Why 4.1 axle?
I tow an 8000 pound trailer with a GMC 2500 with 6.0l engine, 4 speed transmission, and 4.1 axle ratio. I rarely need 3rd gear on the highway; only on steep hills. For my next truck, why not get si...
Forum Discussion
solismaris wrote:
I tow an 8000 pound trailer with a GMC 2500 with 6.0l engine, 4 speed transmission, and 4.1 axle ratio. I rarely need 3rd gear on the highway; only on steep hills.
For my next truck, why not get similar engine but a 3.7 ratio? (For better economy when I'm not towing.) My reasoning is I can just use a lower gear if necessary. With the new 6-speed transmissions now common there should be plenty of gears to chose from. If that would work, why suffer the lower economy of the 4.1 ratio when I'm not towing?
For starters, if you're planning on buying new, they only offer the 3.73 on the Duramax equipped trucks, and the 4.10 is the only option for the trucks with the 6.0. I'm not sure when this started, but I know it's true of the 2500HD for years '17, '18 and '19. Otherwise, if you're looking at used, read on...
My trailer is 9,000 lbs, my last truck was an '09 2500, 6.0, with the 3.73. It did just fine, on hills too. Truck before that was same configuration ('05) but with the 4.10. Mileage was horrible, not that the '09 was any better. While the 4.10 will get it going quicker, unless you're at max weight you won't even notice.
