rear axle gear ratio
Getting ready to move up to a 3500. I've shopped the available trucks, and have a good idea of what I want. The two I have narrowed down to are a '14 and a '15 Ram 3500. Identical with the exception o...
Forum Discussion
I have a 2500 so it's got 3.42s, but I actually really like it and I don't see why you'd need to bump it up unless you have a very heavy combined load. To me having 6 speeds really helps make the lower ratios work well when you consider both towing and non-towing performance.
I just ran across southern Idaho both directions for the holidays and had the truck loaded down with two adults, three kids, one labradoodle and way more "stuff" than you'd think necessary for a few days away. With the cruise set at 83 the truck just idles along at about 1800 RPM and never downshifts even on some pretty sizable grades into headwinds. Very nice freeway cruising truck. Also considering the temperature, speed, terrain and wind, I was very pleased to get close to 18 MPG.
Obviously there's a tradeoff when towing and with the weights OP is considering a lower ratio probably makes sense, but for somewhat lighter trailers there are some significant advantages to getting the lower ratios. Just throwing out some food for thought.
I just ran across southern Idaho both directions for the holidays and had the truck loaded down with two adults, three kids, one labradoodle and way more "stuff" than you'd think necessary for a few days away. With the cruise set at 83 the truck just idles along at about 1800 RPM and never downshifts even on some pretty sizable grades into headwinds. Very nice freeway cruising truck. Also considering the temperature, speed, terrain and wind, I was very pleased to get close to 18 MPG.
Obviously there's a tradeoff when towing and with the weights OP is considering a lower ratio probably makes sense, but for somewhat lighter trailers there are some significant advantages to getting the lower ratios. Just throwing out some food for thought.
