so if i put 4.56 gears in my 02 4.7 is there a way to calculate approx. how much i will be able to tow with air ram intake, and the superchips and gibson cat back?

 

I towed a 2000 lb Penske car carrier with my girlfriend's 2004 Saturn VUE loaded after she "broke" it. I think the VUE weighed about 3700 lbs, so close to 6000 lbs total with some extra stuff loaded in the VUE. Also had 5 people in the cab.

I just have the standard Class IV tow hitch (no weight distributing hitch), so I went over the limit a bit and was still okay. Took it up a good grade hill, too. Just gave myself plenty of stop distance and took the turns slow.

2005 Quad Cab Hemi 4x4 with 3.55 anti-spin diff. Made me want to get 3.92's or better .

 

I dont know if there is an equation or not. I would talk to a Dodge technician for any questions you may have. Im getting 4.56's, usually what I tow is a 20ft. Motorcycle trailer with 3 quads and 2 bikes on it and all gear, ramps, etc.. Not really heavy, maybe 4500lbs, but enough to make me want to get rid of these 3.55 gears!

 

20brewcity02

Can I suggest posting your questions on a board like www.trailerlife.com or rv.net.

Gear changes will help with some performance issues. There are alot of other "things" to consider. GAWR, Frame of the truck, Rims, brakes, rear end, suspension ... ummm Im sure that there are a few things Im forgetting. You may be able to pull, for instance, a 13k lb trailer over a hill, but will you be able to stop it ? Most folks dont even realize that the stock tires arent rated to carry the load the manufacturer says is allowable.

I was pushing the limits with the 05 shown in my avatar. My trailer only weighs ~5k (actually 4700 lbs dry according to the cat scale) the approximate tongue weight 500-750 lbs eats up 1/2 of the payload of the truck, ~1400 lbs. Heres the stats on the 05. I kept them.

Check out the difference between the 06 Manufacturer Curb weight and the actual cat scale gross weight. Last summer on the trek to Mickey and Minnies place, I weighed to get the GCW for the ride back. Had to, darn wifey is a shop-a-holic (when on vacation). The GAWR on the rear end was only 60 lbs under capacity. I messed with the WDH a bit to compensate .....



2005 RAM 1500 vin 1D7HU18D15S164878
SLT, Quad Cab, 4x4, 6.25 Ft, 5.7L HEMI Magnum V8 Engine, 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
With 3.92 Axle Ratio You Can Tow 8600 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating(GVWR)[i]=6650
Payload[i]=1389
Curb Weight[i]=5261
Curb WeightFront/Rear=3075/2186
GAWR[i]Front/Rear=3900/3900
Gross Combination Weight Rating(GCWR)[i]=14000

The 06 Mega Cab Stats
2006 Ram 1500 SLT MEGA CAB, 4WD, 6.25 FT Bed,
5-Speed Automatic 545RFE Transmission, 5.7-Liter HEMI(R) V8 Engine:
With 3.73 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 7300 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 8510 lbs
Payload [i] = 1981 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 6529 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3736 lbs/3736 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 5200 lbs/6010 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 14000 lbs

Actual weight with Full Fuel Using Cat scale
Steer Axle = 3820
Drive Axle = 2940
Gross = 6760

Selecting the Mega cab gave it to me where I needed it. On payload and axle limits of the truck.

Just my 2 cents .....

 

i had posted on some trailer/towing forums, and no one was too much of a help. i just inherited (for lack of better words) a 24' double axle feather lite car hauler with the electric brakes. with my z and limited tools loaded im am near my max tow weight and payload weight, thats why im hoping 4.10 or 4.56 gears would give me a little buffer as far as the power goes. the truck has the firestone helper air springs already. with the brakes on the trialer and the helper springs i feel confident pulling it. thanks for your input and help SUMNCGUY