Here I am !
The 3:42's really do work fine. I tow 29K combined just completed a NW WA to SoCal and back trip hand calc 9.0. Worst tank 8.4 and best 10.4. I run 5th most of the time unless I am on mostly flat ground with a tail wing. It will tow fine in 6th but I have experimented and 5th gets the best mileage.
My next truck will have 4:10's because the wife keeps adding weight and we are thinking a larger RV.
I would like some advise from those who pull a 5er around 14k. And have a 3500 srw with 3.42. Like some feed back on how the truck pulls that load and stability. And does the 3.42 do alot of gear hunting pulling up 4 to 6 percent grades. Would you be happier with a drw.
Cummmins12V98
DID YOU JUST CALL YOUR WIFE FAT?????
Have you considered a SRW with AISIN? You'll have a bit more grunt from 1st to 3rd gear, as gsbrockman has recently pointed out to me via PM. This is my first post here as a full member. Great reading so far. I know a few folks here from another forum.
Look forward to getting to know a few more.
HAAAAAA!!! Good call!
I would like some advise from those who pull a 5er around 14k. And have a 3500 srw with 3.42. Like some feed back on how the truck pulls that load and stability. And does the 3.42 do alot of gear hunting pulling up 4 to 6 percent grades. Would you be happier with a drw.
What designates a 2013.5? As far as I'm aware Ram didn't make any changes mid year of the 2013 MY.When I attended the TDR rally at CMEP in Columbus IN last year (can’t believe it has been a year) this question was raised about the choice of only the 3:42 gear set offered in the SRW trucks.
The response from the Ram folks was that the truck could out pull the 2012 trucks with the new engine HP and torque available in the 2013.5 model year with the 3:42 gears set in it. When they were through with all of the testing and deciding on configurations of the SRW trucks they decided to offer only the 3:42 gears set. The trucks 2015 MY; are now certified for J2807 SAE towing requirements and the SRW trucks only offer the 3:42 gear set. These are very similar to the 2013.5 and up trucks so I would not worry at all. The gear set does not set stability it is the footprint on the ground that will affect the stability of a truck.
You do not provide details of the truck such as model year, 4X4, transmission or LB and or a Crew cab; so as a basic weight that the truck can tow is approximately 17,000 LBS trailer with a gross combined weight of 25,000 LBS; per Ram so you should be good to go.
Jim W.
What designates a 2013.5? As far as I'm aware Ram didn't make any changes mid year of the 2013 MY.
When I ordered my 2015 3500 4x4 SRW two weeks ago, we noticed the dealer build site now offers 3:73 gears for the SRW trucks in addition to the 4:10 option and the 3:42 standard gear sets.
Agree with Horseman the Aisin with either the 3:42, 3:73 or 4:10s' may be a better alternative for you. I have the Aisin with 3:42s' on my 2013 3500 4x4 and it's a winner.
Good to be back on TDR.