Gears For Pulling?

Racingduke · June 11, 2008

I have a 2000 2500 6.0 with 3:73 gears. When driving around I get 13.9 mpg steady. When I hook up my 7500 lb camper I drop to 6.5 mpg. Will going to 4:10 gears help me when pulling? I really only use the truck for pulling my camper, so I want to be best set up for that. If mpg drops when driving around, but picks up( from where it is now) pulling, I would be happy. Any proven suggestions?

nbscanuck · June 11, 2008

Really no such things as pulling AND mileage. 4.10 will help with the pulling as far as accelerating, pulling hills, but I doubt your gonna see any significant changes in mileage. I'm 16-17 mpg empty, I'm 12 mpg with 5000lb trailer.

2000DV4.8 · June 11, 2008

4.10s would be a better ratio for towing, but it would take a very long time for the marginal fuel savings to offset the cost of new gears. Now, if you just want more "umph" off the line, the 4.10s would be worth it.

BlackSilver · June 11, 2008

For pulling a load you want low end torque, and that small-block doesn't have it. Changing gears isn't going to help you very much, certainly not enough to offset the cost of changing them out.

markw8 · June 12, 2008

My 2000,2500ext cab. 4x4 with 410s gets 8.5-11mpg carrying a truck camper, at 9800lbs gross. You would be better with 410s with your trailer, but if it's a 4x4 it'll take a long time to pay for it, changing both. Mark.

svensk · June 12, 2008

Get a custom tune. It will help you immensely.

Racingduke · June 12, 2008

Get a custom tune. It will help you immensely.

Thanks for the input. What company do you suggest I buy the custom tune from?

95Sierra2500 · June 12, 2008

My experience with 4.10s goes something like this: My dad bought his '94 CC dually 1-ton new with 454/5-spd/4x4/4.10's. He was disappointed with the 11 mpg it got driving around, but liked the fact that it didn't change regardless of what he was doing (empty, towing 35' travel trailer, hauling 11' truck camper, etc).

Fast forward to when I bought my '95 2500 ext. cab, 350/4L80/4x4/4.10's. I have managed a best of 13mpg, and that's whether I'm towing, empty, loaded, etc.

Moral of the story - If you want good mileage and never tow/haul anything, get the highest (3.23's or higher) gears you can. If you want your mileage to stay the same regardless of what you're doing, get 4.10's.