Towing Package / Axle Ratio / Towing Capacity

[budalove4]

I was wondering if anyone can help me out to find either my axle ratio or if I have a tow package on my truck. My ultimate goal is to find a towing capacity for my truck. It seems every time I try to look up the capacity it asks for one of these. I think I have finally gotten down to betwwen 7000-8200 pound capacity, but I would really like a more exact answer. Thanks in advance for all your help! If you need any other info then this, please let me know. Not sure if the VIN will help?

 

5.3L V-8, ext. cab 3-door, 4x4

[pwall]

Welcome to

 

You'll find the RPO codes listed in the glove box. Do a search on RPO codes to find what's in your truck. The codes were listed here someones on this site, but I can't seem to find them at the moment.

 

For example, for gear ratios:

GU2 = 2.73 Ratio

GU4 = 3.08 Ratio

GU5 = 3.23 Ratio

GU6 = 3.42 Ratio

GT4 = 3.73 Ratio

GT5 = 4.10 Ratio

 

 

There will be a code for the factory tow package. Not sure what that is.

[budalove4]

Welcome to

 

You'll find the RPO codes listed in the glove box. Do a search on RPO codes to find what's in your truck. The codes were listed here someones on this site, but I can't seem to find them at the moment.

 

For example, for gear ratios:

GU2 = 2.73 Ratio

GU4 = 3.08 Ratio

GU5 = 3.23 Ratio

GU6 = 3.42 Ratio

GT4 = 3.73 Ratio

GT5 = 4.10 Ratio

 

 

There will be a code for the factory tow package. Not sure what that is.

 

Thanks for that information! I went through the codes to find nothing about a towing package, but did find the axle rating. I was wondering if any of the codes that I found were about a tow package and I just didn't realize it? Here are the ones that I thought might mean something possibly about a tow package:

 

C7H-GVW Rating-6400#

GT4-3.73 axle ratio

LM7-8cyl. 5.3 L, MFI, Iron, GM

Z85-Chassis Package, High Payload Firm Ride

1SB-Option Package 02

 

Any remarks would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks Again!!!!

[Ranger]

I think NHT is the heavy duty towing package...

 

Correction- NHT is the Max Trailering Package (only available with the Vortec Max 6.0L I think) but Z82 is the option for the trailering package, I believe it usually includes the hitch, wiring, and a trans cooler.

[Outbacker]

http://www.trailerlife.com/downloads/99towingguide.pdf

 

According to the Trailer Life tow ratings for 1999, for a C1500 with the 5.3L engine, 3.73:1 ratio and the trailer towing package, your tow rating is 8200 pounds.

[budalove4]

http://www.trailerlife.com/downloads/99towingguide.pdf

 

According to the Trailer Life tow ratings for 1999, for a C1500 with the 5.3L engine, 3.73:1 ratio and the trailer towing package, your tow rating is 8200 pounds.

 

That is exactly where I get thrown off. According to my VIN, I have a K1500. The trailer life rating does not have a rating for a K1500, 5.3L V8, 4x4, a 3.73:1 ratio, and extended cab. I may be looking too much into this and just accept between 7500-8200 lbs. as my rating??

[Outbacker]

Hmmm, that is very interesting. Typically, a 4X4 (K1500) has a tow rating of 200 pounds less then the C1500 (2X4). Strange that they don't list it. Honestly, I would go with 8000 pounds as this is just below the C1500 with the 3.73 gears. And your manual does not give any indication to the tow rating? The newer manuals give charts with various configurations of engines and ratios to get a tow rating. Good luck.

[Ranger]

You CAN tow more than 8k reliably, it's just a figure engineers thought up based on a long term towing setup in OPTIMAL conditions. If you have to worry about weight more than say 200-300 miles a year I'd get a 2500, but that said I've towed more than that with my 1500 before and have no problems whatsoever.

[c4cruiser]

http://www.trailerlife.com/downloads/99towingguide.pdf

 

According to the Trailer Life tow ratings for 1999, for a C1500 with the 5.3L engine, 3.73:1 ratio and the trailer towing package, your tow rating is 8200 pounds.

 

My old 99 Silverado extended cab with 5.3L, Z71, Z82 tow package, and optional 4.10 gears was rated for 8000 lbs of towing weight per the dealer brochure and the owner's manual with these options.

 

The 4.10 gears added an extra 500 lbs towing capacity over the standard 3.73 (7500 lbs) that would have been the stock gear ratio in the configuration I had (basically the same truck you have).

 

I had looked at that site earlier and it seemed that a number of different truck configurations were higher than what the factory specs were. This included Ford and Dodge trucks too.

 

In any event, the weight you can safely tow is typically about 10-15% LESS than the maximum gross towing weight of the vehicle. You can add equipment to help with the weight like stiffer springs, air bags, higher load range tires and such for safety and improved life of some of the components, but too much towing weight puts a strain on the driveline.

 

Also keep in mind that the GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) of your truck is 13,000 lbs. This maximum figure is the weight of the truck, all of the cargo inside, and the maximum trailer weight you can tow. With the 4.10's in my old truck it was 14,000 lbs.

[95Sierra2500]

c4cruiser puts down some sound advice. You've got to be careful when towing, especially if you're doing it often. Why people go out and buy a 1500, then expect to be able to tow their 35 ft, 11,000 lb camper with it is beyond me. Sure, you CAN do it, and you might not have a problem, but why not bite the bullet and get what you NEED?

 

Edit: I just realized that what I stated may come across as berating the OP - I'm really not. I'm glad to see that he's here asking for advice. What I was trying to imply is that I am constantly seeing 35'+ campers that weigh well over 10k lbs being pulled by 1500 series trucks - at speeds of 75+ mph!!! Those people must not like their trucks!

[budalove4]

c4cruiser puts down some sound advice. You've got to be careful when towing, especially if you're doing it often. Why people go out and buy a 1500, then expect to be able to tow their 35 ft, 11,000 lb camper with it is beyond me. Sure, you CAN do it, and you might not have a problem, but why not bite the bullet and get what you NEED?

 

 

Thankyou all for your great insights. I really appreciate it. I am very glad I found this site and will continue to look up information here!!