Need Help ASAP on towing with 3.42 vs 3.73

[smithk3933]

I'm looking at two 2004 z-71's one with 3.42 and one with 3.73 rear ends. I need to tow an open car trailer 5 or 6 times a year. Weight of car and trailer around 5,500 lbs. I'm leaning toward the one with the 3.42 but want some feedback about towing with this.

Comments greatly appreciated.

Keith

 

[Chasmanian]

I tow my boat with 3.73, does ok. I also have 6" lift and 33s. If you leave it stock tire size I think you would be fine.

 

[ugachs24]

If the most you will be towing is 5500, then the 3.42's are fine. I tow a 4900lb boat trailer a couple times a year with 3.42's on my 2004 LT. Our 2003 Z71 (which was traded for the 2008) had 3.73 and it killed the gas mileage with little difference towing. I average 14 city and 20.5 highway with 3.42's and was lucky to get 13 city and 17-17.5 highway with the 3.73s.

 

[boostaholic]

What size tire are you running? My yukon tows great with the 3.73's and 32" tires.

 

[dye4metal]

not to jack the thread, but i still get 13-lucky14 mpg in the city and im not to sure what gearing i have. its a 02 LS 5.3 flex

 

[smithk3933]

Both vehicles are stock 04 Tahoe's with Z71. Only difference is the 3.42 vs 3.3 diffs. Both have the stock 17" wheels.

So it sounds like towing a 5,500 lb car trailer wouldn't be significantly different. That's good to hear as the vehicles are about the same price but the 3.42 has 10k less miles.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[JAY DEE]

Either will work...........if you just towin you can just get the 3.42s. I think the 3:73 are for people racing and riding big rims and stuff. I got 3:73 gears on my 88 box chevy

 

[trooper372]

I have a 2000 Tahoe and it came stock with 3.42 gears. It would tow a boat just fine but when it came to towing a 16' enclosed trailer loaded down with 4 wheelers and gear, it hated life. I could also smell my tranny just melting away. I changed to 3.73 gears and put a tranny cooler on it and I have had no problems pulling now. I also have a K&N cold air intake, Flowmaster exhaust and just recently reprogrammed it with a Hypertech. I now get about 16.5 to 17 miles to the gallon now. I have yet to pull anything since I reprogrammed it though.

 

[Polecat]

Either will work...........if you just towin you can just get the 3.42s. I think the 3:73 are for people racing and riding big rims and stuff. I got 3:73 gears on my 88 box chevy

not entirely true. 3.73 are a tad higher, but honestly, on a 28"-31" tall tire, you won't see but may 200/300rpm difference.
My Yukon has 3.42's and wished I had 3.73's.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

i towed with my 06 which had 4.10's, towd and picked up awsome, but at 80 mph i was turning almost 2800 RPM, in OD, killing my gas, i only got a max of like 17 MPG going down hill.