Newb With A Towing Question

itsmeagain5789 · May 23, 2009

Hey guys im a newb here. My truck was purchased new by my father in 93, and then he handed me the keys when i turned 16 a few years ago. Its a 93 GMC sierra c1500 extended cab with a 5.7L. I bought a bigger boat today, a 22ft that weighs close to 6000lb's loaded, and i thought the transmission was gonna fall out from under it when I was hauling it from the ramp. It wouldn't go faster than 50mph. Luckily the ramp is only a few miles away. I installed a transmission cooler a few days ago just in case. So my question is should I go for some new gears, or should I maybe be lookin for a new truck? i have no idea what gears, or transmission it has.

rodram · May 23, 2009

Welcome Edward.... look at the RPO code list in the glove box of your truck ... hopefully it is still there

Write down any and all of the 3 digit codes that start with G ... these will be your rear axle gear ids

Let us know and someone here can tell you what the various G codes mean...

We could also tell you what trailer weight your truck is rated for towing (...when it was new anyway)

kuhl_530 · May 23, 2009

Welcome Edward.... look at the RPO code list in the glove box of your truck ... hopefully it is still there

Write down any and all of the 3 digit codes that start with G ... these will be your rear axle gear ids

Let us know and someone here can tell you what the various G codes mean...

We could also tell you what trailer weight your truck is rated for towing (...when it was new anyway)

+1. Good job on the add on trans cooler tho, that was definately a smart move. You don't want to be touching the gears on your transmission tho, you'll be changing the gears in your diff if anything. I work at a parts store, and I've sold two complete rear end kits from yukon gear (exellent company btw). The kits included literall everything, all the bearings, races, seals, crush sleeve, ring and pinion, and the carrier assembly for around $800. If you go with a higher ratio, possibly a 4.10 if you don't already have it, it should pull that boat like a champ

asilverblazer · May 23, 2009

I'd bet its got 3.42's, any takers? Regardless I've towed a few boats, and some are incredibly more difficult to tow compared to the other items I've towed. They seem to me to work the truck a lot more. This would be comparing a boat to my utility trailer (with anything on it) or to my horse trailer(s).

itsmeagain5789 · May 23, 2009

Well I got the code from the glove box, and it says GU6. I read around a little and found out that is the code 3.42 gears. What gears should I be looking to get into right now? And what is my truck rated to tow? thanks for the help guys.

asilverblazer · May 23, 2009

Well I got the code from the glove box, and it says GU6. I read around a little and found out that is the code 3.42 gears. What gears should I be looking to get into right now? And what is my truck rated to tow? thanks for the help guys.

Damn I should be in Vegas now!

3.73's would be a good all around gear.

4.10's would be better for towing only.

itsmeagain5789 · May 23, 2009

Well I got the code from the glove box, and it says GU6. I read around a little and found out that is the code 3.42 gears. What gears should I be looking to get into right now? And what is my truck rated to tow? thanks for the help guys.

Damn I should be in Vegas now!

3.73's would be a good all around gear.

4.10's would be better for towing only.

thats what i was thinking. 4.10s would be awesome, but i know that would kill my mpg. 3.73's seem reasonable, but will i get a lot more towing power with those. it just doesnt seem like that big of a difference. im curious to know what the tow cap is with 3.42's and 3.73's.

itsmeagain5789 · May 23, 2009

hey guys i got a few more questions.

1. I am going to head over to o'reillys and pick up a trans temp gauge. just wondering what the operating temp range is for this truck.

2. What transmission do I have? Is there a code I can look for?

3. Since it is memorial day weekend, I kind of wanted to take my boat somewhere, probably about 100 mile round trip. Will I be doing damage to my transmission by towing it this far?

rodram · May 24, 2009

Well I got the code from the glove box, and it says GU6. I read around a little and found out that is the code 3.42 gears. What gears should I be looking to get into right now? And what is my truck rated to tow? thanks for the help guys.

based on Trailer Life mag manual

with the 3.73 gears rated tow capacity is 7,000 lbs

with the 4.10 gears rated tow capacity is 8,000 lbs

doesn't mention the 5.7L with 3.42 gears ... guesiing 6000 to 6500 lbs

Stevens03 · May 24, 2009

You want 4.10 gears.. Most likely your at your current max towing limit. I don't think you'll hurt anything taking the boat out... but you won't be winning any races. Just take it easy, and make sure your fluids are all good before setting out.

Congrats on the boat..

itsmeagain5789 · May 24, 2009

alright guys, thanks for all the help. I'll just take my time towing it tomorrow. and i guess the wise thing to do would be to look for some 3.73 gears.

rodram · May 24, 2009

Well I got the code from the glove box, and it says GU6. I read around a little and found out that is the code 3.42 gears. What gears should I be looking to get into right now? And what is my truck rated to tow? thanks for the help guys.

based on Trailer Life mag manual

with the 3.73 gears rated tow capacity is 7,000 lbs

with the 4.10 gears rated tow capacity is 8,000 lbs

doesn't mention the 5.7L with 3.42 gears ... guesiing 6000 to 6500 lbs

Now.. I should have said more here....

...... these towing capacities are assuming a few things.... like:

- trailer hitch is attached to frame (not bumper)

- you cannot overload the GVW of your truck or of any axle

- engine, cooling system, tranny, and brakes all in good condition

and if your trailer really is 6000 lbs loaded with the boat you might want to consider or you might need electric trailer brakes...

The 3.73 gears work well for me pulling my travel trailer with a C2500 and 5.7L ... I know the 4.10's would be a little quicker with more torque... but they would also hurt the gas mileage for the other 360 days of the year that I do not tow the trailer.

Good Luck with this project

itsmeagain5789 · May 24, 2009

Well I got the code from the glove box, and it says GU6. I read around a little and found out that is the code 3.42 gears. What gears should I be looking to get into right now? And what is my truck rated to tow? thanks for the help guys.

based on Trailer Life mag manual

with the 3.73 gears rated tow capacity is 7,000 lbs

with the 4.10 gears rated tow capacity is 8,000 lbs

doesn't mention the 5.7L with 3.42 gears ... guesiing 6000 to 6500 lbs

Now.. I should have said more here....

...... these towing capacities are assuming a few things.... like:

- trailer hitch is attached to frame (not bumper)

- you cannot overload the GVW of your truck or of any axle

- engine, cooling system, tranny, and brakes all in good condition

and if your trailer really is 6000 lbs loaded with the boat you might want to consider or you might need electric trailer brakes...

The 3.73 gears work well for me pulling my travel trailer with a C2500 and 5.7L ... I know the 4.10's would be a little quicker with more torque... but they would also hurt the gas mileage for the other 360 days of the year that I do not tow the trailer.

Good Luck with this project

I got a hitch, and the trailer has hydraulic brakes that work flawlessly and the truck is very well taken care of. only got 96,000 miles on it.. shes been babied, which is why im trying to make sure i dont overload it too much. thanks for your information though. i am going to be looking for some used 3.73's maybe. i can't quite afford a kit right now.

rodram · May 24, 2009

Sounds like you have a great truck ... and that you know what you are talking about and how to look after the truck.

itsmeagain5789 · May 26, 2009

well i thought i would share the towing experience. it towed it well with the 3.42s. i didnt want to go faster than 55, the temperature went up a little more than its average range. im assuming thats normal. i wasnt able to get the transmission gauge, but the AT light didnt come on, so i guess i was good. towed it succesfully about 100 miles today.