6 Spd towing - 3.73 or 4.10?

[time1]

We'll be ordering a SRW 3500 4 X 4 soon for towing our 11,000 pound 5th wheel. How low is 1st gear for starting off and maneuvering? I'd prefer the 3. 73 for better fuel mileage, but is 1st gear low enough with a heavy load?

If any one is interested, I have three Excell spread sheets that you can use to compute rpm to speed for the manual 5 and 6 speed trans. and the Auto. They each have different OD ratios. You can play the what if game with tire sizes and rear end ratios. You can get a . zip file from my . mac account. the URL is:

http://www.mac.com/WebObjects/HomePage.woa/37/wo/VTOrK26urAuea1gn.1/7.0.1.2



Or, you can PM me and I will send them to any that want them.

I do not remember where these files came from but they do not have any viruses or macro viruses that I am aware of.

 

[Sageair]

I tow six horses with 3:54 gears in my 01 with no problems. I start out in first by just letting out the clutch. I have done it without thinking in second still no problem , if my 3:54 work this well your 3:73 will be great!!

 

[K5IP]

Go with the 3. 73. You are getting a 4x4, so if you have to creep along, just go to lo range. That's the only way I can back up my steep narrow driveway without slipping the clutch.

Rog