Yet Another 6.4 3.73 or 4.10 Question

[cmac7203]

I've read pretty much everything on here about this and I am writing because I think my situation hasn't really been kicked around considering the nature of my towing.

From what I've read if I am towing flat, then the 3.73. If I am towing hilly, then 4.10. Well, I live in Minnesota and we take month-long trips all over...Texas, Florida, Appalachia, Rockies etc., pulling our 8.7k pound trailer. So, not hills all the time and not flat all the time. I currently have a 2009 Ram 2500 with the 3.73 and it does "ok"; I just have to "wind it up" before I hit the big hills (think Appalachian mountains kind of hills). I intend to stick with gas, so upgrade to 6.4 is on the short horizon.

The 4.10 is more rare than hen's teeth, and from what I read here the difference between a 3.73 and 4.10 is negligible. Those of you with experience in these platforms, should I even bother with an exhaustive search for a 4.10 considering the variable nature of my towing?

 

[jimsummers74]

I live in AK and winter in the 48. We've been pretty much coast to coast, north to south. I bought a new Laramie 2016, 6.4 w/ 3.73 and tow a 10,000 lb Nash Travel trailer. Haven't had a bit of trouble. I use an Equalizer WD hitch, and cruise when towing about 63 mph or lowest rpm in highest gear, w/ Tow/Haul on. I think you'll be fine w/ 3.73, based on my experience. I admit, I don't know what its like to tow/cruise faster. Ijust get over and let the fast guys go on by. Good luck.

 

[jaflowers]

If you're buying new then for that weight trailer it won't matter. You'll get the 6.4 and an 8 speed transmission that'll pull like a dream compared to your current truck.

 

[cmac7203]

I live in AK and winter in the 48. We've been pretty much coast to coast, north to south. I bought a new Laramie 2016, 6.4 w/ 3.73 and tow a 10,000 lb Nash Travel trailer. Haven't had a bit of trouble. I use an Equalizer WD hitch, and cruise when towing about 63 mph or lowest rpm in highest gear, w/ Tow/Haul on. I think you'll be fine w/ 3.73, based on my experience. I admit, I don't know what its like to tow/cruise faster. Ijust get over and let the fast guys go on by. Good luck.

I have the same hitch...wow, it works great. I, too, am a 63 MPH tower. I'm perfectly content to hang out in that right lane. I'm not in a hurry.

 

[cmac7203]

If you're buying new then for that weight trailer it won't matter. You'll get the 6.4 and an 8 speed transmission that'll pull like a dream compared to your current truck.

Thanks for the scoop. Sticking with 2017-2018 for now, but may end up with an end of year 2019 as I will be shopping in January.

 

[Mountaineer83]

I have a 2016 with 4.10s and tow a 13k lbs 5rh wheel in West Virginia. If I were buying now, I'd seriously try to consider the '19 with the new 8 speed unless there is a specific reason you are looking at '17-18 trucks.

I love my truck and how it drives, pulls, and just overall, but I'd take the new transmission any day if at all possible.

But, if I were choosing between the two gear sets in the 4th gen trucks, 4.10 is a bit better, but not by leaps and bounds. I only wanted it for the extra 3000 lbs capacity it comes with.

 

[U&A]

4:10 if you dont want to re-gear.

Even with the 8 speed i would re-gear.




Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

 

[sandawilliams]

I have towed 60K miles over all terrain with 3.73's. TT 8800 lbs. with another 1500 in the bed. No problem whatsoever. Truck weighs 7400 empty so combined weight is around 17700.

 

[Bldrinker]

My buddy has 3:73. His trailer is 1000lbs lighter than mine and he lives in Texas where there are no large hills.
He averaged almost 9mpg.

I have 4:10’s and just climbed a very large hill from bishop to mammoth. averaged high 7’s to low 8mpg.

Get the 4:10

 

[392DevilDog]

I have the 3.73s. I really wanted the 4.10s, but my budget and want of a Tradesman got me the 3.73s.

My 99 V10 magnum had 3.55 gears so I figured I would be ok. And so far I have no complaints.

Get the truck that has the features you want. If you have to miss something for the 4.10s...you will be ok with the 3.73s.

My 2 cents

 

[zeddy]

I know California is ways away from you but the dealer I got mine from, hunter ram in Lancaster, ca has 4.10 gears on pretty much all there 6.4 rams. They currently have the night packages too. Tempted to trade mine in.

 

[GsRAM]

If you have the option, go with the 10s. I couldn't find one locally and didn't want to order (lots of reasons)

My 73 geared truck drags my 6k TT around like a toy. I know it's back there, but even fully loaded for a week's trip, I have to back out of it on the grades so I don't speed.

I could easily go another 3k loaded trailer weight no problem. I also average around 11 mpg towing .

At your weight the 730 would be fine. The Transmissions aren't as bad as some say either.

If you want to see what a pos 6 speed is, drive a GM truck.
Just my .02. Good luck

 

[Jimmy07]

I've read pretty much everything on here about this and I am writing because I think my situation hasn't really been kicked around considering the nature of my towing.

From what I've read if I am towing flat, then the 3.73. If I am towing hilly, then 4.10. Well, I live in Minnesota and we take month-long trips all over...Texas, Florida, Appalachia, Rockies etc., pulling our 8.7k pound trailer. So, not hills all the time and not flat all the time. I currently have a 2009 Ram 2500 with the 3.73 and it does "ok"; I just have to "wind it up" before I hit the big hills (think Appalachian mountains kind of hills). I intend to stick with gas, so upgrade to 6.4 is on the short horizon.

The 4.10 is more rare than hen's teeth, and from what I read here the difference between a 3.73 and 4.10 is negligible. Those of you with experience in these platforms, should I even bother with an exhaustive search for a 4.10 considering the variable nature of my towing?

I tow the same weight trailer, and I’ve done it with the 6.4 with both, 4:10 and 3.73. The difference in pulling is not negligible. What IS negligible is the fuel mileage between the two. Get the 4:10’s.

 

[68PowerWagon]

I pull a 13,000 lb. 5th wheel with the 3.73's. It does just ok, but I am going to re-gear this winter to 4.56. I ordered the truck & have been kicking myself for not ordering the 4.10's. To my defense, when I ordered, the max I thought I would be pulling was about 5-6,000. Now since this has more than doubled, I wish I would have spent the $150 for the 4.10's. Live & learn. Wish I didn't always learn the hard way!

 

[cmac7203]

I pull a 13,000 lb. 5th wheel with the 3.73's. It does just ok, but I am going to re-gear this winter to 4.56. I ordered the truck & have been kicking myself for not ordering the 4.10's. To my defense, when I ordered, the max I thought I would be pulling was about 5-6,000. Now since this has more than doubled, I wish I would have spent the $150 for the 4.10's. Live & learn. Wish I didn't always learn the hard way!

That's part of the question too: RV'ers tend to upgrade over time. I started with a 5,000-lb camper and a half ton truck. Then it was a 8,700-lb camper and a 3/4 ton...I keep going like this I'll be in a fifth wheel before it's over and needing yet another truck. Looking to the possible future. Thanks for the input!

 

[AFMoulton]

10,340#’s. The 6.4 with 4.10’s and 6sp pulls it just fine, can I win speed records? No, nor am I trying to with my camper. That’s up and down the Rockies and from San Antonio to NM.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Arsenal 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

66RFE/68RFE Thermo Bypass Valve Install


2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Redline 5W-30 RP 10-48
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[Trailmaker]

I've read pretty much everything on here about this and I am writing because I think my situation hasn't really been kicked around considering the nature of my towing.

From what I've read if I am towing flat, then the 3.73. If I am towing hilly, then 4.10. Well, I live in Minnesota and we take month-long trips all over...Texas, Florida, Appalachia, Rockies etc., pulling our 8.7k pound trailer. So, not hills all the time and not flat all the time. I currently have a 2009 Ram 2500 with the 3.73 and it does "ok"; I just have to "wind it up" before I hit the big hills (think Appalachian mountains kind of hills). I intend to stick with gas, so upgrade to 6.4 is on the short horizon.

The 4.10 is more rare than hen's teeth, and from what I read here the difference between a 3.73 and 4.10 is negligible. Those of you with experience in these platforms, should I even bother with an exhaustive search for a 4.10 considering the variable nature of my towing?

I think you probably made up your mind to get the 4.10s but I can assume you will get a 4x4?? If so bigger tires perhaps?
4.10 should be the minimum for HD in my opinion. The 8 speed with the 4.10 on my setup, is perfect for the 8k I pull. seems like a no brainer when given the option.

 

[sam darakjy]

I have a 2018 with 3.73. I'm a hauler and not a tower. 2500 lb camper in the bed and the truck is still a beast!!

 

[Snyd]

With 33" tires and 2 overdrive gears (6 spd) it's stupid to neuter these trucks with 3.73's. Order one the way you want with 4.10's. 4'10's do nothing to hinder the truck.

 

[Jeff Courtney]

2018 3500 CC big horn 6.4 & 4.10's. in mine. Tow little 6x10 enclosed trailer loaded with tools, ladders, conduit & misc. A lot of interstate driving 70mph its 7-10 avg mpg in tow/haul. With my 20ft gooseneck and 8k mini-x I'm regretting not having the Cummins. Even with the 4.10's a small elevation change and it starts looking for RPM's. The 6 speed just doesn't seem to be a good match. Anything under 2000 rpm it just struggles. And in tow/haul no matter how I accelerate it holds 1st gear to 4000+ then leaps to 2nd, only to then grab 3rd before 2nd has a chance to do anything. By then 3rd bogs down causing it to downshift. When they did recall for power train control update I asked the dealer if holding 1st like that was normal. They said if its shifting then its operating normally. Ok,thanks for looking into my concerns. I plan on keeping it another year till warranty gets close to done and I will be looking at all of the big three where before I went only to Ram. No experience with the 8sp so maybe they are matched better to the 6.4 and the 2500/3500 trucks.