3.21 gear ratio - anyone actually towing with it?

[1975gordo]

wanted a 3.92 "settled" for a 3.21....no regrets

28 foot TT....6500 lbs. Barely feel it. I wanted the 3.92 gears because my old Silverado severely lacked power with the trailer on it. Couldn't find one with the 6-1/2 foot bed in a CC, so I took a leap of faith with the 3.21s and do not regret it....in fact I love this truck. Plenty of power and better fuel economy. The truck is my daily driver and my occasional tow vehicle so I'll take the extra MPG.

 

[14hemiexpress]

This all makes perfect sense to me... my only question is: Don't the 3.92's have a higher tow rating than us 3.21 guys?

And if the gearing in the low gears is that good, why wouldn't we be rated higher?

My explanation would be that once you get out to 1 to 1 and overdrive on the Trans it's the same as the 6 speed they are both over driven the same, as far as towing capacity goes you can anything moving 15-20 mph as long as you have the traction it's beyond that it's keeping 65 mph safely down the highway without burning anything up. I saw someone post the ratios earlier in this section if you compare it to the 6speed the big difference is 1-4th beyond that isnt as much of a difference getting the load moving is only part of the battle.

 

[pcschwenke]

I just towed our Travel Trailer for the first time this past weekend with my 1500 5.7l Hemi CC with 3.21 and 8 speed trans. Towing is not an issues. The only thing I can say is, fuel economy is poor, but better than I thought it would be. In my 550 mile round trip, I averaged 9.8mpg with a 4700lb TT loaded down food and accessories.

 

[Quint]

The 8 speed has lower gears at first not higher gears at the end.

I'm re-posting this comparison. I notice that when I'm towing my boat, my 3.21 1500 is usually in 6th gear but sometimes 7th. So it's at the 1.00 ratio. It would be interesting to see if similar 6-speed trucks are typically towing in 4th gear.

 

[TruckNut]

I just towed our Travel Trailer for the first time this past weekend with my 1500 5.7l Hemi CC with 3.21 and 8 speed trans. Towing is not an issues. The only thing I can say is, fuel economy is poor, but better than I thought it would be. In my 550 mile round trip, I averaged 9.8mpg with a 4700lb TT loaded down food and accessories.

Just towed our 3200# trailer on a 1250 mile trip with my 2015 Sport. Surprised me that I averaged 12.7 for the entire trip with the 3:92. My Durango 6 speed with 3:45 would get 2 mpg less. Happy camper.

 

[HD4]

28' Fishing boat . I didn't tow it far but was a piece of cake. I also own a 2013 Yukon Denali XL with the 6.2 and 3.73 and the Ram handled it better then the Yukon did.

 

[Upthewazzu]

Picked up our 21' TT last night and towed it about 100 miles back home. Not sure if it's me or what but it kinda felt like a boat anchor. It rarely got out of 6th gear and was "wagging" my tail a bit. This is my first TT so I'm not sure if this is normal or not. It's got a 4500lb dry weight and 475lb tongue weight (the two LP tanks were full). I have a weight distribution hitch and Air Lift 1000 set to 20PSI. The rear tires were at 41 PSI (they are the stock Goodyear Wranglers). Any pointers, or anything I should check for?

 

[smurfs_of_war]

A little wallowing is pretty normal actually- especially with a bumper pull that is empty. You'll get used to it and once you get some weight in it things will stabalize a bit. Better shocks make a huge difference. Once you get a chance, learn how your hitch works and how to adjust it. You'd be surprised at the difference a few minor tweaks will make.

Use tow/ haul mode and don't worry if it won't come out of 6th. The systems are keeping the engine and transmission in the range they need to be in. Lugging it is not good. 7th and 8th are overdrive gears and with that windsail in tow you'll likely only see those going downhill. 6th gear all day long sure won't hurt anything

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[Upthewazzu]

A little wallowing is pretty normal actually- especially with a bumper pull that is empty. You'll get used to it and once you get some weight in it things will stabalize a bit. Better shocks make a huge difference. Once you get a chance, learn how your hitch works and how to adjust it. You'd be surprised at the difference a few minor tweaks will make.

Use tow/ haul mode and don't worry if it won't come out of 6th. The systems are keeping the engine and transmission in the range they need to be in. Lugging it is not good. 7th and 8th are overdrive gears and with that windsail in tow you'll likely only see those going downhill. 6th gear all day long sure won't hurt anything

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Good to know, thanks. After reading some of the other posts in this thread I think my expectations were a little too high. Perhaps some folks might have embellished just how easy it was to tow some of their trailers

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Perhaps some folks might have embellished just how easy it was to tow some of their trailers

That's usually the case

Statements such as "didn't know it was back there" and "forgot it was there" should be taken with a grain of salt

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[Z-Rider]

Picked up our 21' TT last night and towed it about 100 miles back home. Not sure if it's me or what but it kinda felt like a boat anchor. It rarely got out of 6th gear and was "wagging" my tail a bit. This is my first TT so I'm not sure if this is normal or not. It's got a 4500lb dry weight and 475lb tongue weight (the two LP tanks were full). I have a weight distribution hitch and Air Lift 1000 set to 20PSI. The rear tires were at 41 PSI (they are the stock Goodyear Wranglers). Any pointers, or anything I should check for?

In all honesty your truck should handle that trailer very well.

I'm assuming you have a weight distributing hitch, if not then first step would be to have one installed.

Proper WD hitch adjustment is very important, if it is not right the trailer will let you know. I've found that most of the newer Dodge Trucks sit considerably higher than the competitors trucks. I'm guessing you purchased the trailer from activate seller and the hitch needs adjustment. If you purchased from a dealer and they set it up I would find another dealer or trailer sales and have them help you out

It's not hard to properly set up a WD hitch if you have some basic hand tools.


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[Tm4est]

Just joined and thought I would share my experience. Have a 2016 1500, 5.7 w/ 3.21 and 20" wheels w/stock tires and pull a 31 foot Overall length (28' of shell) TT. Dry weight 6100, gvwr of 7800 and a Tongue weight of 700. Use weight distributing hitch w/ sway bars and Airlift 1000 airbags and it all sits level and pulls just fine.

Can pull at 70-75 mph all day if desired, but I stay around 60...no rush when headed camping... Engage tow/hual mode, set gearing to 5th gear and go. Tachs at 2600 and will drop to 4th (~3500 rpm) on descent hills and very occasionally to 3rd (~4300 rpm) on heavy grades (Mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina, etc.). Easily holds speed at 60 though and if I get caught behind slower traffic, can still get back to 60. Display oil temp and tranny temp guages and they never really move much over every day driving temps with no trailer.

I get 9.5 mpg overall while towing, 17 all around empty, 21.5 at 72 empty and 24 at 62 empty.

Now, is this the ideal setup, not a chance. However, if you are like me and use your truck as a daily driver for about 80% of its mileage and then pull occassionally, the truck can certaily do the job and be very comfortable and capable in the process. I do not feel like I am ever working it too hard even though I am just under max payload and axel ratings. Specific truck is rated to pull 8800 and a payload of 1540.

Time will tell how tough this truck really is, but have hauled about 10,000 miles so far and not a single concern.

Stability has been just fine w/ sway control and probably the weakest area is breaking, but with the trailer breaks adjusted properly, that has posed no concerns either. Still have original brakes on truck at 35,000 miles.

If you pull more often, go with heavier package and lower gears, but don't underestimate this trucks abilities.

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

Got to love a good Lazarus Thread.

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[muzupan]

I have a 30 foot travel trailer that I tow with my 2015 crew cab ram 1500 with a 3.21 gears. I have not pulled it in heavy mountains but I have pulled it over some steep inclines in my truck handles the travel trailer just fine. My trailer weighs out at 7300 pounds loaded and I am at GVCR 13700lbs. Lastro I got 10.9 miles per gallon on flat and slightly rolling roads, interstate and it dropped to 8mpg in the rolling hills of Mississippi on the two lane roads.

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

Now, that don't suck at all.

"Oh, sweet debt. Thy name is Truck."

 

[Bearcatrp]

My crew cab with 3:21's pull my 26 foot camper fine. Finally put the airlift 1000 on and it's nice and level. I down shift to 6th gear to it doesn't try to go into 7th on level roads. About 2100 rpms in 6th. 8-10 mpg. I enjoy 21 mpg when not pulling so will be keeping this truck. If your going to be pulling more than 50%, get higher gear ratio.

 

[prt49ers]

Thank you to everyone who's replied in here! I've read every comment and it's been very helpful and I feel better regarding the TT I want to buy.

I have:

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn
4x2
5.7 Hemi 390HP; 407 ft. lb. torque
5-speed 545RFE transmission
3.21 gears.

Getting ready to buy a travel trailer and I also load a quad in the back of my truck bed when hauling said TT.

TT: 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express 233RBS
Length: 24'11"
5000 lbs. dry weight
Full Water capacity: 400 lbs.
Misc. Cargo: 300 lbs at most

Truck Cargo:
Quad: 650 lbs.
Me: 200 lbs.
G/F: 115 lbs.
Rottweiler: 130 lbs
Trailer Hitch Weight: 635 lbs.

Am I going to have any issues? Do I need to move the Rottweiler inside the trailer when towing? . I will pretty much tow 1-3 hours max, in and around Northern California.

Does anyone think I will have issues? If so, I'm guessing by switching to the 3.55 gear ratio, any issues should get resolved?

I thank you for any replies I can get!

 

[yillbs]

Thank you to everyone who's replied in here! I've read every comment and it's been very helpful and I feel better regarding the TT I want to buy.

I have:

2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn
4x2
5.7 Hemi 390HP; 407 ft. lb. torque
5-speed 545RFE transmission
3.21 gears.

Getting ready to buy a travel trailer and I also load a quad in the back of my truck bed when hauling said TT.

TT: 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express 233RBS
Length: 24'11"
5000 lbs. dry weight
Full Water capacity: 400 lbs.
Misc. Cargo: 300 lbs at most

Truck Cargo:
Quad: 650 lbs.
Me: 200 lbs.
G/F: 115 lbs.
Rottweiler: 130 lbs
Trailer Hitch Weight: 635 lbs.

Am I going to have any issues? Do I need to move the Rottweiler inside the trailer when towing? . I will pretty much tow 1-3 hours max, in and around Northern California.

Does anyone think I will have issues? If so, I'm guessing by switching to the 3.55 gear ratio, any issues should get resolved?

I thank you for any replies I can get!

I tow 7500 pounds with my 5.7, but I have the 8speed and 3.21 gears, you're going to have more of an issue with that 5 speed IMO. On the plus side, the fact your dog weighs more than your GF made me laugh

 

[613RAMSPORT]

Towed with my 17 Ram sport with 3.21 yesterday. towed a light enclosed trailer with 2 motorcycles (roughly 2000-2500 pounds)

On main roads/backroads I had no issues at all. on the highway though my truck would not shift into eighth, it sat in 7th regardless of my speed. i tried to slow down to about 90 km/h and speed up to about 125 km/h and it still just sat in 7th (unless going down a hill)

7th gear, going 115...you hover about 25 L/100km....it sucked

 

[BiGMERF]

After reading this I guess I will never be pulling a TT. Lol. Pentastar v6 here with 3:21. Ugghh. Guess nothing bigger than two jetskis here. Or maybe a pop up camper ? [emoji23][emoji23]