Considering a new truck
Hi Guys. Going to look at a 2017 Ram 3500 dually tomorrow. We currently have a 2004 dodge 3500 dually. Our camper is an Arctic Fox 1150. Does anyone have any words of wisdom? I am assuming that th...
Forum Discussion
Troutguy wrote:
The 4:10 gears give the highest GVW rating (14,000 lbs.) on the RAM 3500 DRW Cummings/Aisin and highest payload. I test drove one last week and the tach showed approx. 1800 rpm @62-63 mph in 6th gear.....certainly not spinning the engine very hard. My current Duramax/Allison 4 speed OD with 3:73 gears pulls that same rpm at the equivalent speed. Gotta like the new technology. I would go with the 4:10s......
I took my new F350 dually diesel with 3.55 gears.
Having CC set at 65mph it keeps 1700 rpm.
Last week drove it from SF I-80 east where going towards Reno - freeway climbs to 7300 ' with some extreme grades.
Having 7000 lb loaded cargo trailer, the truck drop from 6th to 5 th gear only about 5 times on the route.
So even with 3.55 gears, I think I could find good use for 7th gear.
US manufacturers make trucks gearing with heavy towing in mind, so even with 7k load it is over-geared.
I used to drive cars that require downshifting with front wind, so turning the engine at high rpm for nothing does not make sense to me.
