driver that hauls once every 3 or 4 months, I will keep my 3. 73s.

Steve

 

[AABEN]

You can see whit I have by looking at my signature. With every thing my weight is 22. 000+. I went from IN. to CA. put on 6. 788 miles. My milage for the hole trip was 14. 2 miles per gal. Most of my loaded miles was at 62mph. We went all over AZ. NM. We are snow birds. Keep your 3. 73 it will do you a good jpb.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I've got a 36' TH, triple axle and my wife brings everything along,... . and the kitchen sink. I know the ratios between G56 and my NV5600 are different but I've never regreted the 3. 73's. I only wish that I had bought a DRW truck.

 

[RVTRKN]

I've got a 36' TH, triple axle and my wife brings everything along,... . and the kitchen sink. I know the ratios between G56 and my NV5600 are different but I've never regreted the 3. 73's. I only wish that I had bought a DRW truck.

They are slightly different, but I only notice it when shifting from 5th to 6th with the G56. It seems that the ratios are so close that when shifting empty accelerating onto the freeway's from 5th to 6th, it seemed like I was slipping the clutch at first. The NV5600 in my opinion has the better separation of the ratios, but I can live with the G56 and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[Carlacee]

Just a quick note to all of you who have followed this thread, after now owning a truck with an NV5600 / 3. 73 drive train ratio I have this to say:



1) I can't see how someone would want to have any lower gear ratio.



2) Maybe 4. 10s would be good for a work truck that's not driven on the highway much, more for around town.



3) Dodge manual states, use fifth gear when towing (this is a 1 to 1 engine / transmission output ratio). Sixth gear is 'Overdrive', and not recommended for towing. Maybe this is why some people have lost 6th gear in these NV5600's. as of 10/11/09 I'm retracting this statement - reason is that I received a challenge from HBarlow. I just went back through the operating and towing sections of my manual and could not find it, my apologies and I'll keep looking.



4) If 5th gear does'nt cut it for you, you're most likely exceeding the combined gross weight rating of the truck, for my truck that's only 21,000 pounds.



5) So, that means you need a MDT then!... . =)

 

[steved]

J

3) Dodge manual states, use fifth gear when towing (this is a 1 to 1 engine / transmission output ratio). Sixth gear is 'Overdrive', and not recommended for towing. Maybe this is why some people have lost 6th gear in these NV5600's.

Where does it say this? Just curious...

 

[HBarlow]

Cee,

I hate to burst your bubble but you have some misinformation.

That advice is not in the Dodge owner's manual. It may be internet lore.

I've not heard of anyone "losing sixth gear in NV-5600" transmissions.

Highway towing in fifth gear on a long trip would sure get tiresome.

The manual six speed/3. 73 combo is okay for driving and towing because gearing in the G-56 is a bit lower than in the previous NV-5600 transmissions. It is the only choice so it has to be acceptable.

 

[macdaddy]

Just a quick note to all of you who have followed this thread, after now owning a truck with an NV5600 / 3. 73 drive train ratio I have this to say:



1) I can't see how someone would want to have any lower gear ratio.



2) Maybe 4. 10s would be good for a work truck that's not driven on the highway much, more for around town.



3) Dodge manual states, use fifth gear when towing (this is a 1 to 1 engine / transmission output ratio). Sixth gear is 'Overdrive', and not recommended for towing. Maybe this is why some people have lost 6th gear in these NV5600's.



4) If 5th gear does'nt cut it for you, you're most likely exceeding the combined gross weight rating of the truck, for my truck that's only 21,000 pounds.



5) So, that means you need a MDT then!... . =)

No Flame here but.....



Good God where did you hear this BS.



The NV 56 Honey is a freaking bullet. I admit that the 11K my trailer weighs isnt the most heavy trailer around, but over 5 tons of trailer plus the weight of the truck, it a good load.



I tow 22 hrs both ways from so Cal to NW Wa St every summer in sixth. Lugging it when I shouldnt and it only wants more.



Mac

 

[Carlacee]

I just love it when you guys get all fired up!... . =)