Gear ratio

[Russell44]

I'm wondering if I change from 3.55 gear ratio to 4.10 would it help the towing performance? Right now I drive 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 Hemi and use a 275/55R20.... My trailer is 24 foot long and weigh 6000 loaded

 

[corneileous]

Should. But you’ll probably use more fuel.


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[Russell44]

I'm prepared for that... If it help improve the towing then I'm ok with the penalty for a better towing ability and easier on the tranny (that's my thinking lol)

 

[Alangsam]

I'm wondering if I change from 3.55 gear ratio to 4.10 would it help the towing performance? Right now I drive 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 Hemi and use a 275/55R20.... My trailer is 24 foot long and weigh 6000 loaded

3.92 would work


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[Russell44]

So a 4.10 is kinda too much (extreme)

 

[corneileous]

Do you pull that trailer a lot? Depending on where all ya pull that trailer, might not be worth the money swapping both front and rear diffs.


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[Russell44]

Well I tow once or twice a month and the distance usually about at max 4 hrs and but this coming July we are going to travel to Halifax which is about 18 to 19 hours so I just wanted to be sure about all this .. Guessing my truck will do the job fine and yes we are going to take a break every 6 hrs or so.

 

[corneileous]

4:10 would be good if you pulled it all the time but for that, I would think 3:92 would be plenty.

Granted I didn’t pull it very far but, that time I pulled a buddy’s mustang down to a tranny shop on a fairly heavy duty flatbed, my hemi with 3:92’s pulled it quite nicely. I wasn’t up in hills or nothin but I was quite impressed.


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[Russell44]

Ok so basically 3.92 will do it but if I wish 4.10 will do more effectively and either way my truck is good to go right? 3.55 will do fine but more work for tranny right?

 

[ChrisInMilwaukee]

My ‘11 has 3.92 and I pulled a 6000lb travel trailer with it, no problem. Be ready for 6-7mpg, however.

Did a fine, job, though.


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[Russell44]

Yes but you have 8 speeds so there's a difference

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

You might want to consider a custom tune.

 

[JohnnyMac]

You might want to consider a custom tune.

This is what I was going to suggest. Even the "over the counter" tunes change up your shift points and overall make towing easier on the truck. Apples and oranges sorta, but a few years ago I was considering getting a 3/4 ton but after plugging a BullyDog tune into my Nissan Titan, it totally changed the towing characteristics and was a much easier rig to pull my 6k boat around with. Plus you can turn it back to stock when you're not towing and at least save a drop or two of fuel. Would be a cheap test, and if it doesn't work for you, they are easy to resell without too much loss in $$ or continue to use it with new gears.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Thanks Johnny!
I just didn't feel like typing all that! LOL
Usually, I don't shut up.

 

[WY-Dave]

Here are some number for you. I don't know what the OD % is, but these are for 1:1 (typical -1 OD)
Take it with a grain of salt.

33" @ 65mph
3.55 = 2349 rpms
3.92 = 2594 rpms +245
4.10 = 2713 rpms +364

https://www.crawlpedia.com/rpm_gear_calculator.htm

 

[Russell44]

So a bullydog is a better way to see? I haven't got a clue what that is lol...

 

[JohnnyMac]

So a bullydog is a better way to see? I haven't got a clue what that is lol...

https://www.cjponyparts.com/bully-d...bdx-5-7l-dodge-ram-1500-2007-2016/p/BDXDODGE/

 

[Russell44]

Was told there's risk to that and was told it's best to change gear ratio

 

[corneileous]

Was told there's risk to that and was told it's best to change gear ratio

Well, anytime you mess with stuff that’s electrical, there’s always room for risk but that programmer is a much cheaper, simpler option than paying someone to change your ring and pinions. Unless you do it yourself which involves proper knowledge and special tools so you don’t make the gear mesh too tight or too loose which will cause quick wear and failure if it’s not done precisely. The tuner will optimize your motor’s power band, along with optimizing your transmission’s shift points. On a higher note tho, a gear change will put a little more ease on your drive train.

One more thing to consider, a tuner will make for better driving experience and could help with mileage for when you’re not towing. And it’ll help when you do. Gear change will be all the time setup for towing. There is no in between.


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[Russell44]

Makes sense to me.... Basically changing the gear ratio is one and done and Bully has more of a option to "play"...... Point taken.... Overall my concern is the ability to handle towing a 6,000 pounds for a long haul and possibly of a hilly drive (first big long trip)..... I hope my 3.55 gear with 5 speed able to handle that if not then suggestion is changing gear or go Bully.....