reccomendations on dually gearing

[lmabey]

I have a 4,000 lb wet camper that I am looking into getting a new dually to haul it around. I will also be towing up to a 2,000 lb boat. What gearing in the rearend would be best. This is not a daily driver. Is the 3500 the right truck for the job? I really like my current automatic any thoughts on manual vs autos ( seems the dealer has a lot of manuals)

Thanks

 

[Hoefler]

To get max payload and max power available, you will have to go with the automatic. As far as gearing, the 4.10's will give you the best pulling power. I had 4.10's in my 2010, pulled the 40' fifth wheel well. When purchasing the 2014, I could not find a 4.10 equipped truck that I could settle for. The only concession I made on my list of must haves, was the 3.73's. I hooked up the fifth wheel with 300 miles on it and went for a 400 mile trip. Talk about a difference!! It out drove, out pulled, out performed the 2010 like you would not believe!! I would not be afraid to go with the 3.73's for heavy hauling. Another observation I made, my mileage with the 14 is about 1.5 mpg better than I ever got with the 10. That was on very mountainous and curvy roads.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I too haul a heavy 4,000+-lb. slide in truck camper, but don't tow anything. I'm also planning to replace my '03 3500 dually with a 4.10 axle ratio with a new 3500 dually. I think a 3.73 ratio would be the ideal ratio for hauling a heavy camper. My truck isn't a daily driver either. If it were a daily driver, I might consider a 3.42 ratio for a possible better fuel economy when driving the truck solo. I would not consider a manual transmission because of the lower horsepower/torque rating and the troublesome dual mass flywheel. The two six speed automatic transmissions available in a 3500 dually are a much better option and both have proven to be an excellent choice.

Bill

 

[NC Hauler]

I have a 4,000 lb wet camper that I am looking into getting a new dually to haul it around. I will also be towing up to a 2,000 lb boat. What gearing in the rearend would be best. This is not a daily driver. Is the 3500 the right truck for the job? I really like my current automatic any thoughts on manual vs autos ( seems the dealer has a lot of manuals)

Thanks

When you say, "wet camper", are you talking about a slide in camper as another poster alluded to? IF so, I'd recommend going with the dually for most payload...if putting 4,000# slide in camper in bed of the truck...I have a 5er with a pin weight of 3440# and am STILL under the trucks GVWR by 1330#, so with 4,000# slide in camper in the bed of your truck, you would be about 800# under the trucks GVWR....and well under the trucks RAWR of 9750# (AAM rates it at 11,800#)...add the tongue weight of the boat, you should be fine....As far as gearing, unless you might go to a heavier 5er down the road, the 4:10 might be a bit much, the 3:73 would probably be the best of both worlds, but even the 3:42 would be ok....you state truck won't be your daily driver, then I would opt for 3:73 or 4:10 with the weight you'll have in the bed of your truck...I personally prefer the automatic over the manual, but that's just my preference....I let the auto shift when it wants to and it's worked fine for years....You get max TQ, HP and GCWR with auto over the manual...if that makes any difference to you.

 

[rrl989]

Honestly, my 3500 doesn't even feel my loaded TC with 3.73s.

 

[Larry Willard]

I have 4:10's and am happy with them, I wouldn't go higher than a 3:73 for a truck that will be "working". We use the truck weekly going back and forth the campground during the summer and running around there. My mileage running around and towing is much better than the similar '08. You have to remember with both automatics you have 2 overdrives.
Larry

 

[Bob V]

My 2011 has 3.73s and I would rather have 4.10. Its really not a big deal but if I am going to buy a Dually I am going to get the configuration that has the max payload and trailer tow. That would be a dually,Cummins, 4.10s, with the Aisian

 

[lmabey]

Thanks Gentleman, Sounds like the 3.73 over the 4.10 if I don't expect to get a huge fifth wheel down the road. and The automatic over the manual. I have to say after driving the 2011 with the automatic and engine brake I have been very impressed with how controlled the down hills are. I'll have to get the specs from Ram on the payload and towing of the different configurations. And then get used to the world of DEF.
Lee

 

[Wingate]

My 5er weighs approx 15K and if it werent for the morrors, I would forget its back there. There are SIGNIFICANT towing differences between the Aisin and 68 equipped trucks.
Visit Rams website and use the towing/payload chart and shop accordingly.
I would have never dreamed the 3:42 would pull that effortless especially with the way I drive. (Ricky Bobby syndrome)

 

[HorseMan-AR]

You guys notice any significant fuel economy difference in 3.42 and 4.10? Is it something you can really tell from the EVIC or hand calculating. I have a 3500 DRW ordered with 4.10s, and I'm wondering if there's any appreciable difference in fuel economy. I ordered that DRW with 4.10s because I couldn't stand how my current 6.4 Hemi was always shifting and running at high RPMs. I'm hoping the 4.10s really cut down on the shifting - I know it will, but enjoy reading real comments that support my belief.

GSBrockman on here really helped me decide - love that guy. My new DRW will not be my daily driver either, but still curious about appreciable fuel economy difference. My current fiver is about 12k fully loaded and 32'. I know the DRW is overkill for it, but the wife and I are thinking about upgrading in the next couple years, and I need to keep this new truck a while.

I've always been one of those guys that would rather have too much, as opposed to not having enough. Don't ask me why I traded my 13 CTD for a 14 6.4 Hemi, but I did. Be glad to get back in the CTD.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I really doubt there is much difference in mileage with any of the gear ratios. My 11 Dually has 3:42's and has been great towing a combined 29K. The recently ordered Dually will have the Aisin and 4:10's. I will not regret it in any way!

 

[AABEN]

The 3.73 is a very good way to go. My truck tool box and a 100 Gal in bead fuel tank and fifth wheel 38 Ft weight was 23.286 and I went all over the country out west and all over the south. I even went from S.D CA a cross route 8 to AZ. So you will not have lack of powder with it.GOOD LUCK

 

[jlb27537]

My '12 3500 DRW Laramie is usually connected to my 5th 14.5K with a second trailer in tow with either the Golf Cart (going south) or the Polaris RZR on it (going west) about 2K or so. I have a 3.73 and at 65mph and @ 1650 rpm's. For me this is as good as it gets. Being a '12 it has a 68RFE and it has been flawless.

If I was towing stupid heavy, yes a 4.10 and a Aisin, but with my weight a 68RFE is plenty. Plus, my '12 only has 14K miles on it and is presently sitting in S Texas for winter for 5 months before resuming our summer travels.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Unless you are getting into 15,000+ lbs trailers and running in mountain terrain or a lot of stop and go, with the modern engines and their torque curve 3.73 will be just fine. I have 220,000 miles on the 2008 and range from 12-18,000 lbs trailers and it does just fine. As you get up there the 4.10 could be good off the line but if you take your time, and you don't do that weight everyday, long term the 3.73 will be the best bet.

 

[Sandboxredneck]

I agree with everyone else, my 2014 RAM 3500 has AISIN and 4.10 in order to tow my fifth wheel. Once I have my three motorcycles loaded in the back and fuel in each of the two tanks, plus 2/3 tank of fresh water , there is no other truck I would rather drive. SBR

 

[RSchwarzli]

For the hell of it, this is the 1990 at 24,000 gross. It has 3.08's and does just fine. lol

#ad

 

[gsbrockman]

Sweeeeeeeet !!!! :-laf

 

[Brocky]

My 3500 DRW has 3.73's with the Aisin, Mostly used for daily driver but tow grossing 23,000#. The 3.73's are a good all around ratio for doing both. With the power and torque this new Cummins has I could probably go to the 3.42's with no problems for my use.. If you were going to Hot Shot over 30,000 gross all the time then the 4.10's might be the way to go.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My opinion with a "Dually" 4:10's are the way to go. Why limit yourself, who knows what the future holds. Like I said there won't be squat difference in solo fuel economy.

All three gear ratio's will work for towing I have proven that with 29K combined and running for 55K troublefree miles. The 4:10's will be better!

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I am very happy with the 4:10s on my truck, my common towing combined weight is 28.000#. IF I was to have a lighter load I would have the 3:73s