Axle ratio question

[mjones12]

I wanted to see if some of you guys agree with what a truck salesman told me about axle ratio.

I have the Silverado 1500 5.3 V8 with the axle that gets better gas mileage but does not tow as much. I think the other axle gives the truck a tow capacity of over 9,000 pounds and my axle ratio brings that number down to the 7,000 pound range. Sorry, but I don't have the exact numbers with me.

His explanation is that two trucks with those two axles could have the same engines, same transmissions, same towing packages and same suspensions. Consequently, he says, it is perfectly safe and will not harm the truck to haul 9,000 pounds with either truck, regardless of which axle is used. He says the only difference would be that it would take longer for the truck with the lower tow rating to tow a trailer up a long grade.

I know the towing equation is much more complicated, but I just wondered if you guys agree with this guy regarding the general concept of how the axle ratios affect safety and performance.

This doesn't affect my towing at the moment, but might if I went to a larger unit.

Thanks

[TURBS]

Be afraid very very afraid!

Find a new salesman and dealer quick!


Turbs

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Be afraid very very afraid!

Find a new salesman and dealer quick!


Turbs

X2 The strain that will be placed on your engine and transmission will cause it to overwork itself and you'll be replacing both, and the rear differential, much sooner than you should. You would be extremely disappointed in your towing performance anyway.

[Dave_Monica]

The higher rear ratio truck can pull more because of the higher torque multiplication...that's the way it works. The saleman doesn't know what he's talking about.

Dave

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

The higher rear ratio truck can pull more because of the higher torque multiplication...that's the way it works. The saleman doesn't know what he's talking about.

Dave

His salesman hasnt towed more than his push mower!

[Gizmo0706]

It seems that in my research that the better gear ratios also come with a package that includes better engine, transmission, and power steering cooling. GM seems to be offering a standard vehicle that is great for fuel economy but terrible for towing. You almost have to get a HD tow package if you plan to tow any serious trailers, IMHO.

[JFM-jr]

Do you remember riding a ten speed bike? Think of the difference starting off in 10th gear and then starting off in 1st wich one was easier on you? Same logic used driving a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission wich is harder to take off from a red light being in 1st or 3rd gear? These are basic examples but the logic applies. Your engine will work harder and transmission will operate hotter. Gear ratio is much more important in a gas engine as the usable torque simply don't exist in the lower spectrum of the RPM range.

[Swaggler]

I'm pretty sure a swap from 3.73 to 4.10 will yield an additional 1,000 lb. tow capacity. There are limits to how much a 1/2 ton frame can handle though. IMO sales reps tend to be overly optimistic about the product they are trying to sell.

[camper1999]

You could swap out the gears to raise your trucks towing capacity. But do your homework. The sales people will tell you anything to sell you the trailer. It is not they do not know what they are talking about but it is not their truck they are talking about.

[cyclepuck]

Best bet is to swap gears. You have the 3.08 and the higher tow capacity 1500 has the 3.42.

[JFM-jr]

Originally Posted by camper1999

You could swap out the gears to raise your trucks towing capacity. But do your homework. The sales people will tell you anything to sell you the trailer. It is not they do not know what they are talking about but it is not their truck they are talking about.

There is nothing that can be done to "Raise" a trucks tow capacity it leaves the factory with. There are thing to help make it tow better but the sticker on the door jamb is with it for it's lifetime. As for a gear swap it is expensive take it from me I just did it in my 3/4 ton Ram I went from a 3.73 to a 4.56 and it set me back 2K. I must add I am 4x4 so I had to do both front and rear. A 2wd truck would be less

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by JFM-jr

There is nothing that can be done to "Raise" a trucks tow capacity it leaves the factory with. There are thing to help make it tow better but the sticker on the door jamb is with it for it's lifetime. As for a gear swap it is expensive take it from me I just did it in my 3/4 ton Ram I went from a 3.73 to a 4.56 and it set me back 2K. I must add I am 4x4 so I had to do both front and rear. A 2wd truck would be less

1/2 ton would be even less than 3/4 ton 2wd to 2wd

[campfirefun]

I think you answered your own question when you said- salesman

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by campfirefun

I think you answered your own question when you said- salesman

x2
Over the years I have never known a car salesman that had a clue as to what towing capacities really are. (I know there are a few that do) All they seem to know is the max. that a vehicle could tow if equiped correctly (they don't tell you all that).

As far as door capacity stickers mine does not have one (may have but it is long gone) but personally after the warranty is up, upgrades can help to a point. I found out the hard way that some changes will void even an extended warranty. (Even if you bought the vehicle with them already on there).

[GASPEDDLER]

Let me guess, he doesn't have the higher tow capacity truck in stock, right? Typical salesman.

[TURBS]

They will say anything they can to sell a unit in stock vs ordering one or doing a dealer search.

Turbs

[garbonz]

Hey just tow it in first gear all the time, that will minimize the stress, sort of. Seriously, is you are a flat lander and are gentle, you will probably not hurt anything, since there is a safety margin, but I still would get a more purpose designed TV. That 7000 rating applies anywhere theoretically, at sea level or at 6000 ft, so if you are an east coaster and staying there you will not be pushing it as much as a guy in the western mountains

Just saying.

Another example.

My 2007 3/4 ton Chevy duramax is rated to pull 12k lbs, the 2008 version of the same vehicle, with no power train differences is rated at 14.4K and the new ones are rated at like 17k same power train pretty much. There have been some suspension and brake changes, but that's a pretty big increase. My feeling is that all the mfg are pushing the rates to keep up with each other, and the safety margins are getting smaller.

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

1/2 ton would be even less than 3/4 ton 2wd to 2wd

Don't count on it. 3/4 ton 2WD vs 1/2 ton 2WD, you're only looking at a slight increase in the cost of the parts, which, in the grand scheme of all things gear swap, is the least of your concerns cost-wise. Most of the cost of a gear swap is in labor, and it's something that needs to be done by a qualified tech, not Jimmy down on the corner in his garage. The tolerances involved in correctly setting up ring and pinion backlash and all the other stuff involved is way beyond driveway mechanic land. The labor is the same, 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton.

Take it from the guy who is on the THIRD set of axles under his Jeep.

[MillerTime]

Ok guys, working at a gm dealer, I can clear some if this up.
For 2012 and I think 13s are the same( no need to change anything since 2014s are hitting the floor in a couple months)- on a standard 1/2 ton truck with a 4.3, 4.8,or 5.3 you either have 3.08 or 3.42 gears- that's it period- doesn't mater if its 2 or 4wd.
- to get 3.73 gears factory (unless you know someone, or there is someother option that I'm not aware of- but not likely, since most special options are in "packages") you have to get the "towmax" package, with that you get the 6.2 engine, 3.73 gears, I believe the 6L70E tranny instead of the 6L60E, and I'm not positive but I think it has the 9.5"ring gear-14bolt rear axle instead if the 8.5" normal rear axle.
I have not seen any 4.10 gears for 1/2 tons- I think that the 6 speed trannys gear ratios have eliminated that.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by mjones12

I wanted to see if some of you guys agree with what a truck salesman told me about axle ratio.

I have the Silverado 1500 5.3 V8 with the axle that gets better gas mileage but does not tow as much. I think the other axle gives the truck a tow capacity of over 9,000 pounds and my axle ratio brings that number down to the 7,000 pound range. Sorry, but I don't have the exact numbers with me.

His explanation is that two trucks with those two axles could have the same engines, same transmissions, same towing packages and same suspensions. Consequently, he says, it is perfectly safe and will not harm the truck to haul 9,000 pounds with either truck, regardless of which axle is used. He says the only difference would be that it would take longer for the truck with the lower tow rating to tow a trailer up a long grade.

I know the towing equation is much more complicated, but I just wondered if you guys agree with this guy regarding the general concept of how the axle ratios affect safety and performance.

This doesn't affect my towing at the moment, but might if I went to a larger unit.

Thanks

Another idiot salesman.