3500 Gear Ratio change and Tow rating

[bfales]

Brad I tow a 16K 5th wheel in 5th gear at a combined weight of 24,500 lbs at around 60-62 MPH, loaded from snowbird/semi full time. I have no issue with the 3.42 gears. I tow in the West between NW Washington and Arizona. Up and down mountains in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Colorado. If 3.73 would have been available I would have ordered them. I now know after 40K and almost 3 years that 3.73's would have been a mistake. Running bobtail the 3.42's are boss, loaded with the Aisin's low first and second gear make the 3.42's work out fine. Love it!

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SnoKing, thanks for the response. I will probably do the same thing. Trailer I am looking at is 20K GVWR. I will double check pin weight, axle rating, tire rating, etc. If the math works then I will just tow over the stated limit by 4K.

Thanks again,

Brad

 

[Bug Out]

In all honesty, your truck will pull/tow20k trailer just fine. If trailer brakes are good, etc thats it. Liability is another question. I pull a 17-18K with mine uneventfully...I also have air bags to keep the "porpoise effect" under control too. However, I drive with extreme caution as if I was driving a semi etc and have driven commercially before. I see clowns flying past me with bigger units,same or less truck all the time etc looking for a wreck...

 

[Cummins12V98]

SnoKing, thanks for the response. I will probably do the same thing. Trailer I am looking at is 20K GVWR. I will double check pin weight, axle rating, tire rating, etc. If the math works then I will just tow over the stated limit by 4K.

Thanks again,

Brad

Same thing? He has a 3500 SRW short bed. Are you saying you are going to tow a 20K RV with a 3500 SRW short bed???

 

[bfales]

Same thing? He has a 3500 SRW short bed. Are you saying you are going to tow a 20K RV with a 3500 SRW short bed???

Yes, axle rating, tire rating, payload, etc. are all within spec. Drive train is the same as the DRW rated at 22K #. Am I missing something?

Brad

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yes, axle rating, tire rating, payload, etc. are all within spec. Drive train is the same as the DRW rated at 22K #. Am I missing something?

Brad

20k 5er will have easily 5k pin weight. That should tell you the issue here.

 

[6V92TA]

what sort of fiver weighs in around 20K?

 

[Slaw32]

what sort of fiver weighs in around 20K?[/Q
UOTE] .

This one

 

[6V92TA]

impressive. I figured some toy haulers and some of those really luxurious Fivers get up there .

 

[Cummins12V98]

I will be kind and post a FULL size pic. DRV who makes Mobile Suites makes many RV's that weigh 20K and UP. Mine is 23K loaded. Combined in pic is 33K.

 

[kthaxton]

I had to double click an icon to see the image. My fingers hurts. Thanks for nothing.

 

[bfales]

20k 5er will have easily 5k pin weight. That should tell you the issue here.

Grand Designs Momentum I am looking at 20K GVWR and 3.4K Pin Weight

 

[bfales]

I will be kind and post a FULL size pic. DRV who makes Mobile Suites makes many RV's that weigh 20K and UP. Mine is 23K loaded. Combined in pic is 33K.

View attachment 107342

Nice Rig, I have looked at some of the DRV products. what are your thoughts now that you are an owner

 

[SnoKing]

I had to double click an icon to see the image. My fingers hurts. Thanks for nothing.

What is that all about? Get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

 

[kthaxton]

It's a joke, a friendly jab at 12V regarding the picture size drama from yesterday.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Grand Designs Momentum I am looking at 20K GVWR and 3.4K Pin Weight

That would be the DRY pin weight!!! Virtually everything you add to a 5er goes to the pin. You will have a MINUMUM 4K pin and more likely closer to 5k.

 

[Cummins12V98]

It's a joke, a friendly jab at 12V regarding the picture size drama from yesterday.

Yea my "FEELING" was hurt.

 

[Cummins2014]

Yea my "FEELING" was hurt.

Riled you up for sure.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I remember reading that an SRW Ram w/ 3:42 R&P and Aisin transmission while towing in 5th gear is the equivalent to 4:10's towing in 6th. I always lock out 6th when I have a trailer hooked up.

 

[SnoKing]

I remember reading that an SRW Ram w/ 3:42 R&P and Aisin transmission while towing in 5th gear is the equivalent to 4:10's towing in 6th. I always lock out 6th when I have a trailer hooked up.

Yep, works great for me at 24,500 combined weight. It will not shift to 6th until 65 MPH anyway in tow haul. I never tow that fast. Lockout of 6th is more for being ready to manual selecting 4th gear on down hills.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Yep, works great for me at 24,500 combined weight. It will not shift to 6th until 65 MPH anyway in tow haul. I never tow that fast. Lockout of 6th is more for being ready to manual selecting 4th gear on down hills.

I live in the hills so I use manual mode all the time; even when unloaded