Driving a 2005 Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 hemi with 3.92 gear ratio right now. If I buy a 2010-2012 Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 hemi with 3.55 ratio will I actually notice a difference while pulling my 26' tt?

 

IMO you will definitely notice. Not so much during takeoff, as the engine has plenty of torque, but more at highway cruising speeds. Transmission will frequently downshift and TC will unlock/lock at the slightest incline. Will generally feel sluggish.

 

Not one to argue with people, but I feel blakels is in error.
The reason being, the 4th gen RAM uses an 8 speed automatic
if it has the rotary shift **** on the dash. Gears 6,7 & 8 are all overdrive
gears. So you have 5 full gears to get to the 1:1 ratio full lockup.
In my 2015 Hemi 4x4 with 3.93 axles, it has the 6 speed automatic.
Just for kicks and giggles I hooked up my 6000# camper and pulled to to the lake and back just to see how well it does. Had nooooooooooooooo power problems at all.
Had a LOT of power in reserve, even going up the 1/2 mile long section that was a 4% uphill grade. Could have hit 75 on that grade with the greatest of ease.
.
SO, with even more gears to pick from on the transmission side, the extra trans gears will make up for the numerically lower rear axle.
.
One thing you did not mention, how big a camper are you pulling? I know you said 26 foot. But are we talking a 9000# triple slider, or a 6000-6800# camper close to what mine is? I know is it at least a tandem axle, but how much does it weigh? THAT is the big question. :-D

 

Also, and I am sure you know, but I have to say it just in case you do not:
It is not advisable to tow a heavy 26 foot camper with the overdrive on.

 

Thanks for the replies.

In response to Coyote, i don't think any of the 2010s-2012s have the 8sp tranny do they?thats the year range I'll be looking at.
The 26' tt is pretty basic, no slides it's a '97' model Innsbruck. I think the trailer weighs in at around 55, that's before I load any 'crap' in it!!
My 05 with the 3.92 pulls it alright but it down shifts to low sometimes on the hills in Michigan.
Just wondering if I should try to find another with the 3.92 or not worry about it.
I know their not as common as the 3.55 so I might be limited in what I find used in those years.

 

I stand corrected. I truly thought the 8 speed was launched in 2009.
2010 & 2011 use the 545RFE 5 speed automatic, first offered in
the 2003 Ram 1500.
For 2012 they modified the 545RFE transmission to make full use of the split 2nd gear, creating a full 6 speed automatic, and likewise renamed this
transmission the 65RFE. In the 65RFE, 5th & 6th gears are overdrive.

Gear Ratios: 545RFE

• 1st 3.00:1
• 2nd 1.67:1
• 2nd Prime 1.50:1
• 3rd 1.00:1
• 4th 0.75:1
• 5th 0.67:1
• Reverse 3.00:1

65RFE

• 1st 3.00:1
• 2nd 1.67:1
• 3rd 1.50:1
• 4th 1.00:1
• 5th 0.75:1
• 6th 0.67:1
• Reverse 3.00:1

Source: www.mopar.com & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_RFE_transmission


Maybe that info is correct this time! LMAO!
Sorry.
I am getting old.