General vehicle thread

[Irving]

So my towing situation is one that I could go without a bigger truck. I have a 5x8 trailer that both my current V6 vehicles will tow just fine. However, there is a 36' bumper pull trailer in the family that occasionally needs towing. I've been getting by borrowing trucks, and it could be getting sold within a year. Then, my towing would be either towing an off-road vehicle (which if that IS the tow vehicle then it's a non-issue), or a small camp trailer or slightly larger trailer than the one I currently have.

As far as highway driving, that's what I do all day when I'm working. When I'm not working, I'm not really out driving around.

[Gman]

The reason I ask is that your better towing axle ratios tend to have lower economy (higher engine revs) at highway speeds. If you don't do a lot of towing, then you could go with a lower rear axle ratio for better highway economy, but it may also affect your max towing ability. There's a trade-off when trying to do both.

[Irving]

Well, I tow so infrequently that I don't have to consider that so much, but that's a good thing to think about. Thanks.

[ray1970]

The reason I ask is that your better towing axle ratios tend to have lower economy (higher engine revs) at highway speeds. If you don't do a lot of towing, then you could go with a lower rear axle ratio for better highway economy, but it may also affect your max towing ability. There's a trade-off when trying to do both.

Those days are quickly going away. When transmissions only had three or four gears you would be correct. These days with things like eight and even ten speed transmissions you can have your cake and eat it too.

[Gman]

Yeah, I have an 8-speed in my 2019 RAM. The top gear is no higher than the previous 6-speed. There's still the mechanical advantage of the rear ratio and increased loads with a lower ratio have to be absorbed by the drive line which affects max towing.

I went with the lower rear ratio since I like to road-trip and drive fast on the highway. Towing will be a rarity for me.

[Bailey Guns]

My F-250 is a 6.7L, SRW, 4x4, crew cab with a 3.31 rear end. Max conventional tow rating is 17,600 lbs, max 5th wheel is 14,000 lbs. The same truck with 3.55 rear end is rated exactly the same.

[brutal]

The reason I ask is that your better towing axle ratios tend to have lower economy (higher engine revs) at highway speeds. If you don't do a lot of towing, then you could go with a lower rear axle ratio for better highway economy, but it may also affect your max towing ability. There's a trade-off when trying to do both.

+ size tires can offset the lower gears (high numeric ratio) without adversely affecting the towing capability as much as + size on taller (lower numeric ratio) gears.

Thing is, so many put taller tires on their trucks that have tall gears and then the towing performance sucks. Not so much an effect on diesels, but gas engines will struggle more.

[Great-Kazoo]

So my towing situation is one that I could go without a bigger truck. I have a 5x8 trailer that both my current V6 vehicles will tow just fine. However, there is a 36' bumper pull trailer in the family that occasionally needs towing. I've been getting by borrowing trucks, and it could be getting sold within a year. Then, my towing would be either towing an off-road vehicle (which if that IS the tow vehicle then it's a non-issue), or a small camp trailer or slightly larger trailer than the one I currently have.

As far as highway driving, that's what I do all day when I'm working. When I'm not working, I'm not really out driving around.

Buy a single axle hybrid or one of the Aliner style pull behinds. While the larger ones are nice, realistically with only 3 in your family smaller makes more sense.

[Irving]

I've got access to other's pop-ups. Neighbor just came home with one today actually.

[Great-Kazoo]

I've got access to other's pop-ups. Neighbor just came home with one today actually.

If you go pop up, i suggest a hard side unit. Those other ones are easy to cut in to for access of your personal items.