K1500 towing
Question:
4500??? as long as you do not have the overdrive engaged and take it easy on hills and start up should not be any kind of problem…(I would add a trailer brake system…) I regularly tow a ~8000 bound trailer (29 foot old beast of one) and the only think I had to add was a break system … this is with a 88 Chevy 1500 Suburban, witch by itself is 7500+lbs with a 350 and auto tranny… The only think I am thinking of upgrading is the tyranny cooler..that is it. OH and watch it if you use 4 low and have tension on the transfer-case I usually just put both the tanny and the transfer case in neutral and keep my foot on the break for a bit after I stop… and shift then… it should be able to shift on the fly according to the owners manual but I do not like the grinding sound it makes as the silly thing meshes.. Rich G. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 1985 GMC K1500. The owner’s manuel says in the towing section > this vehicle is designed as a load bearing vehicle. Optional equipment > should be installed before extensive towing. It does not give any > towing capacities and ask you contact your dealer for information on > towing options. The truck has the automatic transmision (towing > magazine recoments an automatic on all tow vehicles), a stong > remanufactured 350 4 bolt and a heavy duty 4 core radiator (this is a > replacement about 3 years old and upgraded from the original) I plan > to put a transmision oil cooler on. Is there any other option I will > need to safely tow 4500 lbs? > I called the dealer on this and they said I would not need to add > anything to tow. I asked him why the manuel had the statement about > weight bearing design ect. His responce was that for warrenty purposes > the owner should inform the dealer of intentions to tow. Since my > warrenty was over 14 years and 138,000 miles ago I would not have to > make any modification. > At this point I assumed the person at the dealership was not familiar > with this old truck and was just saing anthing to blow me off. That is > why I am here seeking another opinion. > Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 1985 GMC K1500. The owner’s manuel says in the towing section > this vehicle is designed as a load bearing vehicle. Optional equipment > should be installed before extensive towing. It does not give any > towing capacities and ask you contact your dealer for information on > towing options. The truck has the automatic transmision (towing > magazine recoments an automatic on all tow vehicles), a stong > remanufactured 350 4 bolt and a heavy duty 4 core radiator (this is a > replacement about 3 years old and upgraded from the original) I plan > to put a transmision oil cooler on. Is there any other option I will > need to safely tow 4500 lbs? > I called the dealer on this and they said I would not need to add > anything to tow. I asked him why the manuel had the statement about > weight bearing design ect. His responce was that for warrenty purposes > the owner should inform the dealer of intentions to tow. Since my > warrenty was over 14 years and 138,000 miles ago I would not have to > make any modification. > At this point I assumed the person at the dealership was not familiar > with this old truck and was just saing anthing to blow me off. That is > why I am here seeking another opinion. > Before you buy.
I’m towing a small aluminum cabin crusier. The trailer has surge brakes and they are in good working order. I think I will go with what I have at this paoint. All the feedback makes me think an engine oil cooler, anti-sway bars and a beefed up suspention may be over kill for the job and truck. Thanks folks Before you buy.
Response:
There are kits available to modify the 700-r4 to allow towing in OverDrive, I’m not to familiar with the details, as I heard about by overhearing another conversation, it works by making the transmission apply the 3rd and 4th gear set of clutches at the same time (it works somehow in 700 don’t ask me for details) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I don’t see any problem towing 4500 lbs. The biggest caution is if you have >a overdrive automatic (700R4) make sure you keep it in drive and not >overdrive. They just don’t like to work very hard. If the trailer has >brakes I would suggest a brake control as well. > I have a 1985 GMC K1500. The owner’s manuel says in the towing section > this vehicle is designed as a load bearing vehicle. Optional equipment > should be installed before extensive towing. It does not give any > towing capacities and ask you contact your dealer for information on > towing options. The truck has the automatic transmision (towing > magazine recoments an automatic on all tow vehicles), a stong > remanufactured 350 4 bolt and a heavy duty 4 core radiator (this is a > replacement about 3 years old and upgraded from the original) I plan > to put a transmision oil cooler on. Is there any other option I will > need to safely tow 4500 lbs? > I called the dealer on this and they said I would not need to add > anything to tow. I asked him why the manuel had the statement about > weight bearing design ect. His responce was that for warrenty purposes > the owner should inform the dealer of intentions to tow. Since my > warrenty was over 14 years and 138,000 miles ago I would not have to > make any modification. > At this point I assumed the person at the dealership was not familiar > with this old truck and was just saing anthing to blow me off. That is > why I am here seeking another opinion. > Before you buy.
Response:
You may want to consider trailer brakes, for safety sakes. The truck will do it without, but what the heck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 1985 GMC K1500. The owner’s manuel says in the towing section > this vehicle is designed as a load bearing vehicle. Optional equipment > should be installed before extensive towing. It does not give any > towing capacities and ask you contact your dealer for information on > towing options. The truck has the automatic transmision (towing > magazine recoments an automatic on all tow vehicles), a stong > remanufactured 350 4 bolt and a heavy duty 4 core radiator (this is a > replacement about 3 years old and upgraded from the original) I plan > to put a transmision oil cooler on. Is there any other option I will > need to safely tow 4500 lbs? > I called the dealer on this and they said I would not need to add > anything to tow. I asked him why the manuel had the statement about > weight bearing design ect. His responce was that for warrenty purposes > the owner should inform the dealer of intentions to tow. Since my > warrenty was over 14 years and 138,000 miles ago I would not have to > make any modification. > At this point I assumed the person at the dealership was not familiar > with this old truck and was just saing anthing to blow me off. That is > why I am here seeking another opinion. > Before you buy.
Response:
I have a 1985 GMC K1500. The owner’s manuel says in the towing section this vehicle is designed as a load bearing vehicle. Optional equipment should be installed before extensive towing. It does not give any towing capacities and ask you contact your dealer for information on towing options. The truck has the automatic transmision (towing magazine recoments an automatic on all tow vehicles), a stong remanufactured 350 4 bolt and a heavy duty 4 core radiator (this is a replacement about 3 years old and upgraded from the original) I plan to put a transmision oil cooler on. Is there any other option I will need to safely tow 4500 lbs? I called the dealer on this and they said I would not need to add anything to tow. I asked him why the manuel had the statement about weight bearing design ect. His responce was that for warrenty purposes the owner should inform the dealer of intentions to tow. Since my warrenty was over 14 years and 138,000 miles ago I would not have to make any modification. At this point I assumed the person at the dealership was not familiar with this old truck and was just saing anthing to blow me off. That is why I am here seeking another opinion. Before you buy.
Response:
I don’t see any problem towing 4500 lbs. The biggest caution is if you have a overdrive automatic (700R4) make sure you keep it in drive and not overdrive. They just don’t like to work very hard. If the trailer has brakes I would suggest a brake control as well. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 1985 GMC K1500. The owner’s manuel says in the towing section > this vehicle is designed as a load bearing vehicle. Optional equipment > should be installed before extensive towing. It does not give any > towing capacities and ask you contact your dealer for information on > towing options. The truck has the automatic transmision (towing > magazine recoments an automatic on all tow vehicles), a stong > remanufactured 350 4 bolt and a heavy duty 4 core radiator (this is a > replacement about 3 years old and upgraded from the original) I plan > to put a transmision oil cooler on. Is there any other option I will > need to safely tow 4500 lbs? > I called the dealer on this and they said I would not need to add > anything to tow. I asked him why the manuel had the statement about > weight bearing design ect. His responce was that for warrenty purposes > the owner should inform the dealer of intentions to tow. Since my > warrenty was over 14 years and 138,000 miles ago I would not have to > make any modification. > At this point I assumed the person at the dealership was not familiar > with this old truck and was just saing anthing to blow me off. That is > why I am here seeking another opinion. > Before you buy.
