Rear end ratios
I've read where some truck campers specify the ratio of gearing in the differential of their trucks used for truck camping. Would anyone out there be so kind so as to explain to me what the advantages...
Forum Discussion
Final gear ratio is always a balance between engine torque and differential gearing.
For years I drive European vehicles, who I love for high differential ratio as they take most of the grades without downshifting.
My family members on other hand drive Toyotas, who I get to drive occasionally.
It gets really annoying when Toyota needs to downshift with each wind gust or freeway overpass. But then Toyotas get better mpg.
Same with trucks, but here, on this forum you will find "conservative" members who drove trucks with high differential ratios for decades and can't comprehend changes combustion engines made in last years.
Most of the members will advise you to get high differential ratio for camper.
I educated myself and for my 440 HP dually - have chosen the lowest differential ratio Ford would install, yet still the truck takes all those 15-17 miles grades we have with 6000 lb camper never dropping from overdrive at 1600 rpm.
Frankly I wish I could get even lower than 3.55 differential ratio for fuel economy. It doesn't make sense to gear truck for hauling 20,000lb rigs without downshifting.
Transmissions have gears for a reason.
For years I drive European vehicles, who I love for high differential ratio as they take most of the grades without downshifting.
My family members on other hand drive Toyotas, who I get to drive occasionally.
It gets really annoying when Toyota needs to downshift with each wind gust or freeway overpass. But then Toyotas get better mpg.
Same with trucks, but here, on this forum you will find "conservative" members who drove trucks with high differential ratios for decades and can't comprehend changes combustion engines made in last years.
Most of the members will advise you to get high differential ratio for camper.
I educated myself and for my 440 HP dually - have chosen the lowest differential ratio Ford would install, yet still the truck takes all those 15-17 miles grades we have with 6000 lb camper never dropping from overdrive at 1600 rpm.
Frankly I wish I could get even lower than 3.55 differential ratio for fuel economy. It doesn't make sense to gear truck for hauling 20,000lb rigs without downshifting.
Transmissions have gears for a reason.
