3.21 gear ratio - anyone actually towing with it?

loveracing1988 · Jul 1, 2014

VirtualRAM said:
I just "came down" from an 03 2500 5.7 with 3.9 gears to a '14 1500 5.7 with 3.21 gears, 8spd.

Towing a 14' trailer with a total load of 3500lbs, the 1500 actually has better acceleration than the 2500 did. Sure, it bounces a bit more than the stiffer 2500 suspension did, but otherwise I don't notice it back there anymore than I did on the 2500.

How are you guys seeing what gear the tranny is in?

Going by the Rpm's. If you pay attention you can figure out what rpm's each gear run at a given speed.

smiley · Jul 1, 2014

I know it is bad but I will be doing a 8.5 hour trip tomorrow with my boat out back and will do between 65 and 75 the whole trip. The bias ply tires will be warm that is for sure. I have done the trip many times before has new bearings and tires are 2 years old. I really wish I had the 8 speed and I really think 3.21 or 3.55 gears both would be plenty for most with A8 but suck with older 5 or 6 when towing. If I had to order my truck today I don't know if I could skip the 3.92's if available.

$miley

Grad12 · Nov 27, 2014

I have the 3.21, and tow in town on hills. It works well, but slow off the line, especially with the v6. With tow haul it seems to do decent on gas.

MackayHFX · Dec 11, 2014

I tow a 6x12 enclosed Haulmark trailer, no issues. Granted, the trailer weighs 1280 pounds empty and tips the scale at 2000 pounds with my ATV in it.

I use to haul this trailer loaded with my ATV in it with my 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 3.3L V6 engine without any issues.

I tow a trailer maybe a dozen times a year so the 3.21 rear-end is perfect for me, I may buy a travel trailer but it'll be no more than 5,000 lbs and with the 8-speed transmission and 5.7L HEMI (added CAI and MBRP Exhaust), that wont be an issue either. Truck has the tow package as well with Tow/Haul mode and auxiliary coolers.

clh1220 · Dec 12, 2014

As usual allot of comments from people that don't have the truck the op asked about. I've towed around 6k no problems and it didn't hunt for gears. Like one other post said it towed good at 65 to.70 and its not about the time I'm saving , it's the sweet spot that it wants to run at. The 8 speed and the hemi makes all the difference. I had a 5.3 z71 with 3.73 and this truck runs circles around it.

CabinDweller · Jan 1, 2015

Good thread! I wanted to chime in here with my experiences. My truck is a 2014 Crew cab, 4x4, HEMI, Sport with the 3.21 gears. I got these gears for gas mileage as my daily commute is quite lengthy. The truck gets great highway mileage (beside the point). I towed our camper (28' box length, 6400lbs dry weight) four times from August through Halloween this year. In the truck was: my wife, my two kids, myself and a fair amount of firewood in the bed. The truck has done a great job each and every time. Plenty of power, plenty fast off the line, transmission and engine temps stay consistent at acceptable levels. From a power/gearing perspective, I have zero complaints. I have experienced no hunting for gears either. I am installing air bags to help with a little sag but even without the airbags, the truck handles just fine and feels totally in control of the trailer. I'm sure that steeper gears would make a difference but I have zero complaints with how this truck handles our camper.

bart98stang · Jan 1, 2015

CabinDweller said:
Good thread! I wanted to chime in here with my experiences. My truck is a 2014 Crew cab, 4x4, HEMI, Sport with the 3.21 gears. I got these gears for gas mileage as my daily commute is quite lengthy. The truck gets great highway mileage (beside the point). I towed our camper (28' box length, 6400lbs dry weight) four times from August through Halloween this year. In the truck was: my wife, my two kids, myself and a fair amount of firewood in the bed. The truck has done a great job each and every time. Plenty of power, plenty fast off the line, transmission and engine temps stay consistent at acceptable levels. From a power/gearing perspective, I have zero complaints. I have experienced no hunting for gears either. I am installing air bags to help with a little sag but even without the airbags, the truck handles just fine and feels totally in control of the trailer. I'm sure that steeper gears would make a difference but I have zero complaints with how this truck handles our camper.

Well Ive been a new owner of a '14 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 with 5.7 and 3.21 gears for about 2 weeks now and my biggest concern was towing my camper. You seem to have exactly everything I have (28' TT, wife and 2 kids, plus the other stuff that gets loaded for a weekend of camping) and now I feel a whole hell of a lot better about how my truck will perform. Thank you very much for posting this. I've been looking for somebody to respond that has actual seat time and not just opinions. Looking forward to camping season!

CabinDweller · Jan 1, 2015

No problem. I'm glad to help put your mind at ease a little. Just make sure you have your WDH set up properly. I am not sure what the tongue weight of your trailer is, mine is about 800lbs. My WDH does a pretty good job at keeping the sag to a minimum but I am adding air bags this year to assist even further.

Enjoy your camping trips. Your truck should do just fine! Our family is anxiously awaiting spring

clh1220 · Jan 1, 2015

Ya and you would add air bags to a truck with the same 3.92. That's what I have always thought was kinda funny. The 3.92 and 3.21 are the same trucks. Same frame, suspension, payload and brakes. If anybody is pulling around 10k on a consistent bases , you probably should of got a 2500 instead of a 1500.

NYCruiser · Jan 1, 2015

The sag is going to be the only issues. The Hemi drive train has plenty of go even for 3:21's, and the brakes are fine if you have the trailer brakes set up well. If I was going to tow regularly I would spend the $200 to upgrade the rear coils and just go for it. Drive it responsibly and you'll have no problems.

Esgordon123 · Jan 1, 2015

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1420166658.945762.jpg

I tow a 28 ft travel trailer with 3 kids and the wife and myself. Quite a lot of stuff as I am the only male. The truck does awesome. I could not ask for better. I do not tow every day and I really don't see the need for the 3.92's. If I towed every day I would have gotten a larger truck. I like the gas mileage. I can get 500 miles on a full tank all hwy miles tho.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Barryjr84 · Jan 17, 2015

My 2014 express has 3.21's. Can anyone tell me where I can buy a 3.92 ring n pinion and a lsd carrier?

14hemiexpress · Jan 17, 2015

Barryjr84 said:
My 2014 express has 3.21's. Can anyone tell me where I can buy a 3.92 ring n pinion and a lsd carrier?

Moes performance can hook you up. If your 2wd that is. and check the price between 4.10 and the 3.92 you may as well if it's not going to cost you to much more.

Major Shart · Jan 20, 2015

I tow this 8.5x20 car hauler with a '98 Trans Am in it with my '14 Ram, 8 speed and 3.21's. Seems fine to me. Sure I know it's there but I have no worries other than fuel haha.

BULL55 · Jan 30, 2015

clh1220 said:
Ya and you would add air bags to a truck with the same 3.92. That's what I have always thought was kinda funny. The 3.92 and 3.21 are the same trucks. Same frame, suspension, payload and brakes. If anybody is pulling around 10k on a consistent bases , you probably should of got a 2500 instead of a 1500.

I agree totally!

RamRick · Feb 2, 2015

Hi guys, just got my new RAM 1500 2 weeks ago (RAM 1500 2010 before with Hemi and 3.55 gear on it ). Still got the Hemi but 8 speed with the 3.21, always pulling about 4000 pds every day for the last 9 years. I was doing in average 18 liter/100 in summer and 22 in winter ( mixted city /hgw).Now I average 24 ltr/100 km. I know its brand new (and -22 celcius " or 5 degree" for the last to week in Montreal and snow), but im wondering now if I should of gone with the 3.55.( the trailer is a wells cargo 6 x 14 four wheel). I guess I will have to wait and see if the weather was a big factor or not.

Diller · Feb 4, 2015

RamRick said:
Hi guys, just got my new RAM 1500 2 weeks ago (RAM 1500 2010 before with Hemi and 3.55 gear on it ). Still got the Hemi but 8 speed with the 3.21, always pulling about 4000 pds every day for the last 9 years. I was doing in average 18 liter/100 in summer and 22 in winter ( mixted city /hgw).Now I average 24 ltr/100 km. I know its brand new (and -22 celcius " or 5 degree" for the last to week in Montreal and snow), but im wondering now if I should of gone with the 3.55.( the trailer is a wells cargo 6 x 14 four wheel). I guess I will have to wait and see if the weather was a big factor or not.

I would be really surprised if you saw any fuel mileage difference with the different gears.

I get the logic of being in the next higher gear at lower RPMs but the 8 speed gearing is so close that the difference in RPM is a few hundred instead of several thousand with a 4/5/6 speed.

loveracing1988 · Feb 4, 2015

Diller said:
I would be really surprised if you saw any fuel mileage difference with the different gears.

I get the logic of being in the next higher gear at lower RPMs but the 8 speed gearing is so close that the difference in RPM is a few hundred instead of several thousand with a 4/5/6 speed.

From my 13 outdoorsman with the 8 speed and 3.55's which was a crew cab 6'4 box to a 14 slt quad cab with the 8 speed and 3.21's there was around a 3 mpg difference for me.

Santasled · Feb 14, 2015

towing with 3:21 rear

2013 1500 Laramie towing 34 ft ultra lite weight 6500lbs. Its on the leading edg of overweight. I would like to change rears to a 3:55.DONT KNOW IF i SHOULD HAVE dealer do with Mopar parts or used rears or trade it in

Jerry1984 · Feb 14, 2015

Changing gears on these trucks is costly. You would want at least 3.92s if you were going to change them. Is the truck you have now what you want except for the gears? If so the gear change may be worth it. If it's missing other options you want a trade with the money down you would spend on gears may be the better choice.

3.21 gear ratio - anyone actually towing with it?

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