I pull a 32" cattle trailer a few times per month. The trailer and cattle could weigh up to 19000 lbs. Right now I use a K2500 454, 5 speed with 3.73 gears. This truck does a great job it is just getting old. I want to buy a used CTD with a 5 speed. Would a truck with 3.54 gears do a comparible job,or would I need to look for 3.73 or 4.10. Used trucks with manuel transmissions are hard enough to find . What Im trying to ask is if I find the perfect used truck and it happens to have 3.54 gears would this truck atleast pull the same as my 1992 Chevy? I am worried about being able to back up to a chute fully loaded. I drove a PSD with 3.73 gears and these things wont back up at all with out putting in low range. Thanks for any info.

 

Welcome to the site mbear,
I can't help you because I'm an auto guy and never had to haul anything over 10k yet. However we have some really good folks on here that I'm sure will chime in with advice to help you out. I do know that you will only find the 3.54 and 4.10 ratios on the Rams before 2003 and the 3.73 and 4.10 only option from 2003 and up. You might also consider the 6 speed manual as most folks seem to have high regards for them over the 5 speeds.

 

I will offer my honest opinion. I have a 95 5 speed with 355s. reverse is way to tall, so at 19k + youll be in low range or smokin the clutch. They only made 3.55s or 4.10, I would have the 4.10 for your loads. Auto or stick??/hum can give a honest answer. I somewhat regret paying a big price for my 5 speed. there not all that great IMO, 5th gear loss, to high 2nd and rev. I wish I had an auto honestly, I just dont know how sturdy the 47re? are, ya hear lots of bad on them. It should do well compared to the 454 and get twice the mileage specially unloaded.

 

Ive towed 20K in cattle before

thats about as high as i have towed, if you have a 32 foot gooseneck, id suggest you go for that dually, IMHO its a little too much for a 3/4 ton, being that you can cram 16-18 good sized cows (meanin 1500 lbs and up to me) in a 32 footer and they weigh between 7-8K lbs, that you put you right up there with a high weight.. The rams have lots of TQ down low, wheras the powerstrokes have the TQ higher in the powerband... u need that low end to reverse a trailer easily. When i backed up the 20K to the chute, i didnt need low range, i just let the clutch out easily and gave it a little throttle and it backed up fairly easily, im not stock tho, and the 12V's are known for outrageous tq down low, even then if you get a 24V second or third gen they are really strong as well..

I do recommend since u tow much heavier much more often than I do, find a truck with the six speed due to fifth gear nut failiure on these five speeds that the 12V's have, get a good clutch too, and for ur type of work, id say you cannot go wrong with the 4.10s, help ur motor and drivetrain out a little bit, the 3.54s are awesome on the highway for mileage, with 285s i can cruise right at 70 at 2K RPMS... BUT the downside is they are much wimpier for taking off with heavy loads, nothing really that a chip, or a fuel plate cannot overcome tho, I have had a truck with 4..10s in the rear, and OMG.. it was a trailer yankin machine, just couldnt keep up with the cummins and 3.54 gears once we got them both goin...

Hope this helps, and welcome to DTR!! best of luck with ur ram search

Tx

 

im goin to haveta agree with tx, get a dually. mines a dually and its a tralier pullin machine. i would go with a 6 speed with 3.55 gears. with the cummins torque and the 1st gear on the high side, you can get a REALLY heavy load rollin. upgrade your clutch and put a comp chip on it. (if its a 24v) you will have a great tow rig. but guages are a must

 

Thanks for the helpful info. A SRW 3/4 ton does the job OK because I only fill the trailer maybe 3/4 full and keep too much of the weight off the truck. The cattle are not too crowded and I dont go long distances. Also room in front of trailer for dirt bike .

 

I've had both ratio's and haul a lot of weight unless you tow all the time and do not drive it for anything else but that dont get the 4:10's the 3:54's will do just fine. the one i have now has 3:73's and i still miss my 3:54's. A daully would be better and uasaully you can get them at a lower price then a 3/4 ton because not everyone wants the extra hips

 

I pulled 15+tons with my 2500 and it was fine. I had air bags and g rated tires for stability. I have the 3.55's and I wish I had 4.10s because I have 35" tires. Now I have alot of power over stock, but the 3.55's is the better choice with stock tires. If you ever plan on going to 315's go with the 4.10's. Get the six speed, 3.55's, and 3/4 ton and hook up and pull it.

 

Don't let people scare you from the47RE, it is very durable if you take care of it, it will take care of you!! My Dad pulls 17,500 with a 96 dually 4X4 with the 47-no problems at 75K.

 

i have a 1999 ram 3500 5.9 cummings diesel 4 speed auto 3:55 gears i all the time gross 20,00 to 24,000 pound pulls with ease, the other night we hooked to the loader at work with my truck its a 35,000 to 40,000 pound loader pull it across the parking lot like its was not back there acourse the loader was out of gear cummings power !!! ford guys

 

As often as it sounds like you pull, (about the same as my dads 02 3/4 ton 6speed with 3.55 and stock 265s with cattle, bales) get the 3.55s.

If the weight is to much in 6th just let in scream in 5th, good for it every once in a while any way, plus better mileage unloaded.

But 1st and rewind are to fast loaded, I find anyway. Launching in the field with 14 1500# bales will stall the truck or your riding the clutch forever, 4 low is just perfect. Same with backing up to the chute, just through it 4 low

 

If your use to driving a 454 with 3:73 gears you will hate cummins with 3:54's for pulling and expecially backing. Get the 4:10's for pulling that kind of weight. With the 3:54's you'll have to pull in direct gear not Over drive and waste fuel, with the 4:10's you can pull in over drive and lower those rpm's a little and save fuel.