Currently pulling the travel trailer with a '14 Ram 3500 SRW CC LB 4x4 Cummins Manual trans., not happy with the manual trans. bc at 19k miles the clutch is on it's way out (truck is stock). Have a claim with Ram customer care but so far they've been non-existent on even communicating. So looking at trucksI would prefer the 4.30 gears with the F250 6.2 but they are nearly impossible to come by. Local dealer has 2 identical optioned out F250 CC SB 4x4 6.2 XL trucks with 3.73 gears. Thoughts on towing my 10,700lb 37' long travel trailer? It's a 2013 Jayco 33BHTS. We normally camp in Northern Alabama, Georgia and twice a year in Tennessee or North Carolina mountains. We frequent Cheaha State Park in Alabama several times a year and that's a pretty steep and slow curvy climb to the top- 3 miles at about 30-35mph due to curves and grade.We've got a trip coming up soon so I'm in a time crunch too on whether or not to put a new clutch in if Ram won't help me on the $$ for a new clutch(probably $2,000 and they claim only covered for 12 months or 12k miles as a wear item) or just trade the truck (Ford dealer is aware of the clutch).

Haven't towed with a 6.2, but with the 6.8 V10, the 4.30's are so much better than the 3.73's, I would have to go with the 4.30's. There are some on here that do have the 6.2 and the 4.30's. I'm sure they will chime in with their experiences. All I've read have been positive!!Assuming that you have had the dealer search the Ford system for what you want. They are scarce, but maybe diff options and/or trim level may find one. Even a 350, which would be my preference!

If you're getting the gasser, get the 4.30s. 3.73 will do the job, but you and the truck will like the deeper gears. OE clutches on the Rams are the same known weak point for over 10 years running and if you weren't aware already, are basically considered a mandatory replacement. Although you have been a little tough on it to roach it that quick. 2 grand will get you a clutch installed that you won't have to think about for a long long time, but don't go to the dealer. Get an aftermarket clutch. My preference is south bend.

Grit dog wrote:If you're getting the gasser, get the 4.30s. 3.73 will do the job, but you and the truck will like the deeper gears. OE clutches on the Rams are the same known weak point for over 10 years running and if you weren't aware already, are basically considered a mandatory replacement. Although you have been a little tough on it to roach it that quick. 2 grand will get you a clutch installed that you won't have to think about for a long long time, but don't go to the dealer. Get an aftermarket clutch. My preference is south bend.Got to be a defect in it to already be going out I would think because I'm not rough on it. It actually doesn't slip, well it's not noticeable, but it sure does smell. The pedal gets spongy if I get into traffic too. I really think there has been something wrong with the clutch for a while, the truck has always seemed to be a dog on hills when towing. I've read that there is a sensor that starts pulling power when it senses clutch slippage, maybe that's been it's issue all along.

TUCQUALA wrote:Haven't towed with a 6.2, but with the 6.8 V10, the 4.30's are so much better than the 3.73's, I 2nd this. I have the 6.8 V10 with the 3.73s and not a towing day goes by that I don't wish I had the other gearing. And I pull a smaller trailer than you have!

4.30 is what you need....I had a 2013 F250 with the 6.2 and 3.73 gears...I too would advise to get a new clutch...you'll will really miss the power of that Cummins

F250 CC SB 4x4 6.2-3.73 or 4.30 for 10,700lb travel trailer

dragr1
Explorer
Oct 27, 2018
rhagfo wrote:
dragr1 wrote:
I just saw where the G56 is being discontinued next year

It was a great theft deterrent!!!

Agreed!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Oct 27, 2018
dragr1 wrote:
I just saw where the G56 is being discontinued next year

Yeah, that's a total bummer! While my next truck will very likely be an auto, Ram should a figured out a 7-8speed manual, it's not that hard to engineer around a new manual trans, and stomp the market with a full power, plenty of gears, properly clutched manual trans diesel pickemup truck!
I'd still run a manual for towing and hauling, all day long and twice on Sunday. City traffic is what makes it a no go for me.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2018
dragr1 wrote:
I just saw where the G56 is being discontinued next year

It was a great theft deterrent!!!
dragr1
Explorer
Oct 27, 2018
I just saw where the G56 is being discontinued next year
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2018
EDIT: I guess I thought it was only two pages!:S

Looks like you did well, yes love my BD 2 low for backing, our DD can be grabby at times when starting out when towing, solution is quicker release.

I only wish I had your G56 instead of my NV4500. It does the job, but with 3.55's and 12,360#+ there is a big gap between 3rd and 4th.
dragr1
Explorer
Oct 26, 2018
Update I have 6000 miles on the new clutch now with about 2800 miles of that towing my camper. All is good but backing up with that single disc is tricky. It’s a chatter box and jumpy if you aren’t careful. It does not slip so you are either barking tires or bucking like crazy but this is only when backing up and empty. I think this is partly to do with my front end being so heavy from a big bumper and winch which makes it much lower than the rear - kinda like you are always backing up hill. Of course none of this is a problem when backing the camper bc I just engage 2 low.

I think I’m going to install a Thuren leveling kit to raise the front up and make it level.
dragr1
Explorer
Jan 02, 2018
I got the more gear rollover noise straight from a tech at southbend. The noise from my single disc is hardly noticeable and above 1000 rpm it's non existent.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 02, 2018
blofgren wrote:
I wasn't aware that the dual disc made the gear rollover noise worse. That definitely makes me rethink the dual disc. I also didn't realize that the posted HP/TQ numbers were at the rear wheels and the clutch you have would certainly be higher than I would ever tune to. I may just end up going the same route you did.

Thank you very much for providing all of the info!

I always thought it was the solid flywheel that made the gear rollover noise (whatever that actually is, it's a real thing, but 120k miles later guess I'm used to it.). Gear noise is like a "lugging alarm". Low rpms, mash the throttle, trans tells you.
I've only drove a dual disk with a NV trans, but liked the behavior of the clutch more than my single disk.
If I was starting over for the long term, I'd go dual disk.
Note, it will rattle though when disengaged, which takes away from the quietness of the newer Rams.
My 07 makes so much noise, one more rattle or vibration doesn't bother me. My newer clutch makes more noise than a dual disk, but opposite, when it's engaged in neutral. The 3 finger arm pressure plate on mine rattles like a 24V. Dual disk is actually a little quieter.
dragr1
Explorer
Jan 02, 2018
blofgren wrote:
I wasn't aware that the dual disc made the gear rollover noise worse. That definitely makes me rethink the dual disc. I also didn't realize that the posted HP/TQ numbers were at the rear wheels and the clutch you have would certainly be higher than I would ever tune to. I may just end up going the same route you did.

Thank you very much for providing all of the info!

I'll keep you posted, it's going to take me a while just to do the break in miles since it's not my daily driver , might be a month or so before I get to tow the camper with it
blofgren
Explorer
Jan 01, 2018
I wasn't aware that the dual disc made the gear rollover noise worse. That definitely makes me rethink the dual disc. I also didn't realize that the posted HP/TQ numbers were at the rear wheels and the clutch you have would certainly be higher than I would ever tune to. I may just end up going the same route you did.

Thank you very much for providing all of the info!

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F250 CC SB 4x4 6.2-3.73 or 4.30 for 10,700lb travel trailer

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