Towing power

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Jan 15, 2009 | 05:51 AM

MSD

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Towing power

I have a 2001 V10 supercab with 3.73 gears. I tow a 35' fifth wheel camper that weighs about 11,000 lbs. I can get between 7 and 8 mpg if I don't push the motor going up hills. I don't go below 50 mph on a hill. If I push it to the speed limit mileage drops to about 5 mpg.

Is there anything I can do to increase my towing power so I can maintain the speed limit and get 7 or more mpg?

Jan 15, 2009 | 07:25 AM

swann79

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Kemmerer, Wyoming

Regear. 4.30 gears will give you more power AND slightly increase your MPG when towing. Your engine is overworked pulling that much weight with those tall gears. 3.73s aren't even an option anymore with the V10, I don't know why they ever used them in the first place.

I too tow an 11,000 lb camper with 3.73s in a 2001. I hope to upgrade the gears soon myself.

Jan 16, 2009 | 05:00 AM

MSD

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Thanks. I thought I would have to swap gears.

Since I only tow a few times a year, would 4.11s be a better choice or would they still be too tall?

Jan 16, 2009 | 05:24 AM

rich250

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absolutely do the 4:30's,I swapped from 3:73's to 4:30's last summer and I wish I would have gone with 4;56's and my camper is not as heavy as yours.

Is there anything I can do to increase my towing power so I can maintain the speed limit and get 7 or more mpg?
besides a gear swap you could ditch the restrictive ypipe and get a sct tuner,can't say your gonna gain any fuel milage but should help pulling power.

Jan 16, 2009 | 05:50 AM

MSD

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Ok I'm convinced, 4.30s it is.

Another quick question. I have to do both front and rear differentials, right.

Jan 16, 2009 | 06:53 AM

scraprat

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From: Itinerant

Yes, you will have to do both.

Jan 16, 2009 | 09:36 AM

krewat

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From: Long Island USA

Gears are the one thing that produce an increase in torque-to-the-ground across all RPMs, and all speeds.

Going from 3.73 to 4.30 is a 15% increase in torque-to-the-ground.