I plan on ordering a 2012 Crew Cab Short Box 4X4, 2500 hemi this week and need some input on gear ratio's. I will be towing a 5th wheel and quad trailer behind the 5th. I figure combined weight would be around 10,000lbs. The 3.73 is rated for 10,500 while the 4:10's are rated for pulling 13,500 lbs. I test drove 2 units last week with both ratios, there was very little rpm difference between them, from 40 mph, up to 80 mph there was less than 150 rpm. So as far as fuel economy goes I would think there would be not a lot of difference pulling or not pulling a load with either ratio. My 2010 1500 SXT 4X4 with the 3.92 actually revs the same as the 2500's, could it be because the 1500 has a 5 speed tranny, and the 2500's have a six speed? I will likely be putting bigger tires on the new unit and apparently that will actually drop the gear ratio somewhat. So if anyone has any input into this I would appreciate hearing from you.

 

4:10. If you're towing a 10,000 lb trailer you still have to add the weight of all the gear and people in your truck. If you're adding bigger tires as well, this is a no brainer. Get the 4:10.

 

I think if you go for the 3.73 you will be longing for the 4.10 gears.

 

Why not get a diesel

 

I don't need a diesel for 95%+ of the driving I do. I've had 2 Duramax diesels in the past and yeah I agree, can't beat them for pulling, but the maintanance costs are a lot more than a gas i.e. oil changes etc. The trend from talking to the dealers is that a lot of die hard diesel owners are going back to gas because of the cost of fuel, maintance costs etc.

 

This is the set up I currently have, just a bit much for the 1500, I do have upgraded 10 ply tires and coil bags but I am just a wee bit over on payload and GVWR. So I am going to the 2500 gas with a fifth wheel trailer and a aluminum atv trailer to tow behind 5th. wheel. The 5.7 TRX has 3.94 gears and pulls just fine, but it is asking a lot from a 1500 chasis.

 

With the added weight of the 2500 alone, and loading it with what you`re asking, go with 4.10 gearing or you`ll be sorry.

 

Bigger tires will cause the truck to work harder. Sure you wanna do that..???

 

How often will you be towing? If you are doing a few weekends with it, go with the 3.73s! I have a 2012 2500 hemi with 3.73s for work and have been getting 12-15 with it emty. I have a friend that has a 2011 2500 hemi with 4.10s and he can't hardly get 12 with it. They both get about the same pulling 7-8 mpg. You just can't expect a gas engine to give that good of economy when pulling.

 

410 .. Will save you flue, thiers Overdrive on thease trucks so don't feel intimadated with a 410, in city traffic and up to 65 mph or on hills, 410 is the madgic stock gear ratio