Towing cross country with 3.21 gears

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

JGBimle

Senior Member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Posts
369
Reaction score
135
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are moving to Phoenix AZ from central PA. I have a 5.7 1500 with 3.21 gears, she drives a 2013 Ford Fusion (around 3500lbs). I'm looking for advice and insights on getting a dolly from uhaul and towing her car out.

First off am I crazy to consider towing her car 2000 miles with these gears? Will it be harmful to my truck?

If not any tips or advice will be much appreciated.
 

MADDOG

Not RamForum Staff
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Posts
14,443
Reaction score
9,877
Location
Arizona
Couple of questions for ya:

4x4?

Std cab, quad cab or crew?

short bed? long bed?
 
Last edited:

bhonshell37

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
Posts
892
Reaction score
275
Location
Washington
Ram Year
2017
Engine
hemi 5.7
Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are moving to Phoenix AZ from central PA. I have a 5.7 1500 with 3.21 gears, she drives a 2013 Ford Fusion (around 3500lbs). I'm looking for advice and insights on getting a dolly from uhaul and towing her car out.

First off am I crazy to consider towing her car 2000 miles with these gears? Will it be harmful to my truck?

If not any tips or advice will be much appreciated.
You should also research whether or not the transmission cooler can handle the heat during towing.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
J

JGBimle

Senior Member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Posts
369
Reaction score
135
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
It's a quad cab, 4x4, 6.4 ft bed. I'm lifted on 37s
 

14hemiexpress

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Posts
3,654
Reaction score
1,196
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2019
Engine
6.4l
The 37s will be your biggest problem. All I have to say is load up and go. Check you transmission temps fairly often and keep it in tow haul. I'm assuming you have the 8 speed if you have the 3.21 axle. The 8 speed is a great tranmission.
 

69GWC

Power Wagon
Joined
Oct 1, 2015
Posts
5,387
Reaction score
6,949
Location
Spring hill, Kansas
Ram Year
2022 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi, 8sp
Well I was going to say dont worry about it the truck should handle that with no problems.
But 37" tires could change my answer , like was said I would look at adding a trans cooler if you can to it
..

Have to ask how dose it pull those 37s around and does it search for gears at hwy speeds.
 
OP
OP
J

JGBimle

Senior Member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Posts
369
Reaction score
135
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Yes I have the 8 speed. I don't notice any issues with the 37s. I've been running them close to 2 years. Not the ideal ratio but I'm planning for a regear eventually.

Thanks for the input. I have to be honest I'm a little weary about doing it and that's why I'm looking for the advice.
 

bhonshell37

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
Posts
892
Reaction score
275
Location
Washington
Ram Year
2017
Engine
hemi 5.7
Around 2004 I towed my wife's Neon from Watertown, NY to Washington with my 01 Ram with the 5.9 magnum. All was well but that was my first time towing anything. I forgot to use tow/haul and fouled up the torque converter. Are you using a half tow trailer or full?

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
J

JGBimle

Senior Member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Posts
369
Reaction score
135
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Around 2004 I towed my wife's Neon from Watertown, NY to Washington with my 01 Ram with the 5.9 magnum. All was well but that was my first time towing anything. I forgot to use tow/haul and fouled up the torque converter. Are you using a half tow trailer or full?

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

I would use the half tow
 

69GWC

Power Wagon
Joined
Oct 1, 2015
Posts
5,387
Reaction score
6,949
Location
Spring hill, Kansas
Ram Year
2022 Power Wagon
Engine
6.4 Hemi, 8sp
Ha I was worried about going to 35s but after hearing that I might go ahead a get it done then.

End of may I will be going and getting my daughter and moving her back here pulling a 12' twin axle enclosed trailer 22hrs one way only stopping for fuel I dont feel this truck will have any problems with it.
 

bhonshell37

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
Posts
892
Reaction score
275
Location
Washington
Ram Year
2017
Engine
hemi 5.7
Consult your owners manual for towing, there should be advice about towing

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
J

JGBimle

Senior Member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Posts
369
Reaction score
135
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
We are leaving this weekend so that doesn't give me much time for a tranny cooler. With my gears and 37s would you be cautious and say don't do it or would you say go for it?
 

Ratket

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Posts
3,571
Reaction score
1,300
Location
Arizona-
Ram Year
2018 1500
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Go for it - Just take your time- Biggest thing to be concerns with is stopping. Thise 37"s are gonna be heavy and the truck wasn't built with those size tired in mind. And now you're also adding a trailer to the weight. just take your time and go easy on the brakes. I am sure you will be fine. If your gonna start down a steep hill- Just manually get it into a lower gear and let it sit there- same thing with climbing a hill. Just try not to over work the truck. Also make sure you leave tow haul on for the whole trip, and turn it back on when you exit the truck for breaks. You will be fine.
 

Sandbox

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Sep 23, 2016
Posts
337
Reaction score
156
Location
Warrenton, VA
Ram Year
2017
Engine
6.4 HEMI
You better check with Uhaul. I had to move a 2007 Ford Edge. I rented a Uhaul trailer when I went to pick it up and they didn't bat an eye. When I went back to rent the trailer again to donate the car, they told me I needed a Class V hitch to pull that car with their trailer. He ultimately rented me the trailer because I had already done it once but, stated he wouldn't do it again. The Uhaul trailer weighs in at 2300lbs if I remember correctly.
 

14hemiexpress

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Posts
3,654
Reaction score
1,196
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2019
Engine
6.4l
You better check with Uhaul. I had to move a 2007 Ford Edge. I rented a Uhaul trailer when I went to pick it up and they didn't bat an eye. When I went back to rent the trailer again to donate the car, they told me I needed a Class V hitch to pull that car with their trailer. He ultimately rented me the trailer because I had already done it once but, stated he wouldn't do it again. The Uhaul trailer weighs in at 2300lbs if I remember correctly.

The OP actually stated he was getting a dolly. Witch is alot lighter witch would help his situation over the trailer with having his 37's. To the OP once you get moving try to be like a semi don't be in a hurry and try to run 80. Just let the truck do what it's suppose to stay around 60 gain speed going down slight grades and relax on the pedal going up should help ease the strain on you drive line. If your truck is constantly shifting gears that will be the hardest thing on it.
 
OP
OP
J

JGBimle

Senior Member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Posts
369
Reaction score
135
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Thanks for the advice guys. We are going to make a decision today as far as what we are doing. I'm planning on making a trip to uhaul later today.
 

Neumie

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2015
Posts
181
Reaction score
59
Location
MN
Ram Year
2015
Engine
5.7 8a
I bet it goes fine, but let us know!!
 
Top