bphusmc
michigan
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I have a 2012 3500 drw with the 6.0 and 3:73 gears. I carry a eagle cap 1160 loaded is over 5000 lbs. The truck handles it fine, I usually get about 9.5 to 10 loaded. About 13 empty. If you keep it in tow haul (5th) gear your ratio is close to the same as the 4:10 would be on the highway. Mine is fine as the camper is only on it for about 5-6,000 miles a year. If it was on it most of the time I would go with the 4:10. Just my 2 cents.
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FreeLanceing
Grand Haven Mi
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Joined: 11/23/2007
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The new 6 speed trans allows taller gearing with the same power ratio. With the new 6 speeds gm dropped the final gears for better fuel economy. My 5.3 has the 6 speed with 3.73 which is the equivelant of the old 4/4.10 With the camper on I run in the manuel mode normaly 5 th gear. With that much wieght and a 6.o with your dedicated use maybe 4.10 is needed. I went from my perfectly good 08 to a 11 just to get the 6 speed and glad I did. Its a way better trans than the old 4 .
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deltabravo
WA
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Joined: 09/08/2003
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4:10
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egarant
Mission Viejo CA
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bphusmc wrote:I have a 2012 3500 drw with the 6.0 and 3:73 gears. I carry a eagle cap 1160 loaded is over 5000 lbs. The truck handles it fine, I usually get about 9.5 to 10 loaded. About 13 empty. If you keep it in tow haul (5th) gear your ratio is close to the same as the 4:10 would be on the highway. Mine is fine as the camper is only on it for about 5-6,000 miles a year. If it was on it most of the time I would go with the 4:10. Just my 2 cents.
I think you may be the first person I know that got the 6.0 on such a large truck carrying a heavy truck camper....I must admit when I first opened the hood of a 6.0 truck, boy did that engine look small in that engine bay! I am used to seeing big blocks...V-10's or diesels. Good to know that the small block 6.0 can move such a heavy truck and camper without too much trouble.
Since mine will be on the back most of the time and I will use it a lot out west in the mountains, I will go with the 4.10's.
Thanks for your post!
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Farmerjon
Niangua, missouri
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I think you will be happy with the 4.10's. That's what I would get.
Enjoy it!
00 F350 SC LB 4x4 DRW 7.3 PSD 6sp 3.73 DYI over load bumpers
99 Starcraft 953
87 F250 460 4x4 4sp 4.11 ex cab 8ft
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dokkema1
Blanding UT
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Joined: 07/01/2004
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I have a 2011 3500HD...4.10 gear...I would get a DRW...you will be happier and safer..and probably wont need airbags...I dont...
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elkhornsun
Monterey
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When in doubt I would go with the GM engineers which have the 4.10 as the standard offering with the gas engine powered trucks. Diesel puts out max torque at 1600 RPM and comes with 3.73 gearing. Gas engine reaches max torque at 4200 RPM - quite a difference. Gas engine tow capacity is 30% higher with 4.10 rear end which give an idea of the added stress on the engine and drivetrain with the 3.73 gearing.
Comment "If you keep it in tow haul (5th) gear your ratio is close to the same as the 4:10 would be on the highway." is incorrect. In Tow Haul mode the transmission downshifts sooner and keeps the torque converter clutch locked longer and this is done with the expectation that the speeds will be lower and to prolong engine and transmission life. With gas engine and 6-speed Hyda-matic there are 4 underdrive gears and two overdrive gears. Both 5th and 6th overdrive gears are lower final ratios with the Hydra-Matic transmission than with the Allison.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Maybe it's just me but I thought 4000lbs in the bed moved easier than 4000lbs on a big blocky trailer behind the truck.
You don't need a diesel for a 4000lb travel trailer, so why would you want/need one for a 4000lb camper?
Frankly, I wouldn't even worry about the boat. It should tow like a box trailer half its weight because it's aerodynamic.
The double-overdrive 6-speed with a 4.10 should give you the same unloaded mileage as a 4-speed with 3.73, with the performance of a 4-speed with 4.30 axle.
...and you can buy a LOT of gas for $10,000.
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
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jimh425
Western WA
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Towing the 5000lb boat is significant. The boat may or may not be aerodynamic. Generally, that's not a design point for the top of the boat.
On level ground, it won't be much of an issue, but pulling it up a mtn or hill is significant. Every year there are RVs and vehicles pulling trailers on the side of the road in the mountain passes around here. If you've ever driven over one in an underpowered vehicle, you can hear the transmission searching for the right gear while the trans temperature and engine temps get higher and higher.
In any case, a 9000lb load is a lot for a gas engine over a pass. Doable, but just realize the limitation. Level ground is a totally different story.
'06 F350 Lariat Supercab SRW, 6.0 PSD 4x4 Long Bed, Intake Elbow, Walker Big Truck Muffler. '06 Host Rainer 950 Double Slide, Fastguns. Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 9000s, Vision 19.5s with Hankook DH-01 245s, Energy Suspension bump stops.
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JoeChiOhki
Sauvie Island, OR
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4.10s and an extra set of rear tires, your gear figure is 500lbs low, average gear weight is closer to 1000lbs and any paper camper weight figure is usually wrong, so figure your total wet weight in at 5000lbs before ya even add the tongue weight of a boat trailer, which will be another 500lbs.
To be honest, if it was available, I'd get a Chevy that had the 454 in it vs the small block 6.0L if I was moving big loads with a gas engine in the size range yer talking about.
Also, be prepared for max freeway speed of 55 mph, and around 30mph going over grades.
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'1992 Dodge W-250 "Dually" Power Wagon - Club Cab Long Bed 4x4 V8 5.9L gashog w/4.10 Geared axles
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