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Old 10-15-2018, 07:48 PM   #1
Livin salty
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Towing gears

Good evening peeps, so I need to upgrade my tow rig and will be going with a ram 3500 DRW short bed with the Aisin transmission. I want this to be my last hauler and get it right. I would love to hear from anyone with 3.42 gears which I currrenty have in my 2500 and anyone who has the 3.73 gears. I believe 4.10 might will be too much grunt and too high or RPM’s for my liking. I had zero issues with pulling my Wildcat with the 2500 and 3.42 gears but the Monty is about 2500 lbs. more. My thought process is the 3.73 will give me a little more umph when needed and in return maybe easier on the truck overall, turbo and tranny. Is my thought process correct? I have towed the 3931fb with the 2500 and it seemed to do fine keeping it in 5th gear. A little slow off the line but overall not much difference in RPMs or temps when compared to the Wildcat? A 3500 DRW Aisin with the 3.73 will give me a well built...overbuilt tow capacity of about 24,000 lbs. About 4,000 lbs more than an Aisin with 3.42 gears. And yes I know my 2500 is a little short on the tongue capacity... Hauling her empty right now less than 35 miles. I do have air bags on the 2500 which helps keep the front tires from feeling light. Any and all wisdom and experience is welcome...kind of want to know the RPM’s are at 65 hauling and running empty?
Thank you guys
 
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:35 PM   #2
Slufoot733
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I am on my third diesel hauler. All have been Fords. The first, a 3/4 ton with a four speed tranny and 18" wheels, had 3.73 gears. The second, a one ton with a five speed tranny and 18" wheels, also had 3.73 gears. Both did a fine job hauling the fiver. My newest truck, also a one ton, came with a six speed tranny and 20" wheels, has 3.55 gears. Of course each one had more power than the last, with different engines (7.3, 6.4 and 6.7 engines respectively). And each one was a better puller than the last.
The new truck with the 3.55 gears pulls great. But then it has more speeds in the tranny and more hp. Your new Ram will have every bit as much umph as my Ford so I doubt there will be much difference between the 3.42 and 3.73 gears. The 4.10 will pull stumps but will also burn a little more fuel.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:14 PM   #3
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I had a 2006 31QBH Wildcat with GVWR of 13,500# (probably never exceeded 13k actual) and towed my 2500# jetski trailer in tandem. The Wildcat was notorious for teeter tottering. The claim was it could be towed with a 1/2 ton so they kept the pin weight down by shifting the axles forward. A lot of memories, but I don't miss it. If I loaded the front heavy, it helped a lot.

My 3790RD is 16,600# GVWR, but I suspect I'm closer to 17k actual after the first run over the scales. It was 13.5k on the axles alone. Even though it's heavier, it pulls better. I almost don't notice it on the highway on the flats. The ride quality is great. I don't have air bags. Truck rides about 1/2" lower in the rear from level. I definitely notice it climbing hills. I have the 3.55 gears. I don't think you need much lower. 3.73 max.

In 6th gear at 65mph, it's around 1800rpms. I try to keep it above 2000rpms (70mph) as it seems to be the sweet spot for best performance and no lugging. Mileage is always between 9 and 10, but I live in a mountainous area.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:19 PM   #4
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I had a 2008 3500 ram with 3.42 and it towed are 5er great with no lack of power when we got the 2018 3500 got 4.10 and did not look back the fuel mil's aren't bad we get around 11 to 12 till you hit hills but I don't look to close. If I wanted better fuel mil's I would buy a smaller 5er. RPM's at 60 are about 1400 to 1500 with the Aisin trans in tow mode.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:24 PM   #5
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3.73 is the ticket. I have the 3.42 and it is fine but for towing the gearing is a bit too wide for a given road speed. 4.10 is more engine rpm than necessary except for the heaviest of loads.
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Old 10-16-2018, 05:20 AM   #6
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I'm towing our 12+K High Country with a Ford 6.7 and 3.55 gears. It does just fine though feel I should have opted for 3.73s as much of our hauling is in the mountains of NY and New England where starting at a traffic light on a steep grade coud be easier. The last truck, though a gas V10. had 4.10s actually did a wee bit better job at those lights but then fell to its 5 transmission gear ranges and high RPMs for hilly roads.
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Old 10-16-2018, 05:31 AM   #7
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I've pulled several times this year with my 3.42 truck. I originally wanted 3.73 and had thought that was what I had. The sticker said 3.73. Later I found out that the 3.73 option was deleted and was replaced with 3.42. I was pissed. I went back to my dealer and expressed my displeasure. They said that 3.42 will do just fine. Guess what? They were right. It pulls our rig with no problem. Further more, when I'm running empty, the truck gets fantastic mileage. Earlier this year I ran from east Texas to Memphis and got 20 MPG. I got 18 MPG on the return run. I was thrilled to say the least. If I was pulling 18K or higher I would go with 3.73 or 4.10 but I don't plan on doing that.
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Old 10-16-2018, 06:35 AM   #8
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Back in the good old days trucks had 500 pound feet of torque now 900+ is the norm with 6 speed gear boxes. Higher gears will work just fine. You may not use sixth gear as often but your RPMs will be about the same.
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Old 10-16-2018, 07:19 AM   #9
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3:73 is what we have. trailer weights in at 16400 and handles it just fine.
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Old 10-16-2018, 07:45 AM   #10
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I have had 2 3500 DRW rams long bed crew cabs. first 2013 Aisin Cummins 3.42 and it pulled my Monty 15000 lbs, no problem but needed to be out of over drive. New truck 2017 ram long bed crew cab 4:10 gears. pulled Monty great, loved it, full gear usage. Now the empty trucks. 3:42 running at 60 MPH, RPM at 1700 Fuel millage around 19 on the highway 16 city. New truck at 60 MPH, RPM at 2000 Fuel millage at 18 MPG. highway 14 city. of course this is average. I like the 4:10 over the 3:42. The 3:73 is the gas engine standard.
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Old 10-16-2018, 11:07 AM   #11
Livin salty
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Cool guys, I really appreciate all of the informantion and opinions from real world experience. Sounds like if I find the DRW that I like I don’t have to say no due to its gearing. That being said...I think I will look for 3.73 as the tow capacity is around 24K# and the 3.42 tend to come in around 18K# which is barely above my. GVWR on the Monty. Thanks again and get those mirrors up!
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Old 10-16-2018, 05:40 PM   #12
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3.73 is the only gears you can get in a GM Diesel Dually.
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Old 10-17-2018, 08:03 AM   #13
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We have the 3:73 in our 3500 Ram. It is the better all around gearing. If you are going to use the Truck for very Heavy Hauling get the 4:10. If all you are doing is pulling the Montana the 3.73 is the best combination. The middle of the road gearing in the Dodge Line. I get about 12.6mpg with the Montana behind me, and that will depend on the hill climbs. Around town about 18.4mpg and Highway 21.8mpg.


Hope this helps.......
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Old 10-17-2018, 08:46 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by civilengineer42 View Post
We have the 3:73 in our 3500 Ram. It is the better all around gearing. If you are going to use the Truck for very Heavy Hauling get the 4:10. If all you are doing is pulling the Montana the 3.73 is the best combination. The middle of the road gearing in the Dodge Line. I get about 12.6mpg with the Montana behind me, and that will depend on the hill climbs. Around town about 18.4mpg and Highway 21.8mpg.


Hope this helps.......



How did you get the 3:73 gears on the Cummins with the Aisin when its not an available option. It only for the hemi gas.
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Old 10-17-2018, 09:18 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Eagleback View Post
How did you get the 3:73 gears on the Cummins with the Aisin when its not an available option. It only for the hemi gas.
When we ordered the truck from Dodge here in Texas it gave the option of three rear end gearings. 3:42 3:73 and 4:10

We have a Lone Star Silver Edition.......

3:73 was an option for 180.00 dollars or something of that nature, and the 4:10 was a little more.

Aisin was 2400.00 and the Cummins was 8700.00 if I remember right. I can look at the build sheet/order sheet
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Old 10-17-2018, 09:36 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by Eagleback View Post
How did you get the 3:73 gears on the Cummins with the Aisin when its not an available option. It only for the hemi gas.
Window Sticker From 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 Please Note that the Standard is the 3:42 option is 3:73, or if you want it 4:10
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File Type: pdf RAM 3500 Window Sticker.pdf (87.4 KB, 75 views)
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Old 10-17-2018, 09:51 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by Eagleback View Post
How did you get the 3:73 gears on the Cummins with the Aisin when its not an available option. It only for the hemi gas.
Just in case it was a little difficult to read. I highlighted the in question options. Maybe it is 2017 vs 2018 thing.......Or it might have to do with you have to go up to the Lone Star or Laramie.......But what ever the case a 3:73 is an option with the 6.7 and Aisin......

Have A Great Day
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File Type: pdf RAM 3500 Window Sticker.pdf (89.8 KB, 43 views)
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Old 10-17-2018, 10:38 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by civilengineer42 View Post
Just in case it was a little difficult to read. I highlighted the in question options. Maybe it is 2017 vs 2018 thing.......Or it might have to do with you have to go up to the Lone Star or Laramie.......But what ever the case a 3:73 is an option with the 6.7 and Aisin......

Have A Great Day



May be its a new option in 2018, I only got the 3:42 or the 4:10 on my 2017 big horn.
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Old 10-17-2018, 11:51 AM   #19
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Okay everybody has covered the gearing issue... I would suggest you consider the long bed crew cab for a tow vehicle rather than the short bed... your towing experience will be better with a longer wheel base. JMHO. BTW we are shopping a 3500 RAM Crew Cab DRW and Monty 3811MS to tow... we are only considering the 4.10 gears with Aisin trans and Cummins motor.

Of course if you have other criteria to meet on TV length then perhaps the short bed is the solution you need unless you are getting a Mega Cab which is the same length as a crew cab with an 8 foot bed.
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Old 10-17-2018, 09:52 PM   #20
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Just my non dodge 2 cents. 2016 F350 diesel, dually. 4.30:1 gears. 6 speed tranny. 860 lb ft torque. Will pull a tree stump or get up to speed quickly with a a heavy Montana.
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