chaselee

The wife is wanting another travel trailer. We have had one in the past but at the time I had a Cummins 4x4 so it wasn't an issue. My truck has the 5.0, 35" tires and 3.55 gears. Even hauling my side x side down the highway I have to lock out 6th gear and its still constantly dwn shifting into 4th to hold 70 mph.

So my question is, who is towing with their 5.0s? I'm pretty sure if I do bite this bullet I will have to re-gear. What size campers are you guys pulling with your 1/2 ton 5.0s. Thanks.

justjimmy

I had an FX2 - 5.0 SCAB with 3.55 and towed a tow hauler.

I also had 305-55-20s (34s)Terra Grapplers.

The toy hauler weighed about 8,500 loaded with two ATVs.

Towed fine when stock.

Have to tell you, I noticed a huge difference when I added the larger tires.

Still towed ok but the larger tires made a difference. Hunting for gears all the time when towing 65-70.

The best results was to lock out 6th gear and kept it 60-65.

I think a regear would be in order.

festivaboy92

i havent gone camping yet this year but will be heading out soon. I have a 2013 Jayco Jayflight Jay Swift SLX154BH only a single axle 19ft total length but may upgrade to a fifth wheel one day. Last towing season i was stock w/ 3.73, these past 4 months mod rampage now on 35's so I guess im a 3.55. I will document my experiance I also flipped my axle on my trailer so my truck and trailer are at same height!!!

chaselee

See, I think that's what problem I will have. Started out with 3.55s but now with 35" tires lord knows what gear I'm turning. Maybe a 3.27 ish?

5.0GN tow

Tow a large GN 3 horse with a towed weight of about 7500 to 8K. Mine is 3.55s with the 5.0 in STX trim. I run stock tires and it's good to go. A lower gear would be in order if running 35s I would think.

thiggins

I'm towing a 3500 pound single axle camper with 3.73 (FX4) gears, with the bed chock full of stuff, bike rack, extra water tank, etc,...so I'm pretty heavy. I do sometimes lock out 6th if I'm in hilly or mountainous terrain, but on the flats, it's not needed. I also noticed switching to LT (heavier) tires slowed everything down a bit (they are heavy), but I kept the stock size. Those big tires of yours, along with your gearing...ouch. You might re-gear, like others said.

chaselee

Yeah I'm pretty sure a re-gear is in my near future. Aggravates me that I didn't consider the 3.55 gears when I bought the thing, cause I knew I'd be leveling it and running 35s. Now I wonder 3.73s or 4.10s to put it back to factory

daveak

5.0, 3.73 with a stock tire size (New tires, replaced under warranty, since I bought the truck). I pull a 32ft TT about 6000# empty and could be as much as 7500# full up.

Tows great. Gear up your truck.

Sock Puppet

I don't know that 3.73s would give you what you want, and you'd be paying a fair amount of cash for minimal gain. I would go at least 4.10, if not 4.56. Might want to play with the numbers a bit.

SteveLord

Get ready to spend some dough especially if you're 4WD.

Go bigger so you won't have to do it ever again.