newbie and confused

gmw photos wrote:

As for changing the ring and pinion in the trucks rear end, you do understand that an easier way to get the engine to rev higher, is to simply use a lower gear in the transmission ? The whole object of the game in going to a lower gear ratio in the final is to get the engine to rev higher up into it's powerband. Which is exactly what you do when you leave the trans, let's say in third, rather than in fourth. If I were in your shoes, I would choose and buy the trailer, and try towing with it before going to the expense of changing the final gears.

While that is true at cruising speed there is the acceleration factor and such things as torque multiplication where a higher rear end gear will help a lot in getting all that weight up to speed. A higher rear end gear will give you more "power" where the rubber meets the road as you accelerate up to your final cruising speed.

Like some others have posted personally if you are going to change the rear gears from your current 3.23 I would seriously consider skipping the 3.73 and go straight to the 4.10 if the costs are close to the same. Except for some the the newest diesels and some of the more modern trannys with 6 speeds, etc. the typical "TOWING" rear ends are in the 3.73 to 4.30 range.

Larry