which gear ratio to use in my Chevy

[TheGoose]

Why not have the best of both worlds? Check here:

Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive Chevrolet/GMC Truck-Car-Van 2-Wheel Drive 4-Speed Automatics.

 

[tcartwri]

According to the door sticker the GVRW is 7000# with everything being original which it is not. I have added air bags to the rear. changed the air intake and reprogramed the computer the up the pony's.


So according to everything I read ( if I understand it correctly) if I put the 4.10 gears in it then that should increase the towing compacity ??

It will pull it.... Here's the problem. On a half ton chassis the weight on the rear axle is carried by the axle itself, and a relatively small bearing. On a three quarter ton and bigger chassis, the weight is carried by the hub and a much much larger bearing.

On a half ton, if the axle breaks, the wheel and tire leave the chassis. This does not happen on a 3/4 ton or larger truck.

If you decide to do this, you should be using a weight distributing hitch for sure, and you should be aware that the trailer will probably from time to time push the truck into a severe sway condition. That will change your mind pretty quickly. btdt.

 

[Soundguy]

I have a 2005 Chevy Surburban 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton with a 5.3 L. motor. My truck currently has 3.42 gear ratio in it. I am towing a 32 ft travel trailer that has a empty weight of 7400 lbs. I am going to upgrade the diff. gears, however I can't decide between a 3.73 gear or a 4.10 gear ratio. The transmission is a 4L60. I would love to hear some feed back...

i routinely pull a 7k flatbed with a f250 with 3.73 gears.. but it's a PS diesel. no issues on power.. not sure I'd like to pull a wind resistant brick with that though

soundguy

 

[JIGBUILDER]

I would go with the 4.10 gears.
I use my wifes '06 1500 chevy 5.3 4x4 3.73 axle auto tranny 7400 tow rating on occassion pulling my smaller 10k flatdeck with my blue tractor/FEL and BB or 7' mower into muddy worksites.
With the fel and the mower the trailer has a 9580 lb gross on the axles. The little 1500 does just ok in the flats but drags it down to 2nd gear with lots of RPMs in the hills.
Dropping the FEL from the tractor the trailer has a 7600 lb gross on the axles. The truck does better in the hills but I sure wish it had 4.10s.

That 7400 dry weight TT will most likely weigh closer to 8500 lbs, maybe more. T don't think your going to like the trucks performance towing those weights with the little 5.3 engine.

 

[mojoinco]

One other item, if you look at the manufacturers towing guides, they list (at least for 5th wheels) maximum frontal areas. There may be a listing for slide ins (I know, OP has a Burb). Part of the comments on 'pushing a brick'.

Just another data point. Judging by the rigs I see on the road, not many (any?) of the recreational 5th wheel crowd are aware of this.

It's more hassle (maybe even money after selling what you have) to consider buying the right vehicle, but you will be happier. Yeah, you can make you Burb work, but you'll at the least wear it out sooner, and at the most regret the accident you were in (that was avoidable).

Hard le$$on to learn: spec the load/trailer, then buy the truck.