|
Posts: 8
| My first post. I pull 3 boats with a 2005 GMC Sierra Ext. cab 4x4 with 5.3 aluminum block. It has factory 4.10 gears with 4 spd auto. I always pull in overdrive and it rarely unlocks the torque-converter, and has only downshifted 1 or 2 times on extreme grades with high headwinds. I regularly pull from Kansas to Wisconsin. In headwinds 13.5-12.2mpg, tailwinds 15-16.6mpg. 1 Ford, 1 Chevy, and 4 GMC's since 1969 and only 1 tranny failure with 3.08 gears. All the rest have been 3.73s and 4.10 gears. Lesson learned, too tall gearing great for no load mpg's, bad for pulling and tranny life. The Ford had the smallest engine 240 inline-six, but would haul any load and trailer with 4 spd. granny and the 4.10 gear. I prefer manaul trannys but they're no longer available in 1/2 ton pickups. My father owned Dodges 3/4 ton 318 with 3-speed torque-flite, pulled cab-over campers and boats to Manitoba and never a problem, but there again with low geared rearends. I'll take the smallest motor with 4.10 gears over the largest motor with 3.08's. That's close to a million miles with only 1 tranny failure and that was the 350turbo 3-spd GM tranny on a 79 GMC. | |
|
