Towing with 3.73's.

[Rosco]

I have a 2004 on order (see sig) with 3. 73's. My question is how many of you guy's have this combo and tow around 10,000 lbs. Any info on how well your truck pulls would be great.



I ask this because I plan on purchasing a fiver within the year. When loaded it will weigh in around 10,000 lbs +/- 500. I was torn as to what ratio to spec but since I live in a flat area, most of my driving will be empty, any mountain driving I encounter will be while traveling with the fiver, and my tow weight is at the 10,000 lbs threshold, I rolled the dice and got the 3. 73's. Was this a big mistake?

 

[Slow Six]

No. I tow a lot more than you are planning and I like the 3. 73s.

 

[Tomeygun]

Originally posted by Slow Six

No. I tow a lot more than you are planning and I like the 3. 73s.

copy that, the EZ on level 2 was a enough to over come the lack of 4. 10's, and I was on 11,900 trailer weight for reference

 

[EnLjones]

Love it!

I have what your asking. I tow a toy hauler that weighs in at about 10K, and I tow it all the time. I love the way this truck pulls that thing around like it's not even back there. I pulled a 6% grade for over six miles in 5th gear and maintained 60mph and had plenty of throttle left! I had a '99 Dodge Cummins before and this new truck pulls so much better!

 

[Jeff Clark]

Rosco, the difference here is that everyone that has answered back that is pulling that kind of load is doing it with a manual and you are going to do it with an auto. I think with that kind of load and an auto, 4. 10's may have been the better choice, JMHO. Not to say it won't do it or that you won't be happy with it. Just have to try and see.

 

[JD SLVR 03]

I think you will be just pleased with the 3. 73. If for some reason your not and you want just a tad bit more all you need is an EZ. Don't worry I think you will be very happy with what you will be getting!! I sure am with mine! I had to get an EZ though cause I am a power freak!

 

[FDavid]

if you look at my readers rigs pics, i have a pic with 15k+ behind my truck with 3. 73's. I could hardly tell i had anything behind me and i was taking off in 2nd gear. I highly advise the jake brake though, as the stock brakes with heavy weight need all the help they can get.

 

[dmurdock]

5'er with all our junk scaled almost 12k (12k total extra, junk in bed also), pulls fine. If I was going to live 100% with the trailer back there, I'd probably get 4. 10's. But, this combo works great (If I had to do it again I'd still get the 3. 73's). This is with a 48re.

 

[Grayhackle]

I tow a 32ft Jayco with super slideout, loaded will go about 11,000 lbs, ad 4 wheeler in back. I have a 3. 73 rear end and now wish I had the 3. 5x. The problem was that in Utah very few if any, 3. 5x rear ends are delivered to the dealers because of the mountains in Utah. The 3. 73 I have janks that trailer around like it's not even there. I was in my break in period ~ 1200 miles and I was determined to keep my speed down to 50-55 mph pulling that trailer, lo and behold a good tune came on (ccwr) and I looked down and was going 70!!! The only reason I would want the 3. 5x is that I might get better mileage empty. I am getting 15-17 now empty, 11-12 loaded. Buy the big 5th wheel and go!

 

[klenger]

I don't think 3. 5x ratios are available on the 3rd gens.

 

[RodneyNichols]

JD SLVR 03

When you are pulling with the EZ what kind of exhaust temps are you seeing? do you have to back out of it? What do you see without a load?



Thanks

Rod

 

[Rosco]

Thanks for the encouragement. I was pretty sure I'd be o. k. with the 3. 73's but I still had a itch wondering if the 4. 10's were better. Now, after hearing your first hand accounts I feel good with my decision.

 

[brillmtb]

What is an EZ and how does it affect performance, mileage, etc?

 

[johnt1]

I've got a 4X4 auto with 3. 73's. I've towed a 10k 5th wheel about 8,000 miles so far, most of it in the mountains of Colorado, Montana and BC. Never had a problem; it will go up most grades in OD. Curvy mountain grades are no problem in 2nd; 45 to 50 with no strain on the transmission.



I had a 98 with 3. 55's and it was a real dog. Even with a Banks it was hard to pull even a slight grade on OD; Top speed in 2nd was about 35 mph.



The new truck pull great with 3. 73's. I was planning to put an Edge EZ on but the truck doesn't need it. I would recommend a Mag Hytec trans pan and Diff cover; they really bring the temps way down when towing.



JT

 

[Rosco]

Thanks JT, I was planning on the adding the Mag Hytec rear diff and trans pan once I purchased the trailer and started pulling. I may even do the diff cover sooner.



brillmtb, The EZ is a "plug n play" performance add on made by Edge products that increases power by changing different parameters within the engine.

 

[JD SLVR 03]

cummins-man

The EZ is great! Never had to back out of it. When I first installed it I watched the EGT's alot but now I hardly ever look at the gauge anymore because I never could get higher than 1375 and that was on level 6 going from 0 to 80. EGT's stayed about 1250 till about 70 and then they climbed to 1375 by 80.



The other day I grossed 19500 so I payed attention to the egt's... This was on level 4, never once had to back out of it. The truck just has so much power, egt's weren't even a concern.



Only problem I have when pulling with the EZ is the shift points of the transmission. It always wants to go into overdrive at 50 with the t/c locked. Its just to soon in my opinion. So I have made the habbit of turning the o/d off till 55 or 60 depending on the speed I want to reach. Then when ever I drop below 50 I push the o/d off button again. Seems to work great.



I will be pulling the same load today... maybe I will take some pics. I will do some full throttle runs on the interstate to see what I can get egt's to do. From previous experince it just seems you need to be doing about 80mph with full throttle to even get egts to 1300. Will report back later today...

JD

 

[EB]

Have a Cat Scale weight ticket in my console right now for the load I have on to deliver tomorrow. Total gross weight, 28,560. I run 3. 73 gears with an Edge EZ on level 4. No egt temp problems and I can pull the hills west of San Antonio with no problems. This load is going to Corpus Christi, all flat land, other than the wind resistance it's no problem with 3. 73 gears. I think running 4. 10 gears are not needed unless you are going to put on bigger tires. The biggest problem with towing heavy loads is getting it stopped.

 

[Tomeygun]

Re: cummins-man

Originally posted by JD SLVR 03

The EZ is great! Never had to back out of it. When I first installed it I watched the EGT's alot but now I hardly ever look at the gauge anymore because I never could get higher than 1375 and that was on level 6 going from 0 to 80. EGT's stayed about 1250 till about 70 and then they climbed to 1375 by 80.



JD

That was empty right? with stock exhaust?



I am starting to think my gauge is telling lies to me. I can ALMOST hit 1000 degrees on level 4, 0-80ish ( when i am in fifth and pulling 2800 RPMS) , this is with 80% 4inch straight pipe (downpipe is 3. 5). It hits 1000 or so and stops cold... and drops like a rock when I let off,



Pardon if this a stupid question, but this is my first truck with an EGT gauge, thanks!!

 

[JD SLVR 03]

Yes tomeygun that was empty w/stock exhaust. I have noiticed though that towing really doesn't change the peak number. It just runs a higher egt during normal cruise.



Did a 0 to 70 run yesterday with the 19500lbs load and watched egts. Egts peaked at 1300 at about 50 or so and then dropped back off to 1250 till I realized I was doing 70mph. That was on level 4. I would say with the EZ you don't really have to worry about egts much.



Like EB said the biggest problem with pulling heavy loads is getting it stopped.



tomeygun is your probe before or after the turbo? If it is after your temps sound about right. If it is before something is wrong.

 

[Tomeygun]

Originally posted by JD SLVR 03





tomeygun is your probe before or after the turbo? If it is after your temps sound about right. If it is before something is wrong.

My probe is in the exhaust manifold, pre-turbo. I question if the EZ putting the full 70 HP out, hmm, time to call edge...



Also I have a stick, so I am a little slower to get going



I just assumed the straight 4 inch pipe was the reason