Question about axle Ratios

ScottG wrote:
The 3.21 is a great hiway gear but lousy for towing. Stick with the 3.92 and you will be very pleased with the towing performance.

No, the OP won't be "pleased" as he'll never get as far as actually towing a trailer this heavy because he'd certainly exceed the truck's payload capacity, regardless of axle ratio. No question about it, 3.92 is far superior to 3.21 for towing but that won't in any way compensate for lack of sufficient payload capacity. :(

2017 Laramie? For the money I would get a used basic model 3500 srw.

afidel wrote:
Check the available payload on the yellow sticker! Ram's generally have the lowest payload capacity of the half tons and 8000 lbs is really at the outside of what most folks would tow with any half ton. From a quick playing around with the RAM towing guide a 4x4, crew cab, 6' box Laramie with the hemi only has 1,300 lbs of payload capacity which means after even one passenger you're looking at a max trailer weight of ~6,500lbs. A quad cab 4x2 Laramie with the short box might work for the low end of your range. As far as the 3.2, forget it, even Dodge doesn't rate that at 8,000lb and they're assuming a much easier tow then the barn door that is a travel trailer.

^This!

The 3.21 is a great hiway gear but lousy for towing. Stick with the 3.92 and you will be very pleased with the towing performance.

Check the available payload on the yellow sticker! Ram's generally have the lowest payload capacity of the half tons and 8000 lbs is really at the outside of what most folks would tow with any half ton. From a quick playing around with the RAM towing guide a 4x4, crew cab, 6' box Laramie with the hemi only has 1,300 lbs of payload capacity which means after even one passenger you're looking at a max trailer weight of ~6,500lbs. A quad cab 4x2 Laramie with the short box might work for the low end of your range. As far as the 3.2, forget it, even Dodge doesn't rate that at 8,000lb and they're assuming a much easier tow then the barn door that is a travel trailer.

Galena wrote:
Looking at two, 2017 RAM 1500 Laramie Trucks. One has a axle ratio of 3.21 and has a lot of options I like. The second one has a ratio of 3.92 but with less options, prices on both are very similar. Looking to purchase a TT with a gross weight of 7500 to 8000 pounds. Am I ok with the 3.21, assuming I will not be doing a lot of mountain driving?

Actually you'd do better with a Chevy (wink-wink). Seriously, I had a Chevy 1500 5.3 with a 3.2something rear and a smaller TT weighing in around 6500lbs. It struggled even on the gentle hills here in south Texas. My opinion is get the 3.92, think it will do a much better job towing.

Good Luck either way....