Towing question

[Gjohnston89]

So I have a 98 k1500, ext cab, 5.7. Curious if you all think it would make a trip from El Paso to central Louisiana towing a 2014 Equinox on a dolly reasonably well in the West Texas summer heat. Rebuilt motor has about 95k and the rebuilt tranny has around 40k on it. Any advice or opinions? Honestly haven't towed anything as heavy as a car with this truck so I dont have any idea how it would do pulling a car that far.

[Gjohnston89]

Sorry, a little more info on the truck. It has 3.73 gears and the towing package/ trans cooler equipment and a short box. 

[CamGTP]

One would think you'd be alright.

 

I think the tow ratings on some of those older trucks is around 6,500-7,000lbs with the right package and gearing. Figure you'll be far under that because the small SUV is somewhere around 3,500-4000lbs if I had to guess, plus the tow dolly and your weight plus other odds and ends.

 

I do suggest using tow haul mode and sticking the gear selector in 3rd gear so you aren't always going in and out of overdrive if there are hills. If the roads are really flat, then using 4th can be okay.

[Perseus]

You'll be fine. Send it

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[TW97C1500]

I agree with Perseus, you'll be fine.  3.73's with a 5.7 plus a tow package/trans cooler is plenty of truck for pulling an equinox on a dolly, especially on the route you have.  IIRC there are some pretty good grades on I-10 and it will "feel the load" on those, but not enough to overload it.  Heck, you could dolly an equinox across the Rockies with that truck, you'd just notice it much more.

 

A monster travel trailer with slide-outs is the kind of thing that would be too much for that truck.

[Paintor]

You won’t even realize you are towing anything. Looks like a flatland drive. 

[gearheadesw]

Check all fluids, tires look ok on the truck and the dolly?

Don't be in a rush, no problem....

[Gjohnston89]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Like I said, I dont use this truck for pulling or work like this at all so I just wanted to get some opinions. ?

[wreckdiver230]

Nov 17 i towed a 2010 ford escape on 2 wheel dolly from Phx ,AZ to San Antonio , TX , 1000 miles with a 98 3 door with a 5.7. and still got 14 mpg with no problems