HMMM, Did i goof???

**JFF&KRN** · 06-22-2020, 07:13 AM

Well, finally did it. I traded the 2010 GMC Sierra 2500 HD 3:73 with 16 inch tires/wheels 125k miles, as I found a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 4:10 3k miles with 20 inch tires. Both trucks are 4 x 4, crew cab with short bed, towing capacity changed by 4,000. so that was the biggie. We won't be overloaded any more. Took a little trip up the hill to Prescott Valley over the weekend to help some family, about 100 miles. 2010 truck would average about 7 mpg. new truck was only at 7.6 round trip, 6 up there and 8.5 back. Did i goof up? I am concerned if i am going to gain anything at all when i am traveling on the flat as for the part we do when we are on a long trip. I was really hoping for around 9 or 10 with the 4:10 gears. I did have the HP and kept it at 40 / 45 to 50 /55 climbing that i was happy with, just thinking of the overall. Don't worry about hurting my feelings, made mistakes before and sucked it up and made a change. thoughts and comments are very welcome.

**TheGuy** · 06-22-2020, 07:39 AM

Well, I can't speak directly to your case but I'll say that the lower gear ratio (numerically higher) is going to raise the rpms. That translates to better performance off the line but will hurt you at cruise.

To know if that rear gear is significantly different from your old truck you'd have to calculate the total ratio including transmission gear(s) and tire circumference.

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**el Rojo** · 06-22-2020, 08:07 AM

You will get more torque and pulling power but lose on mileage. Not a mistake, just a trade off.

Red

**FT4NOW** · 06-22-2020, 08:11 AM

I guess it depends what your goal was.

Was it to increase towing capacity? (Sounds like you did)

Was it to increase payload?
(You probably did since they seem to increase over the years even in the same truck configuration, but probably not by much)

Was it to increase fuel economy?
(It seems like it was very similar, but is fuel economy really something that one is concerned about when towing? I would be more concerned with the ability to safely tow and stop the load over fuel economy while towing)

What about your unloaded fuel economy, has that improved?

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**JFF&KRN** · 06-22-2020, 08:17 AM

towing capacity was the main goal and of course the other truck was good, just getting a little beat up. the new one is super nice, lots of new things to learn about. towing and payload i was able to achieve what i wanted, in addition to the little more torque i guess for the hills and still have a little over 1000 lbs capacity for those trips that we haul a bunch of extra stuff, so yeah overall i think i achieved what i needed to. If i can maintain at least 8 to 10 mpg i guess i achieved the major thing. thanks for your input

**tamrick** · 06-22-2020, 08:25 AM

typically, moving up one gear (or lower gear; 3.73 to 4.10) will decrease fuel mileage about 1-1.5mpg when not towing. changing driving habits will make up the difference. towing performance improves greatly and the fuel mileage will also be slightly lower. its a small trade off but you will enjoy the lower gears during take off and climbing. Happy Trails

**geotex1** · 06-22-2020, 08:33 AM

As others said, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Saying what others have a bit differently, for same travel speed you will consume more fuel with 4.10s. Automakers are helping a bit with transmissions with more gears, but then we see additional fuel efficiency being robbed from the truck lines with emissions equipment. Probably the advice is to have comfort in you have the right tool for the job, and plan how you use the tool - flatter routes, lower average speed, etc.

**That 1 Ron** · 06-23-2020, 10:00 AM

Those gear ratios are so close, I doubt you would see much of a difference either way. Maybe off the line performance would be slightly better with the 4.10's. At speed, aerodynamics, or lack of, and overall weight really come into play. You're still pushing a heavy brick through the air, while pulling an even bigger, heavier brick through the air. Going diesel would net you slightly better mpg, but there's a serious upfront cost with that.....

**Steven@147** · 06-23-2020, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by JFF&KRN

Well, finally did it. I traded the 2010 GMC Sierra 2500 HD 3:73 with 16 inch tires/wheels 125k miles, as I found a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 4:10 3k miles with 20 inch tires. Both trucks are 4 x 4, crew cab with short bed, towing capacity changed by 4,000. so that was the biggie. We won't be overloaded any more. Took a little trip up the hill to Prescott Valley over the weekend to help some family, about 100 miles. 2010 truck would average about 7 mpg. new truck was only at 7.6 round trip, 6 up there and 8.5 back. Did i goof up? I am concerned if i am going to gain anything at all when i am traveling on the flat as for part we do when we are on a long trip. I was really hoping for around 9 or 10 with the 4:10 gears. I did have the HP and kept it at 40 / 45 to 50 /55 climbing that i was happy with, just thinking of the overall. Don't worry about hurting my feelings, made mistakes before and sucked it up and made a change. thoughts and comments are very welcome.

Gain in fuel mileage? Like was said, the lower the gears the higher the RPMs, the more fuel it takes, even a little bit. But look what you did gain in towing. 9 years can be a lot of difference with trucks these days on their capabilities and how the engines are built, emissions and their capabilities. 4x4s can eat up a lot of fuel mileage on the older trucks Vs new, partly because of how they were made but partly the weight they add. Manufacturers love to rate 4.10 gears a lot higher in towing capacity. How many more gears in the transmission did you gain? No I don't think you goofed. That's probably what I would have expected. You got a much better truck overall in capabilities, probable better ride and comfort.

**Cajun Couple** · 06-23-2020, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by JFF&KRN

Well, finally did it. I traded the 2010 GMC Sierra 2500 HD 3:73 with 16 inch tires/wheels 125k miles, as I found a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 4:10 3k miles with 20 inch tires. Both trucks are 4 x 4, crew cab with short bed, towing capacity changed by 4,000. so that was the biggie. We won't be overloaded any more. Took a little trip up the hill to Prescott Valley over the weekend to help some family, about 100 miles. 2010 truck would average about 7 mpg. new truck was only at 7.6 round trip, 6 up there and 8.5 back. Did i goof up? I am concerned if i am going to gain anything at all when i am traveling on the flat as for the part we do when we are on a long trip. I was really hoping for around 9 or 10 with the 4:10 gears. I did have the HP and kept it at 40 / 45 to 50 /55 climbing that i was happy with, just thinking of the overall. Don't worry about hurting my feelings, made mistakes before and sucked it up and made a change. thoughts and comments are very welcome.

First of all congrats on the new tow vehicle! Don't know what engine the new truck has but the 4.10 gearing seems OK to me for towing what looks like a Reflection 5th wheel. A 3/4 ton truck with a gas engine has more payload then on with a diesel so hopefully you're OK on the hitch weight. 2 different standards for towing a 5th wheel vs a travel trailer. The 16" vs 20" wheels will be the same if the tire heights are the same because tire height is really the big difference. I opted for 4.10 gearing in my dually because its my daily driver and I get 15 mpg driving around town empty and usually 9.5 mpg towing our 377 MBS Solitude depending on speed and road conditions. If you ever decide the gearing is too low you can go to a one or two inch taller tire which will probably put you in the 3.80 gear range. A little less pulling power but probably better fuel mileage on the highway.