3.42 vs. 3.73 gears.......
Hi Fellow Campers, I'm in the market for a new Diesel truck. My current travel trailer is about 6000 lbs when fully loaded. However, down the road, I hope to graduate to either a longer (and ...
Forum Discussion
What it really comes down to is that the 3.42 will give you a little bit better fuel economy every time you use the truck. The 3.73 axle ratio will be of a slight value when it allows you to pull your trailer up one or two hills a year by only dropping down to 4th instead of all the way to third. On the other hand there may be one or two hills a year that the 3.42 ratio will be able to easily handle in 3rd gear at the 3000 rpm redline where as with the 3.73 axle ratio you will still need to drop to 3rd and run at the redline but now your only going 57 mph instead of the 62 mph that the 3.42 would be pulling you up the hill. Bottom line is get the 3.42 ratio without a doubt. (I am assuming the Cummins will red line at around 3000 rpm but you get the idea)
