Hello...Anyone with 2014 Ram 3500 and B&W Companion 3600 hitch?

[coloradolivin]

Originally Posted by Joezilla

In doing my research, it seems that I want the Aisin transmission too. That option adds quite a bit of towing capability. A Laramie dually CC with 4.10 and Aisin will tow 29,000 lbs. The same truck with the 68RFE tows in the 23,000 range. With a 3.73 and Aisin, it tows 23,000, The same truck with a 68RFE tows around 19,000.

I'm thinking I want the Aisin transmission and the 4.10 gears. That way I could tow just about anything I want. However, most trucks I have found on the dealer's lots are sporting the 3.42 gears. Some have the 3.73's, but the 4.10 geared trucks are hard to find here in Iowa.

Joe

We have the 3:42 with the 68RFE and it pulls just fine. Last trip to Denver, 3 hours through the mountains got 19.2 empty and pulling the coach home made 9.4. You will gain pulling capacity with the 3:73 and even more with the 4:10 as well as adding the Aisin. However, you will sacrifice gas mileage. So I guess it depends how much towing you will be doing.

[Joezilla]

You guys all make good points. It will be a truck that I have to live with for many years so I do not want to make a mistake. Thanks for all the inputs.

Joe

[lwg]

Originally Posted by Fredtp

If you are going to pull two Redwoods in tandem then yes a 4:10 with Aisin is what you need.

Now that would be a sight! Titan Guy has the attachment for the rear of the first Redwood to connect the second. The hitch at the back of the first Redwood "might" not be rated for that weight though!

[Dave&Ginny]

when i switched trucks and went from a 343 to the 373 i lost about 1-1.5 mpg.

[travelin' texans]

When I switched trucks from 4.10 to 3.73 gained about 1-1.5 mpg.

[TNTBaker]

We have the 4.10 and could NOT imagine something less, especially when crawling up the hill to our home... yikes. LOVE the RAM, works like a dawg!

[Jim & Mary]

We currently have 350 SRW and after reading all your posts, are ready to trade for a DRW. I can get the same truck in 3.73 and 4.10. Our SRW is currently 3.55. Is the extra pulling power worth going to 4.10 vs the reduction is fuel economy or buying the 3.73?

[Diesel chaser]

We have 3.73 in our 2014 F350 DRW and have no problems on hills. If you go to a 2015 they are to have more torque and horse power than the 2014 so the 3.73 really shouldn't be an issue.

[atom ant]

I have the 4:10 and a guy on RV net showed me some calcs and specs showing that the final drive ratio on my 2008 4:10 with a 5-sp Torqueshift was almost exactly the same as a 2014 F350 dually with 3:73 and the new transmission.

Over my head - but in the end, the gear ratio isn't necessarily the only data input, there is tire size, transmission output ratio, and model year to consider.

[Jim & Mary]

Well, we're buying 2015 F350 and I can get equal trucks with 3.73 or 4.10. Our present truck is 3.55 so it's quite a mental challenge to decide. Our current truck is a 2013 and we're looking at a 2015. So many choices. Is the fuel economy vs. power worth debating. I just can't decide............

[atom ant]

....I would be inclined to go with the 3:73. Just me, but I would prefer the benefit of fuel mileage over the power.

[vince900ss]

Originally Posted by Joezilla

What rear end is in your Ram? 4.10, 3.73, or 3.42. We are looking at a new Ram and I think I would prefer the 4.10 rear, but am not sure.

Joe

Hi Joe,
I went with the 3.73 since we won't be towing all that much, and I felt that would be a good compromise. But the other comments here will be more helpful, since I haven't even bought my hitch yet! So, I'm glad you asked, as I'm learning about my decision on this as well.

[piper guy]

Jim ~ going with the '15 I think I would do the 3.73 unless you're thinking of a bigger, heavier coach in the near future. Mine has the 3.73 and I've never felt it was underpowered. As Brad said, the '15 has another 50 hp and 120 lbs of torque over my '13.

One thing if you're ordering the truck - put the Camper option on it. Mine has it and although I doubt I will ever put a truck camper on it, the overload springs are heavier and you also get a bigger alternator. Unloaded ride is same, but when I hook up the RL the truck sits level. Airbags are used for stability and ride purposes only, I don't need them to level the truck.

[Jim & Mary]

The truck I have in mind has the camper package and 3.73 gears. I also have another option to get a truck with 4.10 gears with camper package, just cant decide........

[Fredtp]

I have the 3:73 in my Ram and have plenty of power and fuel mileage is 17 not pulling. My daughter's boyfriend has a 2014 lRam like mine except he has Aisin and 3:73 and he onlt gets 15 not pulling, so go figure.

[TNTBaker]

Our scales ticket taken on the way home from our trip the other day. We are full time, so loaded. Tanks were EMPTY. Propane full. We still have some belongings to move in, but not much axle rating left for that. We have the 7K axles, which are not enough, obviously. Didn't even know about upgrading them when we ordered the coach, and is our one major regret that we didn't find out about upgrading, our bad. I am already stuffing money away to upgrade the suspension some day. Hauling "on the edge" makes this girl nervous and that means a no-fun passenger! This trailer is HEAVVVVY! Big dually 1 ton truck is a must in our opinion.
In case you can't read it:
1: 5500
2: 7660
3: 6680
4: 6780

Total: 26,620 truck and trailer

We are still evaluating this. Bottom line tho, it's a big, heavy trailer and you need enough truck to handle unexpected driving, like when a texting teenager is in front of you...

[piper guy]

If you are heading to the Midwest, look at doing the Mor/Ryde IS very seriously. I know I sound like an add for them but ask Chuck - (Underpsi), the difference in towing and safety is night and day. Hands down, the money I spent on the Kodiak Discs and the IS suspension was/is the best money I've spent on the coach. Literally have to remind yourself it's back there and the whole rig handles and stops like it was just the truck.

really gives you a much different sense of security while towing and no "white knuckles"

[brenkco]

I'm amazed at how close we are:
I have a 2014 F450 & 2014 38GK
Front: 5460
Rear: 7900
Trailer: 13100
Total: 26460

Pin Weight is 3500.

Ken

[TNTBaker]

Haha! Yep, we are BOTH real heavy! Well, that's like in a Redwood! Thank goodness it hauls so smooth. You would never know how heavy it is. We have hauled MUCH smaller fivers that yanked us all over the place and sometimes gave us whiplash and bumps on our heads. Ok, small exaggeration, but definitely NOT a smooth ride!

[0nTheRoad]

I'm with Vaughn...if I get the bucks, or if I ever have to have any suspension work done, I'm heading to Mor/Ryde to get the IS system installed.

I ordered my RW with the 8K axles & G-rated tires but I still worry about the suspension.