We just bought a 35 ft 5th wheel now want a new truck to pull it. It weights 14,000 full load and has a 2060 lb. hitch weight. I want a 3500 with the auto. Do I need to get DRW or will a SRW do the job? Also 3.73 or 4.10 gears for pulling I do pull in the Mountains and the Black Hills also.

 

It seems like 2060 lbs of hitch weight is a low number but a dually would work great. 3.73 would be a good rear gear for 14000 lbs.
labarn

 

Would 4.10 get better mpg towing than 3.73?

 

I do not know but will you tow enough to make it matter. My guess is a no. Labarn

 

Just be sure you're towing within the tow rating and the combined vehicle rating of whatever you get. I went with the 4500 cab/chassis to be sure with my 14.1K trailer.

 

Grampz I will check the total towing weight of trailer and truck. I know that my 3/4 ton pulls the trailer fine ,but I don't know if it is rated for the weight of the trailer and truck.Good point thanks

 

DO NOT, I repeat

DO NOT get 4:10 gears

I have them and they are horrible for fuel economy.

Now, the good benefit to having 4:10's!! The truck is a Freight Train and starts like a drag car. When you have thousands of lbs on the rear axle and slam the throttle the lower gears accelerate much better.

END RESULT: If you tow hills often, get 4:10's. If you are mostly on even terrain get a higher gear set.

I love 4:10's but tow in mountains of NC (Blue Ridge Parkway) 4:10's are a must.

 

im in the hot shot business always tow in excess of what camper weighs. I drive a 3500 srw cc lb 4x4 with 3.73 my business takes me all over the us and i dont have any issues. 0n 2011 like mine the gcwr is 21000 not sure on newer year models
mpg is around 10.5-12 @ 65 mph and thats with a gcw in high 25000

 

Fuel milage is poor with all gears on these newer 4th gen trucks, go with the 4.10's... It's been discussed in many forums 3.73 will not get you any better milage..

 

Oh take it from a guy with 3.73 gears I get 14-15 MPG without the added mechanical advantage of the 4.10 gear ratio.

 

I have found a 2011 3500 SRW with 3.73 and auto. the built date is 1/11 it only has 6700 miles on it also. I don't know when they started with the HO motor but I'm sure this will pull this camper a lot better then my 04 with the 305 motor. The price is relly good so I don't see any reason to look for a new truck when this one is just like new and has just about everything I would look for in a new one. Thanks everyone for all your help.

 

sounds like a good find.
labarn