New Towing / Ratio Question

[kah68]

I am trying to evaluate the 'Owners' perspective on towing with various transmissions and ratios.



Please supply this info. only.



Year : 199? - 200?

Engine: Stock H. P. , as well as mod H. P. ( for bombed trucks )

Trans: 3 speed - 48re, Getrag - G56 ( other )

Ratio: 4:10, 3:73, 3:54

Body type: 2500 Reg Cab - 3500 Quad Dually

Drive type: 2wd or 4wd

Tire Sizes: whatever you are running

Trailer Weights and type: Conventional or 5thwheel/ Gooseneck

Terrain: Interstate or hilly,windy 2 lane.

Opinions: Yes I like or no I don't and why.



Please stick to the facts, I would like to know how you feel about the truck(s) you are running not what you wish you did or what you would like to see DC do in the future or what you wish they would bring back ( I am the worst for this) I want this thread to be based of facts that people are experiancing for themselves.



Thank you



Kirk

 

[klaybus]

I am trying to evaluate the 'Owners' perspective on towing with various transmissions and ratios.



Please supply this info. only.



Year : 199? - 200?

Engine: Stock H. P. , as well as mod H. P. ( for bombed trucks )

Trans: 3 speed - 48re, Getrag - G56 ( other )

Ratio: 4:10, 3:73, 3:54

Body type: 2500 Reg Cab - 3500 Quad Dually

Drive type: 2wd or 4wd

Tire Sizes: whatever you are running

Trailer Weights and type: Conventional or 5thwheel/ Gooseneck

Terrain: Interstate or hilly,windy 2 lane.

Opinions: Yes I like or no I don't and why.



Please stick to the facts, I would like to know how you feel about the truck(s) you are running not what you wish you did or what you would like to see DC do in the future or what you wish they would bring back ( I am the worst for this) I want this thread to be based of facts that people are experiancing for themselves.



Thank you



Kirk

Not exactly sure what your looking for but I'll take a stab at it.



1999 QC 4x4

DTT Auto

215 hp + EZ+Bosch 275s

3. 54

295x75x16



3. 54 & DTT running down I-5 no problems with OD locked out. Pulling the passes in Washington state no problem either... . Pulling winding grades where I can't maintain lockup however can be a bit of a challenge. Tall tires & 3. 5s make kind of a poor towing choice. MOST of the time however I have no problems. Typical towing RPM is 2250. I pull a #8500 5vr FWIW.



Clay

 

[TowPro]

Year : 1998 - 2002 - 2006

Engine: stock HP all 3 trucks

Trans: 5 speed - 47re - 6 speed

Ratio: 3:54 - 4:10 - 3:73

Body type: 2500 qc - 3500 qc Dually - 3500 qc SRW

Drive type: 2wd all 3

Tire Sizes: all stock

Trailer Weights and type: 10K-12K 5thwheel

Terrain: Interstate and hilly,windy 2 lane.

Opinions: Yes -no - yes



The 98 was good, but would have to down shift to 4th a lot, and trans made noise in 4th.



2002 was good, 4:10 made a big difference, but I hate autos, they shift when they feel like it.



2006: I am not towed with it yet (3 weeks until we leave on 1500 mile trip), but much more power then the other trucks. New 6 speed with 3:73 has a 6th gear that is same over gearing in OD as 2002 Auto with 4:10's was.

Both do 2000 rpm @ 65mph. I am sure the new truck will be the best of all 3 for towing. Plus it's rated to tow over 16K lbs. On the auto I really missed the exhaust brake. The only good thing about the dually was I never had to add air to the tires to tow. I ran 55psi all the time. With SRW trucks you got to raise pressure in rear tires while towing.

 

[kah68]

Thanks guys, all I'm looking for is what you are running and how you like or dislike it.



Kirk

 

[tgrfan2]

I am trying to evaluate the 'Owners' perspective on towing with various transmissions and ratios.



Please supply this info. only.



Year : 199? - 200?

Engine: Stock H. P. , as well as mod H. P. ( for bombed trucks )

Trans: 3 speed - 48re, Getrag - G56 ( other )

Ratio: 4:10, 3:73, 3:54

Body type: 2500 Reg Cab - 3500 Quad Dually

Drive type: 2wd or 4wd

Tire Sizes: whatever you are running

Trailer Weights and type: Conventional or 5thwheel/ Gooseneck

Terrain: Interstate or hilly,windy 2 lane.

Opinions: Yes I like or no I don't and why.



Please stick to the facts, I would like to know how you feel about the truck(s) you are running not what you wish you did or what you would like to see DC do in the future or what you wish they would bring back ( I am the worst for this) I want this thread to be based of facts that people are experiancing for themselves.



Thank you



Kirk

95 2500 47rh 3. 54 #6 plate towed 9K TT

98 2500 47re 3. 54 #6 plate towed TT and 13K fiver

00 2500 47re 4. 10 SO stock towed 8-12k conventional box & equipment trailers

06 3500 48re 3. 73 stock tows same as above

All have 265 tires. I never liked the 4. 10s. If I need to downshift I want to be able to run 70+ in Drive on the I. Lockup in 2nd on 06 is nice for twisty roads and town driving. 89% TC is better though.

 

[EEdmondson]

Year : 2004. 5

Engine: Stock H. P. 325

Trans: NV5600

Ratio: 3:73

Body type: 2500 Reg Cab

Drive type: 4wd

Tire Sizes: 265R70/17 stock BFG Rugged Trail

Trailer Weights and type: Conventional 7K gvw

Terrain: Interstate or hilly,windy 2 lane. Yes

Opinions: More than adequate. Can pull most grades on interstates in 6TH but I usually down shift to 5TH because it's easier on engine and drive train. I70 west of Denver was a challenge. When these tires wear out I will probably go to 285's. Drove 4000+ last year to Colorado and about 4000 in '04 to Montana about 80% towing.



I tow the same trailer with my GF's '04 Silverado 1500 5. 3L V8 auto 4X4. It down shifts on slight grade overpasses. It goes real s-l-o-w on grades and headwinds. Have to run it near 4000 rpm to get any power. I hate it!

 

[klenger]

It's all in my sig and works fine. Stock everything. 4. 10's would be better for towing, but the 3. 73s are a good compromise.

 

[JRMora]

2004 Ram 3500

Stock 305/555 HO

NV5600 6 speed

3. 73 LSD

Dually longbed 4x4

235/80/17 (Stock) tires x7

36' Fifth Wheel ~13,800 GVW (Trailer)

Interstate, mountain driving 5-6% grades 5000-10000' altitude 9. 5-12 mpg towing.



Tows fine, slows on some of the higher, steeper hills (never less than 5th gear), but I get there in plenty of time!

 

[KNaugle]

2000 longbed 4 dr, 3:73 ratio, 6speed, B&D 65 HP chip, 32" tall BFG tires, upgraded injectors, 4" exhaust, 35' FW. Pulls very well on highway and very good in mountains, most places I do not have to drop lower than 5th. Run about 70 to 75 mph while towing. 12 to 14 mpg towing, 19 to 21 mpg highway. Long grades have to back out due to EGT limits. Best tow vehicle ever had, and I have had many. Not many trucks pass me while towing.



Kirk

 

[RCook]

98. 5 ISB with Edge EZ, BHAF, 5-speed, 3. 54 gears, 265 Michelins, Stanadyne performance formula in the tank.



Towing 12,000lb boat trailer all over the mountains in the west. 4th gear on long uphills, 3rd on the very few really steep ones. 3rd on major downhills, and occasionally even second, if they're exceptionally steep. 10. 5 mpg, or as little as 9 mpg against a strong headwind.



I launch in salt water, so I have to make sure my brakes are really well flushed. Disk rears would be lovely.



Works great, but a six-speed would be better on the hills.

 

[dcoffman]

98. 5 24value tow 10,000 lb 5er and no problem. On Sandstore Mtn. 6% for 5 miles I need 3rd but other than climbs like that she keeps on trucking. I've got 354 rear.

 

[GHill]

01. 5 3500 ETH/DEE

stock tires, 3. 55 gears, stock engine



Haul 9. 5ft camper and/or firewood/boat probably less that 15k total weight including truck. Truck pulls great in 6th on flat ground and rolling hills. I drop to 5th on steep grades and wind it up to 2500-2800 rpm, it really seems to make good power in that range. Mileage is 12-14 but I have no complaints with performance.

 

[RustyJC]

See signature. I ordered the 4. 10s to get the additional 1500 lbs of GCWR that they provided. Although they're not the optimum gear for running empty, they're just right for towing heavy in hilly terrain (2350 RPM @ 70 MPH in 6th. )



Rusty

 

[JimBeck]

04 2500 quad sb 305/555 3. 73 nv5600 bd exhaust brake 7400lbtrailer interstates and Mex1-steep, twisty, and narrow Love this truck for towing. No need for 410 with 6 speed.

 

[MikeBeal]

2005 qc, 3500 ,4x4,srw,short bed,3. 73, 285/70/17, nv 5600, stock engine,

pull 38ft toy hauler 5th wheel, run in hilly,open interstate, in the west,

I love the way it pulls only have to drop one gear to pull most hills.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

Most info requested is in my sig. I changed to 285 tires last year. I pull my 5er (11,200lbs) usually with my boat (5000)in tandem . I travel through Colorado and other Western states, so terrain is everything you asked, at elevations up to 10,000'. I love the way it tows, and would order the EXACT same package if I were looking for another truck. A buddy of mine has a very similar rig, (bought because of the way mine runs), he went up to 305 tires. The 305s look better than the 285s, and seem to tow as well as mine.

I am trying to evaluate the 'Owners' perspective on towing with various transmissions and ratios.



Please supply this info. only.



Year : 199? - 200?

Engine: Stock H. P. , as well as mod H. P. ( for bombed trucks )

Trans: 3 speed - 48re, Getrag - G56 ( other )

Ratio: 4:10, 3:73, 3:54

Body type: 2500 Reg Cab - 3500 Quad Dually

Drive type: 2wd or 4wd

Tire Sizes: whatever you are running

Trailer Weights and type: Conventional or 5thwheel/ Gooseneck

Terrain: Interstate or hilly,windy 2 lane.

Opinions: Yes I like or no I don't and why.



Please stick to the facts, I would like to know how you feel about the truck(s) you are running not what you wish you did or what you would like to see DC do in the future or what you wish they would bring back ( I am the worst for this) I want this thread to be based of facts that people are experiancing for themselves.



Thank you



Kirk

 

[BimmerAgent]

Mine's stock all the way around. Tow throughout Colorado and the nearby West, with 9. 5K 5th wheel & 3k boat. Have the NV5600 & 3. 73. Don't need anything else. Truck kicks butt. Mileage is 12-13 towing, depending on wind. I don't see any need for a 4. 10, but range E tires are a must. It is an unbelievable locomotive. Hope that helps. Bruce

 

[dodgeguy44]

It's all in my signiture but I would like to have a 2 wheel drive with 3. 21 gears. The cummins has too much low rpm torque to run over 2000 rpm towing, should be 1600 to 1800. Much easier on the engine and fuel economy.

 

[R C Cola]

Reg Cab - W350

4wd

Tire Sizes: 235-85-16

Trailer Weights and type: Conventional or 5thwheel, both commercial RV

Interstate and major State routes

Opinions: Yes I like, pulls good w/good miliage at 60



Hope this helps R C

 

[WStephens]

I have had two Dodges the first was a 99 with the automatic and 3:54 it pulled the loads I had but did not like the way the transmission would not down shift until rpms droped down below the turbo/torque peak. I now have a 05 with the G56 and 3:73 and have not towed yet with it but it seems to be geared low enough and will put taller tires on it when the time comes to replace them. I can not complane about ecnomy with this new truck at the speeds in the east I can get high teens to low twenties, but know when I get it to the west with the higher speeds it will not do as well if I drive at the max posted speeds. I like the gear slection of the G56 transmission with its lower overall gears and the low first gear which will be a plus when I tow the trailer.