PHONSE

I AM GOING TO ORDER A 2003 RAM ( SRW ) 6.0 HO, 4 SP. AUTO 48RE , QUAD.CAB, LONGBED, LT265 TIRES, ANTI-SPIN AXLE, TRAILER TOW PACKAGE. I WILL BE PULLING A 11,000LB. LOADED 5ER, WITH A PIN WEIGHT OF 2,500 ( APPROX ). WE WILL BE GOING DOWN TO FL. OR TEX. EACH WINTER. THIS TRUCK WILL ALSO BE USED MOSTLY FOR DAILY USE, " MILK,BREAD, WAL-MARTS ECT. TOWING YEARLY APPROX. 5000 MILES, THE REST DAILY PROBABLY 13,000 MILES. WHICH IS THE BEST REAR END 3.73 OR 4.10, I'M NEW AT THIS 5ER PULLING SO PLEASE HELP , THANK YOU, PHONSE FROM MICHIGAN

FiverBob

Phonse,

Welcome to the site - - lots of good info around here.

Let me suggest you do a search on the subject of rear ratio. Click on the "SEARCH" button above and type in a key word. We have written several long and detailed threads concerning our impressions of our new trucks and their virtues with the two different rear end ratios. That would be a great place to start getting information. Then come back with more specific questions if you don't find the answers you want.

You will love your new truck. Tows like a dream and runs great with either ratio.

Bob
ps: you should remove your caps lock when posting. Caps usually mean you are mad - - and we know you are not mad.

TON4FUN

4.10's man 4.10's! Thats all I got to say.

Casey Balvert

Hi Phonse,<br><br>I am about five miles from you the way the crow flies in Ontario. About 35 if you take the bridge. ;D<br><br>I have 4.10 in mine. I would highly recommend them as they do not seem to affect your top speed or mileage much and it provides for any future towing needs you may have short of a heavy fiver with a bedroom slide. Then you are getting into dually territory. Good luck<br><br>Casey

Hummin Cummins

[quote author=TON4FUN link=board=20;threadid=11052;start=0#105466 date=1045446369]<br>4.10's man 4.10's! Thats all I got to say. <br>[/quote]<br><br>With your trailer weight approaching vehicle load limits...<br><br>...I concur.

KenR

My loaded RV is about 1,300lbs less than yours and my pin weight is 500lbs less than yours with driving/towing mileage very similar to yours and I felt I needed the 4.10 rear axle. No doubt you will also, in fact I feel it would be a big mistake not to order the 4.10 in your case.<br><br>BYW, my truck came in with a dry weight (no fuel, no passengers) of 6,256lbs. You might need that to help you figure the GVW. I have the Short Bed and no trailer towing package. Your truck will weight more. You are fast approaching the DRW requirement.<br><br>Good luck on your decision.<br>

GrandpasRam

I went with 3.73's on mine, but it is a 6-spd manual. My towing is limited to about 5K miles per year, the rest is running empty. Since most of my time is running empty, I opted for the 3.73's which is a good ratio for empty running, but still good enough for towing anything under about 14K. I have towed 15K with my '99 which has the 3.54, and it did fine so long as I didn't try to road race.

spots

Wonder if the 3.73 running in 5th would be the same rpm as 4.10 running in sixth gear. If so then with a 3.73 you would have your towing power and your fuel mileage also. But on the auto you are probably stuck with the 4.10. Yuck..<br><br>Paul<br>'03 HO/6SP quad sb

misterKTM

I think you got it spots. If you have the auto, the 4.10 is probably the best choice. With the 6 speed though, I think the 3.73 is the ticket. My trailer runs anywhere from 8-10k and feel the 3.73 will work fine with the 6 speed. I use to pull it with 3.54 gear, auto, 12 valve ('97), and it actually worked well after the banks updates ;D

03quadduallyho

I have the 6 speed but my empty running miles will be 15-20 grand per year. I also tow a 8500 pound fiver but I have to say with the 6 speed and my trailer weight the trailer pulls at 70 out on the flats- perfect! and it'll climb a hill in 6th or a steeper hill in fifth. I cannot see any need for the 4.10 rear end for my truck, even if I had a much heavier trailer. 1st is LOW but usable in mine, in a 4.10 1st isn't even usable. 6th is HIGH, if you need you can run 55 in 5th gear at just about 2300 RPMs it'll climb a heck of a hill in 5th at 55.<br>I guess you like what you have but remember there is very little difference between 4.10 and 3.73 except you just have more gear and that is what diesels like- more gear! The big boy semis are geared at 3.55 if they have the high powered engines, the less engine they have the lower the rear end ratio they get. I like my 3.73s.

FiverBob

03HO,<br>1st gear is VERY usable in a 4.10 - - when you have 16000 pounds behind you. I use it on every start when towing and glad it's there. <br><br>The secret to all this stuff is how much towing and how heavy. I am getting great mileage with my 4.10. It tows heavy very well. I have the best of both worlds. There is no way I could get along with a stock truck and 3.73 and be happy pulling my load. The neat part is I am happy when not pulling a load. <br><br>SlapHappyBob

danlit

I don`t have an 03 but, I`d go with the 3:73 and throw more power at it if needed.<br> Danny

The Boss Hog

SlapHappyBob <br> How did that duelly handle the snow this past weekend? It did snow up at your place, right? We just missed it down here in SOUTHERN Florida but it did rain a little ;D<br> <br>The Boss Hog<br>(how do you turn on the a/c on this thing?)

Hummin Cummins

[quote author=danlit link=board=20;threadid=11052;start=0#105875 date=1045535911]<br>I don`t have an 03 but, I`d go with the 3:73 and throw more power at it if needed.<br> Danny<br>[/quote]<br><br>Halleluyah!<br><br>Amen!<br><br> ;D<br><br>PS: not the christian type...just had to get my point across.