Axle ratio

[Creep0321]

Your truck legally got its tow rating the day a VIN number was assigned to it. You can mod it but the rating for your truck will not legally change. If there is a incident and your insurance looks up the tow rating for your vehicle by its vin you will have a hard time explaining why it should be higher. I tow a 5200 Lbs dry / 6700 GVWR Travel Trainer with a 3.92 Laramie , I would not want to tow a larger TT long distances with it. For the TT you described I would want a HD Truck.

Which TT do you have? Starting to look for ideas now.

 

[NDanecker]

I'd just tow with the 3.21 and see how it does. Play with locking out 8th or 7th if you have to and find the sweet spot for your speed. Will 3.92 work better? Sure but is it worth it? Up to you.

I think people (especially the 'weigh' police) get their panties in a knot when people go close to their suggested towing capacity. Seriously? The world is not going to end if you are over your suggested trailer weight. Please! I have never heard, read or seen a lawsuit about someone towing over their suggested weight and get into legal trouble, and I've seen commercial hot shot drivers who abide to FMCSA rules/regulations get into accidents above their GCVWR with no legal issues. However, you need to stay within the limits of your equipment. What does that mean? Don't exceed your axle, truck GVWR (this is different than you GCVWR), tire, hitch, and trailer ratings. The tow ratings, which you know are different between 3.21 and 3.92 gears by ~3k# for the RAM, is a guide by the manufacturer to keep their trucks from wearing out within the basic warranty period. We all know a truck with 3.21 gears will have to work harder to get a load moving vs. a truck with 3.92 gears thus the 'recommended' trailer weight.

Do what you want but I wouldn't pay thousands of dollars to change gears or maybe sell your truck just to stay within the recommended tow ratings. The ratings are subjective and fabricated by the bean counters at FCA with input from engineering for longevity not safety. The equipment ratings are for safety. There is a difference. Yes - I'm familiar with J2807 specifications and they are done so a consumer can compare tow ratings between brands that these bean counters have come up with. It is not for equipment failure points and is not a hard 'not to exceed' number. No DOT, LEO or highway patrol enforces J2807 ratings. Case in point - show me where on the vehicle where the GCVWR is labeled? Is it included in the door jam sticker? One would think it would if its so important and 'legal'. Everything else is there (tire, axle, GVWR) why not GCVWR?????

With that said - there is one rating you shouldn't exceed and that is your comfort zone. No matter what numbers you read you should always stay within your comfort zone and personal ability when towing and taking your family on the road. Just because your equipment can take it that doesn't mean you are qualified to tow it if you have little or no experience doing so. Common sense prevails.

 

[19llhpb]

I'd just tow with the 3.21 and see how it does. Play with locking out 8th or 7th if you have to and find the sweet spot for your speed. Will 3.92 work better? Sure but is it worth it? Up to you.

I think people (especially the 'weigh' police) get their panties in a knot when people go close to their suggested towing capacity. Seriously? The world is not going to end if you are over your suggested trailer weight. Please! I have never heard, read or seen a lawsuit about someone towing over their suggested weight and get into legal trouble, and I've seen commercial hot shot drivers who abide to FMCSA rules/regulations get into accidents above their GCVWR with no legal issues. However, you need to stay within the limits of your equipment. What does that mean? Don't exceed your axle, truck GVWR (this is different than you GCVWR), tire, hitch, and trailer ratings. The tow ratings, which you know are different between 3.21 and 3.92 gears by ~3k# for the RAM, is a guide by the manufacturer to keep their trucks from wearing out within the basic warranty period. We all know a truck with 3.21 gears will have to work harder to get a load moving vs. a truck with 3.92 gears thus the 'recommended' trailer weight.

Do what you want but I wouldn't pay thousands of dollars to change gears or maybe sell your truck just to stay within the recommended tow ratings. The ratings are subjective and fabricated by the bean counters at FCA with input from engineering for longevity not safety. The equipment ratings are for safety. There is a difference. Yes - I'm familiar with J2807 specifications and they are done so a consumer can compare tow ratings between brands that these bean counters have come up with. It is not for equipment failure points and is not a hard 'not to exceed' number. No DOT, LEO or highway patrol enforces J2807 ratings. Case in point - show me where on the vehicle where the GCVWR is labeled? Is it included in the door jam sticker? One would think it would if its so important and 'legal'. Everything else is there (tire, axle, GVWR) why not GCVWR?????

With that said - there is one rating you shouldn't exceed and that is your comfort zone. No matter what numbers you read you should always stay within your comfort zone and personal ability when towing and taking your family on the road. Just because your equipment can take it that doesn't mean you are qualified to tow it if you have little or no experience doing so. Common sense prevails.

Nicely put, especially that last paragraph! It absolutely is what you are comfortable with, obviously within common sense weight. Some of us take that for granted and I know I do. I am a CDL driver and like many of you can operate, haul, drive most anything. I have probably hauled and towed heavier loads with a pickup or Semi than I should have but it does not bother me as far as comfort or confidence goes and am obviously safe when doing so or take less traveled roads of course keeping public safety in mind. Keep in mind you never want to hurt someone else because of your lack of knowledge or comfort. I do not white knuckle drive and actually enjoy challenges. I am the type when someone out here in the middle of no where says you can’t make that corner in a 90,000# semi with a 42’ trailer I say “hold my beer”. However, I do know my limits and have said ‘no’ before. I have had family/friends haul with or help me and I have to keep in mind their comfort zones. I chuckle when they can’t back a 16’ flatbed or think they need to go half the speed limit with their flashers on when hauling a sofa in the back of a truck. Anyway, I got off subject here but once again, nicely said.

 

[SpeedyV]

I think people (especially the 'weigh' police) get their panties in a knot when people go close to their suggested towing capacity. Seriously? The world is not going to end if you are over your suggested trailer weight. Please! I have never heard, read or seen a lawsuit about someone towing over their suggested weight and get into legal trouble, and I've seen commercial hot shot drivers who abide to FMCSA rules/regulations get into accidents above their GCVWR with no legal issues.

I'm also aware of farmers losing their their farms because they've exceeded load limits repeatedly. And any falsification of loads (back in Ohio, at least) triggers a $5,000 fine and 30 days in jail. I'm not disagreeing with everything you posted above, but I wouldn't dismiss the legal ramifications of running overloaded, especially in a commercial application.

 

[Joeyp]

I was looking into a gear swap just to accommodate larger tires. Figured it would be as easy as a Jeep. I was quoted 2700 in parts, 700 in labor. More than I expected, but not bad since the dealership guaranteed me my warranty would not be affected. I by no means claim to be an expert on warranties since this is my first brand new vehicle.

The problem I had was they can’t tell me for sure if they can reprogram the new gears into the truck. He said I might need to buy a programmer to change my tire size and gear ratio.

The dealer should have that capability if they are able to switch the gear ratio....

 

[NDanecker]

I'm also aware of farmers losing their their farms because they've exceeded load limits repeatedly. And any falsification of loads (back in Ohio, at least) triggers a $5,000 fine and 30 days in jail. I'm not disagreeing with everything you posted above, but I wouldn't dismiss the legal ramifications of running overloaded, especially in a commercial application.

I think we are talking apples and oranges here ???

Just to clarify I am not suggesting its ok to exceed equipment load limits especially in a commercial scenario. I am saying the GCVWR that everyone is holding as bible is not a legal hard limit, and not enforced by DOT, LEO or highway patrol. In other words, you cannot get ticketed for exceeding that number.

I recall a buddy of mine telling me about a potato farmer that constantly overloaded the trailers. One driver had a load where he stalled twice pulling up the ramp, and was shocked when he found out he was above 140k lbs which is way above his registered 80k tags. Key difference is he overloaded the equipment (axle, tires). He overloaded the tags. He broke the law. He put everyone at risk including himself, and deserves to get fined and/or lose the farm if he continues to operate this way. Just stupid….

Yea – I don’t condone that.

As a side note I do have my CDL with air brakes endorsement, and did some light hauling part-time for a friend. Would not go back to that lifestyle, and have the upmost respect for the guys/gals that keep crap moving in the US. Hats off......

 

[dn325ci]

Wow, this has been an informative thread. I'm awaiting an ordered truck, and I'm not going to be towing or hauling much if ever, but it's been fun to read this. I actually drove a couple different 3.21 trucks and a 3.92 truck before ordering, and the 3.92 felt more lively so I ordered that understanding there would be a slight penalty in fuel efficiency. I'm glad to have had the choice.