gear ratio

[Dmundell]

TDR issue 34 says I can't tow over 6000lb trailer with 3. 54 4x4 quadcab. Want to buy a 7500lb goosenek 3 horse do I need to go to 4:10 to tow with no problems?

 

[paccool]

Well, you are opening up a can of worms here! You will get replies that say they pull 15K or more with the 3. 54's. I'm not sure where the 6000# comment came from but it is not correct based on all the experience out there. I pull a 6000# trailer with my old 93. It had 4. 10's, I changed to 3. 54's. This was the best thing I ever did. Still has plenty of take off power yet the economy went up a little. I can take it out of OD in the hills and still run at 60 MPH. before was limited to about 50.



7500 # will not be a problem with the 3. 54. Do the newer 4x4 trucks have a low range in the transfer case? If so, you can always use that if you get into a hard pull or need to manuver with the trailer.

 

[Joe G.]

It's really a common sense thing. What do you use your truck for mostly? Towing heavy on steep hills? I doubt it. Probably like the rest of us, mostly running around empty and some towing. Most towing is not on steep hills. Ya got gears in the transmission for hills steep enuff to lug it down. Everywhere else you should be able to use the 3. 54 gears just fine. Especially crusing on the highway regardless of the load. A big trailer into a head wind may need a lower gear, but how often does that happen?

 

[Dmundell]

TDR issue 35 towing with your Dodge. Jim Anderson says 3:54 axle with 24 valve cummins is a combination to avoid for towing a trailer over 6000# He says it will downshift for very small hills and lose lots of speed on the big ones. He goes on to say the automatic 4:10s is a much better combo.

 

[moparguy]

Yes, but......

I'll wager Jim was talking about a stock truck, we all know that most folks who reside here soon get over those stock handicaps.

 

[Joe G.]

I don't agree with Jim for the reasons in my above post. It doesn't make a lot of sense to order your truck equipped for an activity that is not what it's used for most of the time. So what if it shifts down for hills. That's what transmissions or for.

 

[paccool]

Hey Joe - Maybe it's a 24 valve thing!Oo.

 

[Okie-Go]

If I got an automatic and was going to use it I would get the 4. 10. I would look at how much I towed and listen to opinions and people that have been there.

 

[Joe G.]

Could be, Stan, could be. My old obsolete computer illiterate '95 does just fine towing my 32' TT with 3. 54s. Can't use OD for tearing up the Donner Grade and smokeing Fords, but that's what the transmission is for.

 

[SnoKing]

24V - Towing - Hills - Auto = 4:10's. SNOKING

 

[chuck3]

I think Jim should drive my truck, I live in mountain country and my truck does great very little shifting down unless its pretty steep grades, I take most of the grades between SLC and Vegas in OD, have yet to have a headwind strong enough to cause it to downshift. my 2 cts.

 

[mbrolin]

You didnt post whether you have a 2500 or 3500. Im to assume its a 2500. You should have no problems pulling your horse trailer. If your truck is on the heavy side,lets say 7500lbs that still leaves room for an 8500lb trailer and still not exceed the 16000lb GCVW. I had a 99 SWB 4x4 auto and it pulled my 7500lbTT with no problems. I traded it because we wanted to get a 5er and my younger side wanted the HO 6spd. The auto does have its down side mainly braking on hills. Taking this into account you still should be fine.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

4:10s

Joe:

I think paccool is right. 24valve thing Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. :--)

 

[dabubba]

now to as my fuel having had a 24v with a 4:10 auto (problem child ) Towing an 8000# fith wheel was no problem- after 2 trannys- (yes bill K- that truck) 60 mph was starting to push it towing-( yes I DON"T DRIVE NO 55)- my new truck has 353's and after towing east last year I know the 410's won't do 75- if your towing around home you'll be fine- you might have a bit of a problem going to the north end of az high egts, tran temp-- also paccol,crossley's condo is a lot heaver and he's pulling with 353's too-- and we pull the seirra's quite often-- and I can't help you have a valve problem--

 

[BigMike]

My window sticker says my GCWV should not exceed 16000lbs. After much discussion here,-{} and knowing that new Rams identical to my '99 have a GCWR of 20000lbs. I finally called DC, gave them my VIN and they confirmed that mine is also 20000lbs. Doesn't matter whether you have an auto or manual, 3. 54 or 4. 10.

 

[paccool]

Dabubba- it was a joke, son!



Actually, I've been thinking about a new 24 valve, just hate to put out that much $ when the ole 93 is still going strong. Have to wait and see. It probably won't happen this year as I'm taking my Dad to Alaska for a fishing trip this summer and that ain't cheap. But is sure will be fun!!Oo.

 

[Steve M]

I had a '95 auto/3. 54. Twas alittle sluggish towing so my next one was a '98 5spd/4. 10 12v. Twas quite noisy on the highway but towed well. My current ride is a '01. 5 auto/3. 54. Bone stock tows our 7000# 5th wheel quietly and in O/D up to a 4% grade. I slow to 65mph and downshift to direct drive for the steaper grades. I am happy to be back with an auto/3. 54.

 

[baby.driver]

If Dana had 3. 07s I'd put those in. Why ya suppose everyone puts on these TALL tires?



Jay

 

[Ted Constantine]

It is definitely a 24v thing. A couple issues ago there was a good discussion about the prime rpm ranges for 24v and 12v engine. The issue here is at the speed most people tow a big load the 24v with 3. 55 is turning a little slow. I don;t think it means you cant do it but 4. 10s put you closer to the sweet spot in the 60-65 mph range.



Ted

 

[SnoKing]

I run 63-64 at 2000 RPM's towing the 5er with 4:10's which is the sweet spot for 24V.

Repeat:

24V - Towing - Hills - Auto = 4:10's



It is "not" a freeway high speed cruiser. It will do it, but it wears you out with the higher RPMs and noise.



Without more gears it is a little hard to have a warranty and both good towing and high speed cruising at the same time without doing the shifting yourself.



Believe it or NOT, not everyone wants to bomb their truck. Flame away!



If the Std Cab I found last June would have had a 6 speed, then I would probably have a manual, wife does not drive it anyway.



SNOKING