With all the towing question's...

SnakeEyeSS · March 2, 2003

any of you know about what my truck could pull(see sign for mods & stats), I don't tow, but am courious as to how much I could. I'm thinking around 6000#? I'm thinking my mods should increase it a little after stock, especially after I stick new shocks on(thinking Monroe's chip controlled Reflex) and then boost power even more. I'll never tow until I instal a tranny cooler, though, just to be safe.......

AirForceAngler · March 2, 2003

You are going to be limited by a few things more than trailer weight. One everyone has to worry about more than trailer weight is trailer lenght. This will be even more important with your reg cab short bed. Hooking a long trailer up to a short truck can be trouble. You must also take into account the weight ratings for your aftermarket wheels and tires. Don't forget to add the truck weight to the limits of these.

tps0424 · March 2, 2003

Another thing you need to be aware of is that while all of your mods may make it easier to tow a certain weight, they won't change the CGVWR. That will never change.

Your real towing capacity can be found by researching your trucks CGVWR and subtracting out the actual weight of your truck ready to go.

As an example, let's say your truck has a CGVWR of 12,000, a published (advertised) towing capacity of 7,000, and the truck weighs 5800 ready to go (full tank of gas, all of your supplies and passengers in truck) Most people think 'cool, I can tow 7000').

In this example, you can tow 6200 without exceeding the vehicle's capacity. (12000-5800=6200)

It took me quite a while to finally understand all of this too. I hope I now understand it well enough to put in my own words and terms others can understand.

c4cruiser · March 2, 2003

You would definately need a trailer brake system and antisway bars on the hitch for 6K or over trailer weight. Also a Group III hitch. I would not tow that weight with the tires and wheels you have. You might want to find a set of factory steel wheels and the correct size LT tires in either a D or E load rating. Just slap 'em on when you need to tow.

Electronic shock systems may be neat for the street but if the manufacturer say no heavy towing, don't waste the money on them. A good set of HD shocks will work.

Also, if you are going to tow over extended distances, the factory radiator may not be up to the cooling task. Consider an add-on electric fan, too. An HD 4-row radiator will be needed along with a suitable tranny cooler rated at least one and a half times the total vehicle weight and trailer weight. And of course, your truck brakes must be in top condition!!

WEFs99 · March 2, 2003

You are going to be limited by a few things more than trailer weight. One everyone has to worry about more than trailer weight is trailer lenght. This will be even more important with your reg cab short bed. Hooking a long trailer up to a short truck can be trouble.

The difference in stability between towing a 25' trailer with a Blazer and a 2500 Suburban is BIG. When being passed by big rigs in that Blazer, you had to be wide awake and it made Interstate trips tiring. I thought that was just the way it was until we used the Suburban and then a F250 Supercab long bed.

siskiyou · March 3, 2003

I towed a 22' 5500lb. trailer with my '78 chev. shortbed 4x4 and I had no problem with stability. This does have a different suspension and that can make quite a difference.