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What Can My Truck Tow?

grezling

By grezling
in Towing, Hauling & Hitches

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grezling New Member

grezling

Posted
Posted

Its good to finally get on here after reading so many posts. To all the experts, thx in advance!

 

Residing in the Smoky Mountains area for the winter has resulting in me buying a truck in order to pull a camper. A class 4 hitch and brake controller are now installed and its time to buy the biggest camper possible for living space. But what is my limit?

 

A friend sold me his truck for a great price and in excellent condition saying it can pull anything.....

But what is the safe limits?

1997 Chevy C2500, 2 wheel drive. 5.7L vortec 3/4 ton.

Dont know about tranny specs or gearing. Can find out if it really matters or you already know based on other specs.

 

Thx for all responses on my first post!

700 sportsman Senior Enthusiast

700 sportsman

Posted
Posted

Well the GVW on my '96 C2500 with the 5.7L is 7,200 that is with 3.42 gears, and if you have different gearing that would help some too.

But It's more about what you feel comfortable with and how much weight you can stop.

 

I would take your vin number and go HERE it will give you a break down of all your RPO codes and show you gear ratio, if it has the HD towing package, etc.

rodram Enthusiast

rodram

Posted
Posted

Hi ... nice truck you have :eek::lol: sounds like a twin to mine...

 

I am assuming that the wheels on the truck are 6-bolt... if so, then the GVW of the truck will be 7,200 lbs

 

(..and if you happen to have 8-bolt wheels then this is the clue that your GVW is 8,600 lbs (basically the heavy duty model))

 

... either way the maximum tow capacity of the truck with the trailer towing package installed is:

- with 3.73 rear gears (RPO code GT4) then 6,500 lbs

- with 4.10 rear gears (RPO code GT5) then 8,000 lbs

 

RPO codes can be found on the sticker inside your glove box (if it is still there) and if you find a G80 on the sticker also then you have a rear locking differential....

 

So.... the maximum combined weight you can legally be rolling down highway including truck, trailer, people, luggage, gear, supplies, fuel, etc.... is the 7200lbs GVW plus the 6500 lbs max tow = 13,700 lbs ... (or substitute the other figures if appropriate...

 

if your truck is like mine (ext cab 2wd) the truck will weigh about 5000 to 5200 lbs empty .... you can do the math from there....

 

also, with your GVW of 7200, then you have an available payload of 7200 less 5200 = 2,000 that you can put in/on the truck without overloading the suspension ... a travel trailer will have about 10 to 15% of its weight on the tongue... then you have to add the people, tank of fuel, luggage, etc...

 

I have pulled a 33 foot 6,800 lbs travel trailer plus a little gear (using a load equilizer hitch)... it was within legal limits, and I felt that it was safe, but near the practical limit of the vehicle...

 

So you have to satisfy both the criteria discussed above:

- maximum combined load ... so you don't overload your engine cooling system, transmission, and brakes

- maximum payload ... so you don't overload your suspension and axles ...

 

if you can't find your RPO code sticker.. try the website that Tyler suggested above ... it is actually pretty cool to look up your VIN.

 

Hope that helps...

 

... and if you have the 6-bolt wheels you will have a 4L60E transmission... and if the 8-bolt wheels then the 4L80E ...

grezling New Member

grezling

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thx for the wealth of info. My rear is the 8 bolt semi-floating axel config. I'm pretty sure the trans is the 4L80E heavy duty version since the gasket is the 17 hole vs 16 hole. Will use post from Tyler above to furthur confirm this. Thx again for your detailed response. Time to buy a camper.... :rollin:

 

Hi ... nice truck you have :lol::uhoh: sounds like a twin to mine...

 

I am assuming that the wheels on the truck are 6-bolt... if so, then the GVW of the truck will be 7,200 lbs

 

(..and if you happen to have 8-bolt wheels then this is the clue that your GVW is 8,600 lbs (basically the heavy duty model))

 

... either way the maximum tow capacity of the truck with the trailer towing package installed is:

- with 3.73 rear gears (RPO code GT4) then 6,500 lbs

- with 4.10 rear gears (RPO code GT5) then 8,000 lbs

 

RPO codes can be found on the sticker inside your glove box (if it is still there) and if you find a G80 on the sticker also then you have a rear locking differential....

 

So.... the maximum combined weight you can legally be rolling down highway including truck, trailer, people, luggage, gear, supplies, fuel, etc.... is the 7200lbs GVW plus the 6500 lbs max tow = 13,700 lbs ... (or substitute the other figures if appropriate...

 

if your truck is like mine (ext cab 2wd) the truck will weigh about 5000 to 5200 lbs empty .... you can do the math from there....

 

also, with your GVW of 7200, then you have an available payload of 7200 less 5200 = 2,000 that you can put in/on the truck without overloading the suspension ... a travel trailer will have about 10 to 15% of its weight on the tongue... then you have to add the people, tank of fuel, luggage, etc...

 

I have pulled a 33 foot 6,800 lbs travel trailer plus a little gear (using a load equilizer hitch)... it was within legal limits, and I felt that it was safe, but near the practical limit of the vehicle...

 

So you have to satisfy both the criteria discussed above:

- maximum combined load ... so you don't overload your engine cooling system, transmission, and brakes

- maximum payload ... so you don't overload your suspension and axles ...

 

if you can't find your RPO code sticker.. try the website that Tyler suggested above ... it is actually pretty cool to look up your VIN.

 

Hope that helps...

 

... and if you have the 6-bolt wheels you will have a 4L60E transmission... and if the 8-bolt wheels then the 4L80E ...

  • 4 weeks later...
revrnd Senior Enthusiast

revrnd

Posted
Posted

I'm not sure if the older owner's manuals included trailer towing capacities, but check. It will have a detailed listing showing the various model & drivetrain combinations.

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