Which Gear?

V8nuts · July 23, 2009

I have a 4.8 with the 3.27 gear in it now and my dealer told me it would tow 10,000 lbs but when I got home my owners manual said it will only tow 4600lbs. So I have a 6000lb trailer sitting in my back yard so I need a gear swap.. 3:73 or 3:90 or 4:10 ? I drive on freeway quit a bit but going slow never bothered me so I can cuise at 65 and be ok with that. I will be adding a big trans cooler also. Thank you for your help.

Stevens03 · July 23, 2009

Without a doubt, 4.10's Being you have the 4.8, it lacks torque. The 4.10's will help you alot.

I hate dealers that lie like that... but your just as much at fault for not checking before making the purchase.

V8nuts · July 23, 2009

Without a doubt, 4.10's Being you have the 4.8, it lacks torque. The 4.10's will help you alot.

I hate dealers that lie like that... but your just as much at fault for not checking before making the purchase.

I know I never checked what it would tow. But I have owned a lot of full size trucks and they all tow at least 6k. 4600lbs is very low for a full size V8 truck..I think this is the lowest towing capacity of any V8 truck in America.

66nova · July 23, 2009

Without a doubt, 4.10's Being you have the 4.8, it lacks torque. The 4.10's will help you alot.

I hate dealers that lie like that... but your just as much at fault for not checking before making the purchase.

+1 on the 4.10's

What size wheels do you have. If you have 20's I would consider getting rid of those and going with 18's also.

Even with that, a 4.8 and 6000+ lbs is not going to be an enjoyable trip.

I don't even think the 6.0 with 3.73 gears is rated at 10,000lbs?

jrrod2004 · July 23, 2009

Without a doubt, 4.10's Being you have the 4.8, it lacks torque. The 4.10's will help you alot.

I hate dealers that lie like that... but your just as much at fault for not checking before making the purchase.

I know I never checked what it would tow. But I have owned a lot of full size trucks and they all tow at least 6k. 4600lbs is very low for a full size V8 truck..I think this is the lowest towing capacity of any V8 truck in America.

I think the XFE could be lower . No seriously, I wonder why that is. My truck is rated for 6K in towing and I have the the 4.8 with 3.23 on the crew cab...

nbscanuck · July 23, 2009

Gear swap isn't gonna fix your problem. Your suspension is going to be an issue here too. Your trailer is 1400lbs MORE than your rated for. Is that loaded or empty? If that is empty weight, you'll be 2000lbs plus over your trucks rating. Also add the weight of the people. You're gonna have issue here, not matter how you do it.

I wouldn't complain about the tow rating. If towing was an issue for you, YOU should have checked into it more to make sure you have enough to pull what you got. Never buy just enough, get more truck than you need for towing. Running into head winds, pulling hills, more gear, more people all add your trailering issues.

Spurshot · July 23, 2009

If you're worried about 4.10 gears being too low for the freeway, rest assured they'll be fine. My 99 2500 6.0L and my 08 1500 Vmax 6.0 L both have 4.10 gears and they are fine cruising up to about 85mph if I like.

I'd also keep the tire overall diameter low (stock diameter) as large diameter tires are a power robber as someone alluded above.

Probably going to need to add some kind of rear spring assist like air bags or helper springs or just buy some leaf springs out of a 2500 or Vmax.

Then you might give some thought to a tune and other power improvements.

Stevens03 · July 23, 2009

Without a doubt, 4.10's Being you have the 4.8, it lacks torque. The 4.10's will help you alot.

I hate dealers that lie like that... but your just as much at fault for not checking before making the purchase.

+1 on the 4.10's

What size wheels do you have. If you have 20's I would consider getting rid of those and going with 18's also.

Even with that, a 4.8 and 6000+ lbs is not going to be an enjoyable trip.

I don't even think the 6.0 with 3.73 gears is rated at 10,000lbs?

Why you raggin on my 20's... Thats a personal choice and had nothing to do with the topic. He should have checked... Everyone knows the sales staff lie to make a sale You say you never checked, but you knew dang well what the 6.0 was capable of before buying it, so don't go there.

66nova · July 23, 2009

Without a doubt, 4.10's Being you have the 4.8, it lacks torque. The 4.10's will help you alot.

I hate dealers that lie like that... but your just as much at fault for not checking before making the purchase.

+1 on the 4.10's

What size wheels do you have. If you have 20's I would consider getting rid of those and going with 18's also.

Even with that, a 4.8 and 6000+ lbs is not going to be an enjoyable trip.

I don't even think the 6.0 with 3.73 gears is rated at 10,000lbs?

Why you raggin on my 20's... Thats a personal choice and had nothing to do with the topic. He should have checked... Everyone knows the sales staff lie to make a sale You say you never checked, but you knew dang well what the 6.0 was capable of before buying it, so don't go there.

No, no, no. I wasn't referring to you when I said that... I was talking to/about the OP. I have 20's too. I don't want anything else. I'm purely agreeing with your point with the quote and adding my own opinion. If the OP has 20's he should consider getting 18's and a smaller diameter tire.

I like your wheels and I like 20's.

rodram · July 23, 2009

Basic answer is yes, the 4.8L with the low ratio rear end gears has a very limited capacity for towing...

... 3.73 or 4.10 gears will definitely help

... the truck may be challenged on the payload capacity as well

a NEW 2009 1500 can be had with a 6L w/3.73 gears with a 10,400 lbs tow capacity and GVW 7300... (called a Max Towing package or NHT).... but if you want to use the truck you have then get some different gears, get a transmission cooler, always trailer pull with auto trans in 3rd gear (not 4th), get a weight distribution hitch, and generally take it easy

Stevens03 · July 23, 2009

66nova - Its all good brother... I know you weren't raggin... I was just playing too.

I didn't think GM used different springs and rear ends in the 4.8's for a MUCH lower payload. I would assume that the springs would have been the same whether it was a 5.3 or a 4.8. I'd say if it were my truck, I'd certainly consider 4.10's It should help alot.

Blake · July 24, 2009

4.10s, without a doubt

V8nuts · July 24, 2009

Without a doubt, 4.10's Being you have the 4.8, it lacks torque. The 4.10's will help you alot.

I hate dealers that lie like that... but your just as much at fault for not checking before making the purchase.

I know I never checked what it would tow. But I have owned a lot of full size trucks and they all tow at least 6k. 4600lbs is very low for a full size V8 truck..I think this is the lowest towing capacity of any V8 truck in America.

I think the XFE could be lower . No seriously, I wonder why that is. My truck is rated for 6K in towing and I have the the 4.8 with 3.23 on the crew cab...

I have the stock 17's and my trailer is 6000 fully loaded trailer is 1900 car is 3000 and extra people and tools and gear 750 or so so just under 6000.Where I live the roads are pretty mutch flat as a pancake. 80 round trip miles to the track twice a month and 200 mile round trip every 2-3 months is all I will do. Sounds like 4:10's and a set of firestone airbags or add a leafs and a tranny cooler should do it.

I know I should have checked but I have been very busy with a new baby,work and my BS freinds that is why I went to the pro's at the stealership to point me in the right direction. But it is to late to cry now. Will I be ok?

V8nuts · July 24, 2009

but anyway thanx everyone for your input.

music · July 24, 2009

The 4.10 rear will put you up to about 7400 lbs tow rating, and it will handle fine. Payload is the same, regardless of engine (except for the NHT pkg)... although the 2wd is about 80 lbs less than the 4wd IIRC.