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33" Tires & 4.88 Gears Towing?

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by PlatPro, Dec 26, 2016.

  1. Dec 26, 2016 at 7:21 PM
    #1
    PlatPro

    PlatPro [OP] New Member

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    2014 Platinum, TRD Pro Suspension , Truxedo Bed Cover, Vent Shade Rain Guards, Tint match windows,TRD Exhaust, Linex, Custom Dyno Tune, TRD SwayBar, and just started.
    Hi everyone. Asking for a friend. He has a 2015 Tundra TRD Pro. He is running 33/12.5R/18 Tires and is stock everywhere else. He and his wife took delivery of a new 29 foot travel trailer with an empty weight around 7k. They are towing to Florida in February and will be heading west for the summer months.
    He knows he is at the upper limit of the numbers but won't consider a 3/4 ton because, "Toyota doesn't make one and I an not strong enough to push a truck and trailer when the 3/4 ton beaks down". Cant argue the logic. He asked me about gearing and I came up short.
    He is questioning gearing to 4.88. He wants the extra grunt in towing but doesn't want to run too high of RPM when highway cruising 70-75mph when empty. I told him he would be looking at a plus of 500 rpm from where he is now but also said I will ask around.
    What are your thoughts?
     
  2. Dec 26, 2016 at 7:42 PM
    #2
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    For 33 inch tires, you do not need to regear. Tow/haul button is there when you tow.
     
    csuviper, CM-LENNY and zcarpenter92 like this.
  3. Dec 26, 2016 at 7:51 PM
    #3
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    @ADSracingshocks - F 3 point ohh / R 2.5 - w/clickers @camburgracing - uniball UCA @rigidindustries - 40" amber/white split, Dually XL, D2 @coopertires - 35/12.5/17 STT MAXX @bayareametalfab - low pro bed rack @toyotausa - 17" rock warrior @sdhqoffroad - rock sliders, a-pillar @hondogarage / @apple / @gaiagps / @dualgps- navigation @wheelersoffroadinc - superbumps
    Hell yes do 4.88s!

    I love the thought of a regear even on 33s. I would do it if I had the coin on my truck in a heart beat!

    Yes, you might be turning 500rpms higher on the freeway BUT a higher rpm does not directly correlate to fewer MPG. What a lot of people forget or don't account for is engine load. if your turning a higher RPM but the engine is working less, your not burning more fuel.

    Powertrain turning more freely, less strain. Plus your going to be bumping your whole powerband to deliver peaks sooner. The torque peak if what you want and need for towing, the regear will definitely help!
     
  4. Dec 26, 2016 at 8:00 PM
    #4
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    IMG_0476.jpg

    I would not re-gear this truck.

    That is a big camper for a 1/2 ton truck. I had to concede and go bigger due to mountains.

    If your friend is smart, he will just tow at a slower speed, relax and enjoy the time since he doesn't want to go bigger. Save the money on the gear swap and invest it in fuel. He is going to need it. Everything has pro's and Cons, and the Tundra is not excluded.
     
  5. Dec 26, 2016 at 10:02 PM
    #5
    bandit

    bandit New Member

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    Duh Tundra
    he should buy a 3/4 ton for this application....
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  6. Dec 27, 2016 at 4:03 AM
    #6
    N22WLZ

    N22WLZ New Member

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    Pinion tooth contact lessens enough to be considered weaker with 4.88s also
     
  7. Dec 27, 2016 at 8:56 AM
    #7
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    @ADSracingshocks - F 3 point ohh / R 2.5 - w/clickers @camburgracing - uniball UCA @rigidindustries - 40" amber/white split, Dually XL, D2 @coopertires - 35/12.5/17 STT MAXX @bayareametalfab - low pro bed rack @toyotausa - 17" rock warrior @sdhqoffroad - rock sliders, a-pillar @hondogarage / @apple / @gaiagps / @dualgps- navigation @wheelersoffroadinc - superbumps
    That chart also shows a 1:1, doesn't account for any over drive ratios
     
  8. Dec 27, 2016 at 9:36 AM
    #8
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    @ADSracingshocks - F 3 point ohh / R 2.5 - w/clickers @camburgracing - uniball UCA @rigidindustries - 40" amber/white split, Dually XL, D2 @coopertires - 35/12.5/17 STT MAXX @bayareametalfab - low pro bed rack @toyotausa - 17" rock warrior @sdhqoffroad - rock sliders, a-pillar @hondogarage / @apple / @gaiagps / @dualgps- navigation @wheelersoffroadinc - superbumps
    Toyota AB60F transmission gear ratios:
    1st: 3.333
    2nd: 1.960
    3rd: 1.353
    4th: 1.000
    5th: .728 (First overdrive)
    6th: .588 (Second overdrive)

    More accurate final cruising RPMs attached.
    Screenshot_2016-12-27-10-31-39.jpg
    Screenshot_2016-12-27-10-35-36.jpg
     
  9. Dec 27, 2016 at 9:45 AM
    #9
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I know. There is a reason for that.
     
    bandit likes this.
  10. Dec 27, 2016 at 10:26 AM
    #10
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Your "friends" Pro tire sizing is not much bigger than factory. In fact, I wouldn't even spend the money on recalibrating the speedometer. Hell, my factory tire size on my old 12 Tundra was off more than what he would be at 90 mph. Now if he was on 35's, I would say definitely go for it. Like @14burrito said, the 4:88 gears won't hurt him one bit, especially with a double overdrive and a possible larger tire in the future. On gas powered trucks, having some extra gearing never hurts. Another aspect is the added gearing when Offroad. So that is another bonus as well. Since the rear differential will be apart, no time like the present to install a selectable locker or limited slip.

    In the end it is your friends money and he should spend it like he sees fit. He will be into this for 3000.00+ if he gets a rear limited slip (which he should do since he wouldn't be paying for labor twice down the road)

    So I'm going to change my position on this. Not my cash. I say go for it. There are more benifits to the swap then negatives. If this also helps him stay in control and not wad up his truck and trailer in a ditch, even better. I seen 3 trucks and trailers last season that were all wadded up.
    Two were 1/2 ton trucks and the other was a diesel 3/4 ton. All were pulling more than they should have and had no room for reserve.
     
  11. Dec 27, 2016 at 10:37 AM
    #11
    PlatPro

    PlatPro [OP] New Member

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    I spoke with him at lunch and he has been reading/ following the thread. He had the brakes upgraded at the RV dealership to disks on all 4 trailer tires. He has a weight distribution hitch and sway control for the, " joining point". His tundra does have airbags in the back. I think he is going to pull the trigger on the 4.88s. " It will make the work load on the powertrain easier, especially when we get into the mountains".
     
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  12. Dec 27, 2016 at 7:39 PM
    #12
    CM-LENNY

    CM-LENNY No Complaints

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    I did the 4:88s, but I am running a 35" tire. RPM is just a little greater than stock. I love it both towing and daily driver. My trailer too is not light ( around 8K-8500 loaded ). With the tow haul button, air bags and your WD hitch set-up correctly, you would probably be ok with 33s and stock gearing, but sure can't hurt. Just make sure you get your hitch dialed in and not to much air in those bags. To much air can diminish the effects of the WD hitch. Good luck with all.........Be Safe !
     
    bandit likes this.
  13. Dec 28, 2016 at 10:35 AM
    #13
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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  14. Jan 1, 2017 at 5:43 AM
    #14
    PlatPro

    PlatPro [OP] New Member

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    2014 Platinum, TRD Pro Suspension , Truxedo Bed Cover, Vent Shade Rain Guards, Tint match windows,TRD Exhaust, Linex, Custom Dyno Tune, TRD SwayBar, and just started.
    Follow up: He picked his truck up yesterday afternoon from Gear Head Transmission and Drive. He did not romp on it but hear is what I felt from the passenger seat. Felt smooth with no change in driveline sound. Feels like the motor is working easier and revs up easier under mild / mid exceleration. I don't have any numbers but 65MPH, 33" tires, 4.88 gears, 6th gear, 2,150ish RPM. Lieometer sea level, pretty flat, no wind, cruise control set at previous numbers, 4 mile stretch, 14.9 MPG, nothing calibrated for anything. He went with a LSD in the back and open in the front.
     
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  15. Apr 14, 2018 at 11:30 PM
    #15
    Tracker

    Tracker New Member

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    Any updates now that he has had this done awhile? Regrets? Would do it all over again?
     
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