What gears do I need?

[missouri_dave]

Looking at a Ram 2500 to pull a 7K travel trailer. It will be a gasser with the 6.4 hemi. Should I get the 4.10 rear end or will the 3.73 do what I need?

[parker_rowe]

deltabravo wrote:

old guy wrote:
get a locking rear end also with the 4.10's

Does RAM offer some sort of locker or limited slip in the rear axle?

You have no choice anyway, when you option the 4.10's you automatically have to add the limited slip.

They don't offer a "locker".

To answer the question...in any gas truck I was buying specifically to tow a camper with, I would option the highest (numerical) gear ratio they offered me. So I would definitely get the 4.10's in the ram.

[Charles2222]

My last two one ton trucks had 4.56 . My take

[wowens79]

I've been reading a lot about that truck on some Ram forums, and I think either will pull that weight fine. There are lots of people that think the truck drives better with the 4.10 even unloaded, that the shift points seem better and you get to the point that the 4 cylinder mode kicks in more offer, and smoother.

[Blazing_Zippers]

Well, I guess I'm an exception here---2016 Ram 6.4 Hemi, with 3.73 gears. I've pulled two travel trailers and a fifth wheel that weigh 10,000 lbs. The truck does pretty well. We've towed to Alaska, Donner summit, Lewiston grade, White Bird, I-84 east of Pendleton----no problems. I've got about 13,000 miles towing and no complaints.

[fly-swatter]

I have 4.10's in mine and I pull about 8500-9000 lbs. Works great, actually get better mileage towing than I did with my previous truck, doesn't have to work as hard I guess.

[ScottG]

old guy wrote:
get a locking rear end also with the 4.10's

X2. Especially nice if you end up in the snow and the cost up front is minimal compared to adding it later.

[KD4UPL]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

old guy wrote:
get a locking rear end also with the 4.10's

IF rock climbing....

Otherwise NO

Never had a rear locker I guess. I've had the factory G80 locker in a number of GM trucks and it is of great benifit in mud, snow, and wer grass. I had a Dodge with their factory limited slip rear and it had better snow traction than any other vehicle I've ever owned. I agree, get whatever traction aid Ram offers for the rear axle. And 4.10 gears.

[dieseltruckdriv]

My last pickup had 4.10s and the one I have now has 3.73s, and I have seriously considered doing a gear swap to 4.10s.
My mileage is worse with this newer pickup, but they are different.

[deltabravo]

old guy wrote:
get a locking rear end also with the 4.10's

Does RAM offer some sort of locker or limited slip in the rear axle?

[Old-Biscuit]

old guy wrote:
get a locking rear end also with the 4.10's

IF rock climbing....

Otherwise NO

[old_guy]

get a locking rear end also with the 4.10's

[ib516]

I had one. Go for the 4.10s. The gap between 1st and 2nd is big and the 4.10s dull that a bit. Also, the GCWR and max tow rating increase 3000# when you go to 4.10 from the 3.73.

The 3.73s will easily tow your 7000# load, but the 4.10s will allow for a bigger load if you upgrade RVs.

[Lwiddis]

With today’s transmissions, the 3.73 is fine. I’m happy at 3.43 and 5200 pounds of TT.

[MFL]

It depends, if mostly for towing, the 4.10 is best choice. The 3.73 will work for that size trailer, and maybe get slightly better mileage, in every day non towing. If you decide to get a bigger trailer at some point, you may wish you'd have gotten 4.10.

Jerry

[2Rad4U]

4.10 without a doubt