Gear Ratio

[covetsthesun]

I'd like to know whether a higher or lower gear ratio is better for towing. Considering a 2013 or 14 Silverado 2500 4wd. I plan to be in mountains as well as flats. Don't know what I'm going to tow yet so that's not currently part of the equation.

DH thinks having lower gear ratio is best for towing..but isn't sure so said to ask y'all.

How does having one or the other make a difference in ability?

cts

[NC_Hauler]

covetsthesun wrote:
NC Hauler.. a "big dog" truck is simply a bigger stronger vehicle than a small one. In every group of dogs there's always an "alpha" male and he is the Big Dog.

There's also a saying... "if you can't run with the Big Dogs stay on the porch".

It's just a way of highlighting the more powerful object.

Our friend just happens to own a Ram diesel that can tow just about anything. I can ride in his truck and not deal with a salesman right away.

I've had Chevy/GM's for a long time and while I like them...Dodge compared well in Consumer Reports too. Our Ram friend thinks I should get a Sierra... he's impressed with the comfort and finish.

Thanks to all for the education. There's a lot of experience here and y'all are generous with sharing it. I'm sure there's a few folks out there that learned something new too.

cts

AT 63 years of age, and towing steady since 75', I've owned a pile of Chevy's, gas and diesel...and Dodge/Ram since 2010 (three of them)...

Never heard a truck, no matter the size, referred to as a "Big Dog", must be a regional thing:)

The old saying, if you can't run with the big dogs has been around for a lot of years, when I was younger I used it quite often, it was more of a "macho" thing, same as the "alpha male" tag.....I just know trucks and what they can and can't do...

I learned a lot the hard way and wished, when I was younger that I had listened to some advice given me at times..now that I've "been there, done that' got the T-Shirt, all I try to do is try to help some not make the mistakes I did, saves some money and grief in the long run:) Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

oh, Consumers Report in my mind, having been a member for well over 20 years has proved out wrong on quite a few of their reports on reliability and choice of vehicles....I dropped them and pay no more attention to any of their reports on anything, they don't have the credibility they did years ago.....they "miss" more than they "hit".

[covetsthesun]

NC Hauler.. a "big dog" truck is simply a bigger stronger vehicle than a small one. In every group of dogs there's always an "alpha" male and he is the Big Dog.

There's also a saying... "if you can't run with the Big Dogs stay on the porch".

It's just a way of highlighting the more powerful object.

Our friend just happens to own a Ram diesel that can tow just about anything. I can ride in his truck and not deal with a salesman right away.

I've had Chevy/GM's for a long time and while I like them...Dodge compared well in Consumer Reports too. Our Ram friend thinks I should get a Sierra... he's impressed with the comfort and finish.

Thanks to all for the education. There's a lot of experience here and y'all are generous with sharing it. I'm sure there's a few folks out there that learned something new too.

cts

[whsk]

X2 on 4.10 with gas and diesel 3.73-happy towing!

[wmoses]

covetsthesun wrote:
Haven't decided on diesel or gas yet. As for a TT.. not sure about that either. So the short answer is...it depends.

Then the only answer possible at this juncture is lower is better when comes to towing.

[KD4UPL]

For towing with a gas engine I would get the 4.10 (which is the lower gearing). If you get a diesel your only option will be the 3.73 which will do just fine.
Please don't judge a diesel engine by a 1984 Mercedes. Try comparing anything else from 1984 to today's technology: computers, cell phones, televisions, etc.
Diesel engines have come a long long way. Unfortunately a lot of Americans still seem to make those comparisons to long past diesel technology. I think that's why we don't have as many diesel vehicle options in this country.

[Dadoffourgirls]

When GM changed to the 4.10 as the standard rear ratio for the 2013 HD, they indicated that it was because it improved fuel economy for most lower speed driving.

[Need-A-Vacation]

If you go with the gas motor, the tow rating difference between the 3.73 & 4.10 gears is almost 4000lbs!!!! If we had found 2 trucks (bought off lot-dealer trade for current rebates) that had everything we wanted, but difference was the gears (3.73 vs 4.10), I myself would have chose the 4.10's for the slight advantage towing as we don't drive the truck daily.

And from what I have read. here and www.gm-truck.com, the mpg difference between the 3.73 & 4.10's about 1mpg from what people have reported when "empty". I think the bigger factor would be how heavy your right foot is!

IF you decide to go diesel, I would suggest maybe looking for a 3500 for the little extra payload capacity. If all else is equal (what I found looking for our truck with the 6.0 gas motor), I found the same optioned truck in a 3500 was actually CHEAPER by about $300 I think it was!!! Not huge, but still cheaper!!! Reason is it includes the tow mirrors, hitch pkg, and 1 or 2 other things, can't remember for sure.

Good luck deciding!!!
Chris

[NC_Hauler]

covetsthesun wrote:
Well NC Hauler... I haven't ever driven a new diesel. We do have a friend who has a big dog Ram diesel 2013... nice truck, but it still makes some noise. I'll probably have to ask for a road test.

He did switch from one diesel to a gas and then back to diesel.

cts

Don't know what a "big dog" diesel is, but mine is a 2013 crewcab, longbed dually, and one of the quietest diesels out there....I also know the Chevy is very quite.


Also thought we were talking about Chevy...I never said anything about a Ram truck, nor was I tried to promote a Ram truck:h....I've owned quite a few Chevy D/A's though and again, no "smelly truck" and not loud......

Hey, doesn't matter to me what you get, but when you talked "loud and smelly".....I knew that you couldn't be familiar with the new diesels. Again, don't know about your buddy's 13' "big dog diesel"?, but they're nothing compared to the 5.9's that were pretty loud back in the day....

You will get better mpg with the diesel, but sounds like you want a gas engine...no more than what you'll tow, shouldn't be an issue. Save some money and go with a gasser....in your eye's, they're probably quieter and not as smelly:)...

[time2roll]

covetsthesun wrote:

smkettner wrote:
Get the lowest ratio available (highest numerical). Although it is not as critical with the newer 6 speed transmissions. 4wd is double the cost to swap gears if disappointed with oem. You will not lose much if any fuel mileage for the lower gear and may even improve towing efficiency.

Ok...now that is something I didn't know.. so the lowest gear ratio is the highest numerical? A 3 something ratio is actually a higher gear ratio than a 4?:? Eyeballs are rattling around now.

Do I understand this correctly?

cts

"low gear" is like being in first gear (low gear) that allows the engine to spin faster and multiplies the torque. That is why 3.73, 4.10, 4.56 are "lower" gears than 2.73, 3.23, 3.42 that represent "higher" gearing. The higher the number the faster the engine turns relative to the axles. The higher the number the more torque multiplication you get for better towing drivability. Less of an issue with low rpm higher torque diesels.

[covetsthesun]

Well NC Hauler... I haven't ever driven a new diesel. We do have a friend who has a big dog Ram diesel 2013... nice truck, but it still makes some noise. I'll probably have to ask for a road test.

He did switch from one diesel to a gas and then back to diesel.

cts

[rhagfo]

covetsthesun wrote:
Haven't decided on diesel or gas yet. As for a TT.. not sure about that either. So the short answer is...it depends.

Cost is a factor, diesels cost more. I've driven diesel cars and trucks both. Didn't like the smell or the noise, and since the truck will also be pretty close to a daily driver... I'm leaning toward gas.

I understand that diesels are probably better for towing in the mountains. But...the last diesel I drove had to stay running in the winter or it would "gel up" and that was down right annoying. It was a 1984 Mercedes 300DT. Great car for down south.

So, obviously I don't know a lot about diesels. I'm just info gathering right now.

So how does a high or low gear ratio affect tow ability?

cts

Diesel is far better in the hills and mountains, it also gets better mileage than gas both pulling and empty.
I never get those that complain about the smell of diesel, I think exhaust from as gas vehicle is worse, and getting gas on your hands is far worse than diesel. Noise, newer ones are as quiet as gas, mine well it is a different story, makes some noise, but worth the pulling power.

[NC_Hauler]

covetsthesun wrote:
Haven't decided on diesel or gas yet. As for a TT.. not sure about that either. So the short answer is...it depends.

Cost is a factor, diesels cost more. I've driven diesel cars and trucks both. Didn't like the smell or the noise, and since the truck will also be pretty close to a daily driver... I'm leaning toward gas.

I understand that diesels are probably better for towing in the mountains. But...the last diesel I drove had to stay running in the winter or it would "gel up" and that was down right annoying. It was a 1984 Mercedes 300DT. Great car for down south.

So, obviously I don't know a lot about diesels. I'm just info gathering right now.

So how does a high or low gear ratio affect tow ability?

cts

When was the LAST time you owned or drove a NEW diesel? The new diesel trucks since 2010 and up don't smell of diesel, nor are they loud...You may want to go check it out..only time I get a whiff of diesel fuel is when I'm fueling up..noise? There are gas engines out there louder than the new diesels...Gelling up? I never had that problem and have owned diesel since 02'....and been in temps below zero.

If you get a diesel duramax...you'll get a 3:73, best of both worlds. Great for towing in the mountains and decent mpg...You get more grunt with a 3:73/4:10 if towing in the mountains where you might be slowing down, then have to build speed back up again quickly, or just towing long step grades.

Seeing as how you don't know what TT you want, or 5er, whatever, I'd look at a 2500HD with the diesel..jump in and drive it, listen to it, use your nose and get back to us and tell us if it were loud and smelly..believe you'll be in for a big surprise....these diesels have come a LONG way in the last

[Terryallan]

covetsthesun wrote:

smkettner wrote:
Get the lowest ratio available (highest numerical). Although it is not as critical with the newer 6 speed transmissions. 4wd is double the cost to swap gears if disappointed with oem. You will not lose much if any fuel mileage for the lower gear and may even improve towing efficiency.

Ok...now that is something I didn't know.. so the lowest gear ratio is the highest numerical? A 3 something ratio is actually a higher gear ratio than a 4?:? Eyeballs are rattling around now.

Do I understand this correctly?

cts

Just read the thread about cold start diesels... Gas looking better all the time.

Yep, a 3.55, is a higher gear than a 4.10. A 2.73 is a really high gear.

There is usually 1000 lbs towing capacity difference between a 3.55, and a 3.73, with the 3.73 having the higher towing capacity. Reason. The 3.73 causes the engine to turn more RPM at the same speed, making more power. The trade off of course is MPG. the lower RPM gives more MPG, but less power. You got to give something to get something else.

[powderman426]

covetsthesun wrote:

smkettner wrote:
Get the lowest ratio available (highest numerical). Although it is not as critical with the newer 6 speed transmissions. 4wd is double the cost to swap gears if disappointed with oem. You will not lose much if any fuel mileage for the lower gear and may even improve towing efficiency.

Ok...now that is something I didn't know.. so the lowest gear ratio is the highest numerical? A 3 something ratio is actually a higher gear ratio than a 4?:? Eyeballs are rattling around now.

Do I understand this correctly?

cts

Just read the thread about cold start diesels... Gas looking better all the time.

a 3:42 means the driveshaft turns 3.42 time for one turn of rear wheel. a 4:10 the driveshaft turns 4.1 times per wheel revolution, so 4:10 is a lower gear. BTW I have the 4:10 and it is overkill unless your pulling very steep grades alot. I wish mine were 3:73

[covetsthesun]

smkettner wrote:
Get the lowest ratio available (highest numerical). Although it is not as critical with the newer 6 speed transmissions. 4wd is double the cost to swap gears if disappointed with oem. You will not lose much if any fuel mileage for the lower gear and may even improve towing efficiency.

Ok...now that is something I didn't know.. so the lowest gear ratio is the highest numerical? A 3 something ratio is actually a higher gear ratio than a 4?:? Eyeballs are rattling around now.

Do I understand this correctly?

cts

Just read the thread about cold start diesels... Gas looking better all the time.