badasschevy, pulling up north and pulling in FL are two different animals. I can pull a lot more weight with my truck down here then up north since there are virtually no hills or grades for that matter and if there are you can get a nice running start and pull them without downshifting. You also have to remember, when your towing at 80 mph you are into more of the powerband then you are at say 60 or 65 mph. Along with all that remember he's moving more weight then your set up, he's turning a transfer case and spinning front CVs and an extra diff. And more tire weight.

Shadow, My advice would be to get 4.10s which is what I'm going to be doing (06 1500 CC/SB 5.3 Z71 with 3.42s) and 285/70R17 tires which I believe will make it a great combo for towing and daily driving. It is also possible that the Flowmaster is pulling some of your low end away. Going with the slightly bigger tires will help with the low ride that these chevys have and help your stance look more agressive.

 

well i can understand that but also my truck had no problem pulling through some of the hills in ocala with it . i mean ya my truck is a lot lighter then his and smaller tires and a 3.73 is a good all around gear to me . and it would kick overdrive at 60 and i rode at 70 for somtime

 

want to help me throw 4.10s in the spring

anyway, you need 4.10s if you are towing man. It will take a lot stress off your trans and keep you in your powerband. Your engine will be happier too. I doubt it effects your gas milage that much. my 6.0 gets better gas milage at 85 than 70 because of its powerband. Even though its probobly making 50% more power to upkeep 85mph than 70

 

i had 3.73's behind my 03 and towed my 5000lbs rv every weekend. i wish i had the 4:10's that i do now in the last truck. IMO from going from 3.73's to 4.10's i would take the 4.10's ANY DAY.

 

not to steal the thread but.. i have 3.42's in my 2wd.. i just replaced all the bearings in the rear end except the pinion bearings... if i knew it was goin to be that easy i would have gotten some 3.73's or 4.10's and a eaton locker... but now that i got it all fixed up for $89. im lookin at some gears (not sure what to get!!!) and a eaton. but here is my delima. im out of town alot! traveling in the company trucks. but since it takes me almost a month to run a tank of gas out i could deal with less MPG. and i like to do that spirited driving as they call it.. but in a 1/4 mile what would help more? 3.73's or 4.10's, and i tow a hefty 16' trailer with 4 honda foremans(bout 700lbs each) and i get pretty good gas mileage pullin them, bout 16.5-17ish. so i would take a hurting goin from 3.42's to 4.10s on mileage? but have a better time in the 1/4?? my uncle told me different bout the 4.10's that they would slow me down more than 3.73's?? im not sure what he was talking about??
but i didnt mean to hijack, just curious...
Thanks Guys!!!