I'm looking for some advice. I recently purchased a 5th wheel and after towing it 400 miles I've decided my truck isn't up to the job. I have an 01 auto with 3.53 gears, completly stock. My trailer weighs 12,000 Lbs wet. On the freeway I can maintain about 60 to 65 on the flat. Slight grades bring me down to 55 or so.
Will an 06 auto and 3.73 gears be up to the job? Going from 460 ft lbs to 610, and 3.53 gears to 3.73 seems like it ought to be quite an improvement. I'm just not sure if I should look for a truck with 4.10s or not.
I know I could improve the performance of my 01, but at the end of the day it's still an 01 with horrible steering, so I'm not really interested in doing that. Any comments would be appreciated, Thanks!

 

Yes. Im pretty sure a new truck with 3:73's would do what you wanted, but if i were you i would just spend the $300 it will take to put an edge EZ or Van Aaken on it, and keep it. But if you arent intersted in that, then i guess you will buy a new one.

Eric

 

i have 3:73's and tow a lot and it works great plus i get the mileage, if doesn't pull enough then just box it. the new ones get better mileage boxed anyway

 

With an auto i would go with 410s, and with a manual 373s.

 

I've got 4.10s and I think it is a good combo for 315s, but the RPMs sucked with the stock tires.

 

i agree with Eric on this one

WHY are you gonna buy a new truck, when for less than 1000 dollars u can outpull one with ease? IN ur situation id ask two things, one how often will u tow that weight? and two when you dont tow it, how much of your driving is highway? IF you want an auto or manual, it dont matter, you can cruise at higher speeds with a 3.73 ratio than a 4.10 ratio, but the 4.10 will give you better take off and so forth with the trailer. Ive had both, 3.55 and 4.10, and dads has 3.73, overall i like the 4.10 best for pulling, My 3.55 is weak, but with the modifications done to my truck, it will overcome it easy, in your case, even easier, just plug, play and go...

Tx

 

some thing to really consider is if you do tow quite often then why do you want to mess with a auto? yes they can be built to handle almost any thing but do you want to go down that road? if you tow alot and need the extra umgh try goin to a manual i have a 01 with the six speed and i tow heavy all the time with out any problems i towed about 12k plus up a pretty good grade and pulled it tell about hte middle of the hill in fith tell i droped to fourth so could come down the hill slower. I also have the 4.10s and love them i really dont care how fasti get up the hill if i can pull 12k up a hill at 55 in fifth gear then iam happy every truck i have owend has had 4.10s and i still average about 17mpg empy and about 16 loaded.

 

This is my experience too.

Auto + 4.10.

Power is not necessarily the answer to being at the wrong RPMs.

I had an 2003 03 SO with good power (more power than an 05/06 HO) and the 3.73's were a drag.

It sounds like you are set on a new truck, but a set of gears (reasonably priced if you only have to do the rear end on a 2WD) and/or a new transmission will be a world of a difference, as will a chip or Mad ECM and /or 275 injectors, or even a 4" exhaust or cold air intake.

 

I have the auto with 3:73 and you have to weigh fuel milage to power needed. I like the auto as I have ran with my father-in-law (2001 DC Quad Cab with a 6 speed manual) and through town and up hills I pull away while he is shifting. But then you have more maintenance and $ to repair the auto.

Good Luck!!

 

What is the GVWR of the trailer? I have 4.10 on mine, get 18 -19 empty and 11.5 pulling 17,000. Top speed is 105. I don't have any issues with the 4.10 and needed it for the extra trailer tow rating. If you are under 21,000 combined, go with the 3.73. Over that go with 4.10.

 

Same questions I had.
I went with the 3/73 and the auto and its great. I tow 60% of my mileage.

 

Thanks for all of the replys. In my original post I failed to mention that my 01 only has 9000 miles on it. Because it's basically a new, five year old truck, I'm starting to have second thoughts about trading it in. After spending some time in an 06 they are sooo much nicer though.
My truck really needs more power, air bag rear suspension and tow mirrors. I was thinking of maybe a 4" exhaust, an ez edge and a less restrictive intake. Would these 3 mods make it compairable to an 06 in power? I gather they are pretty easy to do yourself. I guess the exhaust is basically a bolt on from the turbo back and the chip and intake a quick swaps. Thanks for your opinions

 

Those mods would help, but you don't say what you've got in regards to the tranny. The 47e doesn't seem to hold up to well without improving it's performance.

 

Auto tranny, I am concerned how long it'll last pulling that much weight, plus I would really not want to be left straded sometime.

 

I had a 97/auto w/ 4.10s with not nearly the power you have now pulling very close to 12k. I had no problems, just have to pay attention, down shift,what ever it takes. Now i have an 03/6spd/3.73 and it pulls awsome.