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Towing And Fuel Mileage With 4.10 Gears

DL2

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DL2 New Member

DL2

Posted
Posted

I am a first time user of this site.

I am considering trading for a new truck. I currently tow a 6000 lb.+ camper with my 2001 Sierra 1500 with a 5.3L with aftermarket exhaust and intake. I feel a little short on power. So, my question(s), will 4.10 gears in a 1500 with a 5.3L give me a noticable improvement in pulling power? And how bad will it hurt fuel mileage when not towing?

Oh yeah, should have mentioned my 2001 has 3.73 gears.

Thank you for all responses

Outbacker Enthusiast

Outbacker

Posted
Posted

I towed a 5000 pound trailer with a Z71 and the 4.10 ratio, and it was great. I crossed over a mountain everytime we went camping and the lower ratio helped as it gave me a bit more torque in the back end. My current truck has the 3.73 and I am wishing it had the 4.10. As far as fuel consumption, I did not see a difference. Normal day to day driving I doubt that you would even notice with the 4.10. But, yeah, if you are towing, the 4.10 is probably the way to go if you have the hills to cross, plus it adds about a 1000 more pounds to your tow rating.

 

Cheers.

05silvycrew Enthusiast

05silvycrew

Posted
Posted

haven't towed yet with my truck

but, as far as unloaded mileage goes, I get between 16-18 in the summer. I once got 19 on an all highway trip. in the winter those numbers drop to 14-16 MPG. drive with a light foot and keep the stock 265/70/17's and those should be your numbers.

 

by the way, welcome to the site! there's a lot of good info and great people here.

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

Dave, I am towing a 6500 lb camper with a 02 Yuk XL 5.3 with 4.10s. I love the 4.10s and they are a perfect fit for our driving style. I get about 10 to 11 towing but am currently averaging just over 21 with our daily driving. My theory of 4.10 gears is that if you do a lot of non interstate driving at speeds of less than 65, which is where my truck is driven, I believe 4.10s will actually provide better MPGs than higher gears. If you spend a good deal of time on Interstates at 75+, the 4.10s will cost you a little mileage. I just made a 400+ mile round trip with all Interstate driving at 65 to 68 MPH and averaged 19.2 MPG. If I made this same trip at 62, I would see the MPGs over 21.

 

I have never towed with 3.73 gears but I tow in 3rd and the 4.10s keep my revs aroung 2400 to 2500 at 50 to 55. This is right in the 5.3s sweet spot.

 

You may also want to experiment with 93 Octane Fuel. There is a lot of debate over this but for me, I feel it helped even before I added my Hyperteck Tuner.

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