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Old 12-27-2009, 04:56 AM   #1
travelRN
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Cart b4 horse

Hi We bought the cart before the horse. We bought a 2010 Montana Hickory Edition 3665. Now we need a truck. We are wanting a Dodge Cummins deisel quad dually. We are buying used. I am a bit confused on rear gears. What is a good gear ratio. I have found a 1997 with 3:55 rear gears. It is a twelve valve 5 speed. Will this do the trick? Let me know your thoughts on this. We will be pulling from Minnesota to Texas. Please, help. Baffled Becky
 
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Old 12-27-2009, 05:51 AM   #2
illapah
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my wife insists on automatic transmission.
I liked the standard ok but put an exhaust brake on. Worth the money.
I think the rear axle ratio will be fine.
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Old 12-27-2009, 05:51 AM   #3
exav8tr
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Becky, With the max weight of your trailer being around 15,600 lbs you want to make sure you buy a big enough truck. Look at some of the other threads on weights and you can get an idea of what you need. I would not go with less than a one ton truck, your choice of dually or single wheel drive. I personally think the 3:55 gears are a little too high for towing a heavy trailer, in fact, I had a 2001 Dodge dually Diesel with the 3:55 gears and it was only rated to pull around 12,500. You will find that the newer trucks will tow more, but, cost more also. Do your due diligence with weights and go from there. Others will be along to give their advice. Good luck and again Welcome to the Forum.....
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Old 12-27-2009, 06:21 AM   #4
Sinterior
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Hi Becky, personally I would look for a 1 ton dually with at least 3:73 gears.
I towed my Montana with a Chev 2500HD truck for a few miles and the difference between it and my dually (to me) is amazing.
Many are perfectly happy towing with a 3/4 ton.
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Old 12-27-2009, 07:04 AM   #5
travelRN
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Thank you so much. It is a 1 ton dually but the gear ratio is what I am worried about. What do you think about the 3:55 gear ratio? Becky
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Old 12-27-2009, 09:13 AM   #6
HamRad
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I would suggest at least the 3:73 and personally would go for even higher. We had the 3:73 in our Ford PSD and that was marginal for the weight of my rig and the way I drive.

We now have a bigger truck. We have a Ford 450 with the 4:88 rear end. I thought I'd lose some fuel mileage but turns out I get almost identical mileage with the bigger truck as with the 250.

Good luck.

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Old 12-27-2009, 10:34 AM   #7
Countryfolks
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Our last 3 trucks have been Dodge Rams, 96-7 [180 hp, 420 torque, 3.73], 2004 1/2 [325 hp, 610 torque, 3.73], and now a 06, all auto's. The oldest one was under powered and did not have the carrying capacity for the rig we had then, a Terry, which was lighter than any of the newer Montanas. When we moved up to the 04 the difference in towing was like night and day. Since the truck you're interested in is rated at 215 hp, 400 torque, and the carry capacity is probably the same as our old 96-7 I feel the 3.55 will be unsatisfactory for you. You would probably be happier with a 2003 or later.
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Old 12-27-2009, 10:43 AM   #8
Art-n-Marge
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Hello Baffled Becky,

I have a Ford, but the gear ratio story is the same for all makes. I'll just say I like my 3.73 but just barely and my GTWR is only 14,400. With a 15.6K GTWR I would probably go higher, including dually and a higher gear ratio, i.e. 4.1, 4.3 or higher.

Also, pay particular attention to the GVWR on the truck's pillar, RAWR on the truck's pillar, and GCVWR in the user guide to tell if you are selecting the correct truck. If the ratings are very close as compared, you probably will need to get a beefier truck (higher gear ratio). You have the right idea in your dually, diesel Dodge, but I have a feeling you'll need a higher gear ratio than what a 1997 provides, but I'd have to look up the specs. Do you need help with that? Lemme know.
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Old 12-27-2009, 11:29 AM   #9
mcgiver2
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Hi Becky Well first of all its great to have y'all in the forum and i'am sure you will enjoy it..well as for the gear ratio sure u can use a higher ratio but honestly look around and buy what you can afford as for the 3.55 ratio it will pull and haul the camper you have. i have been driving trucks and pulling trailer for over 40 years and iam not talking just camper trailer either..the dually is the way to go not single wheels, just take your time to get use to driving and pulling........
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Old 12-27-2009, 11:35 AM   #10
richfaa
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3:55.. It will pull it but I personally would not recommend it or buy one if I had the choice.3:73 at a min and I would recommend the 4:10
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Old 12-27-2009, 11:36 AM   #11
bafflefinder
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I just bought an 09 dodge duelly to pull my 36' Monty. A couple of thoughts to check on, a 1 ton may handle the weight but will the single tires handle the weight, E's are only good for about 3300# each on a single axel. Also the lower gears will increase the rpm's. I was told by a Dodge mechanic that keeping the rpm's below 2000 at highway speeds (75) will drastically omprove your mileage. At 75 my rpms are 1800 and I have the higher gears, have to look to see exactly what they are. I do know that running 80-85 with rpms at 2000 my mileage drops bad. Personally, if I were to do it again I would look for an 06 (prior to emissions) 5.9L 3500 duelly. My chipped 02 5.9 got 14 mpg pulling my 36' Monty, it was just to heavy for the 3/4 ton. 2007's were first year with new emmissions and have had lots of problems, 08's are better and 09's are supposed to be better yet.Anything newer than 06, Dodge, Ford or Chevy, I would definately check into the emissions and problems.
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Old 12-27-2009, 11:58 AM   #12
Waynem
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Others have answered your question on ratio.

Consider the specifications on manual vs. automatic. Automatics have more torque on the low end. If you put two equal engines, one with manual transmission, and the other with automatic, bumper to bumper and hook them with a chain, the automatic will pull the manual in a tug of war.

Also, most of the research that I did years ago convinced me that an automatic transmission vehicle has a larger carrying capacity than an equal vehicle with a manual transmission. The ratio of the transmission will also determine towing capacity.

Check this site out Dodge Towing Guide for some comparisons on the newer models.
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Old 12-27-2009, 12:09 PM   #13
H. John Kohl
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My 03 Dodge 3500 Dually has 3.73 rear. There are time I wish I had 4.10. I do not recommend 3.55 at all.
If you are looking older than 03 I would definitely recommend 4.10. MPG is a concern but pulling hills is the bigger one for me.
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Old 12-27-2009, 01:22 PM   #14
exav8tr
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I almost made a deal on an F450 two years ago. 29,000 GCWR, WOW, what a machine, Wait it had a 4:88 rear end, tons and tons of torque, BUT the dealer was candid with me when I asked about MPG, he admitted that the reality was about 7-8 mpg towing a 15k trailer. It was a beautiful truck and if I had a Big Sky or heavier trailer I would have jumped on it. I just couldn't see that kind of gas mileage, so I passed, kept my GM 2500 another year and finally upgraded to a Chevy D/A 3500 dually. I am completely happy with the MPG, Torque, comfort and every thing else. Mine has the 3:73 rear end and may suffer just a tad in the hills but I am still very happy with it. Maybe not completely, turning radius could be better.....I just don't think you would like the 3:55. Cheers!!! AND Happy New Year!!!!!!!!
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Old 12-28-2009, 12:03 AM   #15
Tom S.
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If you are getting a good enough deal on the truck, and it's a two wheel drive, consider buying it and having the rear end changed to something in the 3.73 to 4.10 range. Even if you have the work done, you should be able to get it for under $1,000. If it's a four wheel drive, that price would double so you'd have to be getting a REALLY good deal to make it worth while.
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Old 01-19-2010, 05:57 PM   #16
travelRN
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Well, we have decided to wait a while before buying the truck. Get some of the payments on the rig paid for and save some more scratch. Hope to pay cash for the truck. We decided to wait because if we get the truck we will not get anything done around the stick house. Want to remodel and sell it. I really appreciate all the info on the truck. Now I am definetly going 1 ton dually. Thanks
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Old 01-20-2010, 04:09 PM   #17
Sinterior
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Becky, IMHO buying the cart before the horse is the best way to go when buying an RV, (get a bigger horse than you think you need, especially if upsizing is in the near future) and can save you a lot of money if your "horse" wont pull the cart within factory specs or your comfort zone.
When I bought my 3400RL I had to get a bigger truck and license endorsement to be legal here in BC.
I never was a dually believer until I saw and drove for myself the difference between towing with a 2500HD truck and a dually.
Others don't agree but then, that is their right.
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Old 01-21-2010, 12:50 PM   #18
scductman
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Becky I have a 96 dodge 12v and they are great trucks. buttt I have a 410gear and it is lazy I am in the process of turning mine up. I have a friend nearby that has a 01 with a 355 gear and more HP and he complains all the time his will not pull good and he only pulls lite loads. a 355gr in a 12v will not pull a montana very good. JMHO
bobby
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Old 01-24-2010, 06:46 AM   #19
mopar1
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I have a 97 3500 12V with 3.55 gears. I pull a Mountaineer 345dbq. It gets the job done but does struggle. I need a better torque converter. On flat land at 60 mph on the highway, I get 14 mpg pulling and 23 mpg empty. Thats better than the newer trucks because the 12V engines are the most efficient.
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