dodge v-10 question

I towed with a QC 4x4 2500 V10 and 5 speed manual and always averaged 12.5mpg towing my 11,000 pound 5th wheel trailer (Yellowstone to Los Angeles at least twice a year). Never had any engine problems, but had to change the clutch once. Always towed around 58 - 60 mph on the freeway. At first I towed faster but the mileage was terrible so I learned to keep it slower.

one experiment I always wanted to try
would be get two V10 Rams
one manual transmission
one 47/48 automatic
... and then get a (rare) 3.06 ratio Dana ring and pinion axle that could be swapped in either

Doing at least two
'convoy style' MPG tests
over 300 miles or so on the highway
on empty trucks
at a steady speed would show whether
the 'gas hog' reputation of the V10
is partly due to the overdrive ratio of the drivetrain.
After each test the 3.06 axle would be swapped to the other truck.

It never made engineering sense
that the same 0.69 ratio overdrive
used on the 3.9 V6 Rams
was also used on the 8L V10 Rams

When the Viper V10 trucks were given the 0.50 ratio top gear with the T56 manual, it made a lot more sense

The Allpar article on the 1994-2001 8L iron V10 is a good read:

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/V10.html

notice that they emphasize how they designed-in 1200 rpm Torque capability

sample quote
"Resonance in the 25-inch primary runners enhanced low speed torque, with peak torque as low as 1200 rpm."
end quote

Yet at normal highway speeds
with a 0.69/3.55 ratio drivetrain
you can't make use of that low rpm torque to improve light load cruise?