What does the tow package include??

[Dave in Mpls]

In my quest for a new (used) Suburban, I've come across a few that fit what I'm looking for, but for the tow package (PDZ or Z82, depending on year). My question is, what does one give up without the package??

 

Even though the aux tranny cooler is a seperate RPO (KNP), I will conceed that it most porpably wouldn't be installed without the package, and most probably would be with!

 

I was under the assumption that all I'd be loosing would be the aux tranny cooler, wiring recepticle, and hitch. Now, after reading through other posts, I'm beginning to wonder if the tow package contains more than I thought, or if there are other upgrades that are typically installed along with the package (i.e. tranny cooler) such as suspension upgrades, electronic brake control capability, etc.

 

In short, if I purchase a truck without the tow package, how much is involved to get the truck equipped as if it came from the factory with the package and all associated equipment?

 

Thanks!!!

[Nappers]

I can't answer your question fully, but I heard that the tow package contains the tranny cooler, hitch, wiring and a deeper pan for the tranny fluid and possibly the heavy duty air filter. I am not sure if the G80 Rear end is a tow only option. Not familiar enough for that just what I heard. Hope it helps.

 

I could be wrong, but had read that somewhere I thought.

 

I have the hitch, wiring, tranny cooler and the deeper tranny pan and the heavy duty air filter.

 

Aaron

[Dans Denali]

The tow package on my wifes 2003 Denali included the hitch and wiring, no other differences. The hitch is only rated for #5000 and there have been many reported failures, go get a real hitch, I heard U-Haul has a good one. An aux tranny cooler is probably a good idea and they are cheap at NAPA, $35 or so. I haven't added one because I have a tranny temp gauge and it never gets hot. All the special parts talk is gossip, I have had 5 new Suburbans & pickups and have never got more than the hitch and wiring with the tow package and I just looked on the GMC web site for 2007 info and found the same thing.

 

Dan

[pm26]

Om my 06 Z71, the towing package includes a frame hitch (I know, the cheap one: the one I had on my '95 Nissan pickup looked twice as strong and a lot heavier), external transmission oil cooler, trailer wiring harness with a 7 pin plug, and also an electric brake controller pigtail harness. No brake controller though: GM was too cheap for that.

 

Now can somebody answer this question: Assuming the brake controller pigtail harness is wired to a brake controller , where do you plug the harness connector? Is there a matching connector somewhere under the dash of the truck?

Thanks.

[Dave in Mpls]

Thanks for the help thus far. I need the tow package, but really like a couple of trucks lacking it. If all I'll be missing is the cooler, plug, and hitch, I can handle that. Just don't want to overlook something and regret my decission!

 

pm26 - I'm pretty sure the brake controller harness plugs into the fuse block behind the e-brake. I believe in the top row, second from the left.

 

You may also need to add a fuse to stud 1 or 2 under the hood.

[Dans Denali]

Om my 06 Z71, the towing package includes a frame hitch (I know, the cheap one:  the one I had on my '95 Nissan pickup looked twice as strong and a lot heavier), external transmission oil cooler, trailer wiring harness with a 7 pin plug,  and also an electric brake controller pigtail harness.  No brake controller though: GM was too cheap for that.

 

Now can somebody answer this question:  Assuming the brake controller pigtail harness is wired to a brake controller , where do you plug the harness connector?  Is there a matching connector somewhere under the dash of the truck? 

Thanks.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

PM26, are you sure the tranny cooler wasn't part of the Z71? I cant find anywhere it has been offered as part of the tow package, do you have your window sticker or original brochure showing it?

 

Dan

[dlstewart01]

Om my 06 Z71, the towing package includes a frame hitch (I know, the cheap one:  the one I had on my '95 Nissan pickup looked twice as strong and a lot heavier), external transmission oil cooler, trailer wiring harness with a 7 pin plug,  and also an electric brake controller pigtail harness.  No brake controller though: GM was too cheap for that.

 

Now can somebody answer this question:  Assuming the brake controller pigtail harness is wired to a brake controller , where do you plug the harness connector?   Is there a matching connector somewhere under the dash of the truck? 

Thanks.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

PM26, are you sure the tranny cooler wasn't part of the Z71? I cant find anywhere it has been offered as part of the tow package, do you have your window sticker or original brochure showing it?

 

Dan

 

 

OK this is taken from the 2005 Dealer book listing equipment groups:

 

Z82- Trailering Equipment-heavy duty, includes trailering hitch platform, 7 wire harness (harness includes wires for: park lamps, backup lamps, right turn, left turn, electric brake lead, battery and ground) with independent fused trailering circuits mated to a 7 way sealed connector, 7 way to 4 way trailer adaptor, instrument pannel jumper wireing harness for electrical trailer brake controller, and 1 way sealed connector for center high mounted stop/brake lamp. ALSO includes (K47) air cleaner, high capacity and (KNP) cooling, external transmission oil cooler.

 

Thanks and have a great day,

 

Don

 

 

 

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[C & A s Dad]

Dave, you have recieved some good info here but I know the tow package on my 02 Yukon XL conatined the following: Hitch, wire connector, brake control pigtail and connection under the dash behind the park brake cable, higher amp battery, HD cooling system and the aux trans cooler. Mine also has 4.10 gears. If you are towing something along the lines of a camper (mine is 6,500 lbs) you will want the 4.10s if you can find them. The 3.73's are ok but trust me, the 4.10s are better. If you are only towing 2,000 to 3,000 lbs,, the 3.73s will be fine.

 

Please let me share a few other things I did to my Yuk to make sure it was tow ready. I removed the "too small" factory trans cooler (IMO) and replaced it with a 11.5"x11.5" Stacked plate cooler. Be sure if you do this, get a stacked plate design cooler which will look just like the OE cooler, just get a larger one. I also changed the trans fluid to Amsoil Syn for extra protection. One of the best pieces I added was a set of A 1000 Airlift Air bags to the rear springs. Possibly the best $75.00 I ever spent. I also replaced the factory "flex hitch" with a Putnam XDR Class V hitch. There are many opinions on this but I could physically see my factory hitch flexing so I replaced it with the best one I could find, the Putnam.

 

My Yuk is a "tuggin machine" and I tow with in comfort with no stress.

 

If you would like to discuss any of this in more depth, please feel free to PM me. I am not a technician but have been in the Auto Parts industry for almost 30 years.

[pm26]

Om my 06 Z71, the towing package includes a frame hitch (I know, the cheap one:  the one I had on my '95 Nissan pickup looked twice as strong and a lot heavier), external transmission oil cooler, trailer wiring harness with a 7 pin plug,  and also an electric brake controller pigtail harness.  No brake controller though: GM was too cheap for that.

 

Now can somebody answer this question:  Assuming the brake controller pigtail harness is wired to a brake controller , where do you plug the harness connector?   Is there a matching connector somewhere under the dash of the truck? 

Thanks.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

PM26, are you sure the tranny cooler wasn't part of the Z71? I cant find anywhere it has been offered as part of the tow package, do you have your window sticker or original brochure showing it?

 

Dan

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

This is straight from an '06 Silverado dealer brochure:

 

"Trailering package: heavy duty, includes trailer hitch platform, seven-pin wiring connector, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, trailer brake control harness, and high capacity air cleaner".

 

 

So, the Z71 package by itself does not contain the auxiliary transmission oil cooler. But the Z71 package contains the high capacity air cleaner, which is also a part of the heavy duty towing package.

 

The Z71 package contains:

 

46 mm shock absorbers, off-road jounce bumpers and stabilizer bars, skid plate package, and high capacity air cleaner

But, according to the truck's window sticker, the Z71 package also contains the wheel flares. But only on the Silverado, they are optional on the GMC Sierra with the Z71 package.

 

Pretty logical, isn't it?

[pastorscott]

what are jounce bumpers ??

 

scott

[Dans Denali]

Thanks for the info, I will go out and look at my original brocures. I dont think my 2002 pu or 2003 YD have the cooler or HD air cleaner and both have the factory package.

 

Dan