TV gearing.
I tow my Jayco hybrid with a 2012 Chevy Silverado with the 4.8 V8 and 3.23 gears. It does just fine in Florida where it's flat. The owners manual says I can gain 2000 lbs. towing capacity changing to ...
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Huntindog wrote:Ivylog wrote:That is a very simple explanation.
If you cannot remember to shift I it out of OD when climbing a long hill then changing gear ratios is for you.:S It's also a good idea to do the same going down if you need to lower your speed. You are right to question how a higher ratio increases it by 2000 lbs. You can make it a 3.73 by never towing in OD but on flat ground you do not need a 3.73.
But the question deserves more than a "simple" answer.:S
The reason that the tow rating increases is not the final rpms in cruising gear.... ALL of the gears will see a boost in power. Does that matter? You bet. Since you have to accelerate from a stop, and drop gears for climbs, it makes for a much better tow. Lower gears will also increase the lifespan of the u joints, as they will see less stress in every gear. Lower gears will also make for better engine braking in EVERY gear
In other words... simply not using OD does NOT make it a 3.73.:S
I agree and it's unfortunate folks like Ivylog make what IMO can only be called very misleading and incorrect statements that unless corrected can leave the less informed with a false set of what is presented as facts.
Larry
