2006 sierra W/T towing possibilities?

ayounus · September 4, 2006

Howdy all,

I got this truck at the beginning of july and its my first truck ever. It's just a regular W/T with no options whatsoever - basically has A/C, manual tranny, non-power windows and locks... the basics. Vortech 4300 engine, too.

So my question is: What do I need to make this truck tow-worthy? Is it even feasible on a V6? The only things I'd be towing (if the thing can tow at all) are light cars (like my friends miata or a scion tC that stalled last night because of the flooded streets).

Besides equipment, are there any special tips or techniques or hazards to watch out for when towing?

Feel free to e-mail me if you need more specific information

Thanks in advance!

Alexander

asilverblazer · September 4, 2006

If it came with the factory tow package it is basically ready to go. If it did not come with it, maybe look into a class 3 receiver hitch. You will also need to mount a light plug hook up, the wires are already there, just need to match them to the proper plug/function/location. Make sure the lights on the trailer are in working order. I doubt you will be able to pull more weight than the truck can stop so I don't think you wil need an electronic brake controller, unless you plan on pulling a trailer through the mountains.

udlooz · September 5, 2006

Hey Alex, fellow Lubbockite here. I had basically the same truck, 2004 reg. cab, long bed, v6/5-speed manual W/T package. Towing capacity is 3500 lbs. but I slapped a 2" receiver hitch on, class III and regularly towed my 1950 lb. trailer with various cars on it quite frequently.

I bought the hitch at Jackies automotive on 19th st. for about $65 and I bought the light kit at Wal-Mart for $25 - you can get a stinger and ball for the hitch at Harbor frieght tools dirt cheap.

Just go easy on the truck when towing, dont give it a lot of gas in the low RPMS and dont run in 5th gear, you should be fine pulling cars around all day.

rdnkcpa · September 5, 2006

I have a 1999 Chevy Astro Van with the 4.3, 4 Speed Auto, 3.42 rear end and I've towed my 19' boat a few times with NO problems. It pulled strong and I was able to accelerate, cruise, and brake with no problems. The 4.3 is a strong motor, and the rest of the truck has a solid drive train. Just don't do anything stupid with it, as in try to pull a double axle trailer with a 863 Bobcat loaded on it. Light duty towing you should do just fine.

ayounus · September 5, 2006

Well, hey! That's Great news!

I was actually reluctant to spend any money on accessories for the truck being as it only had six cylinders and not eight. As silly as that sounds, I was wanting to save up to get a sporty project car (one reason i want to tow). But hell, I'll have years for that later.

I think I might even go as far as getting things like exhaust, underdrive pulleys, an EFI tune and some different tires/wheels.

but just for the hell of it, is it unheard of to do an engine swap on a truck like mine? and if its somewhat common, what engines do people use? I'd think it wouldnt matter as long as it passes emissions, right?

anywho,

thanks again for all the info! Really appreciate it!

rdnkcpa · September 5, 2006

Well, hey! That's Great news!

I was actually reluctant to spend any money on accessories for the truck being as it only had six cylinders and not eight. As silly as that sounds, I was wanting to save up to get a sporty project car (one reason i want to tow). But hell, I'll have years for that later.

I think I might even go as far as getting things like exhaust, underdrive pulleys, an EFI tune and some different tires/wheels.

but just for the hell of it, is it unheard of to do an engine swap on a truck like mine? and if its somewhat common, what engines do people use? I'd think it wouldnt matter as long as it passes emissions, right?

anywho,

thanks again for all the info! Really appreciate it!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If this is your daily driver, I would leave as stock as possible until the warranty runs out. Leave the modding to your project car. Tires and wheels are easy to do and really improve the truck. As for the others. Pulleys- I see no benefit unless you are planning on some serious racing or HP increases. Exhaust, that is subjective. Your factory exhaust flows well, but won't have that aftermarket rumble. Also your factory exhaust is warranted for 7 years, why take something off that the factory is on the hook to replace if it fails? EFI-tune, some people see improvements and swear by them. Again as my daily driver I'd leave this alone until out of the warranty period. If it ain't broke don't fix it.. As for an engine swap, take the money you'd put into swapping engines and take your truck and trade it on a truck with a V-8. It would be much cheaper and much less aggrivating.

ayounus · September 5, 2006

If this is your daily driver, I would leave as stock as possible until the warranty runs out. Leave the modding to your project car. Tires and wheels are easy to do and really improve the truck. As for the others. Pulleys- I see no benefit unless you are planning on some serious racing or HP increases. Exhaust, that is subjective. Your factory exhaust flows well, but won't have that aftermarket rumble. Also your factory exhaust is warranted for 7 years, why take something off that the factory is on the hook to replace if it fails? EFI-tune, some people see improvements and swear by them. Again as my daily driver I'd leave this alone until out of the warranty period. If it ain't broke don't fix it.. As for an engine swap, take the money you'd put into swapping engines and take your truck and trade it on a truck with a V-8. It would be much cheaper and much less aggrivating.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, you're right. I guess I got caught up in the moment! So what kind of wheels/tires should I look for and what kind of improvements are you talking about?

C & A s Dad · September 6, 2006

If you are planning to tow and the truck has no factory aux trans cooler, you have got to add one or you will be looking for a trans in no time at all.

Be sure you buy a "stacked plate" design cooler. This is the same type GM uses from the factory. IMO the factory units are too small. (approx 5" x 11"). Unless you are in a very cold climate, I would add one that is apprx 11 x 11 and 3/4" thick.

Remember, if you do not use the stacked plate cooler and you use a tube and fin design, you will need one approx twice the size to do the same job.

asilverblazer · September 6, 2006

His manual tranny will not have problems over heating, unless he smokes the clutch.

sc4808 · September 6, 2006

I regularly tow way more than I should with mine and have had no problems or issues, in fact it handles the load very well.

I do not recomend towing more than the factory tow rating but I pull a 30 ft Sunnybrook Travel trailer that has a dry weight of just over 6000 Lbs and usually weighs in at around 7200 when I tow it. My truck is rated to tow 5000lbs according to GM.

I have pulled this trailer thousands of miles on flat ground as well as in the mountains with no issues.

I did add a heavy duty trans cooler when the truck was new. I now have a little over 110k miles on it.

C & A s Dad · September 6, 2006

Andy, my bad. I did not see that he had a manual.

asilverblazer · September 6, 2006

That was going to be one of my suggestions too. I would hate to be the dork at the parts counter asking for a transmission cooler for a five speed... I might do it strictly for entertainment purposes only.

OnyxMAX · September 7, 2006

ya know i forget what the bumper is rated at for towing, you just pop out the center plastic hole and screw in a ball. it's real light duty only though. i can survive a emergency tow though if you can't get a propper hitch. and i do not recomend it just letting you know about it.

sc4808 · September 7, 2006

Keep in mind that the 4.3L V6 has more HP and Torque than the 350 V8 did in the eighties.

If I remember right, the 5.7L had around 155 HP and 260 ft/lbs of Torque in 1984.

drumset5994 · September 8, 2006

I believe there are more 6's out there, because of the increased torque and horsepower capabilities. Going back 15 years ago, my dad bought a 1988 Chevy Silverado LS, Shortbed, 4x4, 4.3L V6, and a 5-speed with around 3.42's in the rear.

The thing was a dog. It couldnt tow the 18 foot boat for the life of us. With alot of accessories (bigger oil pan, new engine...as the old one blew cylinder #5) he eventually dumped it in 94.

Last year around this same time i bought mine, he went out and bought a 2002 Sierra 4.3L/Auto with 12,000 miles for about $12,900 (yeah, steal). It too has 3.42's, and it runs like a champ. We now have a 20-foot boat, and it tows it with absolute strength.

Even when i picked up the boat from the repair place and towed it w/ mine (same truck with 3.08's in the rear) in tow/haul mode it completely blew my mind as to how much torque this truck really had.

I've let people in my family borrow my truck on occasion. They've literally hated it, because you tap the gas, and this thing takes off. Even though there's more weight on the tranny and rear to accelerate, because of the 3.08's...this thing STILL takes off like a rocket.

I've even had friends ride with me, and they ask "This thing got a 350?"