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What type of gear ratio should I look for?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Afarinnatar, Mar 14, 2020.

  1. Mar 14, 2020 #1
    Afarinnatar

    Afarinnatar Bobtail Member

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    I'm looking to buy a used fleet Cascadia in August. I'm set on a DD13 and 10 Speed. I drive at nights usually starting my day 22:00-00:00 and typically cruise at 60-61mph but I want the torque capability of pulling hills without dropping down to 50mph like I do in my company truck (International, Cummins, 10 Speed, no clue on gear ratio). I will typically be running southeastern states from VA to FL and out west to Texas.

    I've tried researching gear ratios and it's nothing but mixed opinions when it comes to fuel economy. I figure I wouldn't suffer from a higher gear ratio since I cruise at 60 and can still pull hills.
     
    Afarinnatar, Mar 14, 2020
    Afarinnatar, Mar 14, 2020
    #1
    D.Tibbitt Thanks this.
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  3. Mar 14, 2020 #2
    Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    You’ll be fine with 3:55s, 3:36s, 3:04s, anything in that range. Also will depend on your tire size. Running 24.5s high rubber or lo-pros, 22.5s is most likely what you drive. So work your ratios in alignment with that.
     
    Largecar359, Mar 14, 2020
    Largecar359, Mar 14, 2020
    #2
  4. Mar 14, 2020 #3
    Mattmanstroked

    Mattmanstroked Light Load Member

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    I have 336 gears wish I had lower gears. Like 355 or 370.

    Most fleet trucks are high geared. Running tenth gear at 60mph you are going to have to down shift to ninth constantly to pull any kind of hill.
     
    Mattmanstroked, Mar 14, 2020
    Mattmanstroked, Mar 14, 2020
    #3
    RockinChair and D.Tibbitt Thank this.
  5. Mar 14, 2020 #4
    Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Used Fleet truck your not gonna have much choice in a rear gear...
     
    Cat sdp, Mar 14, 2020
    Cat sdp, Mar 14, 2020
    #4
    RockinChair, AModelCat, D.Tibbitt and 1 other person Thank this.
  7. Mar 14, 2020 #5
    Afarinnatar

    Afarinnatar Bobtail Member

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    Dec 25, 2019
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    Would a 12 or 13 speed automatic be beneficial then?

    I've seen fleet trucks on TruckPaper with anywhere from 2.28s to 3.78s.
     
    Afarinnatar, Mar 14, 2020
    Afarinnatar, Mar 14, 2020
    #5
  8. Mar 14, 2020 #6
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Do gears really make you climb a hill quicker? In my mind its about the HP/TQ.

    Eg:
    0.79 OD ratio x 3.55 rear = 2.80 reduction

    1.00 dir ratio x rear 2.69 = 2.69 reduction


    Basically the above is saying a 3.55 rear with a 0.79 transmission OD ratio is pretty darn close to a 2.69 ratio with the transmission down 1 gear into direct (or running top gear in a direct drive transmission). The deciding factor with how fast you'll make it up the hill would be the power out of the engine.
     
    AModelCat, Mar 14, 2020
    AModelCat, Mar 14, 2020
    #6
    Milr72 Thanks this.
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