I'd like to know whether a higher or lower gear ratio is better for towing. Considering a 2013 or 14 Silverado 2500 4wd. I plan to be in mountains as well as flats. Don't know what I'm going to tow yet so that's not currently part of the equation. DH thinks having lower gear ratio is best for towing..but isn't sure so said to ask y'all. How does having one or the other make a difference in ability?cts

Are you looking at gas or diesel? With diesel the only ratio offered is 3.73. With gas and not towing heavy the 3.42 is fine for 90% of the people. You really need to first determine exactly what your going to tow, then figure out the terrain your going to tow in, and finally find a truck that will work.

Haven't decided on diesel or gas yet. As for a TT.. not sure about that either. So the short answer is...it depends. Cost is a factor, diesels cost more. I've driven diesel cars and trucks both. Didn't like the smell or the noise, and since the truck will also be pretty close to a daily driver... I'm leaning toward gas. I understand that diesels are probably better for towing in the mountains. But...the last diesel I drove had to stay running in the winter or it would "gel up" and that was down right annoying. It was a 1984 Mercedes 300DT. Great car for down south. So, obviously I don't know a lot about diesels. I'm just info gathering right now. So how does a high or low gear ratio affect tow ability?cts

Get the lowest ratio available (highest numerical). Although it is not as critical with the newer 6 speed transmissions. 4wd is double the cost to swap gears if disappointed with oem. You will not lose much if any fuel mileage for the lower gear and may even improve towing efficiency.

smkettner wrote:Get the lowest ratio available (highest numerical). Although it is not as critical with the newer 6 speed transmissions. 4wd is double the cost to swap gears if disappointed with oem. You will not lose much if any fuel mileage for the lower gear and may even improve towing efficiency.Ok...now that is something I didn't know.. so the lowest gear ratio is the highest numerical? A 3 something ratio is actually a higher gear ratio than a 4?:? Eyeballs are rattling around now. Do I understand this correctly?ctsJust read the thread about cold start diesels... Gas looking better all the time.

covetsthesun wrote:smkettner wrote:Get the lowest ratio available (highest numerical). Although it is not as critical with the newer 6 speed transmissions. 4wd is double the cost to swap gears if disappointed with oem. You will not lose much if any fuel mileage for the lower gear and may even improve towing efficiency.Ok...now that is something I didn't know.. so the lowest gear ratio is the highest numerical? A 3 something ratio is actually a higher gear ratio than a 4?:? Eyeballs are rattling around now. Do I understand this correctly?ctsJust read the thread about cold start diesels... Gas looking better all the time.a 3:42 means the driveshaft turns 3.42 time for one turn of rear wheel. a 4:10 the driveshaft turns 4.1 times per wheel revolution, so 4:10 is a lower gear. BTW I have the 4:10 and it is overkill unless your pulling very steep grades alot. I wish mine were 3:73

Gear Ratio | Good Sam Community

covetsthesun
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
Haven't decided on diesel or gas yet. As for a TT.. not sure about that either. So the short answer is...it depends.

Cost is a factor, diesels cost more. I've driven diesel cars and trucks both. Didn't like the smell or the noise, and since the truck will also be pretty close to a daily driver... I'm leaning toward gas.

I understand that diesels are probably better for towing in the mountains. But...the last diesel I drove had to stay running in the winter or it would "gel up" and that was down right annoying. It was a 1984 Mercedes 300DT. Great car for down south.

So, obviously I don't know a lot about diesels. I'm just info gathering right now.

So how does a high or low gear ratio affect tow ability?

cts
donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2013
Are you looking at gas or diesel? With diesel the only ratio offered is 3.73. With gas and not towing heavy the 3.42 is fine for 90% of the people. You really need to first determine exactly what your going to tow, then figure out the terrain your going to tow in, and finally find a truck that will work.

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