2013 Dodge 3500 DRW Gear Ratios

[LvOpnRd]

Hello everyone.

The wife and I just purchased our first 5th wheel a few weeks back. It's a 2012 Forest River Sierra 345RET. It weights about 11,000lb dry. For a tow vehicle I'm looking at a 2013 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab DRW.

My question has to do with gear ratios. Should I go with the 3.73 or 4.10? The majority of our towing will be done on Highways across Eastern Canada and I will also be using this as an everyday vehicle when not pulling the 5th. We are going out west this year for the honeymoon but that's just one trip in the mountains. I'm leaning towards the 3.73 but thought I would ask around first. I don't see us going any bigger than this trailer we have now.

Thanks in advance.

[Me_Again]

May friend John posted these numbers on TDR site!

"This is for anyone who might like to know this if trying to decide what axle ratio to go with when buying a truck...

Using an UltraGauge (to get a digital readout of the engine rpm) during a freeway drive today, I had my navigator (a.k.a.: my wife) record the engine rpm at various road speeds in our 2014 3500 Aisin equipped dually with 4:10.1 axles.

The results were:

55 mph = 1560 rpm
60 mph = 1720 rpm
65 mph = 1850 rpm
70 mph = 2000 rpm
75 mph = 2140 rpm

Best regards,

John L."

[AH64ID]

It's really hard to compare anything that doesn't have the double OD's of either the Aisin or 68RFE, those are what allow the 4.10's to have more bottom end grunt and still cruise empty at 75 at only 2100 rpms.

With 3.73's 6th gear will not be useful when towing, and 1st is 10% taller. All of that and you only save 200 rpms at 75, not enough to really notice a mileage or NVH difference but you will feel it with a load.

Just my 0.02.

[Gunship_Guy]

I ordered ours with the Aisin and 4.10.

Trailer is around 20,000lbs. Considering the truck and extra fuel in aux tank, total weight is approx 28,000lbs.

Pulls very nicely. Don't miss my HDT at all.

[Greentow]

Old truck (04), 4 speed auto, 4.10 rear, pulling 15k just fine. My only complaint is the new VW's beating me off the line at a stoplight.:S

[45Ricochet]

LvOpnRd wrote:

Me Again wrote:
That would be my choice based on the possibility of future larger trailer. The 3.73 are good to 24K trailer. 4:10 take you to 29K+

Chris

24,000 lbs? Really? In that case I have zero need for the 4.10 because I will never be towing that much weight.

I agree. Over on the Cummins forum the guys are happy with the 3.42's.
I'd get the 3.73's myself.

[spud1957]

Removed. My bad.

[rhagfo]

I will add my two cents, I have an old 5.9, with a 5 speed manual. I tow a 11,000# (wet) 5er with a set of 3.55's, and do just fine. I have about 270 HP and about 530# of torque, so with that 6.7 with 350+ and 800#+ should have no problem.

[AH64ID]

If you do mostly interstate then either is fine, but if you find yourself in slow speed stuff frequently the 4.10's will shine.

Personally with the double OD's of either the Aisin or 68RFE there isn't a good reason to not get the 4.10's.

Moving your 20K+ lbs down the road is going to take the same amount of power regardless of gearing, but the lower gearing will reduce the stress in the motor/trans and spread it out to the diff as well.

I would also try to find a truck with the Aisin over the 68RFE.

If I where to buy a '13 or '14 DRW it would be the Aisin/4.10 combo and nothing else.. my current trailer only weighs 8,500.

[powderman426]

LvOpnRd wrote:

Me Again wrote:
That would be my choice based on the possibility of future larger trailer. The 3.73 are good to 24K trailer. 4:10 take you to 29K+

Chris

24,000 lbs? Really? In that case I have zero need for the 4.10 because I will never be towing that much weight.

The key word is trailer. Things change when you talk a fifth wheel. A 3:73 is good for most situations.

[notruffinit]

I have the 3.73 any my 5er is at 14K. I have no problem at all pulling it anywhere and even though it is minimal the mileage is better without the coach being on the back.

[LvOpnRd]

Me Again wrote:
That would be my choice based on the possibility of future larger trailer. The 3.73 are good to 24K trailer. 4:10 take you to 29K+

Chris

24,000 lbs? Really? In that case I have zero need for the 4.10 because I will never be towing that much weight.

[Me_Again]

That would be my choice based on the possibility of future larger trailer. The 3.73 are good to 24K trailer. 4:10 take you to 29K+

Chris

[Turbo_Diesel_Du]

Having had three Rams with the 3.73 it will do well unless at a later time you might want to go to a larger/heavier coach. JMHO