Hauling TT to Canada with 3.21 ratio

Clint Osceola · May 2, 2019

Hey all, I am new to the wonderful world of towing and gear ratios, which I knew nothing about as I had never had to haul anything before. That said, I have been doing quite a bit of research on this, and believe that my truck could handle the 1400 mile trip. I am looking for opinions and recommendations for any pre-trip preparations or experiences towing with the 3.21 gear ratio.

I have taken my 4800lb TT out to the lake twice now with my 2017 Ram 1500 3.21, and it seems to handle the ~30 mile trip without issue at around 55mph average highway speed. The only time I really notice an issue is takeoff and when going up steep hills. I average around 10mpg while towing.

I am curious about other people's opinions/experiences on towing with this gear ratio. I have been reading and see a lot of people defending the 3.21 with the 8 speed transmission.

I am also looking for tips or recommendations for my trip. I've taken the long drive up and back empty, but am kinda nervous about hauling the camper that far as a few people I have talked to about it tell me I could burn up the transmission. I have monitored the transmission temps while hauling and never seem to get above 192, while averaging around 180-185, which is usually where it is after a long trip and not hauling anything.

Any help is appreciated. Just FYI, I am going to be going with a different gear ratio on my next truck, but that's gonna be a ways down the road. Just looking for advice from fellow Ram owners to help me make sure with what I've got.

muzupan · May 2, 2019

Your truck will handle that camper just fine. The transmission that is in your truck will not burn up pulling that light of the camper. Your temperatures that you show prove that. Also, run your tow haul button especially in hills in any mountains you may have come in contact with. Make sure your tires are aired up properly.Make sure you have a weight distribution hitch and it’s set up correctly. If you drive 55 to 60 mph you’re doing great. Don’t feel like you have to be a speed demon. Also 10 miles per gallon pulling your camper is pretty good. Have a safe trip and have fun.

Loudram · May 3, 2019

muzupan said:
Your truck will handle that camper just fine. The transmission that is in your truck will not burn up pulling that light of the camper. Your temperatures that you show prove that. Also, run your tow haul button especially in hills in any mountains you may have come in contact with. Make sure your tires are aired up properly.Make sure you have a weight distribution hitch and it’s set up correctly. If you drive 55 to 60 mph you’re doing great. Don’t feel like you have to be a speed demon. Also 10 miles per gallon pulling your camper is pretty good. Have a safe trip and have fun.

Agreed.
Take it slow and steady and you'll be fine.

Purplert · May 4, 2019

Loudram said:
Agreed.
Take it slow and steady and you'll be fine.

This

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GsRAM · May 4, 2019

At 4800 lb loaded weight your 3.21 geared truck should be fine. Take your time, get runnies before steep grades if you can (I do this all the time) momentum is your friend. If you get on a steep grade watch your transmission and engine temps and back off some if she's getting hot. As said it's not a speed contest.

If you have 30k or more miles on the truck I'd service the trans, transfer case, both diffs with good quality fluids and do an engine oil change if your anywhere close to needing one based on mileage.

Good luck and have fun! Sounds like a good trip!

BossHogg · May 4, 2019

I agree with the others, I pull around a 7,200-pound utility/tractor trailer with my 2013 5.7L Hemi, 3:21 axels, and the 8-speed tranny. No issues what so ever. When the 3:21's first came out in the RAM, it was the typical doom and gloom postings. So I put together the following so I could get a visual picture of the six-speed with 3:92s compared to the new 8-speed with 3:21s. It clearly shows the latter has more off the line grunt that the old 3:92s did with a 6-speed tranny. Folks failed to realize that the axle ratio is only part of the equation, the transmission gears play a major role.

View media item 27566
The calculations clearly show the 3:21 8-speed has lower gearing through the first 6 gears than its predecessor making the 3:21 8-speed a more capable towing vehicle.

dRAMbuie · May 6, 2019

Just checking... Is that a 4800lb trailer (meaning dry weight)? Or have you weighed your trailer full, and that's your total trailer weight with all your gear and full tanks?

Either way, the 3:21's should be fine. The only time you'll really notice a difference is if you're taking a lot of big hills, as you've already observed.
You don't say where in Canada you are traveling to. If you're heading through the Rockies, you're going to feel those higher gears a bit.
But as others have said, slow and steady and you'll be just fine.

On another note, a weight distribution hitch helps a great deal assuming you don't have one already.
A nice, level load will make it much easier on the truck, and less susceptible to sway in windy conditions.

Clint Osceola · May 6, 2019

Thank you all for the replies. I do have an e2 weight distribution hitch. Not going through the Rockies. It'll be from Tulsa, OK up to Ottawa.

4800 lbs is the dry weight. I think the posted weight if it is full is around 7000 lbs, but I really won't be taking a whole lot up with me as most of what I'll need I can buy while I'm there. The maximum towing weight for my VIN is 8050 lbs.

I figured I'd be okay, just wanted to double check with people that know what they're talking about since I'm new to the towing game. I'm planning to put either full synthetic or a synthetic blend oil in for my oil change before the trip.

Thanks again!

dRAMbuie · May 6, 2019

Sounds like we have very similar setups. Mine is around 4800lbs dry, and it's amazing how easy it is to put 2000lbs of gear in there.
Almost can't believe it, but I'm up at 7000lbs on average.

Have a safe trip!
And for what it's worth I would personally take the slightly longer route through Cleveland, and fill up near Watertown before you cross the border. You'll save quite a bit on fuel buying gas in the States for most of your trip.
If you're taking the route through Toronto, the 401 is free but the 407 is a whole lot nicer to drive on if you don't mind paying the tolls.

Clint Osceola · May 6, 2019

Yeah gas up there is almost $5/gallon right now! I'll take the longer route. Might stop off to check out Niagra falls if I've got the time. The first trip up there I went up through Michigan and crossed at the bridge closest to Lake Huron

HiddenHollow · May 10, 2019

Towed a 7600 GVWR trailer to Nashville from central New York with my 2010 1500 5.7 3 years ago. Zero problems. Went down though Penn and Virginia on Rt. 81. Came back through Cleveland. Much better going.

Hauling TT to Canada with 3.21 ratio

Clint Osceola

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muzupan

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Loudram

Just a sinner saved by grace

Purplert

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GsRAM

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BossHogg

Senior Member

dRAMbuie

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Clint Osceola

Junior Member

dRAMbuie

Senior Member

Clint Osceola

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HiddenHollow

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