I tow a 7x14 enclosed trailer with my Harley, clothes and other personal effects. I would guess the weight to be ? 7,000 lbs ?? One day I hope to buy a 36' 5th wheel but don't know if that'll ever happen ($40K). Also, once I get to a job with my trailer, I'm there weeks on end and use the truck to get home to Mama. My average highway speed I prefer is 70-75 mph - Johnny Law permitting ....<br>My current is a '01 HO-6spd, quadcab dually with 4.10's ... I wish for better mpg and just feel like the CUMMINS has enough bal*s that 3.55's doesn't matter to take off in 1st gear with a rolling load. Now if you're trying to pull a building off it's foundation, I agree that 4.10's would be best. To get a rolling load rolling though .... shouldn't the 3.55's coupled with the Cummins be enough?<br>Thanks for your inputs,<br>The Rev Ron<br>

 

Let me correct my subject line ... <br>I guess since there are no inputs and plenty of &quot;views&quot;, lets change that to:<br>&quot;view this post - however; don't respond&quot;.<br>Come on guys ... I can get the wife to listen to me and not make inputs.<br>Sorry to vent negative, but I'm feeling very ... unimportant :'(

 

Yo Rev! I have a 3.55 4x4 , my kid has a 4.10 RWD, both 02's. When my kid punches his, it take off! Mine's a little slower off the line. But, at 65 mph, I'm turning about 1750 rpm while he's over spinning 2000. By comparison, at 2 grand, I'm approaching 80. I was looking for economy, so I got the 3.55. He got his by making an ordering mistake : . If you tow, I think the 4.10 might be a better choice, but I'm not really qualified to say for sure.

-Tom-

 

Kudo's Tom for knowing I'm out here.<br>I'm just looking for someone to confirm that since my towing needs are only 10% of the time, that I can still tow with 3.55's. I guess I'm looking for all the negative inputs of 3.55 owners saying that they wish they had 4.10's or that their engines are troubling getting a load rolling.<br>Again, Thanks Tom,<br>Reverend Ron

 

Hey Ron, I know the '03's are quieter, but my 4x4 drivetrain and engine sound pretty &quot;busy&quot; when the tach his about 2100! Just another consideration if you're looking for 4 wheel drive.

 

I know, I know ... that is a pretty darn SWEET sounding sound. That is a toss up and I'm certainly extremely happy with my ride now. Just want those remote towing mirrors! Such a pain to adjust all the time.

 

I thought the new trucks came with 3.73?? &amp; they did away with the 3.55 if so the 3.73 is the gear to get ll around it's perfect.<br><br>DRecu!

 

DRecu,<br>Noooooo way!!!! <br>That is awesome news! Most dealers won't learn about our trucks plus they don't care about our needs. Therefore when they talk to you about details of what we want ... they don't know .... they just want that sale.<br>Well I'm thinking if the 3.70's range is available, that would meet my needs most correctly. I love the 4.10's but I never use first gear! Therefore I feel with a higher gear, I can take off in first if I need. Unloaded, I'm ready to hammer down!<br>Thanks for the research info DRecu,<br>Ron

 

Reverand,<br><br>Your answer is in your last statement. The Cummins is more than adequate with the 3.73 that comes standard (3.55's are a thing of the past).<br><br>I wouldn't give a second thought to towing the trailer you currently have with my Durango with a 5.2L and 3.92.<br><br>Just paying my respects.<br>Cheers!

 

Hey Rev,<br><br>I spend alot of time hooked to 30K + loads, and my 01 with 3.55s was more than up to the task. The 03's come with standard 3.73s, which are probably a bit better than the 3.55s of old. 4.10s, in my mind, are only good behind an auto or if you plan on bigger tires.<br><br>Rod

 

Unless you're thinking of pulling a building off its foundation, the 3:73 hooked up to the HO, 6-spd, is all you'll need. The HO is unbelievable. IMHO

 

Keep in mind that with the change to 3.73's, Dodge also went to larger diameter wheels, so the net change from 3.55's is very little. Your '03 truck with 3.73's will cruise at rpms just slightly above an '02 with 3.55's or 3.54's or whatever they were.

 

Hey Ron! Lets see some pics of your vintage Mopars. I think everyone here would enjoy that! Buzz

 

Hey Rev, I've towed those mtns., hills in PA. If you do a lot of towing mtn grades the 4.10 is better. The 3.73 is more than adequate for your current tow. If you are even considering a 5er in the future then the 4.10 is the way to go. <br><br>As for mileage, my 2003 during break-in started out giving 19 mpg in the first 200 miles without tow. Towing 1102 miles averaged 12.03 mpg, have less than 1600 miles on her today. Tomorrow we leave for Lake Tahoe, Echo Summit is over 7000 ft, tow will be loaded again to approx 10,800#. She will purr over the top.<br><br>As for quiet, new engine is so quiet one RVer remarked, &quot;she's so quiet sounds like a gasser with loose tappets.&quot; At 2100 rpm towin at 60 mph she is quieter than my 98 Ram gasser under same conditions.<br><br>Remote mirrors, a must if you tow. They are worth 3 x the $80 they cost. Hope DC isn't listening.<br><br><br><br>

 

I used my 2001 HO 3.73 to pull my 32' triple slide 5ver. I ran 6 gear most of the time even on mild inclines. However, there was a time or two I wished I'd had 4.10. In your case, I'd get the 3.73. I use my 2003 just for towing my trailer, so I figured I'd try the 4.10 when I bought it. Got a feelin I'm going to miss doing 70 mph @ 2000 rpm's. Now it's 70 mph @ 2500 rpm's, but it was my choice .....<br><br>Ronster