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Old 11-10-2015, 10:18 PM   #1
dunrovin1955
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Gear ratios

Looking to trade my 2011 ram 3500 w/Cummins.It has DRWs and the gear ratio is 3.73. At 60 mph rpms are at 1500. At 65 the rpm is at 1600. Tire size is 235/80/16. New trucks I have been looking at have 3.42 gear ratio with the same size tires. My feeling is that pulling our 3910 that there could be alot of down and up shifting. Not sure how much difference in RPMs it would make with the 3.42s. Any insight would be great. Looking at new trucks being sold in Texas,I would say 99% have the 3.42 gears. Thanks Brent
 
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Old 11-11-2015, 12:06 AM   #2
TLightning
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The manufacturers are trying to squeeze out a few more MPGs.
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Old 11-11-2015, 12:18 AM   #3
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I have the 4.10 in mine. At 65, rpm's are at 1800. I still average about 11 pulling the monte
Main reason to go this axle ratio was the low end pulling grunt, and max torque on these cummins high output engines is around 1650 to 1700 rpm. So i have just dropped over the hump so to speak when i hit 1800 rpm.
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Old 11-11-2015, 12:48 AM   #4
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I have 4:10 gear Aisin trans. 65 MPH around 1800 or so. 19 MPG empty around 15MPG with the Monty at 60 to 65 MPH. 2013 RAM DRW
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Old 11-11-2015, 12:53 AM   #5
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Our experience has been the same with the 4:10 as reported above.
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Old 11-11-2015, 01:21 AM   #6
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I have a 2014 with the 342 gears and pull a 16,500 pound trailer with no problem. Average 11 MPG PULLING, near 20 empty. I hope you are feeling better
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Old 11-11-2015, 03:49 AM   #7
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Would be surprised to find a new truck using 16 inch wheels. Think the minimum is 17" anymore and larger. My 2012 ford used 17" and 3.73 rear end ratio...no worries about towing ability. John
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Old 11-11-2015, 04:16 AM   #8
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My 2012 F350 has 3.55 and 20" tires. No down shifting except on fairly good grades. On normal highway towing it generally stays in top gear.
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Old 11-11-2015, 04:48 AM   #9
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I get nowhere near the mileage you do. I get 12 mpg empty and 8-10 towing with a 3:42 axle ratio. Well, I bought it for capability not mileage.


Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Eagleback

I have 4:10 gear Aisin trans. 65 MPH around 1800 or so. 19 MPG empty around 15MPG with the Monty at 60 to 65 MPH. 2013 RAM DRW
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Old 11-11-2015, 05:53 AM   #10
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by CORattler

I get nowhere near the mileage you do. I get 12 mpg empty and 8-10 towing with a 3:42 axle ratio. Well, I bought it for capability not mileage.


Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Eagleback

I have 4:10 gear Aisin trans. 65 MPH around 1800 or so. 19 MPG empty around 15MPG with the Monty at 60 to 65 MPH. 2013 RAM DRW
I have the Aisin trans with 4:10 rear end and the 850 torque Cummins and its suppose to handle 30000 lbs of trailer and i was surprised at the millage myself.
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Old 11-11-2015, 08:02 AM   #11
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15 mpg? Sorry, I don't believe that unless you are going downhill all the time. Are you using the lie-O-Meter on your dash or hand calculating your mileage?
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Old 11-11-2015, 01:31 PM   #12
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15 MPG towing the Monty?? Huh my old LB7 Duramax known for great mileage because of zero emissions junk on it and 3:73 gears got no more than 12 towing my Monty,so 4:10 gears with a newer Cummins and 15MPG is pretty impressive,ya sure you're not towing a Cougar 5er
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Old 11-11-2015, 02:23 PM   #13
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My Ford sports a 430 rear end, and the best I get pulling is 10. I searched high and low in 08 to find that rear end, as it offered the best towing capacity I could find at the time. I have to say the truck has never let me down, at least as a puller! Thankful for the lower fuel prices we have right now, but other than that no regrets.
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Old 11-11-2015, 10:05 PM   #14
dunrovin1955
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Thanks for the input. believe I will go with the 3.73s. Its what I run now with 17 in. tires. The one man is right, alot of 3.42s used in new Cummins. Brent
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Old 11-12-2015, 02:12 AM   #15
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I tow with a 2014 F350 PSD 3:73 DRW and tow a 2015 Montana 3611RL and the best MPG I can get is 11.8 MPG and No more.
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Old 11-12-2015, 03:14 AM   #16
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I have a tuned 6.4 Ford with no emission equipment and might get 10 MPG. I pull at the speed limit or 5 over. A guy that works in my shop has an 06 Dmax pulling a 7200 pound camper gets 10. I have pulled campers with a 7.3, 6 L and 6.4 Ford a 06 6.6 Dmax and got about 10 MPG with all of them. The only truck that got less was a 454 Chevy. It was measured in gallons per minute.
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Old 11-12-2015, 03:33 AM   #17
jcurtis934
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As all know, mileage will vary with wind (tail or head), road conditions (ups/downs/crappy or smooth pavement), shape of the front cap, engine type/gearing, and the idiot behind the wheel. I am the slowest thing on the freeway, being passed by the majority of trucks, all cars, all rvs hauling hiney down the road with no cares. When one sticks that foot into the pedal and the turbo boost goes up...mileage is going to go into the basement. As the commercial says, "your mileage may vary". And while I can drive one section of road at 13mpg, you can bet that all said and done there will be places that drag that down. Lately, I have been getting 11.8 average towing old lead bottom containing way too much crap. John
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Old 11-12-2015, 10:45 AM   #18
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If you are looking at the new 2016 Rams and want the 900 lb. ft of torque they are now offering in the Cummins you have to get the Aisin Trans and either the 3.73 or 4.10 gears!!

I have a 2016 Ram with 4.10's and love the power it has. While towing my Montana it climbs any hill I put in front of it and it only downshifts once in a while. I am currently traveling across country and have been averaging 11.5 mpg towing. When I start off from a dead stop I sometimes feel like I forgot to hook up the 5'er! I didn't buy the truck for fuel mileage, I got it to pull the Montana comfortably any where I wished to go. Towing spec's are Trailer GVW - 31,210 lbs., Gross Combined Weight is over 39,000 lbs. Got to love those numbers!
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Old 11-12-2015, 11:11 AM   #19
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4.30 on the Ford. Once Diesel hits $5/gal again I'll probably start complaining but for now I'm extremely happy. When I was looking I was only interested in 4.10 plus. She's my daily driver but her primary purpose in life is to tow.
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Old 11-12-2015, 02:48 PM   #20
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I agree. 11-11.5 is what I get towing, but while I tow at about 62 I frequently have to slow down once I look at the speedometer on the entrance ramp. Love that effortless power.
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