3.21 gear ratio - anyone actually towing with it?

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ramffml

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With the ZF 8 speed, the 3.92 just launches you easier. Once you're moving and beyond 2nd, both trucks have nearly identical gear ratios to choose from so there is no difference at that point.
 

turkeybird56

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Tow with MY 19 whenever I need to. Usually pull trailer to get hay. If pulling my stock, then with hay load 6600-7000 lbs. Weight not an issue. I do not use/have a WDH because only towing local. If I was pulling that 14' Stock Trailer (weighs 2150 LBS)< loaded a distance, I would rent/buy a wdh. The weight not an issue. As said above, wind up to the speed U need to be and be consistent. I get 12-13 mpg with the 3:21 rear towing.

The MY 19 have an updated transmission map with a slightly different Borg Warner 48-11 transfer case. The 8 speed has no issues, pulls like a champ.
 
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Rlaf75

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having literally just read every post in this thread (all 17 pages) im pretty confident now that i'll be good with my new 21 cc with 3.21 gears. i don't pull it on a regular basis but i have a 7x11 enclosed carmate single axle trailer to pull 2 large Harley Davidsons in which has to be close to 5k pounds and my 2011 qc 5.7 with 3.55 gears that i just traded in for the 21 pulled it well. the 21 was a truck on the lot i fell in love with and didnt pay too much attention to the gear ratio. was a little worried about the 3.21s but this thread took the worry away. thanks to all of the thread contributors
 

KMKKOZ

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I tow a 26 ft travel trailer. Never had "trouble" with the 3.21s. my biggest difficulty was setting up the suspension for heavier towing. I'm getting close to the max trailer weight and tongue weight but not over. I added airbags and learned how to properly set up my WD hitch. No issues now.

I try to stay fairly mild with it. But it does 65 all day in no wind or hills. When I get more extreme conditions I let the truck find it's own sweet spot. But that's what I did with every truck I have towed with.

It works fine.
 

Redfour5

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Coming from a 3.92 2015 Outdoorsman, this recent TFL video 6/21 convinced me to get the 3.21 that checked all my other boxes and a few more... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWf8L2g9Z4I&t=1s They tow a 7800 lb (max for this vehicle) up I-70 to the Eisenhower Tunnel a 7% grade and it beats the F150 Ecoboost AND it does a great job at decent mileage. I wanted another 3.92, but my old one let me down three times on a 2500 mile trip in 90 degree heat by shutting off (no codes) at 65 mph and telling me to put in Park and restart while slowing down... After three days being diagnosed with no luck they said they had a factory rep coming in in a week and were doing some kind of search on similar problems across the country. So, looking at at least a couple of weeks, the local buyer offered me 20K on a 2015 Outdoorsman with 75K miles and the new Built to Serve edition beckoning out the window, I couldn't pass it up. As noted, this video put me over on the purchase. I won't test mine like this pulling around 6500 lbs loaded up... It looks good in the driveway, will be towing with it after 1K miles here in a few weeks... One thing driving the new one as a daily driver for a bit is that they are now apparently four inches longer than the fourth gens. I can tell. It is a beast. I usually drive a Renegade as my daily driver and it will sure go places this one won't.
 

Joe Merchak

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I pulled a 31' 7000lb trailer for 2 years and 1600 miles with the 3.21 gears, no issues. We downsized because the trailer was 1050lb tongue weight and we just did not have enough "safe" load capacity. Trucked pulled it no issues and temps were always in safe range. Now we have a 24' trailer and the tongue weight of around 850lb and a trailer weight of just over 5800lb the truck pulls it like its not even there. If i gun it I will spin the stock 20" goodyear tires with the trailer attached. I thought I needed 3.92 rear but never needed it yet. Towing I get about 12 mpg and 22 without it.
 

Toddbigboytruck

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With all me searching, I never really asked if anyone was actually towing with the 1500 with 3.21 ratio.

Is there anyone out there, or am I the only bonehead that actually bought one, and wants to tow with it?

THX
It have a 3:21 2018 ram 5.7. And I have towed my trailer across Canada and to the Florida keys. It is just over 6000 lbs loaded

little ******* gas but a good ride
 

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Smokey613

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No issues towing our TT. We just did a 2500+ mile trip with it through Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi and back home to Lower Alabama.
 

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Murdock188

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I have the 3.21 I tow my camper all over the place with it. No issues at all anywhere I've been. My current camper is only 4500 lbs dry but I did just upgrade to a bigger camper that weighs 5700 dry and I'm not even a little worried about towing it.

 

Redfour5

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I have the 3.21 I tow my camper all over the place with it. No issues at all anywhere I've been. My current camper is only 4500 lbs dry but I did just upgrade to a bigger camper that weighs 5700 dry and I'm not even a little worried about towing it.

I had a 3.92 2015 Outdoorsman with a 1200 lb payload and it towed my 6500 lb (loaded) 27.3 TT great with a 10K E2 hitch. I just got a 2021 Built to Serve with more stuff (weight) and payload increased to right at 1300 lbs. The new truck checked all the boxes (tow package/bigger tank) EXCEPT it has a 3.21. That was going to be a deal breaker until I saw this TFL video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWf8L2g9Z4I&t=1s It put me over and now we will see.
 

Murdock188

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Yeah these trucks are pretty capable I pick up my new camper Friday, having the furrion backup / observation camera installed so I can see behind the camper while driving. Looking forward to many trips all over with this setup. I use an equalizer wd hitch with sway control and it works perfectly.
 

Baoluo

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2018 1500 CrewCab 4X4 Hemi 3.21 gears. Just towed my travel trailer @ 3400lbs for 5000 miles from North Carolina to Colorado Rookies. 3 week Boondocking off grid Camping. Was amazing! No issues at all! Plenty of power, no problem at take off, all temperatures well within range, no sway, towed perfectly! Do have a weight distribution hitch. Very impressed as I am not too experienced with towing the TT. But no issues!
 
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