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Old 10-12-2020, 07:42 AM   #1
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Best Rear Axle Ratio?

Hi!
Need your help. We are getting a new Pinnacle fifth wheel along with a Ram 3500 diesel. I'm trying to get some real world advice on the rear axle ratio.

It looks like it's between the 3.73 and the 4.1.

Can any of you who own a heavy fifth wheel and pull it with a Ram chime in ang give me some honest input on which axle ration you'd recommend?

We live in Illinois and will primarily be driving it around the midwest, maybe 20 camping days a year for now. But we absolutely will find ourselves in the smokies and rockies with this truck and trailer. So, I'm hoping you can help with some of your experience and steer us in the right direction.

Thank you!
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Old 10-12-2020, 07:52 AM   #2
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I’ve got the 4.10’s in my Ram rear end. If driving in any mountains, that’s the way I’d go. Had no issues driving in the Rockies this past summer.
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Old 10-12-2020, 08:25 AM   #3
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My Ram 3500 Cummins has a 3.42 ratio. Had no problems going across Canadian Rockies pulling a Northpoint 377.
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Old 10-12-2020, 09:37 AM   #4
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Not a 1T and not towing a 5er...

But on my 3/4T (Ram with 6.4L gas) towing a heavy travel trailer, the rear-end was my only regret with that truck. I had the 3.73, and ALWAYS wished I had gotten the 4.10.

I would always go with the higher number if I'm towing/hauling. It costs a little in terms of unloaded mileage, but it's worth it IMO for better tow/haul performance.
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Old 10-12-2020, 12:20 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper_bob View Post
Not a 1T and not towing a 5er...

But on my 3/4T (Ram with 6.4L gas) towing a heavy travel trailer, the rear-end was my only regret with that truck. I had the 3.73, and ALWAYS wished I had gotten the 4.10.

I would always go with the higher number if I'm towing/hauling. It costs a little in terms of unloaded mileage, but it's worth it IMO for better tow/haul performance.

I ended up with 4.1 and when I asked the dealer about the effect on mileage, he said it was like 1/2 MPG, WFIW.



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Old 10-12-2020, 01:00 PM   #6
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thanks for this info--super helpful. Looks like most are saying to go with the 4.1.
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Old 10-12-2020, 02:01 PM   #7
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You can only go with what ram offer's. In 2018 4.10 was only on dually with max tow. Not sure what 2020/2021 options are. My 18 has 3.42. it does ok, rather have 3.55 or lower. 07 had 3.73 and did well. Is what it is. The 3.42's definitely lug the truck at times with the Aisin transmission, but was the only gear ratio you could get on a 2018 3500 SRW with Aisin transmission.


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Old 10-12-2020, 02:30 PM   #8
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Most tow packages with the three major brand trucks have a set gear ratio that they all come out with. That is because the builders have worked out the best towing ability with the best fuel mileage using a certain set of gears. If you tow, and do nothing but tow then order the higher numbers, if you tow, but a good part of your driving is without something behind go with what the maker recommends, and that is what is in the tow package.



With the Duramax the new owner could special order 4.10 gears, but what for? If you tow a horse trailer all of the time, yes. Otherwise why special order?
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Old 10-12-2020, 03:00 PM   #9
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Most tow packages with the three major brand trucks have a set gear ratio that they all come out with. That is because the builders have worked out the best towing ability with the best fuel mileage using a certain set of gears.
They also take into consideration the trany ratio's as well as what the trany does in TOW/HAUL. My Duramax with a 3:73 did absolutely fine towing the PINNACLE when we were in the Rockies.

On one trip going up JELICO MNT in TN i wasn't paying attention to the speedometer and when I looked at it I was at 75 mph and still had throttle left. That is a 5 mile 6% climb, I realize it's not quite as bad as out West, but I was impressed. If you're familiar with FANCY GAP on I-77 that is only 4.5% and that was an easy climb too.
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Old 10-12-2020, 03:47 PM   #10
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For what it’s worth I have a 2016 RAM CC, CTD, Dually and my 355MBQS across the CAT Scale last year on my way to Yellowstone I was 23,860lbs fully loaded topped off with fuel. My truck is the low horse Cummins with 3.73 gears and I don’t have an issue towing hardly ever took it off cruise maintained 65 mph in the mountain, tranny down shifted but maintained speed and I averaged 10.5 mpg for a 4863 mile round trip over two weeks.

I don’t feel 4.10’s we’re needed.
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