Axle Ratio and tow rating
I was looking at a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.4 Hemi the other day as a possible tow vehicle for my 5th wheel (9100lbs dry) so I looked up the tow ratings. With the standard axle ratio (3.73) the truck is ...
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Most of us have no way to compare so it's hard to say how much of a difference it makes. I have the 3.73 with a 2014 Ram 6.4 and it tows my 8500# TT nicely.
I was just out this weekend thinking about the last year with the truck and it's been overall great. My biggest complaint (and it's really not a deal breaker) is the shifting and gear spacing. How much of a factor this would be with the 4.10s and my trailer is anyone's guess but it's probably less noticeable.
I find this truck will back itself into a corner when left to it's own decision making. It's very reluctant to downshift (yes, even in tow/haul mode) and that once it does it's stuck at the low RPM range for the new gear and therefore lugging and lacks power. Also, the 1-2 gap is a bit ridiculous for a 6spd IMO. I saw my speedo hit 40mph in first gear heading up a steep hill near my house this weekend (I have the lifetime warranty so really don't care if a piston shoots out the top of the hood :))
After a year with this truck I've learned that I have to manually shift to get the most out of it. Anticipating the upcoming grade and shifting so the RPMs are at 3500 vs. 2000 starting at the bottom makes a world of difference. To be fair I have eyes to the road ahead and the tranny doesn't so it's somewhat expected.
Also, I'm coming from a diesel so my baseline expectations are somewhat high. The diesel could pull my mid-size trailer up anything in pretty much any gear. Again, I love the truck and having to shift a bit manually is really not a big deal. Once I do that the performance and ability is near a 10. I think if I had it to do over again I'd probably hold out for the 4.10 gears but again, without driving both back to back with the same load, it's hard to say how much of a difference it makes.
I was just out this weekend thinking about the last year with the truck and it's been overall great. My biggest complaint (and it's really not a deal breaker) is the shifting and gear spacing. How much of a factor this would be with the 4.10s and my trailer is anyone's guess but it's probably less noticeable.
I find this truck will back itself into a corner when left to it's own decision making. It's very reluctant to downshift (yes, even in tow/haul mode) and that once it does it's stuck at the low RPM range for the new gear and therefore lugging and lacks power. Also, the 1-2 gap is a bit ridiculous for a 6spd IMO. I saw my speedo hit 40mph in first gear heading up a steep hill near my house this weekend (I have the lifetime warranty so really don't care if a piston shoots out the top of the hood :))
After a year with this truck I've learned that I have to manually shift to get the most out of it. Anticipating the upcoming grade and shifting so the RPMs are at 3500 vs. 2000 starting at the bottom makes a world of difference. To be fair I have eyes to the road ahead and the tranny doesn't so it's somewhat expected.
Also, I'm coming from a diesel so my baseline expectations are somewhat high. The diesel could pull my mid-size trailer up anything in pretty much any gear. Again, I love the truck and having to shift a bit manually is really not a big deal. Once I do that the performance and ability is near a 10. I think if I had it to do over again I'd probably hold out for the 4.10 gears but again, without driving both back to back with the same load, it's hard to say how much of a difference it makes.
