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
JRscooby wrote:
Like I have said before increasing the number of gear ratios in the transmission helps keep the engine in the preferred RPM range. At say 60 MPH, you have more choices of gears. But to increase the speed, from say 0-5 or 55-60 the whole driveline other than engine takes more stress with the higher speed gears. Now if under the rating, the increase in stress will not be a issue, but it is still there.
Again, yes they can increase the ultimate towing load (I've said this at least half a dozen times now)...but that does assume you've looked over the entire truck and made sure there isn't another weak link limiting the capability.
Bigger point for 99.99% of this discussion: assuming you are within limits, no it doesn't improve the towing experience on newer trucks. The new transmissions are better able to create the ideal gear ratio to match the engine and load as opposed to trying to manually beat it by swapping out the rear end and no you don't have to worry about the stress causing a failure.
