Towing

jlh0799 · August 8, 2003

A buddy of mine is looking a good used vehicle that will work well being a daily driver and pulling a boat on the weekends. What horsepower/towing capcity/type of vehicle would be best? Thanks in advance.

Shaners · August 8, 2003

How big and heavy is the boat?

silverado man · August 8, 2003

If the boat isn't to big the 5.3 would be just right for you.

Champion201 · August 8, 2003

I haul a 201 ChampioN Bass boat, 20 foot 1 inch, with a 200hp Merc with my 5.3 and have no problems whatsoever. At times I have to look back and make sure the boat is still behind me.

SilveradoWV · August 8, 2003

Depending on the boat, the 4.3 would do fine!

03GMCSierra4.8L · August 9, 2003

I tow a pop-up camper, weights around 2000K loaded, plus prob 500 lbs in the

bed, with my 03 Sierra, reg cab, long bed with the 4.8L and 3.42's. Not a prob

one on flat ground or in the mountains. Don't even use tow mode as it does fine with out it. Same goes for me, I tend to forget its behind me when I am rolling!

Lance Link · August 9, 2003

My father-in-law hauls his 20ft Key West (center console, 140hp outboard) with his '94 GMC with a 4.3 with no problems. No problems when pulling the boat up the boat ramp, either.

I hauled around 7,000 lbs of lumber/trailer 300 miles over highway and back roads with my 5.3. It definitely knew it was hauling something but nothing it couldn't handle. It takes a pretty hefty load to strain a 5.3.

LILGUY · August 9, 2003

I tow 7000 Lbs + boat /trailer /family with Yuk XL 8.1. 70 mph/cruise control/no tow mode. Will pull all day no problem.LILGUY

MCourson · August 9, 2003

My 5.0L TBI tows a 17' bowrider with no problems and the 5.3 puts the 5.0 to shame.

Wingnut · August 9, 2003

My 5.3 tows a 5000k -plus all the crap that goes with it- boat.

You know it's back there, but I have towed it across the state at 75/80 all day on several occasions.

mjsmith1223 · August 9, 2003

Anything full-size should be fine. I found that while towing with my S-10 Blazer that the boat would move the Blazer around too much for comfort. With a full-size truck the boat falls into line real nice and doesn't move the truck around. My boat with full gas tank and all the crap aboard falls in right around 5000 punds. The 4.3 has lots of guts and would do the job up to around 5000 pounds real nicely. More than that or for towing hundreds of miles and I would go with a V-8. An auxilliary trans cooler will be a blessing for long distance towing or if you have to tow through lots of hilly country.

Mike

Grand Haven, MI