Gears & towing
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Cambs, England
Gears & towing
What gears do you have in your trucks & what weight do you pull? I've just bought a 5er, it goes 11,700 lbs max, will probably be around the 10,000 lb mark for most trips & not much in the truck, I have 3.73 gears now, I think that 4.10s would be better but as my truck is 4WD it is not a cheap option. Thoughts please?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
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From: Flagstaff, Arizona
Do you have stock sized tires? That makes a huge difference in your decision. I am running 37" tires, and recently switched to 4:30 gears, and it has made me love my truck all over again!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Fresno, CA
Yep. Stock tires pulling 12k, you will be OK with 3.73 as long as you aren't doing it more than once a month or so.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: AL, Reform
I tow 12 to 14k all the time with stock tires and 3.73 gears. My truck scales in 8460 lbs with me in it so 3.73 is ok up to 13k. The hills make me drop a gear but the mpg is better unloaded so it's a hand off.
If you tow like this 410 would be great. It was more than I like to tow
If you tow like this 410 would be great. It was more than I like to tow
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
What gears do you have in your trucks & what weight do you pull? I've just bought a 5er, it goes 11,700 lbs max, will probably be around the 10,000 lb mark for most trips & not much in the truck, I have 3.73 gears now, I think that 4.10s would be better but as my truck is 4WD it is not a cheap option. Thoughts please?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 193
From: Cambs, England
Yeah I should have said, stock tyres (tires!), in fact stock everything, this truck was probably the lowest mileage 7.3 out there with only 19k kilometres when I bought it 9 months back. It now has 35k, runs like a Swiss watch & the only thing I plan on doing is to get a Hydra chip with a couple of tunes to help it along a bit, nothing wild, I have fast toys for that!
Thanks for your thoughts, we plan to head to southern Europe next winter, there are some mountain roads down there, we did it last year with just a 3500lb travel trailer & it only dropped to 2nd gear on one really steep incline, the rest of the time switching out of o/d was enough.
Thanks for your thoughts, we plan to head to southern Europe next winter, there are some mountain roads down there, we did it last year with just a 3500lb travel trailer & it only dropped to 2nd gear on one really steep incline, the rest of the time switching out of o/d was enough.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Mesa AZ
Another vote for the 3.73 gears on stock size tires. It's a great combo for a dual duty pickup that tows heavy occasionally.
My 5er weighed quite a bit more than yours and I had no problems towing so you should be good. The nice thing about the 3.73 gears is that you end up in the perfect RPM while pulling a steep mountain grade in 2nd gear (2600-2800 rpm). That is where the engine produces max HP which is what you need while pulling a heavy load up a mountain.
If you had a dedicated tow vehicle like a F-350/450/550 chassis cab then I'd recommend the 4.30 gears. I've had both and they each have their benefits. I sold my F-450 and my 5er a little over a year ago but I kept both of my F-250 trucks. My heaviest trailer now is around 10,000 lbs so either of my pickups can easily handle the job.
My 5er weighed quite a bit more than yours and I had no problems towing so you should be good. The nice thing about the 3.73 gears is that you end up in the perfect RPM while pulling a steep mountain grade in 2nd gear (2600-2800 rpm). That is where the engine produces max HP which is what you need while pulling a heavy load up a mountain.
If you had a dedicated tow vehicle like a F-350/450/550 chassis cab then I'd recommend the 4.30 gears. I've had both and they each have their benefits. I sold my F-450 and my 5er a little over a year ago but I kept both of my F-250 trucks. My heaviest trailer now is around 10,000 lbs so either of my pickups can easily handle the job.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Bryson City NC
I had a 99 with 3.73 gears and it hauled my 34 footer just fine! I have a dually now with 4.10 gears ! little better off the line but I pay for that in fuel mileage when not towing!
Like to know one thing tho mate and that is I did not think they sold that big of a Caravan in jolly ole England.
Them back roads got to be a bugger!!!
Take note ! do not get anywhere near J.Clarkson with that rig!
Good luck on yer holiday !
Smokie
Like to know one thing tho mate and that is I did not think they sold that big of a Caravan in jolly ole England. Them back roads got to be a bugger!!!Take note ! do not get anywhere near J.Clarkson with that rig! Good luck on yer holiday !Smokie
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Cambs, England
I had a 99 with 3.73 gears and it hauled my 34 footer just fine! I have a dually now with 4.10 gears ! little better off the line but I pay for that in fuel mileage when not towing! Like to know one thing tho mate and that is I did not think they sold that big of a Caravan in jolly ole England. Them back roads got to be a bugger!!!Take note ! do not get anywhere near J.Clarkson with that rig! Good luck on yer holiday !
Smokie
Like to know one thing tho mate and that is I did not think they sold that big of a Caravan in jolly ole England. Them back roads got to be a bugger!!!Take note ! do not get anywhere near J.Clarkson with that rig! Good luck on yer holiday !Smokie
You've obviously seen Top Gear UK!
I'm gonna stick with the 3.73s as I do get pretty good fuel mileage & I reckon that only 25% of my mileage will be towing There are a few other 5ers here, some up to 40ft, the back roads are no problem most places have to be accessible to trucks for deliveries just have to drive accordingly.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Bryson City NC
You've obviously seen Top Gear UK! I'm gonna stick with the 3.73s as I do get pretty good fuel mileage & I reckon that only 25% of my mileage will be towing
There are a few other 5ers here, some up to 40ft, the back roads are no problem most places have to be accessible to trucks for deliveries just have to drive accordingly.
I'm gonna stick with the 3.73s as I do get pretty good fuel mileage & I reckon that only 25% of my mileage will be towing There are a few other 5ers here, some up to 40ft, the back roads are no problem most places have to be accessible to trucks for deliveries just have to drive accordingly.
To bad he is so down on us Yanks and our cars and trucks!!Smokie
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 193
From: Cambs, England
Yeah he can be funny, he upsets a lot of people but usually by saying what others just think. I don't know why he's so down on yank motors the best car he has owned was a Ford GT!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,427
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From: Bryson City NC
No ones toes or ego are immune !!Smokie