Can I change gearing to get better towing capacity?

I have a 2004 Double-Cab 2.7 Liter 4 Cylinder, currently the towing capacity is approximately 2,500 lbs. I have a camper that is 2,400 lbs., but I live in the mountains... My first though is to trade for a V-6, but that is easier said than done...

Someone mentioned that I might be able to change the gearing to get better towing capacity, at it's current factory gearing, it has to downshift going up small hills, and if towing my camper, I'm in the truckers lane holding them up...

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated... You can read more details about my truck by clicking on the link in my sig...

 

probably not. more things than gearing make up the towing compacite! all the the drive train, frame strength, engine size/HP.

 

You can't raise your factory tow rating no, but that's just a number they threw on there. Exceeding it is up to you, every trailer is different and you gotta make sure you can pull it safely. Your tow rating should be 3,500 lbs (that's what mine is and I'm a 2.4l 5 lug so I would assume yours is the same if not higher, definitely not lower) so you're well within the limit anyway. Regearing will definitely help get some low end grunt out of your 4 banger

 

No, you cannot up your towing capacity. Much of the capacity has to do with the tow vehicle weight. If you pull a trailer greater than the capacity of your truck you run the risk of not being able to control the trailer on the road, or being able to stop safely.

With low gears and traction you are correct, you would be able to pull quite a bit of weight, its stopping all that weight once you get going!

 

I do have a brake box and electric brakes on the camper, it isn't the stopping I'm worried about, it's the getting up the hills...

 

As stated above you cannot increase the towable weight, however changing the gearing (putting in 4.56's, or 4.30's I have seen this gear ratio made by only one company though) you are able to make towing the weight easier. Upping the gears ups the RPM's thus upping the torque and horsepower produced (due to being higher in the power-band).

Hope this helped

 

I think everyone will agree that your camper is within factory specifications for safe towing (towing capacity).

I think your question is: What can I do to make it easier to keep/maintain safe traveling speeds while towing uphill? 1. Re-gearing to a "taller" ratio will help keep the engine from bogging down and forcing you into a lower gear. There are a ton of vendors who can help you size the gears you will need for your application. 2. Develop more power out of your engine. While that would be incredibly cool and fun, it's much less budget friendly.

That said, you may also choose to do a couple minor modifications to increase your ability to stop while you are at it. 1. Adding a trailer brake system using a control module that allows for progressive braking would greatly enhance your ability to stop, and IMO is the safest option. 2. Upgrading pads and rotors would help, but under emergency braking conditions your truck would be doing all of the work (specifically the front) and that could result in a messy situation. <--- Just saw your last post

Good luck OP.

 

+1

Gearing will give more power but tow rating includes more than just your engine.

-If your hitch is located on your rear bumper, consider a heavy duty hitch.

-Also would want to consider upgrading your brakes.

-If you have an automatic, consider a transmission cooler.

 

Here's a question that might be important to consider: Is that 2,400 lbs empty? Or fully loaded with everything you're taking with? 100 lbs isn't much stuff.

Recommended.

I added one for under $75 and about 2 hours of my time. It would have been faster but I'd never messed with something like that before so I took my time and did a lot of in-progress research. I might not ever need the extra cooling capacity, but I feel much better about it anyway.

 

A taller gear is numerically lower.

 

your within specs regear 4/30 should do you fine

 

You know what I'm getting at That's why I did recommend speaking to a vendor so a more knowledgeable person could get him set up with the right set of gears.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, I did install a 5,000 lb hitch and electronic brake box controller. The camper is 2,400 lbs. dry, but we probably only add 250 lbs of gear since we only do 1 or 2 night stays close by. But we do have 4 people in the truck which is around 675 lbs +/-....

 

I would just make sure to take it easy while towing. A tranny cooler will significantly help with transmission longevity, especially towing something close to the weight limit. Adding airbags in the back will help if you feel the rear sags with the camper and truck loaded up. Towing flat is important for braking and handling performance.

 

I don't have any sag issues, just don't want to pull more than the truck can comfortably handle...